Must-Try Back-to-School Smoothie Hack
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. ...
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Expert Screen Time Advice for Families
ParentingU
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...
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Bike and Scooter Safety Tips for Families
ParentingU
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...
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Summer Allergy Help for Parents
ParentingU
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...
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Summer First Aid for Families
ParentingU
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...
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Summer Hydration Hacks for Kids | ParentingU ExtraCredit
ParentingU
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...
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Help Kids Cook Up Life Skills This Summer
ParentingU
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...
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Water Safety Advice from a Pediatrician
ParentingU
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...
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The Ultimate Family Road Trip
ParentingU
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...
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Parenting Kids with ADHD in the Summer
ParentingU
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,...
info_outlineAs children grow up, they gain more independence and autonomy in every aspect of their life, including healthcare. Nicholas George, MD, pediatrics and internal medicine physician with Our Lady of Lourdes Health, shares the advice he gives parents to help ease the transition from pediatric to adult primary care. Dr. George emphasizes that it’s normal and natural for adolescents to want more privacy during medical appointments.
We hope this episode of ParentingU gives you some ideas for supporting your tweens and teens as they continue the journey through adolescence.
Questions Answered on the Episode
- - Why might I need to leave the room during my older child’s healthcare appointment?
- - How can I help my child feel comfortable speaking openly with their physician?
Additional Resource
- Read more on Helping Kids Feel Empowered at the Doctor’s Office
We’ll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.