ParentingU

Back-to-school season is busy enough — snacks shouldn't be! In this episode of ParentingU Extra Credit, pediatric GI and healthy weight nutrition nurse April Hamilton, RN, shares her favorite smoothie pop hack: blend once, enjoy twice.  Start with a protein-packed Greek yogurt smoothie in the morning Freeze the rest into after-school popsicles your kids will love  April walks us through building a smoothie with fresh and frozen fruits, shares how to get the kids involved, and even offers a science-backed bonus tip for getting the most nutrition from your berries.  April's kitchen motto? "The kitchen is my playground. Cooking is contagious. Have fun and spread the love!"  Featuring special helpers Liv and Jane, this episode is fun, flavorful and full of ideas to help you snack smarter during the school year.  In this episode:   Easy, nutritious smoothie ideas Freezer-friendly popsicle tips Why Greek yogurt is a great base How to get kids excited about healthy snacks A fun way to beat the after-school heat  Watch, blend, freeze and enjoy!  Want more parenting tips from our experts? Check out the full ParentingU playlist (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzHUSYQFjiX3D9xLrN-Ceza6AFTiQFtgl) and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.  Read more on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/back-to-school-smoothie-hack/

Summer can make screen limits harder to hold, but it's also a perfect time to reclaim imagination, connection and play. In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Sandy Reed shares her expert insight on how screen time affects child development, how to set boundaries that work for your family and why boredom might be the best thing for your child's brain. With more than 27 years of experience (and generations of patients), Dr. Reed brings clarity, compassion and realistic advice for today's parents.  Key Moments:  Avoid the Summer Screen Time Slide – 1:16 Make a Family Media Plan – 2:20 What Too Much Screen Time Actually Does to Kids – 3:22 Passive vs. Active Screen Time – 5:16 No-Excuses Screen Time Rules – 7:48 Easy, Creative Alternatives to Screens – 11:31 Parents Screen Habits Matter, Too – 14:02  American Academy of Pediatrics Media Plan Builder: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/fmp/Pages/MediaPlan.aspx   Read more from Dr. Reed on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/managing-screen-time-expert-tips-for-parents/  Download our screentime tip sheet: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ParentingUS5E8_ScreenTimePlanDownload.pdf  Learn more about Dr. Reed: https://doctors.ololchildrens.org/provider/sandy-shows-reed/1297722  

What's the key to safe summer fun? According to Dr. Nicholas George, it's all about modeling good habits, setting boundaries and never skipping the helmet. In this ParentingU episode, he shares personal stories (including a scary childhood injury), smart safety tips for bikes and scooters, and how parents can balance protection with play.  From concussions to goose eggs and everything in between, this episode helps parents navigate summer safety without panic.  Key Moments:  Benefits Beyond the Backyard – 3:02 Brains on Bikes – 4:00 Lead by Example – 5:20 Helmet Hair, Don't Care – 7:39 Safety Rules Without Panic – 11:43 Scrapes, Swells and When to Worry – 16:43  Read more from Dr. George on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/a-parents-guide-to-safer-summers/  Learn more about Dr. George: https://doctors.lourdesrmc.com/provider/nicholas-taylor-george/2215694  

Summer's here, and that means more sunshine — and more sneezing! Join pediatric allergy expert Dr. Theron McCormick as he unpacks the mysteries of summer sniffles, itchy eyes and how to keep your kids smiling (not sniffling!) all season long. From allergy-busting hacks and myth-busting truths to travel tips and must-try remedies, this episode is jam-packed with advice that will help you breeze through allergy season. Get ready to turn summer allergies into summer adventures!  Key Moments:  Understanding Seasonal Allergies – 2:27 What's an Allergy? What's a Summer Cold? - 5:08  Preventing Allergy Flare-Ups – 6:29 Over-the-Counter Medicines – 10:30 Debunking Allergy Myths – 13:47 Managing Allergies While Traveling – 18:47 Food Allergies – 30:45   Asthma and Seasonal Allergies – 32:45  Resources Mentioned:  Pollen.com for checking pollen counts National Weather Service for air quality updates Various over-the-counter medications like Claritin, Zyrtec, Flonase and Nasonex DEET and PICARDIN-based insect repellents  Read more from Dr. McCormick on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/parentingu-your-kids-summer-allergy-survival-guide/   Learn more about Dr. McCormick: https://doctors.ololchildrens.org/provider/theron-g-mc-cormick/1297107   Download an allergy tip sheet: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ParentingUS5E6_AllergyTipDownload.pdf  

