Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories in safe, supportive interviews with a Child Life Specialist. Navigating life with a child who is sick can feel isolating, and this podcast offers parents a sense of connection. Hosted by Katie Taylor, a Certified Child Life Specialist who provides evidence-based, developmentally appropriate interventions to help promote positive coping with hospitalization and illness.
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Episode 120 | How to Stay Present... Not Perfect
05/18/2022
Episode 120 | How to Stay Present... Not Perfect
This episode is sponsored by SmileMakers Abbie Pabon and Emily Enstad share their motherhood journeys through the pandemic, how it shaped their careers and how they created a company that gives hands on tools to help children regulate and express their emotions. In this episode, you will learn more about: +Learn how to empower children with tools and strategies they can access in moments of dysregulation. +How to be self-compassionate as a parent +Learn about current barriers for parents, and how connection, coregulation, and creativity are pillars to supporting social emotional learning with kids. Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 119 | Michelle’s Story: A Son’s Pediatric Rehab Experience
05/11/2022
Episode 119 | Michelle’s Story: A Son’s Pediatric Rehab Experience
Today we have a guest co-host AND a guest! Our guest co-host is Sehreen Noorali, and you may remember her from of the podcast. Her younger daughter has some medical needs and has been through neurosurgery. Like Sehreen, our guest Michelle has also spent her fair share of time in the rehab setting. Her son, Gideon, was born with heart defects that required hospitalization. In this episode, we talk about… [6:25] Michelle’s family [8:08] Discovering low oxygen levels in a newborn [11:24] Receiving diagnoses: Tetralogy of Fallot, Pulmonary Atresia and MAPCAs [15:34] Advocating for your child in the medical system [18:31] Collaborating with your child’s care team [26:12] Handling stress as a parent of a child with medical needs [29:38] Creating community in the inpatient pediatric rehab setting [35:44] How Michelle’s son has changed her [38:45] An update on Gideon CONNECT WITH MICHELLE: CONNECT WITH SEHREEN: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 118 | How to Give Your Child Medicine
05/04/2022
Episode 118 | How to Give Your Child Medicine
I’m bringing you a quick episode about a commonly asked question. This topic also happens to be one of our most downloaded resources on the website (in case you didn’t know, you can get free downloadable resources !) We’re talking about how to get your kids to take medicine - liquid, pills, eye drops, and more. In this episode, I talk about… [1:37] Helping ourselves to help our children [2:12] Helping children to understand the need for medicine [3:02] Step 1: Setting expectations [3:34] Step 2: Recognize that medicine is non-negotiable [4:29] Step 3: Consider the child’s developmental level [7:16] Step 4: Offer choices about how to take the medicine [8:20] Step 5: Practice and getting the child comfortable with taking medicine [9:00] Giving eye drops to children [10:38] Helping children to swallow pills Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 117 | [Repost] Ashlyn’s Story: A Son with VACTERL Association
04/27/2022
Episode 117 | [Repost] Ashlyn’s Story: A Son with VACTERL Association
This is a very worthy repost episode, as April is Limb Difference Awareness Month. We first shared Ashlyn’s story over a year ago, but I wanted to bring it back. The two things that I continue to take away from this story is the true partnership between Ashlyn and her husband, as well as the importance of having fun with the cards you’re dealt. I encourage you to listen to her story, follow her on , and share her page and this episode so others can learn more about limb differences. In this episode, we talk about… [4:55] Ashlyn’s family [6:07] Ashlyn’s pregnancy with her son [14:47] Getting the results from the fetal MRI [23:45] How Ashlyn and her husband renewed their partnership [30:29] Myles’s birth and NICU stay [41:17] Getting the diagnosis of VACTERL Association [42:34] Bringing Myles home from the hospital [49:37] How Ashlyn changed her mindset and coped with grief [51:40] Connecting with other parents of children with special needs [57:58] What Ashlyn has learned from her son [1:01:24] An update on Myles [1:03:25] Ashlyn’s advice for other parents CONNECT WITH ASHLYN: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 116 | Psychosocial Considerations for Parents of Tweens and Teens
04/20/2022
Episode 116 | Psychosocial Considerations for Parents of Tweens and Teens
