Returning to school

It's that time again.  Make sure that your child has had a physical this year to make sure that they are healthy.  Talk to your children about the new year.  Find out if they are emotionally ready. Encourage them to maximize their strengths and work on their weaknesses.  Find what they really feel in their heart.  This means a lot of listening.  If any troubles start, move quickly. Don't wait until they are floundering.  Keep the lines of communication open with your child and with their teachers but most of all. Love them. Believe in them even when no one else seems to.  Remember I am here as your child's pediatrician to help guide you through their growth and development.

Back to School-ADHD

Going back to school can be stressful for any student, but with students with ADHD it can be frightful.  That first day when you have to figure out where your classes are and what is expected lead to confusion as you have to organize your thoughts and life.  It is back to having time for everything with sports, clubs, school and church activity.  It is important with younger children that you sit down as as you have the schedules and help to organize a calendar and school planner.  Help your children fill in the school planner with all projects and tests and help them work through a plan of attack.  College students face a new challenge since they have to do this on their own.  There is no one there to make sure that the work is done and nothing is forgotten.  No matter the age take advantage of any aid you can get through the school.  College students talk to the guidance counselors.  They can arrange for additional time for tests, tutors, note takers, and whatever else you need.  College students need to take their syllabi and combine all their assignments in one place to make sure you set up a plan of attack.  Lastly, make sure that medication if prescribed is taken regularly and if changes need to be made to call your doctor sooner than later.

Have a great school year and have fun!!

Snow and Easter

Well, it is definitely not the first time that we have had snow at Easter time.  This morning as I was driving to St. Clair instead of focusing on the fact that I am ready for Spring, I really looked at the snow.  All the tree branches were covered with the blanket of snow.  The little sunlight was glistening off the fallen snow.  All the still brown and dead foliage was now a work of art.  Isn't that what Easter is about?  If you look at us, we are brown and dead foliage, but when Christ died on the cross, He become the beautiful blanket of snow which makes us look like a work of art.  The good news is that not only can we look like a work of art, we become a work of art.

This week, take time to focus on what our Lord has done in our lives.  Encourage your children to see the beauty of what God has done for us.  If you haven't been to church or been very religious, maybe this is the time to explore another greater aspect of your life and those of your family.

Happy Easter!!!

Time for Couples

Often we are so busy with our jobs and our kids that we fail to take time for our spouses. This last weekend,  my husband for my Christmas and birthday present, planned at weekend for US only.  We stayed at a hotel Friday into Saturday. Ate at the hotel then supper went out to eat after a late check out and then went to Les Miserables at the Benedum theater.  Work still was a part of the weekend with visits to the hospital for beautiful new babies and my husband as a pastor still had to prepare for Sunday.  We had a wonderful time. We tried to really listen to each other.  Now the hard part continues.  We, as parents, do wonderful jobs listening to our children and sacrificing our time for our children.  In order for our families to be healthy, we need to remember to do the same for our spouse. Pray for your spouse daily as you do your children.  Try to remember to do the little things that are important to them. Spouses remember that your mate gets tired also. Be patient. Try to listen to each other and the way you speak to each other.  We are two different personalities.  Always try to listen as if all that which is said is not negative but positive. If you haven't take time recently to spend time with your spouse find time.

new phone

Well, I finally had to get rid of my phone that I have had for 4 years.  Kept the same number but moved carriers and had to get a new phone.  My phone is not even made any more.  Trying to get this one set up is a pain and is taking too much time.  Now I can have unlimited texts and messages.  That is good. I am trying to move ahead with technology.  The last step will be EHR for the office, but that is too expensive for me at this time.  I will plow ahead as I learn to use more up to date technology.

Well, summer break is almost over for all our kids.  Things to think about.  Many will need physicals.  Better call ASAP.  August fills up quickly.  Make sure that your children adjust back to sleep by at least the last week before school trying to get them back on a schedule.  As school starts, remember your children need to eat breakfast even if it is a smoothie or a granola bar with milk.  They need the energy at school.

As my children are now entering 11th, 7th and 1st grade I am jealously claiming all the time I can with them.  Soon my oldest will be gone!. Make those memories.  Don't have to cost anything. Go walking with your children or play games with them.  Time flies quickly.

Well, I am now on facebook.  Well, sorta of.  I have set up a facebook page for the office, but in order to do so, I had to set up an individual account.  As I was afraid of, I am getting requests for friends on that one.  Not planning currently on managing that one. 

Well for those who haven't heard, many of our childhood illnesses are back and spreading. Since many of parents have chosen not to immunize their children, we no longer have the community protection.  If you are unaware, their are 6 cases of pertussis in local schools and measles outbreaks are moving across the state.  These are not benign illnesses.  Check your child's immunizations status because they could get an illness that kills especially the very young or makes them very ill.  There are long term consequences that may develop as the result of measles also.
If not getting your child immunize, please consider getting them for yourself and those around to protect your children from getting them.