Puberty Belly Fat. Healthy Food Swaps to Burn Tummy Bulge

I've lost 97 pounds and dropped from size 20 to size 3/ 4. (Left photo is then, right photo is now). Belly fat has always been my nemesis--being apple-shaped.

Parents, is your once-slim tot sprouting a belly in puberty? Don't worry too much, if he's active and mostly eating right, it'll trim down in adolescence. But if you have family history of obesity, or if that belly is staying past 15-16, it's time to tone it. Here are healthy food swaps to help everyone from a menopausal 50-year old like me to a preteen, burn belly fat. These are healthy diet tweaks, not crash dieting. Don't, for heaven's sake, put your child on a too-restrictive diet. He needs to eat a lot while growing. The trick? Avoid saturated fat, highly-inflammatory food, sugary, salty and bloating foods. Then boost MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids), metabolism-boosters, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, fermented foods, vitamin C. Here's an A-Z guide of foods that add and subtract to tummy bulge.  Belly Fat or Flat, Foods That Boost and Burn Stomach Bulge

Parent coping tips for teen anger and mood swings

Clinical teen depression is relatively uncommon, but tell that to parents of teens and they may not agree. I certainly wouldn't have. Bouts of moodiness are hallmarks of teen behavior and one of the most worrisome for parents. Here's a parent survival kit for dealing with teen mood swings.  Parent coping tips for teen anger and mood swings

Girls Hitting Puberty Younger Isn't Surprising

Girls are starting puberty at younger ages and these findings are causing physicians concern, The Week reports. Increasingly more girls are starting puberty before age 10. Based on changing diets, obesity trends and exercise levels, I'm not surprised. Some girls enter puberty younger because they have central precocious puberty. Medscape says girls with CPP start hormonal changes younger than the normal ages of 9 to 15. My mother  started puberty at age 8.  Read more at Girls Hitting Puberty Younger Isn't Surprising 

Back to School Shopping: Men's Body Wash and Deodorant Spray for Boys

Back to School Shopping: Mens Body Wash and Deodorant Body Spray for Boys
Going back to school isn't much fun, let's face it. If you're a pubescent boy starting middle school or high school, multiple the potential misery 10x. How can parents boost a boy's confidence? Get him men's body wash and deodorant spray.
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When Should Children Use Deodorant and Best Anti-perspirant Brands for Tweens

When Should Children Begin to Use Deodorant and AntiPerspirant?
The first signs of puberty is the growth of pubic hair. During puberty, girls will also begin to perspire more heavily. Chemical changes in puberty cause body odor. This can be terribly embarrassing for children, especially girls.
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When should I Let My Daughter Start Wearing Makeup?

When Should I Let My Daughter Start Wearing Makeup?
I know, many of us think that girls begin wearing make-up too young. At what age should a girl begin wearing make-up? There is no age when she should wear make-up, but before puberty, wearing make up is counter-productive.
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When Should I Let My Daughter Shave?

When Should I Let My Daughter Begin Shaving Her Legs?
When should I let me daughter shave her legs and armpits? When should I encourage and teach her to shave if she's reluctant to do so? This is a common parenting concern. The first signs of puberty in girls is a darkening and thickening of pubic hair.
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