Today’s guest expert is Jessica Lewin, a child life specialist in the school setting. We talk about some of the key concepts that she wants parents to know are affecting their middle and high schoolers. Jessica and I discuss suicide, the impact of school attendance, and tweens’ and teens’ psychosocial roles within their social systems. In this episode, we talk about… [2:09] Jessica’s background and work in the Child Life field [7:10] Psychosocial development in middle and high school [14:09] The mental health crisis for teenagers [18:19] Mental health resources outside of the school setting [22:12] Conversations with teenagers about suicide CONNECT WITH JESSICA Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 115 | Megan’s Story: A Son with Williams Syndrome
04/13/2022
Episode 115 | Megan’s Story: A Son with Williams Syndrome
Today I’m talking with Megan, who is the mother of three wonderful children. Her first was born with a rare genetic condition called Williams Syndrome. They did not discover this syndrome until he was five months old, and you will hear in her story how those first five months felt like five years. Megan is also a social worker, and she has developed a program that we will talk about at the end of the interview. In this episode, we talk about… [1:53] Megan’s family [3:24] Williams Syndrome [4:30] Megan’s pregnancy and delivery with her son [6:21] Getting a diagnosis of Williams Syndrome [13:45] Feeling lonely after getting the diagnosis of Williams Syndrome [21:24] Family support and coping as parents of a child with special needs [23:36] Living with Williams Syndrome [26:52] How Megan takes care of herself day to day [30:03] An update on Megan’s son and what he has taught her [32:43] Tulip Families: The program Megan developed for families navigating disability and neurodiversity CONNECT WITH MEGAN Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 114 | How to Talk with Kids About Child Abuse with Jane Donovan
04/06/2022
Episode 114 | How to Talk with Kids About Child Abuse with Jane Donovan
Today’s guest expert is my mother, Jane Donovan, who is a child abuse advocate. She is here to provide tangible ways to make this concept less scary and to empower kids and parents. We want to leave you feeling confident about how to teach kids about child abuse. In this episode, we talk about… [3:50] Jane's background and her passion for advocacy [8:48] Using puppets to talk to kids about child abuse [15:04] Good touches versus confusing touches [15:54] Empowering children to tell an adult about abuse [17:31] Respecting personal space [21:08] Feedback about the puppet program [22:35] Reporting child abuse [25:42] Engaging in conversations with kids about child abuse [31:06] A safety sheet to create with your children Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 113 | Amy’s Story: A Son with Craniopharyngioma
03/30/2022
Episode 113 | Amy’s Story: A Son with Craniopharyngioma
Today I’m talking with Amy, who discovered her son had a brain tumor after noticing something different about his eye one morning. The brain has a lot of jobs, and it has affected his everyday life in many ways. Amy is an incredible mom, and she shares their story so beautifully. Her ultimate goal is to support other parents going through similar things. In this episode, we talk about… [2:19] Amy’s family [3:59] Finding out about her son’s brain tumor [8:55] Emergency brain surgery [14:32] Complications after brain surgery [18:34] Researching, asking questions, and advocating while caring for a sick child [22:08] Starting a foundation [25:05] Coping with the emotional toll of caring for a child with a brain tumor [36:00] Intentionally looking for blessings [37:32] The Raymond A. Wood Foundation [44:48] An update on Amy’s son and what he has taught her CONNECT WITH AMY Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 112 | Sehreen’s Story: A Daughter Requires Neurosurgery
03/23/2022
Episode 112 | Sehreen’s Story: A Daughter Requires Neurosurgery
March is Child Life month, and I wanted to feature some amazing organizations that are doing so much to support children and families in crisis. A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to interview an expert in the field of Child Life about the impact of disasters on children and families (episode 105). Child Life Disaster Relief is an organization that empowers and supports children and families in crisis by integrating Child Life professional services into disaster-impacted communities. Learn more at . Today I’m talking with Sehreen, who has so much wisdom to share. She is doing big things for the world of children’s health, but she is also a mom whose daughter has had some medical challenges. I’m excited for her to share her experiences with you in this episode. In this episode, we talk about… [2:25] Sehreen’s background and family [4:11] Concerns with her daughter missing developmental milestones [9:03] Seeking answers about her daughter’s development [12:48] Advocating for your child in medical situations [15:00] How Sehreen coped while waiting for a diagnosis for her daughter [18:18] How Sehreen’s daughter coped during her time in the hospital [24:25] The role of child life specialists [26:02] What helps Sehreen to recharge [27:31] The difficulties with having a child with medical needs [29:02] What Sehreen’s daughters have taught her [31:52] Sehreen’s children’s health startup (Sleuth) CONNECT WITH SEHREEN Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Paige’s Story: A Daughter with Nursemaid’s Elbow
