Webisode 36: Sensory Integration Dysfunction - literally touching many lives

Does your child hate wearing tags, play with Play-Doh or even being hugged? Occupational Therapist, Jean Esposito, talks about the neurological disorder, Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID), also know as sensory processing disorder. Jeans tells us what SID is, how it's diagnosed and treased. She also gives us a closer look how SID can affect a growing child on a daily basis and what signs parents should look for.



Sponsored by: Wander Wear

Webisode 35: Childhood Diabetes

Are you worried your child might have diabetes, or have they just been diagnosed? There are probably numerous questions and concerns going through your mind. Dr. Lynne Levitsky is the Chief of the Pediatric Endocrine Unit at MassGeneral Hospital for Children and a past president of the Pediatric Endocrine Society. She’ll answers questions such as what the symptoms are, how it is diagnosed and what treatment options are available.


Sponsored by: Statkids - For parents trying to manage their child’s Food Allergies, Diabetes, Asthma, Celiac Disease or other health issues.

Webisode 34: Sniffle No More - The Truth about Cough & Cold Meds

As parents it's natural to want to ease your child's discomfort when they aren't well. But when it comes to a cold it seems there aren't many options for younger children. Practicing primary care physician Dr. Heather Diskin is a recent graduate of the MassGeneral Hospital for Children pediatric training program. She gives us the truth about over the counter cough and cold medications. She'll explain the safety concerns, why they were taken off the shelves last year, what age they are effective and alternative methods to relieving your tots sniffles.



Sponsored by: Productive Parenting

Webisode 31: Optimizing Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences can be very stressful for both sides. Whether your child is an exceptional student or one of special needs, finding agreement with your child’s teacher about your child’s capabilities and needs is often difficult.

Nationally recognized and awarded principal, Robin Welch, will share some inside tips on how to take advantage of the parent-teacher conference to really learn and positively influence your child’s educational experience. Robin will discuss how parents can be helpful and not overbearing to often intimidated and overworked teachers. He’ll help you be more prepared and get more out of these meetings and the information will benefit you any time you have the opportunity to interact with your child’s teacher.

Principal Welch is a highly respected educator and administrator who has been involved with all aspects of childhood education and special needs. Among numerous other accolades, he is the recipient of the 2005 National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal Award and the 2005 Massachusetts Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) Thomas C. Passios Award.





Sponsored by: StatKids- For parents trying to manage their child’s Food Allergies, Diabetes, Asthma, Celiac Disease or other health issues.

Webisode 30: Homework Help – How to best support your child

Helping your child with his/her homework is an important way to connect to and support your child. Yet, many parents don’t know the best way to do this. Some are frightened that they don’t know all the answers. Others wind up doing the homework for the child. Nationally recognized and awarded principal, Robin Welch, will discuss how parents can most help their children with their homework, and set up a practical homework station, making it fun and productive for all.

Principal Welch is a highly respected educator and administrator who has been involved with all aspects of childhood education and special needs. Among numerous other accolades, he is the recipient of the 2005 National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal Award and the 2005 Massachusetts Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) Thomas C. Passios Award.

Sponsored By: Parents for Parents Magazine

Webisode 29: The Birds and Bees and why Money doesn’t grow on Trees. Teaching kids about personal finance.

Many kids believe money just comes out free from the ATM. So how do you teach them the value of money and how to properly manage it as they grow up? The topic of money is sometimes as hard to discuss as sex and religion so parents often skip it as their parents did to them. But like sex, talking appropriately to children about money and personal finance can help make them safe and more successful in a competitive and expensive world.

Jameel Webb-Davis, Founder of Start Money Smart, educates and trains adults and children about personal finance. She’ll discuss why and how to teach kids about money.




Sponsored by: Please Stop the Rollercoaster!

Webisode 27: Wake Up Little Suzy - adjusting sleep schedules

Cranky kids are no fun so how do parents get kids to adjust smoothly when there is daylight savings or perhaps a family vacation in a different time zone? Besides being cranky, sleep deprivation can cause learning and health issues. Kids with ADD may have exacerbated symptoms when they don’t sleep properly. Dr. Kenneth Sassower from Massachusetts General Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Unit discusses how to help your child better adjust to a changing sleep schedule.
Sponsored by: Wander Wear

Webisode 26: Dr. Perfect - Finding the Right Pediatrician

Finding the right doctor for your child is quite the responsibility. You want to find someone capable that you connect with personally, and that you implicitly trust. It’s a lot easier said than done. Dr. Peter Greenspan, a pediatrician at MassGeneral Hospital for Children and Associate Medical Director of the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, discusses the things parents should consider when looking for a compatible pediatrician. He gives specific areas to question and even some subjective things to note when researching or meeting a candidate.

Sponsored by: Wander Wear

Webinar 23: Grand Theft Childhood - The truth about video game violence

Most of us assume violent video games can negatively affect children and their behavior. After a multi-year, multi-million dollar study, Dr. Cheryl K. Olson, Sc.D. Co-Director for The Center for Mental Health and Media at Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry, will summarize the research and findings. Despite Columbine High, Virginia Tech, and other seemingly related tragedies, you’ll be surprised to learn about some of the benefits that these games can actually provide to children.

Sponsored By: Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games and What Parents Can Do

Webisode 22: Inside No Child Left Behind - Part 2

Our Part 1 webisode with nationally recognized elementary school principal, Robin Welch, was so popular, that we taped a second show to get even more into this truly controversial issue of No Child Left Behind.

Part 1 examines the question about what the policy is and how it is affects schools at large and actual classrooms. In this Part 2 piece, we’ll get more into the opinion about the effectiveness and issues at stake from one of American’s most respected administrators.

Sponsored By: Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten!

