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How to Talk with Kids About Disasters, Illness, and Other Tough Topics

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

Release Date: 07/09/2025

From Bedside Nursing to Butterfly Pig: A Mission to Reduce Pediatric Medical Trauma Through Play (263)-Mary’s Story show art From Bedside Nursing to Butterfly Pig: A Mission to Reduce Pediatric Medical Trauma Through Play (263)-Mary’s Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

 “The tears legitimately just turned to curiosity—and she wanted to play.” – Mary Jenner, BSN and Founder of the Butterfly Pig Meet Mary, a former pediatric oncology nurse turned full-time entrepreneur and founder of The Butterfly Pig. In this heartfelt episode, Mary opens up about how play transformed her bedside care, her daughter’s unexpected NICU stay due to HIE, and how she’s now helping families and clinicians reduce pediatric medical trauma through imaginative medical play tools. Listen in to discover how Mary's passion is revolutionizing how we empower kids and...

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Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

“I was pumping in the NICU, feeling completely disconnected—and my husband looked at me and said, ‘Can you invite her in?’ That moment changed everything. A nurse handed me a swab, I gave my baby colostrum for the first time, and I thought, ‘I’m a mommy.’” – Tanisha NICU mom and advocate Tanisha shares her deeply moving journey through an unexpected fetal diagnosis, a 157-day NICU stay, and the powerful moments that helped her reconnect with motherhood. Diagnosed at 20 weeks with Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction (LUTO)—a rare, life-threatening condition—Tanisha’s son...

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How to Talk with Kids About Disasters, Illness, and Other Tough Topics show art How to Talk with Kids About Disasters, Illness, and Other Tough Topics

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

In the wake of recent flooding in Central Texas, Katie Taylor—child life specialist and mom—pauses the regularly scheduled episode to speak directly to parents navigating uncertainty and grief. Whether you're facing a natural disaster, a scary news event, illness, or another tough moment, Katie offers a compassionate and practical framework to help guide difficult conversations with your child. Drawing from both her professional experience and personal moments with her own daughter, Katie walks you through a 5-step process to ensure these talks are grounded in safety, emotional connection,...

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When Laura's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, her world stopped. What followed was a powerful journey through fear, resilience, and fierce advocacy. In this episode, Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree—a lifelong educator and now author of The Cancer Parent’s Handbook—opens up about the most terrifying day of her life, how she transformed pain into purpose, and why parent-to-parent support is critical in the childhood cancer community. Her reflections are raw, heartfelt, and offer wisdom for every parent facing a medical diagnosis with their child.  🗝️ 5 Key Topics in This Episode: ...

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Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

This episode is dedicated to Katie’s dear friend Joe, who recently passed away, leaving behind his wife and two young sons. Joe’s story reminds us to live in alignment with our purpose and to cherish the people we love. In this heartfelt episode of the Child Life On Call podcast, Katie Taylor speaks with B.R. Duray, an author, filmmaker, and storyteller whose debut children's book, The Mood Swing, is rooted in his experience of losing his father at the age of 10. With it being Father’s Day this past weekend, this conversation takes on even deeper meaning. B.R. shares how grief has shaped...

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Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to our episode sponsor, reStickity®. Their innovative, mess-free reusable sticker sets allow families to personalize hospital spaces with familiar photos and comforting images, helping bring a sense of home to the hospital. To learn more, visit  and use code CLOC10 for an exclusive discount available to our listeners. In this inspiring episode, we meet Sarah Michelle Boes—nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, and mom to Meadow, who was diagnosed in utero with Tetralogy of Fallot and multiple congenital heart defects. Sarah brings a powerful trifecta...

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What happens when your world changes with a single phone call? In this powerful reposted episode, NICU dad and advocate Alex Zavala shares his emotional journey of fatherhood after his daughter was born at just 27 weeks. From the emergency C-section and NICU stay to the emotional toll of the "NICU dad shuffle," Alex opens up about the lesser-heard experience of dads navigating medical trauma, guilt, and resilience. As the host of the NICU Dad Podcast, Alex continues to amplify the voices of fathers facing similar experiences. This conversation is an essential listen for NICU families and...