From bug bites to skinned knees, summer brings plenty of opportunities for adventure — and a few inevitable mishaps. In this episode of ParentingU, Dr. Kali Broussard, pediatrician and infectious diseases specialist with Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Health, shares practical tips to help parents manage common summer injuries and prevent bigger problems.  Dr. Broussard breaks down when to worry (and when not to), why insect repellent matters, what every first aid kit should include and how simple wound care can make a big difference. Plus, she ends with must-know water safety advice for families spending time in or around the pool.  Key Moments:  Insect Bites Prevention & Treatment - 2:29 Signs of Infection – 4:25 Different Bites and Stings – 5:07 Insect Repellants – 11:16 Cleaning & Caring for Minor Cuts and Scrapes – 13:01 Essentials for Your Family's First Aid Kit – 15:48  Read more from Dr. Broussard on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/a-parents-guide-to-summer-first-aid/ Learn more about Dr. Broussard: https://doctors.lourdesrmc.com/provider/kali-a-broussard/2585966   Download a First Aid Kit checklist: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ParentingUS5E5_FirstAidKitChecklist.pdf 

Summer fun means staying hydrated, and we're making it easy and tasty in this ParentingU ExtraCredit episode!   April Hamilton, RN, a pediatric gastrointestinal and healthy weight and nutrition nurse with Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health, joins host Stephanie and her daughter Riley Jo to share creative ways to help kids drink more water.  From spa-worthy cucumber-mint water to strawberry lemonade with freeze-dried fruit, April's got fun and flavorful hydration ideas that kids (and grown-ups!) will actually want to drink. She even shares her recipe for a refreshing LSU-themed mango spritzer and introduces a special cane and maple syrup created by a Louisiana doctor.  Easy hydration tips No-sugar-added drink ideas  Smart ways to use juice without going overboard  How to make flavored ice cubes that double as snacks  Why frozen lemon juice is a pantry must-have  Whether you're headed to camp drop-off, the splash pad or just hanging out at home, this bite-sized episode will help you parent smarter, not harder, this summer.  Want more parenting tips from our experts? Check out the full ParentingU playlist (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzHUSYQFjiX3D9xLrN-Ceza6AFTiQFtgl) and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.  Read more on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/four-fun-flavored-water-recipes/ Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/LkCKikflSXM

Parents on the hunt for summer activities for their kids might want to look close to home: the kitchen!   In this ParentingU episode, Dr. Thiravat Choojitarom, Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health pediatrician with a passion for culinary medicine, shares how time spent cooking can teach kids real-life skills that last far beyond summer.  From cracking eggs to choosing recipes, Dr. Choo breaks down age-appropriate ways to invite kids into the kitchen and let them take the lead. Along the way, he explains how cooking together builds confidence, sparks creativity and encourages healthier eating habits.  You'll also hear why boredom isn't the enemy of growth, how modeling behaviors matters more than micromanaging and why it's okay if the pancakes come out a little wonky.  With practical tips and plenty of encouragement, this episode is your reminder that life skills don't have to be perfect to stick. They just have to start.  Key Moments:  The Importance of Culinary Skills for Kids – 2:57 Age-Appropriate Cooking Skills – 5:16 Encouraging Independence in the Kitchen – 7:54 Other Essential Life Skills for Kids – 9:20 The Power of Boredom – 11:24 Making Cooking Fun –18:09  Read more from Dr. Choo on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/help-kids-find-joy-in-the-kitchen-with-real-life-skills/  Need some recipe inspiration? Download Dr. Choo's red gravy and salad dressing recipes: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ParentingUS5E4_RedGravyVinaigrette.pdf  Learn more about Dr. Choojitarom: https://doctors.ololchildrens.org/provider/thiravat-choojitarom/1297388  

