Teaching our kids to enjoy reading can be difficult, but while we're spending more time at home with our families, now might be the perfect time to try and instill a passion for reading in our young ones. Joining us to talk about reading is Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, he is a pediatrician and spokesperson for AAP, as well as an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He talks about sharing that love of reading with our children and our fami...
Nov 03, 2020
We have never been more dependent on technology than during this pandemic. Between video calls for fun, for work, and many kids going to school virtually, we are on the internet and on screens almost all of the time. As kids become more adapt to technology, the AAP is calling for more regulation when it comes to digital advertising and our children. Dr. Yolanda "Linda" Reid Chassiakos is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, and the Director a...
Oct 27, 2020
Halloween is just a week away now, have you finalized your plans for this year? Halloween 2020 will be one to remember with the COVID-19 still raging on. So how will Halloween change this year, is trick or treating safe? Can we still have costume parties? What should you do if you are hitting the streets Halloween night? We are joined once again today by Dr. Shelly Vaziri Flais - she is a practicing pediatrician, mom of 4, AAP author, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Northwestern ...
Oct 20, 2020
Today's episode is a bit personal for our host Melanie, as she kept her son home this semester instead of sending him back to college. He is miserable, but she thinks she made the best decision! Well, we're going to talk all about colleges in the time of COVID with Dr. Yolanda “Linda” Reid Chassiakos, the Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, and the Director and Medical Chief of Staff at the Klotz Student Health Center, at California State Univ...
Oct 20, 2020
It is an especially difficult time to be a parent, with all of the different forms of schooling going on during the pandemic. Whether you're homeschooling, helping with virtual lessons, or sending your kid to physical classrooms, learning is not what it used to be. Helping us navigate through all of these options today is Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, he is a pediatrician and spokesperson for AAP, as well as an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public...
Oct 13, 2020
We've done a lot of shows about COVID-19, but today we're going to breakdown testing for the virus. The different kinds, antibody vs diagnostic, and other confusing parts of the process. Joining us is Dr. Yolanda "Linda" Reid Chassiakos, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, and the Director and Medical Chief of Staff at the Klotz Student Health Center, at California State University Northridge. She tells us how there is no textbook to turn to...
Oct 06, 2020
It's stressful already being a parent during this pandemic, but now we have an upcoming cold & flu season to worry about as well. Epidemiologists around the globe are worried about what the overlap of illness will look like this winter. Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson joins us once again - she is a pediatrician and a spokesperson for the AAP and is here to guide us through this next season. She breaks down the difference between each sickness, the importance of those flu shots, and keeping calm headin...
Sep 29, 2020
As a parent, we do our best to know what our children are doing when we can't be with them. But when it comes to vaping and e-cigarettes, they're a bit easier to hide than traditional marijuana use or cigarette smoking. Dr. Susan Walley is a Pediatrics Specialist, as well as the chair of the AAP Section on Tobacco Control. She breaks down what e-cigarettes are, why people think they're "safer" when they're really not, and all of the lung problems that affect vape users....
Sep 22, 2020
These times are unprecedented, people have been saying that for months now. But as the pandemic continues into those last half of 2020, one thing is for certain: masks arent going anywhere anytime soon. So how can we convince our young ones to keep them on, whether we're heading to the store or heading back to school? Dr. Jennifer Shu is a board-certified pediatrician and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics She is back on the show to talk about the most difficult ages to get th...
Sep 15, 2020
Childcare has always been an issue in this country for working parents and has only become more urgent and difficult to find in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between licensing, cost, and just finding a place with available slots - it can be hard to access good, reliable childcare, especially when schools may not be open in your area. Dr. Danette Glassy is a Pediatrician in practice at Mercer Island Pediatrics and joins us today to talk about all things childcare, especially as we head into ...
Sep 08, 2020
As our children grow into teens (and eventually adults), there comes a time where we need to sit them down to talk about handling and advocating for their own health. Whether its nutrition, a chronic health problem, or personal hygiene, sometimes kids as early as 11 or 12 are ready to take on these activities. While the timing comes down to your child and their maturity level, there are a general set of tips that can help any parent whenever its time to pass that responsibility along. Dr. Elizab...
Sep 01, 2020
We've heard about it every summer for years, but somehow it still happens, kids dying in hot cars. On average 40 kids die in hot cars every year, with most incidents happening towards the end of a typical work week. Dr. Benjamin Hoffman is a pediatrician and expert on child safety, and sits down with Melanie Cole to discuss how fast cars can get too hot, how long it takes for kids to be affected by heat, staying hydrated, and the importance of parents keeping to their routines. And when it comes...
Aug 25, 2020
The stereotype stepparents we saw in the movies growing up are outdated. Step-parents of all genders, blended families, co-parenting, and more are becoming more the norm. Elizabeth Meade is a pediatric hospitalist, and the Medical Director of Patient Safety for Pediatrics at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, and a step-parent herself. She joins Melanie Cole again this episode to talk about the journey of introducing a new parent figure to children, how and when to discipline as a step-parent, a...
Aug 18, 2020
Having a baby is typically a joyous and exciting time. But now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, going to and spending time in the hospital is worrisome, and the idea of bringing a new life into the world amidst all this can be overwhelming. Elizabeth Meade is a pediatric hospitalist, and the Medical Director of Patient Safety for Pediatrics at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, and joins Melanie Cold to discuss many common questions about labor during COVID-19 like visitor policies, if breastfeedi...
Aug 11, 2020
As we move toward a more digital world, many parents are weighing the benefits of electronic devices - are they good or bad? With schools moving to online classes because of the pandemic, kids are on phones and computers now more than ever. So can kids be addicted to devices, how can you move kids offline, and what counts as screentime? Dr. Nusheen Ameenuddin is a general pediatrician at the Mayo Clinic and joins us this episode to talk about managing electronic devices....
