Parents are feeling anxious as they struggle to keep their children safe during this second full year of the Covid pandemic. When parents of young children are asked about their feelings, they report balancing fear of Covid with fear of isolation. Parents are feeling disconnected from prior friends because different parents tolerate risk of infection…
The science behind face masks
A few of the scientific studies & publications that provide a basis for use of masks by date of publication: September 2021: A study from the Los Angeles County Dept. of Health examined Covid transmission rate during the peak, September 2020 through March 2021. Found that case rates in children & adolescents were 3.4 times…
The best face mask for your child
The AAP & the CDC recommend that children over 2 years old wear a mask in school & indoors in public spaces. This includes school, except when they are eating. The most effective mask is one your child will actually wear. You want one that fits them properly. There are 3 types: cloth, surgical, &…
Recognizing stress in children and adolescents
Parents may not know how to recognize stress in their child. Look for these signs of stress in older children & adolescents… Changes in mood (not typical for your child) – irritability, rage, & new conflicts with friends. A new nervous habit, such as nail-biting may indicate anxiety. New fears – such as fear of…
How to tell if your teenager has an eating disorder
Our adolescent girls are suffering during this pandemic. As a result, eating disorders in adolescents are on the rise. Before the pandemic, 5% of adolescent girls showed signs of an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia). Recent reports suggest the number is much higher. The mean age of onset is a young 12.5 years old. Girls…
A Good Mentor is Easy to Find.
What is a good mentor? Is there someone in your workplace with good leadership and communication skills, someone you see as a potential advisor, who is older than you by five, ten, or even fifteen years? Is there someone who you admire with experience to share? Finding a mentor connects you with a person more…
I was addicted to OxyContin
I was addicted to OxyContin. It took about six weeks to feel it: the day was not alright without that drug, even a tiny dose of that drug. My pain from the previous Month’s neurosurgery had subsided and I was progressing along with my physical therapy routines. But I recognized the addiction. I needed that…
Burnout in Healthcare Professionals
BURNOUT feels like hell! You care about neither your work nor your patients. You no longer think you are making a difference. You dread going in for your shift & you feel disconnected from your peers. I know how burnout feels because I’ve been there. After 30 years of practicing neonatology I found myself completely…
Benefits of Music Education for Children
Learning how to play an instrument involves improving hand-to-eye coordination, ear-to-hand coordination, & the fine motor skills needed to hold a bow or play the keys. Playing a musical instrument enhances both dexterity & hand-eye coordination. When playing an instrument, a musician must be able to create the correct notes through the proper hand motions….