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Learning to swallow pills can be a major milestone—and a big challenge—for many kids. In this episode, certified child life specialist Adina Levitan joins host Katie Taylor to break down the myths, fears, and best practices behind teaching children how to confidently swallow pills. From her clinical expertise to creative solutions like affirmations, games, and candy "pill" practice, Adina walks us through her unique approach to supporting kids and parents through this skill-building process. Whether you're a caregiver, clinician, or a parent trying to help your child at home, this episode...

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A Microtia Atresia Diagnosis: Hearing Aids, Surgery and a Journey of Hope  [REPOST] - Kim's Story(255) show art A Microtia Atresia Diagnosis: Hearing Aids, Surgery and a Journey of Hope [REPOST] - Kim's Story(255)

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

  “You make the best decision for yourself and your family—and you stick with it.”- Kim Pena What happens when you’re handed unexpected news at your child’s birth—and there’s no clear roadmap ahead? In this reposted episode, educator and mom Kim Pena shares her powerful journey as the parent of a child born with Microtia Atresia, a rare congenital condition affecting the ear. Kim was one of Katie’s very first guests on the Child Life On Call podcast, and her story is still a listener favorite to this day. In this repost, Katie kicks off the episode by giving us a quick...

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Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

What if blending real food could transform your child’s tube feeding experience—and your entire family’s daily routine? In this inspiring episode, registered dietitian and new mom Hilarie shares how her career in pediatric nutrition led her to create , a platform and supportive community designed to help families explore real food options for children with feeding tubes. Hilarie and Katie have an insightful conversation about doing what works best for your family and how it is not an all-or-nothing approach when it comes to tube feeding. From clinical frustrations to practical...

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More Episodes

In the wake of recent flooding in Central Texas, Katie Taylor—child life specialist and mom—pauses the regularly scheduled episode to speak directly to parents navigating uncertainty and grief. Whether you're facing a natural disaster, a scary news event, illness, or another tough moment, Katie offers a compassionate and practical framework to help guide difficult conversations with your child.

Drawing from both her professional experience and personal moments with her own daughter, Katie walks you through a 5-step process to ensure these talks are grounded in safety, emotional connection, and honest, age-appropriate communication.

Questions, media or collaborations? Reach out to us at [email protected]


What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why regulating yourself is the first step to supporting your child

  • How to assess what your child knows or believes about an event (and correct misconceptions)

  • Strategies for explaining complex topics in clear, simple ways

  • How to validate emotional reactions, even when you don’t have all the answers

  • The importance of ending with a bonding activity to reinforce connection and security


Katie’s 5-Step Framework:

  1. Regulate yourself

  2. Assess what your child knows

  3. Explain complex information simply

  4. Validate their emotions and responses

  5. Close with connection and bonding


🤝 Resources Mentioned:

🔗 Child Life Disaster Relief (CLDR) – Supporting families and professionals during crisis situations: https://www.childlifedisasterrelief.org
📚 Flooding & Crisis Resource Hub for Parents and CCLS: https://childlifeoncall.com/hillcountryfloods

 

  • [00:00] – Welcome & why this episode matters right now (Texas flooding)

  • [01:00] – The emotional toll on parents and the importance of self-regulation

  • [02:00] – Personal reflection: Katie shares how she coped this weekend

  • [03:00] – Step 1: Why regulating yourself is step one in helping your child

  • [04:00] – Step 2: Two ways tough conversations begin (reactive vs. planned)

  • [05:00] – Creating a safe environment: timing, tone, and physical comfort

  • [06:00] – Step 3: Assessing what your child knows and clearing up misconceptions

  • [07:00] – Example: When Katie’s daughter feared the pool would flood their home

  • [08:00] – How to explain complex topics like weather in simple, honest language

  • [09:00] – Step 4: Reading your child’s cues and inviting collaboration

  • [10:00] – When kids ask heartbreaking questions (e.g. “Did kids die?”)

  • [11:00] – Validating your child’s emotions and offering honest responses

  • [12:00] – Step 5: How to close the conversation with a bonding moment

  • [13:00] – Simple ideas: drawing together, taking a walk, or reading a book

  • [14:00] – What to do when you don’t have the answers to their questions

  • [15:00] – Why the message of safety, love, and presence matters most

  • [16:00] – Acknowledging the incredible work of Child Life Disaster Relief (CLDR)

  • [17:00] – Where to find resources: childlifeoncall.com/hillcountryfloods

  • [18:00] – Final encouragement: You can do this—and your words matter less than your presence