03/16/2022
Paige’s Story: A Daughter with Nursemaid’s Elbow
March is Child Life month, and I wanted to feature some amazing organizations that are doing so much to support children and families in crisis. A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to interview an expert in the field of Child Life about the impact of disasters on children and families (episode 105). Child Life Disaster Relief is an organization that empowers and supports children and families in crisis by integrating Child Life professional services into disaster-impacted communities. Learn more at . Today I’m talking with Paige, who shares her daughter’s experience with Nursemaid’s Elbow. On this podcast, sometimes we talk about really intense diagnoses that last years and have a significant medical impact. Other times we talk about acute issues that are not severe but require medical attention - and today is one of those days. Check out this episode to hear about what Nursemaid’s Elbow is and how to fix it. In this episode, we talk about… [3:05] Paige’s background and family [4:55] Finding out about Nursemaid’s Elbow [12:57] Treating Nursemaid’s Elbow [17:09] What to do if you suspect Nursemaid’s Elbow Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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A 12 Minute Talk with Dr. Jin Lee, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist
03/09/2022
A 12 Minute Talk with Dr. Jin Lee, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Today I am introducing you to Dr. Jin Lee, a licensed clinical psychologist with experience working in hospitals. She now has her own private practice, and she specializes with teens who have functional neurological or post-concussion disorders. You will hear some great information and feedback from Dr. Lee about how to support teens through chronic pain. In this episode, we talk about… [1:54] Dr. Jin Lee’s background [2:51] Working with children and teens with chronic illness [5:57] How Dr. Lee supports her patients [12:04] How patients and their families evolve through working with a clinical psychologist [17:52] Advice for parents of teens with chronic illness Connect with Jin: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 109 | Dimitra’s Story: A Son with Transposition of the Great Arteries and Coarctation of the Aorta
03/02/2022
Episode 109 | Dimitra’s Story: A Son with Transposition of the Great Arteries and Coarctation of the Aorta
Today we have another story from a heart mama. I wanted to fit them all into February, but I couldn't quite make it. So we are just creeping into March here with Dimitra and her story. Her son also had transposition of the great arteries (TGA), which we heard about in last week’s episode. It’s interesting to see where the two stories are parallel and where they differ. In this episode, we talk about… [1:51] Dimitra’s family and background [3:37] Adapting to changes outside of our control [5:19] Getting the diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) [14:05] Pregnancy after confirming a heart defect [18:59] Dimitra’s son’s birth [24:01] Coping with setbacks after birth [28:49] Finding out about her son’s coarctation of the aorta [30:52] Dimitra’s son’s surgeries [39:36] Life after two heart surgeries [43:30] What Dimitra’s son has taught her [48:30] How Dimitra processes and copes with her experiences now Connect with Dimitra: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg
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Episode 108 | Melissa’s Story: A Son with Transposition of the Great Arteries
02/23/2022
Episode 108 | Melissa’s Story: A Son with Transposition of the Great Arteries
Here we are in the last week of February, which is heart month, and I am so honored to bring you Melissa’s story. We have discussed other heart defects before, such as tetralogy of fallot and hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This is the first time we are talking about transposition of the great arteries, or TGA. TGA is diagnosed in utero and requires surgery within days. I know Melissa’s story will bring so much value, comfort, and validation to other parents. In this episode, we talk about… [1:54] Melissa’s background and family [3:29] Getting the diagnosis of of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) [9:26] Melissa’s son’s birth and treatment after birth [15:11] Melissa’s son’s surgery [25:24] Stenosis after surgery [29:15] A second surgery to patch arteries [32:24] Inflammation of the thymus [34:45] Recovery after two surgeries in two weeks [37:15] What helped Melissa through this experience in the hospital [42:00] Going home after five weeks in the hospital [44:50] Update on Melissa’s son Connect with Melissa: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 107 | How to Support Healthy Children of Adults with Illness with Julie May
02/16/2022
Episode 107 | How to Support Healthy Children of Adults with Illness with Julie May
