It's not perfect. It's parenting.
Sometimes you need answers to the little everyday things that parents encounter. And sometimes, you just need someone to encourage you through all of the craziness and challenges of parenthood. Welcome to Parent-ish, a blog from the experts at Children's Mercy.
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Category: Health and Wellness
COVID-19, RSV and the Flu: What you need to know
Viral respiratory season is quickly approaching. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory viruses seem to circulate in new patterns, so being prepared is important! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics last flu season was moderately severe for a lot of children, but there are steps your family can take to try and stay healthy. Keep reading for information on RSV, flu and COVID-19 for the 2024-25 respiratory virus season.
How to choose the best health insurance for your family
It’s the most wonderful — and potentially confusing — time of the year: Health care insurance open enrollment season! When considering your insurance coverage options for the upcoming year, there are some key factors to keep in mind to ensure you select the best plan for your family's needs.
Coughs: What parents need to know
As a pediatrician, I understand how alarming persistent coughs can be for parents. Although many coughs are harmless and resolve on their own, some do require medical attention. Let's go through the common causes of long-lasting coughs, when to get professional care and how to ease symptoms at home.
How to keep youth sports fun
This just in: Kids like to have fun. It shouldn’t be news, but in the current competition-crazy culture of youth sports, it is. “Fun” is the key idea parents should remember from the new State of Play Kansas City, a report and study by the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program and a broad group of KC-area youth sports advocates (including Children’s Mercy Kansas City).
Top 10 tips for teens transitioning to adult medical care
Most parents have a mental list of skills they want their teen to have before they become an adult: laundry lessons, money management and cooking basics, to name a few. But have you talked with your teen about how to handle their own health care? From making appointments to understanding which medications they take and why, there are key things your child needs to know as they become more independent.
Tips for new moms – from those who have been there
Becoming a mom for the first time is exciting…and sometimes, a little terrifying. You’re overwhelmed with love for your new bundle of joy, with the stress of taking on this new role, with questions that sometimes don’t have answers and the list goes on. It truly takes a village to raise a child, so we’ve tapped into our village of Children’s Mercy moms to share their advice, hacks and support for new moms.
Siblings helping siblings thrive
A sibling is often called a built-in best friend. The hope for parents is that the bond will continue with your children through all phases of life. But a new addition to the family also means a new role for your oldest child. The oldest is there to show them ropes and the youngest is there to follow along and learn. However, in some families, that isn’t always the case.
Constipation: every parent’s favorite topic
It’s amazing how once you become a parent you begin to realize that talking about poop is just part of everyday conversation. Has your child pooped today? What was the consistency? What was the color?
4 things to know about seasonal allergies
We may still be seeing some chilly days, but allergies are in full effect. Chances are, if you’re not sneezing and itching, someone in your family is. Despite how common seasonal allergies are, many people still have questions about them. We hope to answer some of those so you and the kids in your life can find some relief.
End the dinner table battles: How to help your picky eater
It's not uncommon for toddlers and preschoolers to resist trying new foods. Even children who were adventurous foodies as infants can go through a picky phase. If your child puts up a fight at meal times, try to remember it's a normal occurrence for many kids and, most of the time, it doesn't mean anything is wrong. That said, we'd like to give you some tried and true tips to make feeding your kid more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Penicillin allergies: What parents need to know
Antibiotics in the penicillin family are among some of the best treatments for common childhood infections. But, penicillin is also the most commonly reporting drug allergy. Keep reading to learn answers to frequently asked questions about penicillin allergies you may want to know for your child.
When to go: Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care
The inevitable has happened - your child came down with an unforeseen illness or injury. And of course, it always happens when your doctor’s office is closed. So, the dilemma every parent faces …do you go to the Emergency Room (ER) or Urgent Care?
Kids sick again? What to do about those pesky bugs going around
If it feels like the kiddos in your life are constantly coming down with something, it’s probably not your imagination. In the first 2 years of life, it is common for kids in daycare to be sick with respiratory illnesses 10 to 12 times per year. Nobody wants their children to be under the weather that much, but it is normal and generally not cause for worry. That said, we would like to put parents’ minds at ease with a few tips and tricks to deal with those pesky colds, flus and other common illnesses.
Healthier eating in the new year is a resolution you can keep. No, really!
Be honest: How many days into the new year did you make it before you abandoned all those well-intentioned resolutions? It happens to the best of us. But as a parent, finding ways to implement healthier eating habits for your family is a constant priority — and struggle.
Antibiotic FAQs – What parents need to know
The holiday season may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also bring about a not so fun season of illnesses. Knowing whether your child’s illness needs an antibiotic to get better can be hard during this time of colds and “Flu.” We’ve answered some frequently asked questions below, and your child’s primary care provider (PCP) is a wonderful resource if you have questions or concerns about your child’s illness.