In this episode of ParentingU, Dr. Kristen Sandoz, pediatrician with Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Health, dives into one of the most important topics of summer: keeping kids safe around water.  From pools to puddle jumpers, Dr. Sandoz shares what every parent needs to know — including why drowning is so dangerous (and often silent), how to spot a real-life water emergency and what tools can make a big difference. You'll hear practical tips for every age and stage, plus the truth about so-called "dry drowning" and when to start swim lessons.  Whether you're heading to the beach, the backyard pool or a splash pad, this episode will help you feel more confident and prepared.  Key Moments:  Alarming Reality of Drowning for Young Kids – 1:03 What It Means to Be a Water Watcher – 2:20 How to Recognize Drowning – 3:46 'Dry Drowning?' Setting the Record Straight – 4:45 Swim Lesson Options – 8:30 Layers of Protection – 10:50 Are Puddle Jumpers Safe? - 12:08 CPR Training for Parents – 13:15 Everyday Drowning Risks – 14:30  Read more from Dr. Sandoz on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/watch-the-water-to-keep-kids-safe-this-summer/   Learn more about Dr. Sandoz: https://doctors.lourdesrmc.com/provider/kristen-finney-sandoz/1962541   Download a Water Watcher tag: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/WaterWatcherTag_CHTau_2024.pdf  Learn more about the National Drowning Prevention Alliance: https://ndpa.org/  

Summer road trip season is here, and if you've got kids in the back seat, you know it's not all sunshine and sing-alongs. In this episode of ParentingU, Dr. Kyle Pontiff, sports medicine physician with Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health, shares his top tips to help families hit the road safely.  From seat belts and snack breaks to sun protection and screen time sanity, Dr. Pontiff covers what you really need to think about before you pile into the car. He's got practical advice (like how often to take movement breaks) and fun ideas (hello, car karaoke) to keep the whole crew healthier and happier mile after mile.  Key Moments:  Take Regular Breaks to Stretch – 3:00   Often-overlooked Tip: Sun Protection in the Car – 8:49 Avoid Dehydration – 9:52 Snack Strategies and Road Trip MVPs – 12:49 Always Buckle Up – 15:17 Car Seat Tips – 15:33 Why Kids Shouldn't Prop Feet on Front Seat – 17:21 Make Memories with Maps and Sing-alongs – 19:12 Screen Time and the Quiet Game – 19:51  Read more from Dr. Pontiff on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/the-ultimate-summer-road-trip/   Want a quick hit of snack inspiration? Download Dr. Pontiff's Road Trip Snack Sheet for healthy, car-friendly ideas: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ParentingU_Season5E2_KylePontiffMD_RoadTripTips.pdf  Learn more about Dr. Pontiff: https://doctors.ololrmc.com/provider/Kyle+Jude+Pontiff/1882694  

With less structure and more free time, summer can be challenging for kids with ADHD and their parents. Josh LeJeune, NP, with Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Health, offers advice on keeping kids engaged, creating light routines and incorporating activities that balance fun with focus.  Josh discusses the unique challenges faced by children with ADHD, including emotional regulation, the importance of structure and the differences in how ADHD presents in boys and girls. Josh provides practical tips for parents on creating routines, managing screen time and fostering social skills, while also emphasizing the importance of self-care for parents.  Key moments:  Understanding ADHD Symptoms – 02:18  ADHD in Boys vs. Girls – 05:44   Summer Challenges for Kids with ADHD – 09:01   Creating Structure and Routine During Summer – 11:44   Managing Screen Time Effectively – 15:24   Social Skills and Connections – 19:27   ADHD Medication During the Summer – 22:44   Healthy Sleep Schedules – 26:52   Parents, Take Care of Yourself – 29:48  Read more from on our blog and see Josh's paintings: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/helping-kids-with-adhd-stay-social-over-the-summer/   Learn more about Josh LeJeune, NP: https://doctors.lourdesrmc.com/provider/joshua-le-jeune/2184423