Julie May has been a child life specialist for almost 20 years. She is here today to talk with us about how to talk to and support kids who have an adult in their lives who has an illness. Julie talks about what Wonders and Worries does, and what is accessible for families today. You can get support anywhere in the United States completely for free! You won’t want to miss this episode, because Julie also shares how to read cues based on a child’s development, how to know if you have taken the conversation too far, if it’s time to play, or if they need any other intervention. Julie is a wealth of knowledge, and I am so glad we get to learn from her. In this episode, we talk about… [2:02] Julie May’s personal and professional background [4:52] Wonders and Worries: a pioneer program in the child life field [8:42] Advice for parents who want to protect their child from their illness [18:39] Developmental stages and what information children can handle [25:17] Showing emotions in front of children [28:29] Why Julie thinks it is so important to talk to kids about illness [34:51] Getting involved with Wonders and Worries Connect with Julie: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 106 | Elizabeth’s Story: A Son with PANDAS
02/09/2022
Episode 106 | Elizabeth’s Story: A Son with PANDAS
Today’s guest, Elizabeth, had never heard of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infection) when her son was diagnosed with it. PANDAS is a tough diagnosis, because some doctors believe in it while others do not. Having a child with this diagnosis that only some doctors believe in is incredibly hard to navigate, to say the least. PANDAS is an autoimmune disease closely related to infections, so you will hear Elizabeth talk a bit about how her son’s ear infections seemed to lead to PANDAS. Elizabeth also shares her thoughts about how society does not judge kids with colds, cancer, or appendicitis, but society tends to look down on you when your child suffers from neuropsychiatric symptoms. There are misconceptions that these symptoms are related to bad parenting, violence in the home, poor role models, lack of discipline, or just being a “bad child”. Parents of children with PANDAS have a lot to carry on their shoulders, and I am so glad Elizabeth is here to share her story. In this episode, we talk about… [2:46] Elizabeth’s family and background [5:17] Elizabeth’s son’s first symptoms of PANDAS [9:01] Getting the diagnosis of an acute onset of PANDAS [12:33] Being discharged from the hospital [16:28] More strep, different symptoms [23:38] Juvenile court and the path to treatment [33:58] Searching for the source of PANDAS with medical testing [43:58] How Elizabeth’s son and family are doing after medical treatment [45:09] Elizabeth’s book: What’s Wrong With My Child? Connect with Elizabeth: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 105 | How Child Life Specialists Help Kids and Families After Disasters
02/02/2022
Episode 105 | How Child Life Specialists Help Kids and Families After Disasters
Today’s 12 minute talk became a 20+ minute talk, and Cara Smith and I discussed how parents can connect with their children after a disaster. Cara is an amazing pioneer in the child life field, and she has valuable tips both for child life specialists as well as for parents in the wake of a natural disaster, a pandemic, or any other stressful event. In this episode, we talk about… [1:41] Cara’s background [4:18] Burnout as a child life specialist [6:44] Cara’s experience working with children in the wake of a traumatic event [14:13] Supporting caregivers after a disaster [21:39] Giving children the tools to be resilient [24:29] Learning more about working as a child life specialist in disaster relief Connect with Cara: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 104 | Maureen’s Story: A Daughter with Bilateral Clubfoot
01/26/2022
Episode 104 | Maureen’s Story: A Daughter with Bilateral Clubfoot
Today’s guest is Maureen, and she found out at her 20 week ultrasound that her daughter had clubfoot. She shares what families have to endure when confronted with a child with clubfoot. You’ll hear about B and B (boots and bar), serial casting, surgeries, doctors’ visits, and the amount of parent intervention that has to take place in the first four to five years of these kids’ lives. In this episode, we talk about… [2:07] Maureen’s family and background [4:53] Getting a clubfoot diagnosis in utero [11:39] Processing her daughter’s clubfoot diagnosis [13:28] Medical treatment for clubfoot [17:14] Handling the stress of her daughter’s diagnosis [23:32] The parental workload involved with clubfoot maintenance and treatment [26:34] Maureen’s advice for other parents going through the boots and bar scenario [30:05] Sleep challenges related to clubfoot [31:52] Treatment since the boots and bar [34:35] Maureen’s book: Clubfoot Chronicles [40:27] What Maureen’s daughter has taught her through this experience Connect with Maureen: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 103 | A Talk with an Expert: Kat Harrison on Living with Medical Challenges, Disability, Mental Health, and Chronic Illness
