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  • 10 tips to encourage your kids to drink more water

    Why is it so difficult to get kids to drink a glass of ice water, but they’ll gladly gulp a gallon of murky, mystery water from the bathtub?

  • 12 things you can do to support families dealing with childhood cancer

    No one expects a cancer diagnosis, especially not for their child. When cancer shows its ugly face, it comes like a thief in the night, stealing the normalcy the family once enjoyed. Instead of spending time in the carpool line, at playdates, or friends’ birthday parties, these families are spending time in hospital rooms, helping their child cope with the side effects of chemotherapy, and weighing life or death treatment decisions. After spending time with many families who have walked this journey, I can tell you the one thing that nearly every parent of a sick child has said: that the care and support of their friends and family during their difficult time made a world of difference to them. What you do to care for these families really does matter, and they will remember it for the rest of their lives.

  • Decoding the FDA’s new gluten-free labeling law

    This blog post was written by Dr. Karoly Horvath, pediatric gastroenterologist at the Center for Digestive Health & Nutrition at Arnold Palmer Hospital.

  • Emergency disaster planning for children and their families who live with End Stage Renal Disease

    Written by Barbara Cometti, BA, RN, CDN, Clinical Assistant Nurse Manager, and Jennifer McDonald, RD, LD, CDE, Registered Dietitian, at the Hewell Kids' Kidney Center.

  • How do you know when to intervene in your kids’ problems and when to let them sort it out on their own?

    As mom of a 3-year-old, I’m just beginning to grapple with this question. Until now, it’s been my job to be protector, comforter and provider of nearly all things. But as she gets older, I know that I need to focus more on teaching her how to resolve problems on her own and giving her the space to exercise the muscles needed to do so. I also know that over time this will become more and more important, for her and for me.

    Problem is- it’s kind of hard.

    A few days ago, we went to one of those indoor play places- the ones where they have lots of toys and activities and the kids play and the moms (try to) sit and relax a little. She pretended to manage her indoor garden or grocery shop or cook dinner in the play kitchen, and I struggled to figure out how involved I should be.

  • Living through the uncertainties of spina bifida

    Written by Amanda Kern

  • One family’s unique bond through sickle cell disease: Aurita’s story

    Aurita knows all too well what it means to live with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells that block small blood vessels, damaging tissue in the body. It is an extremely painful disease, but can be managed with treatment.

  • The struggle to keep your cool as a parent.

    Have you ever watched those nature shows on television about animals in the wild? I love the ones with the mamas and their babies. Not too long ago, I saw one about a mama bear and her little cubs. They all (including mom) looked so cute and cuddly, until some other animal messed with them. My, how quickly things changed! Mom was immediately on her two back legs, lunging, clawing, and snarling, looking terrifyingly angry. She effectively sent the message that she is not to be messed with, especially when it came to her cubs.

    Sometimes, I feel like that mama bear, too.

    A few years ago, my son was attending a day camp. The camp went on a field trip, and there was a “miscommunication of sorts” between my son and the camp counselors regarding eating lunch. Long story short, he had his lunch with him but didn’t eat it when he was supposed to (he said he never heard them give instructions to eat), and when he asked to eat later, he was told that he couldn’t, and that he had missed lunch and lunchtime was over.

  • Shaken baby syndrome: A severe and disheartening form of child abuse

    What parent hasn’t felt frustration and helplessness when unable to console their crying infant? Despite being stressed, something deep inside prevents us from inflicting harm to our children. Unfortunately, this impulse control is not present in some parents or caregivers, resulting in a child being vigorously shaken.

  • September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

    It’s nice to finally see the sun peak through the clouds when it comes to obesity rates in children. A recent report from the CDC reveals a decline in obesity rates among preschool children from low-income families. The report shows that from 2008 to 2011, there was a downward trend in obesity rates for young children in 19 states, including Florida.