Aug 04, 2020
One of the most important parts of being a parent, besides keeping your children alive, is helping them to navigate adolescence to become successful adults, giving them roots and wings. It's inevitable your teens will one day become adults, so ensuring those values in them now will only help them as they grow into adults. Dr. Ken Ginsberg joins Melanie Cole for another conversation about nurturing adolescents. He is the Founder of the Center For Parents and Teen Communication....
Jul 28, 2020
Times are tough for everyone these days, but especially teens who haven't been in school and can't hang out with their friends like they used to. Building resilience in teens is always important, but more critical now than ever in making them feel seen, and making sure they have the resources to get through whatever troubles they may be facing. Dr. Ken Ginsberg is the Founder of the Center For Parents and Teen Communication and talks to us about how we can talk to our teens....
Jul 21, 2020
Parents, especially White Parents, should be having conversations with children about race anyway, protests or not. Institutionalized racism is as old as America, so parents need to be talking to their children about power and privilege early on. Reading books that discuss racism and have different characters with different races, ethnicities, and cultures is recommended. Only by starting this conversation early can we ever expect to have a more loving, less hateful world. Regarding the protests...
Jul 14, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on kids. The mental, psychosocial aspects of social distancing and isolation are starting to pile up as we enter another month of this new normal. But as the weather gets warmer, kids are trying to see their friends, head to a park or a pool, and play outside. But what activities are safe this summer amid the pandemic? Dr. Tanya Altmann is a best-selling author, network television parenting expert, and an American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson, and gives ...
Jul 07, 2020
Summer is here, and everyone is itching to get outside after a long spring indoors. So whether you're heading to the lake, the ocean, or a backyard pool, its still important to keep swimming safety and drowning in mind. To talk about water safety in the summer is Shelly Vaziri Flais, MD - a practicing pediatrician, fellow mom, AAP author, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine....
Jun 30, 2020
Protests have been raging on in most major cities for weeks now protesting the death of George Floyd, police brutality, and systemic racism. All of these are incredibly heavy and complex topics to discuss with children, so where do you begin? Dr. Nia Heard-Garris joins Melanie Cole, MS, to help parents discuss this moment in history with our kids. Dr. Heard-Garris is a pediatrician and a researcher in the Department of Pediatrics at Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University; and als...
Jun 23, 2020
Your responsibility as a parent is to encourage an understanding and appreciation for diversity. Racism affects all people. First, you have to acknowledge that bias is real. Then, you have to encourage individuals who have conscious biases to be better. Discuss the challenges that come up for yourself and your children. Biases start early. Your children are exposed to biases as early as preschool. Establish a safe space to talk about the things they hear and see in the world. Listen as Dr. Jacki...
Jun 16, 2020
We know parents have a lot of questions and fears concerning the spread of COVID-19 and some might be reluctant to bring their child to the doctor, even when it’s an emergency. Dr. Alison Tothy joins Melanie Cole, MS, to talk about what she’s seeing in patients these days and what parents should do in case of an emergency or other less urgent problems.
Jun 09, 2020
Thinking of sending children back to schools this fall brings up a range of emotions. - is it relieving that they'll be out of the house and taught by teachers once again? or scary, the idea of going back to crowded classrooms? Whether it's going back to a local public school or sending older children away to college - schools will inevitably be open in most places after the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways. Sara Goza is the President of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is joining Melan...
Jun 02, 2020
As more people are taking extra steps to sanitize their homes, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in calls to the Poison Control Center. Dr. Benjamin Hoffman is a pediatrician and nationally recognized expert in child injury prevention and education. He currently serves as Director of the Tom Sargent Safety Center at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hoffman joins host Melanie Cole, MS, to share information on poison risks during this time, as well as how to keep children ...
May 26, 2020
Pediatric suicide is a difficult topic but parents may be able to help children who are at risk. Bullying is rampant in pre-teens and teens. In the age of social media, bullying doesn't stop once the school day is done. Find out how much time your child is spending online. Those who are already prone to anxiety and depression are at greater risk for self-harm and suicide. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) lead to higher potential for depression. Feeling unworthy, lonely or trapped can trigger...
May 19, 2020
By this time in the COVID-19 pandemic, your kids might be going a little stir crazy... or a lot . Social distancing was designed to reduce the risk of the virus to thrive. But your kids, especially the little ones, don't understand why they can't have a play date or go to the playground. Older kids are also trying to find ways to sneak out of the house to meet up with their friends. It's critical for the health of your family, your community, and the world for us to remain steadfast with social ...
May 12, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone, in different ways. How are children with special healthcare needs uniquely impacted -- especially those who often receive important care during the school day? Dr. Lynn Davidson says that parents and family members are required to "get creative" in getting access to necessary therapies. She also advises that parents be okay with doing the best they can, given the circumstances. Some of that involves getting "back to basics;" things like using cooking ...
May 05, 2020
The coronavirus is causing uncertainty among us all. It's been a total disruption of what we consider "normal." How long will the social-distancing and self-isolation last? One cannot tell -- meaning the disruption continues. For families with children at home, whether small children, school-aged kids, or even young adults home from college, it can be even more challenging. How can you keep your kids busy and in continued health, despite the restrictions? Donald Shifrin, MD, provides some simple...
Apr 28, 2020
COVID-19's presence in our society, our communities, our households is the cause of a great deal of anxiety. While children may not fully understand what's going on, they can still pick up on the fear and anxiety circulating within the their environment. They also may not comprehend the importance of social distancing. They're disappointed by the reality of the situation. Allow them to own that disappointment (don't deny it), but try to find ways to explain why social distancing is so critical f...
Apr 21, 2020