01/19/2022
Episode 103 | A Talk with an Expert: Kat Harrison on Living with Medical Challenges, Disability, Mental Health, and Chronic Illness
For today’s 12 minute talk, I’m speaking with Kat Harrison. At the end of 2021, I shared Kat’s episode (episode 99) in which she talked about what it was like being a teenager with chronic illness. During that episode, we touched on what helped her the most when she was a teenager in the hospital and how to support adolescents coping with different medical or mental challenges. I’m so excited to share this talk with you today so you can be more prepared when you’re talking to your own teenager or working in the field with adolescents. In this episode, we talk about… [2:46] Kat’s background [3:19] How parents can empower their teens living with medical and mental health challenges [5:26] Planning for appointments [8:17] Preventing a diagnosis from becoming an identity [10:02] Mental health [11:41] Asking your teen how they want to be supported [13:04] Kat’s books Connect with Kat: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 102 | Betsy’s Story: Hope for HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy)
01/12/2022
Episode 102 | Betsy’s Story: Hope for HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy)
Today’s guest is Betsy, from an organization called Hope for HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy). HIE refers to brain injury in an infant, and Betsy will share more specifics about the condition and her family’s experience with it in our discussion. I originally learned about this organization through working in the NICU here in Texas, and it is a wonderful source of support for parents struggling in completely unknown territory with their babies. In this episode, we talk about… [1:19] HIE: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy [2:29] Betsy’s family [3:02] The beginning of the HIE journey [11:36] Brain cooling (therapeutic hypothermia) [15:10] Seeing your baby in the NICU [24:06] Warming after therapeutic hypothermia [24:41] MRI day and diagnosing the severity of HIE [30:58] Leaving the NICU [36:01] Moving forward with career and family as parents of a child with HIE [41:20] A current update on Betsy’s son and family Connect with Betsy: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 101 | Christiana’s Story: A Son with Osteosarcoma
01/05/2022
Episode 101 | Christiana’s Story: A Son with Osteosarcoma
As we kick off the new year, my guest Christiana is sharing the story of her son’s osteosarcoma. Nathaniel has passed away, but his family created Nathaniel’s Childhood Cancer Foundation in his name and legacy. Christiana walks us through his experience with osteosarcoma from the beginning, and she shares details about his battles with childhood cancer. In this episode, we talk about… [1:27] Introducing Christiana and her family [3:09] The beginning of Nathaniel’s story with osteosarcoma [11:49] Nathaniel’s osteosarcoma diagnosis [14:32] How Nathaniel reacted to these sudden life changes [18:52] What was helping Christiana through her son’s cancer battle [21:02] Health insurance and hospitals [23:01] Nathaniel’s experience after amputation [28:06] Finding out that Nathaniel’s cancer had spread [32:13] Getting fitted for a prosthetic and accessing video games post-amputation [35:11] Treatment after radiation [36:19] Nathaniel’s last days [40:28] Nathaniel’s Childhood Cancer Foundation Connect with Christiana: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 100 | Thoughts about the Child Life Field
12/22/2021
Episode 100 | Thoughts about the Child Life Field
It’s the 100th episode! Today I’m opening up a bit and letting you get to know more about me as well as more about what a child life specialist does. I will be sharing my thoughts about the holiday season, and then I will answer some questions about child life. In this episode, I talk about… [2:57] The child life perspective on dealing with holiday feelings [7:21] A commonly held belief about my role that I passionately disagree with [8:41] What I wish my younger self knew about being a child life specialist [9:22] What I would buy with ten times my current budget [10:35] Something everybody in my industry should start doing [12:11] The biggest challenge child life is facing today [13:37] How I self-educate [13:56] The topic of a book I would want to write [14:29] Wrapping up the year Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 99 | Kat’s Story: Chronic Illness as a Teenager
12/15/2021
Episode 99 | Kat’s Story: Chronic Illness as a Teenager
