What’s it like to work with patients whom you also saw as babies? I love that as a family practice physician, I get to care for the whole family and all ages. I get to watch children grow from infants to adults and not have to turn them over to an “adult” doctor when they reach 18 years. I love knowing I may have prevented an adult disease by steps we took caring for their health when they were children.
How can parents help kids avoid getting sick? Wash both your and your children’s hands frequently. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and face during cold and flu season. Get a flu shot each fall. Get plenty of sleep. Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and exercise. And avoid crowded places when illness seems to be going around.
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What are some specific ways to encourage children to stay active? I encourage my patients (and my own children) to shut off their devices and go outside to play. Do something fun, use your imagination, and make up a game. Get moving. Organized sports are not the only way to get moving. Ride your bike, take the dog for a walk or—heaven forbid—play a game with your sibling! Parents can go for a walk with their kids so they all get some exercise.
What are some tips for helping kids find a sense of balance in school and life? Consider limiting the number of extracurricular activities kids participate in. It can be hard for some kids or families to balance school, family time, and multiple activities, especially as they get older and have a more demanding academic load and time expectations. But allowing your kids to find one to two activities they participate in at a time can be much less stressful than being spread too thin. Set time aside in the daily schedule for homework as well as time to relax and unwind.
Any other parenting advice that comes to mind from your own experience? As a parent, the biggest advice I have is to live in the moment and pick your battles. It sounds so cliché, but it is true: Your kids will be little for such a short period of time. If at all possible, given the limited time we all have these days, listen to their stories, go to their games and concerts. Hang up their artwork even if you are not sure what it is! Family dinners are so important to stay connected, especially as kids get older. I also am a big fan of limits on electronics. For example, our house rules include no computers, TVs, or game systems in bedrooms and no phones in bedrooms after bedtime. Parents also need to put down their screens when they interact with their kids.
