Author Archive
Sep 14, 09 | Posted by: Sharyl Paley, M.D.
Check in on New School year
Now that school has been in session for a few weeks it is time to check in and see what is going on. Many kids can have trouble organizing and staying on top of things. If you don’t check in and see what is going on, they might start getting behind and then things cascade.
This is also the time to check in with the teachers if you have any concerns. More »
Aug 26, 09 | Posted by: Sharyl Paley, M.D.
More about H1N1 vaccine
Over the past weekend and today in clinic I have had multiple people ask me questions about the H1N1 vaccine. I answered their questions and then referred them to our blog to stay updated on the new information we receive. Dr. Linsmeier has already done an amazing blog on the first information we know about this vaccine. Please make sure to read this as it will inform you of many of the questions you have.
One of the questions I heard over and over this weekend is how do we know that it is safe. Right now the CDC, federal government and other agencies are in the process of testing the vaccine. More »
Aug 19, 09 | Posted by: Sharyl Paley, M.D.
New School Year, New Beginnings
It is hard to believe that in two weeks, all school-aged kids will be back in school. The summer sure flew by fast and now it is time to gear up for school. August often is a stressful time for many families. Everyone wants to get in that last bit of fun and vacation before a new year of homework and activities start. Along with that last bit of fun comes all the preparation for a new year.
Many kids feel the stress and the anxiety of a new year. Even if they are going to the same school with the same kids, they may have some anxious and/or ambivalent feelings. Many kids don’t do well with transitions. Because of this, August often is wrought with an increase in temper tantrums and sleepless nights.
There are some things you can do to help alleviate the stress and anxiety:
1. Sit down and talk with your kids about their feelings for the new school year.
2. Plan out a calendar with all of your children’s activities on it. Make sure that they are not over-scheduled. I usually recommend one activity per season. As your kids get older they may be able to handle a second, but you also have to remember the increase in homework load.
3. Talk about ways to help you and your kids stay organized. Have a family calendar. Discuss assignment notebooks and how to use them.
4. Discuss your expectations for the school year. Make sure they know that you are there to help and guide them. Set up a plan for how you will check in with their schoolwork. This may be checking in nightly or weekly. Some schools have computer-based systems where you can check in. Make sure you let your child start to become independent. Teach them how to gain independence and still ask for your advice.
5. Start getting into a routine now. If they have been going to bed late in the summer, slowly bring that time closer to the school year bed time. Bring the time back by 15 minutes every few days. The same goes for late sleepers. Start waking them up sooner in the morning.
6. Plan your week so you make sure that you are getting some family dinners in. Everyone’s activities can start taking over, so it is nice to have these on the calendar in advance.
7. Most important, let them know that you love them and what a great year it will be!
Aug 18, 09 | Posted by: Sharyl Paley, M.D.
Reply to H1N1 question about safety
There are many questions that have come about because of the new H1N1 vaccine. Many of these relate to problems with the swine flu vaccine given in 1976. That vaccine was quickly halted after hundreds of cases of a syndrome called Guillan Barre developed. This is a severe neurologic condition that can result and paralysis and death. My understanding of what happened then is that they trialed one vaccine , but then proceeded with another. I am not sure of the why or how of this. The one thing that is different now then in 1976 is that the swine flu never become an issue. The government was expecting spread and this did not occur. This year already is different in that we see how quickly the illness has spread. Although it has not caused the problems initially anticipated, this could change. As a pediatrician, I always am cautious with vaccines and would not recommend something I wouldn’t give to my own children. Vaccines are not perfect and we do need to proceed with caution. One always must evaluate the risk-benefit ratio before giving a vaccine. If the risk of catching the illness and having significant consequences is higher then the risk of a vaccine, it is important to get the vaccine. I do believe in the safety studies that currently are ongoing. I also am more optimistic since the initial vaccine that will come out follows the same formula that we use every year in making a new flu vaccine. The safety studies done now and in the past should help us make the decision. If there is a more rare complication, this would not be seen until mass immunization would be initiated. This would be the one in a million problem. The risk of complications from the flu would be higher then this though. Stay tuned as more information is discovered.
Jul 16, 09 | Posted by: Sharyl Paley, M.D.
Those Picky Eaters
Most parents have dealt with a toddler or child who is a picky eater. Why would they want to eat their vegetables once they get a taste of cookies and candies and chips. The best way to encourage a healthy eater is by demonstrating and keep encouraging. Don’t get frustrated if they spit out the broccoli the first few times. It can take up to 15 times of trying something new before your child may like it. More »
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