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  • Savoring the little (and oftentimes unglamorous) moments with my kids

    It’s been a rough couple of weeks at our house. First, it was a round of colds for everyone. The snotty noses and coughs still haven’t ended. Then, it was the stomach virus. I’ll spare you the details, but I’ll just say that it wasn’t pretty. And anyone with kids knows that sleepless nights come with the territory when they’re sick.

  • Should I give my child probiotics?

    Did you know that your digestive tract contains over 400 different types of bacteria? This complex ecosystem is called intestinal microflora. The concentration of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract increases dramatically moving from the stomach towards the colon. In humans, the intestinal microflora is vital in many important functions including digestion of nutrients and prevention of infection. Disruption of the “normal flora” can lead to many problems including diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain and poor absorption of nutrients.

    What is a probiotic?

    Probiotics are “friendly bacteria” or “good bacteria” similar to those that occur naturally in the digestive tract. A few years ago, the defined “probiotics” as “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”

  • Surviving a preschooler’s separation anxiety

    I’ve come to believe that separation anxiety is the straw that breaks the backs of many moms. We can carry our heavy loads through many child-rearing deserts, but we Mom-camels collapse under the pressure of children suffering from separation anxiety. Our children cry as we leave them, and we cry our guilty little hearts out as soon as we are out of our children’s sight. We are left with those lingering questions: Should I leave them? Are they going to be okay? Am I a terrible mother for leaving my child?

  • Kids should sleep in. Schools should start later, say pediatricians

    If you have a middle or high school student in your home, you may have noticed that their sleep habits have changed as they’ve entered adolescence. They stay up late, find it hard to get up early in the morning and struggle with sleepiness throughout the day. Take heart. It’s not that your kid is being lazy or rebellious. There are real, biological changes happening in their bodies as they mature that make getting enough quality sleep a real challenge.

  • What's your food allergy IQ?

    When my daughter was younger, she started attending a Mom’s day out program. When we attended orientation, the school informed us that they are a “peanut-free” school. That means, when packing lunches, we are to avoid all peanut products for all of the children. This is my first foray into the world of school lunches, and I have to admit, I was a bit annoyed. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple food in our house. It is my go-to, in-a-hurry food choice. If my child isn’t allergic, shouldn’t I be able to give it to her?

  • How I’m teaching my child to treat others with special needs

    I was with my two kids recently at an indoor play place when a teaching moment happened upon us. We saw a little boy there with his mom, and he was sitting in a wheelchair. My 4-year-old looked at him curiously and then asked (in a rather loud voice), “Mom, why is he sitting in that chair instead of walking?”

  • Get to know Dr. Robyn Cohen, pediatric neuropsychologist at Arnold Palmer Hospital

    A lot of times, people assume that psychologists only work with mental health patients and are constantly assessing their patients’ state of mind. However, as a pediatric neuropsychologist, Dr. Cohen’s role at Arnold Palmer Hospital is quite different than you might expect. Learn more about Dr. Cohen, PhD, Director of Pediatric Neuropsychology at Arnold Palmer Hospital, and the role her team plays in the treatment of our patients at the hospital.

    Where did you grow up?

    I grew up on Long Island, New York.

    Where did you go to undergraduate school?

    Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida

    What is the process like to get a neuropsychology degree?

    It’s a long process. I actually started off at Rollins with an education major. During my program, I took some psychology courses and decided they were a lot more interesting, so I switched to a psychology major.

  • How my son’s diagnosis is changing me

    Other than the occasional cold and runny nose, both of my children have been perfectly healthy. Until now, that is. Last week, my 7-month-old son had a severe reaction after eating eggs, and he’s been diagnosed with an egg allergy.

  • What every parent needs to know about concussions

    We often think of concussions in terms of sports, most commonly football and other collision sports. Concussions also commonly occur in contact sports where helmets aren’t worn like soccer, basketball, wrestling or lacrosse. However, every parent needs to know about this injury, even if your kids aren’t involved in sports. Concussions can occur from a fall from a bicycle or skateboard, running into a goalpost, or getting hit in the head by a ball or other moving object.

    What is a concussion?

    A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a blow to the body that makes the head move back and forth rapidly. The sudden force causes the brain to bounce around or twist within the skull, causing damage to the brain cells and chemical changes within the brain. These chemical changes may make the brain more sensitive to stress or other injury until it recovers. While doctors may describe this as a “mild” brain injury since it is not life-threatening, the effects of a concussion can be serious.

    What are the signs and symptoms of concussion?

    Signs and symptoms of a concussion usually appear soon after the injury occurs, but some symptoms may not show up for hours or days. If your child has sustained a bump or blow to the head and experiences any of the following, it might be a sign of a concussion: Headache Nausea or vomiting Appears dazed or stunned Feels “pressure” in head Loses consciousness Answers questions slowly Confusion Dizziness or balance problems Sensitivity to light or noise Difficulty concentrating Memory problems Double or blurry vision Feeling “foggy” or sluggish Changes in mood or behavior Trouble falling asleep Sleeping more or less than usualYou should continue to monitor your child for these signs and symptoms for a few days after the injury occurs.

    What should I do if I think my child might have a concussion?

    If you think your child may have a concussion, contact your child’s health care provider. If your child is playing sports, remove him or her from the game and don’t resume playing until evaluated by a healthcare professional who is experienced at diagnosing concussions. If your child returns to play too quickly, before the brain is fully healed, they are at risk for a repeat concussion which can be much more serious.

    How is a concussion treated?

    The best treatment for a concussion is complete rest from all physical and mental activity. Television, loud music, and use of computers should be very limited or stopped. Even a child’s school participation may need to be altered according to the child’s symptoms.

  • Teaching your children to let go of others' expectations

    This morning I experienced a small miracle. I emerged from my bedroom at seven o’clock after waking up (all on my own!) without children crying or yelling from their bedrooms to wake me. It felt like a little slice of heaven.