By Jessica Vician

Besides bringing spring-like weather, March is bringing important awareness days and weeks that we should pay attention to. See what's lined up and what you need to know this month.

International Women's Day—March 8
March 8th is International Women's Day and March is National Women's History Month. What better time to remind our girls how valuable they are to this world?

Teach your daughters how women can make a difference by sharing inspiration from female history makers featured in this post.

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day—March 10
Later this week is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This annual, nationwide observance reminds us of the impact HIV and AIDS continue to have on women and girls. Read this post to learn how and why you should talk to your daughters (and sons) about the illness.

St. Patrick's Day—March 17
Make St. Patrick's Day a magical holiday for your kids by sharing the mystery and wonder of old Irish tales, then send them on a treasure-hunting adventure.

• 7 St. Patrick's Day Facts to Share with Kids 
• St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun Adventure 

National Poison Prevention Week—March 19–25

Did you know that 50 percent of all poison exposures happen to children under age six? Most poisonings occur from ingesting products that you probably have sitting around at home. Read these tips to learn how to prevent your kids from unintentionally consuming poison.

Cesar Chavez Day—March 31
Cesar Chavez spoke up for what he believed in and rallied for change for the betterment of individuals and society. We believe that every child should have access to a strong support network so that he or she can succeed in life and give back.

Use this day as inspiration to make a difference in your community starting with your own child. We offer tips to get started in this post.

By Noralba Martinez

The holidays are an exciting time for adults and kids. Families go out-of-town to visit relatives, host visitors, go on vacation, or simply take time to stay home to relax. With so much going on during the holidays, it’s hard to keep a consistent schedule, let alone a consistent sleep routine. But don’t stress if your child wants to stay up a little late to catch up with family over school break. Here are some tips to help your child get back into his or her sleep routine before school starts up again in January.

Keep the Bedtime Routine.
Stick to a pre-bedtime routine throughout the holidays, like taking a bath, putting on PJ’s, and reading a book. This helps your child predict what's next and know that there will be no negotiation. 

Slowly Return to A Set Bedtime.
As you get closer to returning to school, slowly start moving up bedtime. Try moving it up by 15 to 30 minutes each night the week before school starts, and keep the normal school night bedtime for at least the weekend before school starts again.

Unplug.
Begin turning off all media devices one hour prior to your child’s bedtime routine. It will help him or her wind down and signal that it’s almost bedtime.

Turn Down the Lights.
Dim lights around the home and play classical music or white noise sounds. Use a dim lamp or night-light to promote security.


Bedtime Snacks.
Offer honey or cheese and crackers as a last snack (this combination has been proven to be effective to bring on sleep.) For more food ideas that help bring on sleep, see this article.

Above all, remember that you are the role model for all habits and routines. According to the CDC, your toddler should be sleeping 11-12 hours a day, while your school-aged child should sleep at least 10 hours a day. Model positive behavior for your child by valuing sleep, too. Try these tips with your child and you’ll both feel more rested in no time.