My guest today, Kat, is sharing her story as a child and now as an adult with chronic illness. I think it’s important for us to change our perspective a bit and hear what the patient has to say. Kat is the community manager at The Mighty, and she has also written two children’s books: Migraine and Mia and Surgery on Sunday. She is such a creative spirit, and she gets really honest with us about what it was like being a teenager in the hospital. She shares what her parents did that worked well, what could have been done differently, and how to support teens with chronic illness. In this episode, we talk about… [1:25] Kat’s background [2:28] The beginning of Kat’s health issues [4:01] What helped Kat when she was in the hospital [5:51] Looking back on Kat’s surgical experiences [7:36] Handling physical differences as a teenager [11:30] The vestibular system and its role in the body [13:02] How Kat’s parents helped her deal with chronic illness as a teenager [16:57] Coping with pain [19:02] Kat’s advice for herself as a teenager [20:30] Connecting with others in similar circumstances Connect with Kat: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 98| Checking in with Meg and Jess from Friends with Fros
12/08/2021
Episode 98| Checking in with Meg and Jess from Friends with Fros
Happy December! I’m changing things up a big this week, and sharing my discussion with Meg and Jess from Friends with Fros. I first interviewed them in June 2020, so please feel free to go back and listen to their before enjoying this conversation. Meg and Jess host a podcast called Don’t Worry ‘Bout My Hair, and they also hold dual certifications as child life specialists along with rec therapy and nursing. In this episode, we talk about… [1:47] Life updates all around [6:19] Hospital experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic [12:24] Working as a child life specialist while pregnant [14:53] Processing difficult experiences [18:02] Cultural considerations for families coming from Afghanistan [24:11] Anti-racism in the child life field [26:35] Changes in care for diverse families Connect with Meg and Jess: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 97 | Samarrah’s Story: A Son with an Ependymoma Brain Tumor
12/01/2021
Episode 97 | Samarrah’s Story: A Son with an Ependymoma Brain Tumor
My guest today, Samarrah, is sharing her story about her son being diagnosed with a brain tumor. I encourage you to be present as you listen to her story and take the wisdom she is offering. In this episode, we talk about… [1:49] Introducing Samarrah and her family [2:53] Getting the diagnosis of an ependymoma brain tumor [6:19] Processing the brain tumor diagnosis [8:44} Treatment for ependymoma [12:43] The role of parents in a child’s cancer treatment [15:32] Finding support and community [19:13] How Samarrah’s daughter handled the situation [23:21] What helped Samarrah to cope with her son’s diagnosis and treatment [26:59] What Samarrah’s son has taught her throughout this process [28:06] The importance of a high-quality hospital experience and medical team [29:43] How Samarrah plans to help her son process this experience [31:15] Life post-diagnosis [32:23] Samarrah’s book and the foundation she and her husband created to support ependymoma research Connect with Samarrah: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 96 | Carrie’s Story: A Son with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
11/24/2021
Episode 96 | Carrie’s Story: A Son with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
My guest today is Carrie Holt. Carrie is one of those people who, when you talk to her, you feel like you’ve known her your whole life AND it feels like you’re there in the room with her. She has such a great perspective on having a child with a diagnosis and special needs, and she also hosts a podcast called Take Heart Special Mom. I’ll be sharing a bit about what I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving week, and then we will jump into Carrie’s story. In this episode, we talk about… [1:24] What I am grateful for [4:07] About Carrie Holt [5:16] Getting diagnoses of spina bifida and hydrocephalus [8:43] The second half of Carrie’s pregnancy after these issues were discovered [13:37] Bonding with a baby that has to have surgery right after birth [19:30] A trip to the pediatric intensive care unit [25:54] Coming home with a ventilator [27:54] What Carrie wishes she had known at the beginning of this journey [31:39] How Carrie’s other children have grown through this experience [38:31] What Carrie’s son has taught her since he entered her life Connect with Carrie: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 95 | How to Start a Gratitude Journal
11/17/2021
Episode 95 | How to Start a Gratitude Journal
For today’s 12 minute talk, I’m interviewing author Priscilla Morgan. She gives us exactly what we need to know to start a gratitude journal with kids, without making it a chore. She teaches us how to find the emotional connection with gratitude to make it meaningful, as well as the power of what gratitude can do now and in the future. Gratitude Journal for Kids by Priscilla Morgan is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. In this episode, we talk about… [1:00] Priscilla’s background [2:45] Helping children navigate the journey of gratitude journaling [9:18] Gratitude for future events [9:54] The power of writing [11:23] How Priscilla encourages journaling with her own daughters Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 94 | Moira’s Story: Kids with Celiac Disease and Migraines
