Search Results

• Potty-training woes? Sometimes we just need to laugh

  Have you heard about my potty-training woes?

• What it means to give back

  Last month, the Holy Family Catholic School hosted their first mother-daughter fundraiser to benefit Arnold Palmer Hospital! It was a special night for young girls to experience what it means to give back to the families in their community. Several families shared emotional stories of their time at Arnold Palmer Hospital. These little girls who are students at the school, have battled diseases that many people will never have to face in their lifetime. They were the inspiration behind this community event. Their strength, courage, and determination to fight set the tone for the evening. You could see the overwhelming joy these families had for Arnold Palmer Hospital and the doctors and nurses who were with them throughout their journey as tears started welling up in their eyes while telling their story. These families wanted to be able to give back to the hospital that had done so much for them, and this was their way to say thank you. It was amazing to see how every mom and daughter rallied around these families throughout the night. Everyone loved on them and made them feel like the stars of the night.

• Building a stronger community, one family at a time

  Odil Douglas knows what it's like to be overwhelmed. Five years ago, she found herself raising two young children and a newborn, as well as caring for her sick mother in the hospital. Alone, stressed and unsure where to turn for assistance, Odil found an "extended family" in the Healthy Families Orange program at The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families. An intensive home visitation program based on a national model, Healthy Families Orange prevents child maltreatment in 98% of families served and builds healthy, positive parenting behaviors for new mothers and fathers through education, referrals and resources. Odil credits Healthy Families Orange with helping her make it through the most difficult time of her life, all while teaching her how to be the best mom possible to her three young children.

• Jack's Journey- A True Miracle

  Jack Otremba's survival was nothing short of a miracle. He was born at 1 lb 1 oz. at Winnie Palmer Hospital and was given a 10% chance to live. But thanks to the dedicated and caring experts in the NICU at Winnie Palmer Hospital Jack defied the odds. He's grown into a happy, healthy and hilarious little boy. This is his journey.

• Have you laughed today?

  “Laughter is the best medicine.” We’ve all heard it. But do we really believe it?

• Why Sports Clearance Exams Don’t Replace Annual Physicals

  A common question parents have is whether their child needs an annual physical with their pediatrician if they’ve already had a sports clearance exam at school.

• Should You Teach Your Baby Sign Language?

  How many times have you wished your baby could tell you what’s wrong instead of crying and leaving you to guess? Baby Sign Language allows babies as young as 6 months old to communicate their needs instead of crying.

• Your Teen’s Weight Could Be Linked to Chronic Kidney Disease

  If your child is overweight, they may be at risk of developing chronic kidney disease in early adulthood. Once that happens, it’s impossible to repair the damage, so it’s important to encourage your child to eat well and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight.

• Should I teach my baby to sign?

  We have posted previously on the “” and ways to sidestep the frustration that comes at that time of life. I often educate parents that it’s not a behavior problem; it’s a communication problem.  Have you ever found yourself at the pantry door with a child who lays on the floor because the choices are too many and they know what they want, but they just can’t tell you? Parents report this to us all the time, and you are not alone. Unbeknownst to most new parents, children are able to understand language as early as 6 months, but the ability to speak requires complex fine motor skills that don’t develop until much later. The result is frustration and tantrums.

• Watch your words: labeling your kids can have long-lasting effects

  This post was originally posted in May 2014.