Webisode 21: Inside No Child Left Behind

With lofty and legitimate objectives, the Bush education initiative called, “No Child Left Behind” has become a major controversy among educators, parents and administrators. Is it working? Who is benefiting and who is being hurt?

Nationally recognized and awarded principal, Robin Welch, will help us to understand the intent and execution of the program. Robin will share his opinion on the merits and limitations of the initiative and what the future looks like with this program in a shifting political arena.

Principal Welch is a highly respected educator and administrator who has been involved with all aspects of childhood education and special needs. Among numerous other accolades, he is the recipient of the 2005 National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal Award and the 2005 Massachusetts Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) Thomas C. Passios Award.

Sponsored By: Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten!

Webisode 17: "Not So Happy Childhood: How to Identify and Deal with a Depressed Child"

Depression is more common than most people realize – especially in children. The average age depression begins is 13-14 years old. Julie Totten, founder of non-profit Families for Depression Awareness is dedicated to helping family members whose loved ones are affected by depressive disorders to get people well and prevent suicides. Julie considers depression a "family illness" - meaning it takes support of loved ones to get well. Julie discusses signs and symptoms for mothers to look for in their children, how mothers can best support their loved ones who have depressive disorders, precautions to take for children prescribed with antidepressants, and personal lessons from her family's experiences.

Sponsored by: Parents For Parents Magazine

Webisode 16: Vital Signs – When a nurse is all you need

You or your children can wait a six months of more to see a primary physician for routine checkups but sometimes you may be offered the opportunity to see a nurse practioner sooner. Nurses play a vital role in freeing up doctors to focus on critical issues and often offer patients quality and more timely care – including doing routine check ups and seeing minor ailments.

Nurse Practioner, Deborah Moore helps us understand the difference between a nurse, nurse practioner, and a registered nurse, and talks about when you should insist on seeing a doctor and what are the typical issues nurses can and should deal with.

Sponsored By: Healthy Eating During Pregnancy

Webisode 15: Are We There Yet? Traveling with Tots

Nationally respected parenting expert Dr. Maureen O’Brien discusses how to keep kids occupied, safe and healthy while traveling via car, train or plane. Dr. Mo is an acclaimed author, speaker, and consultant to parenting groups and magazines. Her book, “Watch Me Grow: I’m One-Two-Three”, is a cornerstone book on childhood development. Plus, Maureen is the mother of 13 year old twins. If anyone knows how to reduce the stress of traveling with kids in tow, she does!

Sponsored by: Wander Wear

Webisode 14: PhotoPhobic? Sharing digital photos safely

Are you scared to use photo services such as Flickr or Shutterfly because you think your family will be literally exposed? Keith Loris, co-founder of EnjoyMyMedia.com, discusses precautions moms should take when using the Internet to share photos, and other digital files. Keith talks about the potential risks and benefits of using these services, and gives tips for using these and other services safely to keep both your photos and loved ones protected!

Sponsored by: Planecomfort

Webisode 13: The Gift of Time - Personal Concierges

Ever imagine what it would be like to have someone help you for a change? Help with the kids, with the house, with chores. Getting birthday presents and organizing parties, planning vacations and house/pet sitting, or even helping you start a business. Lisa Schreider of Lisa's Hands of Time Concierge describes the typical, and not so typical, assistance that a personal concierge can provide. Often more affordable than most people think, personal concierges can really be of great service!

Sponsored By: PlaneComfort

Webisode 10: The Super Parent Trap

The pressure to be a perfect parent is more overwhelming than ever before. Parents want to ensure their children are healthy, safe, educated and well-rounded. While children can easily be over-programmed, so can the parents - resulting in exhaustion, stress, and even feelings of resentment and depression. Nationally respected parenting expert Dr. Maureen O’Brien discusses how to avoid falling into the Parent Trap by looking for early warning signs and what to do if it's already happening. Dr. O’Brien is the founder of DestinationParenting.com, as well as the author of “Watch Me Grow I'm 1-2-3” books, and a parent magazine consultant. She is the mother of 13-year-old twins.

Sponsored by: Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten

Webisode 9: Straight Talk – Chiropractic unplugged

Good back health is critical for anyone – especially kids. Headaches, allergies, joint discomfort, and other maladies can often be caused by a misaligned spine. Because it’s considered alternative medicine, chiropractic remains a controversial solution. Pediatric chiropractor Howard Goldberg addresses common questions such as when and why to take your child to the chiropractor. He’ll answers questions such as how painful is it? How much does it cost and can it affect long term growth?

Sponsored By: The Volunteer Family

Webisode 8:“Kid-chens”: fun and safe cooking with kids

Cooking together is a great way to have fun and share some productive time and experience with your kids. However, with the potential dangers and mess, some parents find the experience too stressful. Cooking educator Sharon Tomlinson talks about how to set up and manage a safe cooking environment with your kids. She discusses some hidden dangers and how to avoid them. Sharon also shares great ideas to make healthy dishes together that the entire family can participate in and enjoy.

Sponsored by: Healthy Eating During Pregnancy

Webisode 7: Beyond the Lemonade Stand - encouraging kids to be entrepreneurial

Clearly, entrepreneurial skills are critical in the global economy. Whether your child wants to be the next Donald Trump or simply earn some extra money to buy a favorite toy, teaching them how to be entrepreneurial is a lifelong valuable skill. Our guest will be Beth Goldstein who is the author of the McGraw Hill book, The Ultimate Small Business Marketing Toolkit and Boston University’s chair for their entrepreneurial certification program. Beth will talk about why and how to teach your children about starting and managing their own businesses. She’ll give some great tips to teach kids about the value of money, how to earn and manage money and how to keep them motivated during the process.

Sponsor: "Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten"