Young children with attacks of sporadic, recurring asthma who were treated with the prescription drug montelukast by their parents had fewer unscheduled trips to the doctor, missed less days from school or childcare, and caused their parents to take fewer days off work for their care.

Mild illnesses are very common during the school year; however, there are very few illnesses that mandate exclusion from participation in school. The case of a contagious respiratory infection is one of these illnesses. In cases of respiratory infection, children should stay home from school or childcare until the fever is gone and they feel well enough to attend.

"People who are grandparents today grew up in a world without car seats, smoke alarms or bike helmets, but also fewer cars on the road and fewer fire hazards in the home. Parents of young children need to let their own parents know that important changes have been made in childcare," says Jan Stegelman, Safe Kids Kansas coordinator.

How is motherhood different than it was a century ago? In the past, live-in grandmothers, relatives, and other women were frequently available to assist with childcare. But times have changed. New research by Brown University sociologist Susan E. Short shows that today's mothers with young children are getting substantially less help around the house. Even when other women are living in the household, they aren't necessarily on hand to help with the kids. This research appears in Demography.