Rolin Forward

Family vacations can be expensive, exhausting, and full of toddler meltdowns. So are they actually worth it -- especially when your kids might not even remember them? This week, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin explore what the science says about family vacations, from reducing stress and strengthening family bonds to why childhood experiences matter, even when the memories fade.This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

Your child's teacher says they're an angel at school, but the moment you pick them up, everything falls apart. Sound familiar? This week, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin explore why kids can behave so differently at school and at home, what people mean by “after-school restraint collapse,” and why hunger, exhaustion, and the demands of the school day can lead to big emotions. Plus, practical strategies to make afternoons easier, when to worry that something more is going on, and why sometimes the meltdown really isn't about the banana.This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

What do tiny green algae, brain cells, and the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine have in common? This week, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of optogenetics, a groundbreaking technique that allows scientists to control the activity of specific neurons using light. From understanding how memories and emotions work to promising research on restoring vision, we explore why this discovery has transformed neuroscience, what it could mean for medicine, and why we're still a long way from having an off switch for toddler tantrums.This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

Who is Caroline DeBerry, the new CDC official simultaneously serving in multiple senior communications and advisory roles? Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin dig into her unconventional résumé, from her education and work at the market-oriented Paragon Health Institute to federal lobbying, government experience, and, yes, Christian political romance novels, and ask what her background could mean for how the CDC communicates public health information.

When should your child get a flu shot, and what if they already had the flu or you don't get around to it until November? Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down the 2026–2027 flu and COVID vaccine recommendations, including why healthy kids still benefit from flu vaccination, who may need two doses, and the access problems affecting COVID vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program.This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

Measles is once again making headlines across the United States, with thousands of cases reported in 2026. Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin revisit their original Measles 101 conversation to explain how measles spreads, why pediatricians take it so seriously, what symptoms families should know, and how vaccination protects children and communities.This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

New backpacks, new teachers, new routines, and so many new germs. Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin tackle sleep schedules, school-year illnesses, backpack safety, anxiety, chaotic mornings, and the practical steps that can make the transition from summer vacation a little smoother.This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

Think you know which summer health rules are fact and which are fiction? Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin put classic summer myths to the test, from swimming after eating and “base tans” to mosquito magnets, margarita burns, jellyfish stings, and some very questionable advice about snakes.This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

Drowning can happen quickly, quietly, and in places families may not expect. In this episode of Summer School, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin discuss what drowning actually looks like, why young children are especially vulnerable, and the evidence-based layers of protection that can help keep kids safer around pools, lakes, oceans, and other water.This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.

Grills, fire pits, lawn mowers, dogs, pool chemicals, and even the plants in your garden - your own backyard has more hazards than you might think. In this episode of Summer School, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down the surprisingly serious injuries that can happen close to home and the evidence-based ways to make backyard adventures safer without taking the fun out of summer.This is not intended to be medical advice and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of their employers or funders.