K2, Spice, Mr Smiley and Eclipse (among others) are the slang names for a growing drug of choice among teenagers. The drug is pretty readily available as it’s found in some types of potpourri sold at convenience stores. I am not sure who first thought to smoke potpourri; but when burned and inhaled, it liberates… Continue reading
Parenting
A blog about all things parenting, including MichMoms and Ask the Pediatrician
College student dies of meningitis
Every year this story is in the news. Nicholas Collins, a 19-year-old Central Michigan University freshman from Livonia who tested positive for bacterial meningitis, died May 10 at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia. College students are at particular risk for a very deadly form of meningitis because they live in close quarters and as… Continue reading
The hunt for the right bra and finding the right fit
I can probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve actually been measured for a bra. During my 20s, my typical bra shopping method consisted of grabbing the size I was currently wearing and maybe a size bigger or smaller depending. I’d end up getting whichever of the two seemed to fit better.We… Continue reading
Concern about radiation exposure prompts FDA to act
A toddler trips up the stairs and is refusing to walk on his left leg. A fourth grader is beaned in the eye with a baseball during practice. A 12 year old has weight loss and bad stomach pain. What these three scenarios have in common is that all of these kids are likely to… Continue reading
Happy Mother's Day!
Tiny fingers Tiny toes Chubby cheeks A button nose. Changing diapers Sleepless nights Overwhelming Hold on tight. Finally crawling Peek- a-boo Eating solids A smile, too. Walking, running Moving fast Cherished moments They won’t last. Loving, hugging Kiss good-night My sweet child All is right. Off to school now Please don’t cry “I’ll be fine,… Continue reading
'Sinusitis' and 'bronchitis' usually don't need antibiotics
Several times a week I see a child whose parent has recently been diagnosed with “bronchitis” or a “sinus infection” and put on antibiotics and the parent is worried that their recently sick child has caught the infection and needs treatment too. Here’s the deal: most of the time these infections in children and adults… Continue reading
Measles cases reach 15-year high
Although fewer people are dying of measles infection, the United States has seen the highest rate of measles cases in more than a decade. With international travel and falling vaccine rates both in the U.S. and abroad it’s no surprise that measles cases are on the rise. Measles infection is caused by a virus that… Continue reading
Tuesday's tips: Getting rid of tough stains and odors naturally
Cleaning up bloody noses, vomit, urine, and poop are just a few of the perks of parenthood. And unfortunately, they end up on the most unfavorable places, like the back seat of your car, on your sofa cushions, splashed across your comforter and even on your favorite new shirt. In the past, I simply threw out… Continue reading
My second act
I am so excited to be blogging for MichMoms, but to be honest, if someone had asked me three years ago what a blog was, I couldn’t tell you. Becoming a blogger was not on my life to-do list (partly because when I was originally formulating my life plan, blogs didn’t exist). I’ve always loved… Continue reading
Kids' mental health tied to parents' wellbeing
Wednesday, May 9, is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Every single day in my office I see infants, children, and adolescents who are struggling with emotional challenges. Sometimes these issues are mild and transient like separation anxiety in a nine month old or complex like severe anger outbursts in a teenager with the police… Continue reading
Let toddlers ride down slides by themselves
Parents of toddlers have been cooped up all winter, and heading to the neighborhood playground or even the backyard play structure will certainly be on the agenda. Most parents are concerned for their child’s safety on play equipment and even the most seasoned parent holds his breath the first time his toddler goes down the… Continue reading