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  • For the Ohio kidnapping victims, is healing possible?

    One of the more dramatic stories in the news recently has been about the three young women who were kidnapped about 10 years ago in Ohio and recently freed. Fortunately, while the trauma they have experienced has no doubt been horrendous, they are physically intact, and initial indications are that they will be able to heal and recover. Of course, I do not know these women, but I can guess one thing from the fact that they survived so long without contact with the outside world and their loved ones. They must have had some resilience within themselves that allowed them to remain hopeful and provide support to one another through those long years.

  • Setting an example for young athletes: Rob Valentino’s story

    Last month, many were shocked to hear of the death of a 16-year old high school student from New York who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) while playing on his school’s football team. While it may serve as an extreme example of what can happen, this tragic story highlights the importance of education, awareness and treatment in preventing TBI deaths, particularly among young athletes.

  • A Tdap vaccine for every pregnant woman, every pregnancy

    Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) releases updated immunization guidelines based on current scientific research. This year’s guidelines for 2013, released earlier this month, represent a significant change for those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

  • Little magnets pose a huge health risk for kids

    Grownups are entitled to their toys too, right? Maybe, but what happens when a toy that is meant for adults becomes a real danger for children?

  • Choosing the right summer camp for your child

    When I was growing up, my mother was a stay-at-home mom, and we spent a lot of time at home during the summer. It was a time my sister and I could play in the woods, eat popsicles, read and help my mother sew Barbie clothes (Yes, she deserved a medal for that endeavor!). My family didn’t take a lot of formal vacations, but my siblings and I participated in a variety of activities that made summers feel special.

  • Young children are at a greater risk for dog bites

    Dog bites hurt. Want to know how I know? Because I got snapped at when I was a little girl, and I haven’t forgotten about it since then. I remember the incident like it was yesterday. My family was taking care of my grandparents’ dog while they were away – a springer spaniel named “Jenna.” Jenna had quickly become my friend, as we were lying on the floor watching movies one afternoon. I wanted to get as close to Jenna as I could, and found myself all up in her face. We had no boundaries, or so I thought. The next thing I know, Jenna, having none of it, snapped at my face, snagging the tip of my nose. I was traumatized, and wanted nothing to do with Jenna after that.

  • Three Tips for Tough Talks with Your Kids

    Illness, death or tragedies in the news: what should parents say?

  • Is an alternative vaccination schedule better for your child?

    This post was originally posted in November 2014

  • Why W-sitting might be a cause for concern

    Chances are if you’re reading this, you have probably heard the term “W-sitting” which is why you’d like to know more. If it’s new to you, and you have little ones in your family then you are probably going to come across it at some point. It usually comes up when someone is speaking to a child and might sound something like this, “Please fix your legs and stop W-Sitting.” Ouch. First of all what does that mean and how could it possibly matter how my child chooses to sit? I hope this post will give you a quick snapshot of this issue.

  • Should you be thinking about contraception for your teen?

    Why is contraception important?

    The simple answer- to prevent pregnancy. That is exactly why we need to have this discussion with teenagers. The statistics are astonishing about how many teens have been sexually active before they finish high school. Half of high school students report ever having had sexual intercourse and every year about 750,000 adolescents become pregnant. The majority of these pregnancies, a whopping 80%, are unplanned, which tells me that we need to do a better job giving our teenage population contraception.

    What are the recommended contraception options?

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) both recommend Long-Acting Reversible Contraception "LARCs" for adolescents. The LARC options include the implant and intrauterine devices (IUD).  Both of these options are safe and superior to the old-school daily pill. With either the implant or the IUD, our teens don't have to remember to take it every day, making it nearly foolproof. The implant is placed in the upper arm and feels like a two-inch long piece of spaghetti under the skin. The IUDs are inserted into the cervix and can be checked by feeling for the string inside the vagina. Both options last for years without needing to be replaced, which is another reason it is perfect for teens.

    What about "the pill”?

    There are other options, including the pill and the shot. The pill must be taken every day so when thinking of our teenage population and how hard it is for them to remember even to brush their teeth on a daily basis, this option is clearly not the best choice. The shot, Depo-Provera, is a good alternative but not many people are keen on getting a shot every three months.