Cleaning out some boxes of sentimental keepsakes and writings from my high school days, I came across one of my college application essays. As I read my essay, I met my high school self again. Idealistic. Hopeful. Ambitious, but still unsure of what I wanted out of life. I wrote about the ways in which I saw … Continue reading »
Save a Life: CPR for Parents, Free Training in San Diego
I’ve had the pleasure of celebrating and meeting many newborn babies this year. Some are my patients. Some are babies of dear friends. Baby showers. Baby registries. Birth plans and Lamaze classes. Questions about what to buy, which diapers to use, what books to read… you name it. Then the hormones. And the fatigue. Nesting takes … Continue reading »
Video Games: A New Addiction
When you think about the word “addiction”, people often associate it with the likes of drugs, alcohol, or gambling. However, in this growing culture of television, computers, and media, we as parents also need to look out for more insidious habits. Internet and video game addiction is becoming a reality amongst pre-teens and adolescents. A survey done … Continue reading »
Swim Safe: A Review of Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines
I used to know that summer has arrived by my sudden urge to go to the beach and drink smoothies. Now that I have kids, summer’s arrival is instead marked by their incessant plea to go outside and play with water. Summer is still technically a long ways away. We are spoiled here in San Diego … Continue reading »
Getting Involved in Social Media: A New Responsibility
Reblogged from One Family Table: It starts young, doesn’t it? At the risk of sounding old, I am intrigued by how much social media has transformed the way we interact with each other. I still can’t believe it at times. With one tap or click, you can share your thoughts with others whom you normally wouldn’t … Continue reading »
Watch that Step: Stair-related injuries still common
Do you have stairs in your home? I recently saw a toddler for an accidental fall down stairs. It reminded me of a recent study published in Pediatrics showing that, although stair-related injuries aren’t happening as much as they did in the past, they are still more common than they should be. Statistics show that a child … Continue reading »
10 Tips on Feeding Your Picky Eater
Your baby had a great appetite. Happily ate everything. Tried lots of flavors and foods. Then your baby became a toddler. Suddenly meals feel like a horrible battle. Sound familiar? Picky eating is very common, especially in toddlers and pre-schoolers. After the first year of life, a toddler’s appetite decreases quite a bit as the rate of growth … Continue reading »
Domestic Violence: Making a Safety Plan
Violence in the home is a reality that continues to threaten the lives of both adults and children. There is never a justification for domestic violence and abuse. It just shouldn’t happen. Period. Often times, there are multiple factors that make it difficult for the victim to leave the situation. Sometimes there is still a denial that yes, you … Continue reading »
Recent Changes to Vaccine Recommendations
Vaccinations are a cornerstone in prevention and public health. Ongoing research continues to maximize the role of vaccines in protecting individuals and populations at large from previously common illnesses. The American Academy of Pediatrics has released its 2012 update on vaccinations. Review of the evidence from recent vaccine studies has led to two important adjustments to the vaccine schedule … Continue reading »
Prevent Obesity: 5 Tips for Healthy Eating
As parents, we all work hard to feed our children well. We all go through stages of worrying whether our children eat too much or too little. We all wonder at times if they are getting enough nutrition. On the flip side, sometimes life feels too overwhelming to pay much attention to what makes it onto … Continue reading »
Discovering Art through Play
My kids and I recently had the opportunity to check out the New Children’s Museum here in San Diego. We were there for a little over four hours. Building. Bouncing. Climbing. Creating and drawing. Hands covered with clay. Then paint. Then chalk. We made a bug catcher. We listened to animal sounds and the pitter patter … Continue reading »
The Importance of Play: Does your child play enough?
How does your child “play”? All play is not equal. With the power of marketing, play has become increasingly associated with toys, electronic gadgets, television, and video games. Just think about the amount of ads for children’s toys over the holidays. Just think about the things your child might have asked for and the latest … Continue reading »
Building Trust With Your Teen: Start Early, Start Now
Once in a while, I get a surge of parents bringing their tween or teen to me for the sole purpose of getting a urine drug screen. Why? Well, I want to know if they’re doing drugs. Did something recently happen to make you worry? No, I just want to check. My usual response is … Continue reading »
Potty Training: 5 Tips
We’re in the midst of potty training over here. My 20 month old girl decided she wanted to switch to underwear. She is a stubborn one, so I decided to go with it. Unfortunately, once big bro (3 years old) saw little sis wear underwear and get prizes for every 3 stickers earned, he decided he wanted … Continue reading »
California Law: Booster Seat until 8
Heads up on the new california law starting in 2012: Children must be in a car seat or booster seat in the backseat of a vehicle until at least 8 years old or minimum 4 feet 9 inches tall. I know it may seem overkill. I know children complain as they get older. I know it … Continue reading »
