All Search Results
-
Tips to help your child maintain a healthy diet throughout the school year
With so many things to do when getting ready for school, it’s important to remember to place good nutrition at the top of the “to do” list. Planning out your child’s menus will help ensure that they will have nutritious meals and snacks available throughout the day, and will help them to have more energy and mental power to be successful at school.
-
Like mother, like child: How mom’s activity level influences the little ones
One of the many memories I have as a child is going to the gym with my mom, and while she worked out, I got to hang out in childcare. And boy, I did not like it! Knowing this, my mom would often let me sit on the couch in the entryway where she could keep an eye on me while I colored or read books. The gym my mom was a member of was extremely family-oriented and my parents had become friends with the owner – hence, the only way I was able to weasel my way out of childcare, opting for the cozy leather couch instead. Even though I hated being there at the time and was so bored, I realize looking back that by doing this, my mom was setting a positive example for me and what living a healthy lifestyle looks like. Fast-forward to today, and one of my biggest passions in life is health and fitness – and I credit those many (dreaded) trips to the gym to instilling this passion in me at such a young age.
-
Learning to slow down and enjoy quality time with my son
About two weeks ago, my 8-year-old son was feeling yucky. The excessive amounts of pollen floating in the air caused his nose to get stuffy, his throat and head to hurt, and his eyes to water. We gave him a day off from school to rest. On that day, he lay down on my bed to chill out. He wasn’t really tired enough to fall asleep, but at the same time, didn’t really feel up to doing much of anything. I lay down next to him. We talked a little, I stroked his hair, handed him tissues. It was the first time in a long, long time that we were still together, not doing anything. Despite the fact that he wasn’t feeling well, it was really nice. It reminded me of when he was really little, and I realized that I missed doing that with him.
-
Txting and driving among teens.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and what better way to bring awareness than to talk about the dangers of texting and driving among teens? Studies show that a large number of accidents can be attributed to distracted driving, more specifically, texting and driving. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I am guilty of this, too. There have been several times that I have caught myself texting or emailing while driving, only to find myself barely escaping what could have been an accident. And every time, I tell myself, “That was a close one. I am never picking up my phone again while driving.”
-
Does your child have abdominal pain?
As a young child growing up just outside of New York City, I complained of stomachaches every Wednesday afternoon before going to ballet class. I vividly remember those days. Initially, my mother was very concerned because I had repeatedly begged to enroll in ballet school and was clearly very excited about the opportunity. Little did I realize what I was getting into! This particular Manhattan-based ballet school was bent on creating professional ballerinas. As a shy, cherubic, roly-poly newbie to the dance scene, I was not prepared for the intensity of the class. My mother quickly picked up on the pattern and realized that I was having a physical reaction to the stress from the rigorous dance class. Fast forward many, many years later, and here I am, a pediatric gastroenterologist, taking care of hundreds of children each year with chronic abdominal pain.
-
What you need to know about e-cigarettes
R.J. Reynolds Corporation (makers of Camel cigarettes) knew as early as the 1970’s that almost 90 percent of smokers start to smoke before the age of 18. In fact, Reynolds’ marketing vice president wrote that “ represent tomorrow’s cigarette business. As 14-24 age group matures, they will account for a key share of the total cigarette volume for at least the next 25 years.” He wanted to make “direct advertising appeal to the younger smokers” and Joe Camel came to life as a carefully crafted cartoon rocker. Camel sales to young people skyrocketed.
-
The Thank You Project: A mother finds the people who saved her son's life
Ten years after a tragic car accident, Kellie wanted to find and say "thank you" to the team of heroes who helped save her son's life. Her hope in sharing her story is that others will be inspired to thank those who have impacted their lives in some way.
-
Helping Families Thrive Through Challenges: The Healthy Families Orange Program
“I probably wouldn’t have my kids with me,” Diane Johnson says with tears welling up in her eyes.
-
It’s flu season! Here’s what you need to know.
This post was written by Dr. Tom Ruffin, pedatric resident at Arnold Palmer Hospital
-
Want to help your children develop speech and language? Talk to them. A lot.
Did you know that one of the greatest influences on your child’s intelligence and academic success is the way (and how much) you speak to them?
