Back

All Search Results

  • What to remember when parenting feels hard

    With each new stage that my children enter, it’s a new reality for me as a parent. That’s especially true with my oldest. Every new milestone and new horizon for her means that I’m back to square one again trying to figure out this parenting thing. As I sort through the complexities of raising children, there are times when I am overwhelmed with the decisions I have to make and the doubts that linger in the back of mind. Am I doing this right?

  • What not to say to an adoptive parent

    I have the good fortune of knowing many families with children who have been adopted, and over the years I’ve been appalled at some of the conversations these friends have endured at the hand of strangers (and even non-strangers). Most adoptive parents will tell you that they know these offenses are not intentional, and they give a lot of grace as they try to educate the public on adoption one awkward conversation at a time. Many would probably tell you, though, that they wish they didn’t have to be blindsided by these uncomfortable and sometimes hurtful exchanges. So, if you know families with adopted children or if you happen to meet a mom at the park that appears to be an adoptive mother, here are some things NOT to say:

  • Helping your teen make healthy snack choices can make a BIG difference

    What is one of the first things a teenager does when they come home from school? Mostly likely they will raid the refrigerator or pantry for something to munch on. Choosing healthy options for snacks can help assure teenagers are on the right track to meet nutrition needs for key nutrients, which are important for proper growth and development. On the other hand, snacking on the wrong foods provide teens with extra unnecessary calories and fat which could lead to unwanted weight gain and possible future health problems. You may be asking, how can I encourage teens to grab healthy snacks?

  • Does swimming cause ear infections?

    This blog post was originally published in June 2014

  • How to talk to your teen about drinking and driving

    When it comes to parenting, some safety lessons we impart to our kids are simple. Look both ways before you cross the street. Don’t play with matches. Never put anything into an electrical socket. These things are black and white, clear as day. It would be nice if things stayed this easy, but they don’t. We all know that as our kids grow, teaching about safety becomes more complicated.

  • Preschoolers aren’t getting enough active play time

    A new study tells us that preschool-aged children aren’t getting enough active play time at their childcare facility.

  • Should I bank my baby's cord blood?

    This post was originally published in August 2013 

  • The one piece of advice I’d give myself as a new mother

    I’ve been a mother for nearly six years now, and it has been a wild and wonderful ride so far. As my little people grow into bigger people, I sometimes stop and think back on those first months and years as a parent. I thought parenting was all about taking care of and teaching my children. It is about that, of course. What I didn’t know, though, is that it’s also a journey for me as I learn and grow and change through this process of caring for others.

  • When a vacation becomes an adventure

    This blog was originally posted November 2012.

  • Solid foods 101: When and how to introduce to your baby

    Written by Summer Vu, DO