A New Direction: Working in a School-Based Health Clinic

Cleaning out some boxes of sentimental keepsakes and writings from my high school days, I came across one of my college application essays.  As I read my essay, I met my high school self again.  Idealistic.  Hopeful.  Ambitious, but still unsure of what I wanted out of life.  I wrote about the ways in which I saw … Continue reading →

Video Games: A New Addiction

When you think about the word “addiction”, people often associate it with the likes of drugs, alcohol, or gambling. However, in this growing culture of television, computers, and media, we as parents also need to look out for more insidious habits. Internet and video game addiction is becoming a reality amongst pre-teens and adolescents.  A survey done … Continue reading →

Discovering Art through Play

My kids and I recently had the opportunity to check out the New Children’s Museum here in San Diego.  We were there for a little over four hours.  Building.  Bouncing. Climbing.  Creating and drawing.  Hands covered with clay.  Then paint.  Then chalk.  We made a bug catcher.  We listened to animal sounds and the pitter patter … Continue reading →

The Importance of Play: Does your child play enough?

How does your child “play”? All play is not equal.  With the power of marketing, play has become increasingly associated with toys, electronic gadgets, television, and video games.  Just think about the amount of ads for children’s toys over the holidays.   Just think about the things your child might have asked for and the latest … Continue reading →

Building Trust With Your Teen: Start Early, Start Now

Once in a while, I get a surge of parents bringing their tween or teen to me for the sole purpose of getting a urine drug screen. Why?  Well, I want to know if they’re doing drugs.  Did something recently happen to make you worry? No, I just want to check. My usual response is … Continue reading →

Potty Training: 5 Tips

We’re in the midst of potty training over here.  My 20 month old girl decided she wanted to switch to underwear.  She is a stubborn one, so I decided to go with it.  Unfortunately, once big bro (3 years old) saw little sis wear underwear and get prizes for every 3 stickers earned, he decided he wanted … Continue reading →

Sponge Bob and the Brain

Recenly, an interesting study was published in Pediatrics that created a flurry of opinions and concerns. Titled “The Immediate Impact of Different Types of Television on Young Children’s Executive Function”, the study evaluated children’s attention, focus, and memory immediately following 9 minutes of either drawing with crayons, watching Sponge Bob, or watching Caillou. For those … Continue reading →