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Should I Send My Child Back to In-Person School in the Fall?
It’s that time of year again. Time that parents start thinking about back-to-school preparations. THIS year, however, parents are facing VERY DIFFERENT decisions than in years past (oh, to be back to the days when picking out a new outfit or backpack was the most stressful decision that we had to make with our children at this time of year). And it’s not just parents that are grappling with the decision about what is best for their child this fall…schools, governments, and pediatricians everywhere are trying to figure this out as well. So while there is no one-size-fits-all answer, there are some things that I think each family should consider…
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Summer Camp and COVID-19
Summer camp is a rite of passage for so many young children. I know many kids that have been going to the same camps year after year and each year they look forward to seeing their friends from across the country. As parents, we have already had to deal with so much disappointment from our children over missed activities, vacations, and time away from school and friends, that the decision of whether or not to take summer camp away is hard. Summer camps pose a unique risk for transmission of SARS-CoV2 as traditionally large groups of children from different communities gather and play together, share meals together, and often sleep…
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Swimming Pools and COVID-19
As the weather gets warmer and parents search for activities to keep their kids (and themselves) from going completely bonkers, I have been getting questions from parents about whether or not they should take their kids to the pool this summer in the midst of a pandemic. First of all, no activity is 100% safe – each family must weigh risks vs. benefits. Also note that these recommendations are based on what we CURRENTLY know about SARS-CoV-2 (as of 5/25/2020) and may change as we get more data. According to the CDC there is currently no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted through water, so just the function of being…
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Don’t Raise a Grumpy Jerk (or How to Teach Your Children to Have an Attitude of Gratitude)
I know that using the work “jerk” is not very kind or PC or whatever – and when I first started writing this post, I was going for the positive, heartwarming feelings about gratitude and how to foster that in our kids. But let’s be real – no one wants to raise a kid that is grumpy all of the time or that others perceive as rude or ungrateful. I think most parents can agree that we want to raise kind, loving, compassionate children who live happy and fulfilled lives (aka NOT grumpy jerks) but we don’t always know how to go about it. Stick with me – I’m here to…
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E-cigarettes: What Every Parent Needs To Know
I’m about to admit something kind of embarrassing. Until last spring, I didn’t really know that e-cigarette use was a huge deal and I had NO idea what a “JUUL” was or that “juuling” was something I should be concerned about as a parent and a pediatrician. As a routine, I always ask my teenage patients about their substance abuse habits (in Peds we often refer to these as the “Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll” questions): Do you smoke cigarettes? Do you use marijuana or other drugs? Do you drink alcohol? etc. I’m going to be honest here – I live under a bit of a rock and don’t read…
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Tales of a Toxic Sideline Parent
I have a confession to make. You know that parent on the sideline of the soccer game. The one who is super loud and likes to shout at her kid to “HUSTLE!!!” The one who doesn’t care what the coach TOLD her kid to do, she’s going to instruct them to do something completely different. That was me. I am embarrassed and ashamed to admit this about myself, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I am a recovering toxic sideline parent (the first step is to admit you have a problem, am I right?). What exactly IS a “toxic sideline parent?” I tried to find…
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Do’s and Don’ts When Talking To Your Kids About Shots
It’s that time of year again – flu clinic time. Every fall the sounds of crying children fill the halls of my office as they come in for their flu vaccines. So often I see or overhear parents trying their hardest to do what is best for their child, but making some pretty common mistakes. Here is a list of my most common DO’s and DON’Ts for parents when your child is getting a vaccine: DON’TS DON’T TELL YOUR KIDS THAT SHOTS DON’T HURT. That is a lie. Shots DO hurt. Getting a shot consists of a needle breaking the skin. It’s not a pleasant sensation. When parents tell children…