11/10/2021
Episode 94 | Moira’s Story: Kids with Celiac Disease and Migraines
Today I get to introduce you to Moira, the host of Surviving the Waiting Room - a podcast based on her experiences from learning how to be an advocate for her teenage children as they started to figure out their health issues. Although they have diagnoses now, there are no exact tests for Celiac Disease or migraines, so Moira has gotten really good at finding people to help give her information. She has a lot of value to share about getting answers for your kids as well as about relating to teenagers and supporting them as they grow into young adults. In this episode, we talk about… [1:29] An introduction to Moira and her family [2:43] Getting a diagnosis of Celiac Disease [4:51] Puberty and health problems [5:44] Experiencing migraines [7:41] Finding answers for unexplained medical issues [11:28] Getting a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [13:14] Invisible illness [16:50] Treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [19:04] Supporting teenaged and adult children with medical conditions [21:11] Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome [22:46] Self-care as the mother of children with chronic illnesses [25:18] How these experiences changed Moira [29:49] Considerations when sharing medical information about your children Connect with Moira: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: Merch: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube:
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Episode 93 | Expert Advice Every Parent Should Know From an Occupational Therapist
11/03/2021
Episode 93 | Expert Advice Every Parent Should Know From an Occupational Therapist
For today’s 12 minute talk, I’m interviewing Ashley McGaughy. Ashley is a pediatric occupational therapist from Chicago, and she primarily works as an independent contractor with kids in intervention programs, ages zero to three. She works on everything from play to daily life skills, and she gets to see kids both in their homes and in private community settings. She has a lot of expertise to offer, and I’m so excited to share it with you. In this episode, we talk about… [1:09] How Ashley got into occupational therapy and her current work [3:00] Beneficial occupational therapy in the home setting [5:37] Activities that get great engagement and feedback from kids [6:22] Parent engagement in occupational therapy [7:21] Fun and surprising moments as an occupational therapist [8:50] Ashley’s favorite part of being an occupational therapist [9:56] How to follow and learn from Ashley [10:44] Go with your gut when it comes to your child Ashley McGaughy Pediatric Occupational Therapist Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here.
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Episode 92 | The Dad’s Perspective: A Son with a Rare Genetic Disease
10/27/2021
Episode 92 | The Dad’s Perspective: A Son with a Rare Genetic Disease
Casey and Effie need to make sure Ford’s medical team is aware of all the different components of his medical chart. He sees a lot of different specialists and they all have extremely important information that the team as a whole needs to understand. As Ford’s parents, they have to bring all the pieces together and make sure everyone is on the same page.
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Episode 91 | How Do You Explain the COVID-19 Vaccine to Kids?
10/20/2021
Episode 91 | How Do You Explain the COVID-19 Vaccine to Kids?
For today’s 12 minute talk, I’m talking about the COVID-19 vaccine and how to discuss it with kids. I’m going to give you some ideas, with the caveat that you don’t have to use the exact words I use. You know your child best. This is also not meant to be an episode that tells you to get your child vaccinated. That is not my area of expertise. You can discuss that with your child’s doctor and your family. If you are deciding to get the vaccine, I think it’s important to have a conversation with your child ahead of time. I want to empower you to have this conversation with your kids, and you could also play this podcast with your kids to jumpstart it. If you want to skip forward in the episode to my message, I’m going to talk directly to your child. In this episode, we talk about… [2:24] Having an open and supportive conversation with your child [3:31] Incorporating your own experience into the conversation [4:06] The preparation portion of the conversation [5:52] Empowering your child [7:13] Checking in with your child after the first shot [8:24] Not feeling well after getting the vaccine [9:20] My message for your child(ren) Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed . Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child’s unique experiences. We give you strategies to support yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg
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