Lots of families struggle when it comes to the topic of introducing cell phones to tweens — parents don’t want their children gaining free access to the internet on a phone, but they might need the convenience and safety that a mobile phone provides. What can a family do? Well, pediatrician Nicholas George, MD — a recent guest on ParentingU, shares his favorite “parenting hack” to tackle this issue. Dr. George explains how a family cell phone can work for parents of tweens and teens.

Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

From changing voices and growing pains to first periods and teenage mood swings, puberty comes with so many changes. Empower yourself to support your child through puberty with confidence. This episode of ParentingU features expert insights from Karli Boggs, MD, Board Certified gynecologist with Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group, and Brett Hutchinson, MD, Board Certified pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health.

- Read our blog post, all about teen puberty: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/understanding-puberty-in-girls-a-comprehensive-guide-parentingu-podcast/

- Watch ParentingU host Stephanie talk with Dr. Boggs and Dr. Hutch: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/a-parents-guide-to-boys-puberty-parentingu-podcast/

- Dr. Boggs recommended parents learn more at the American Academy of Pediatrics' healthychildren.org and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's girlshealth.gov

Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Vaccines are a modern medical miracle according to “Dr. Hutch” (also known as Brett Hutchinson, MD, Board Certified pediatrician.) While we’ve talked about COVID vaccines on other ParentingU episodes, this time Dr. Hutch joins us to talk about what vaccines teens and tweens might hear about from their doctors at well check visits.

If you’ve ever questioned why your teen or tween is recommended to take vaccines that you never received, Dr. Hutch gives clear, understandable explanations about how vaccine technology has changed over the years and why teens of today might receive vaccinations that parents did not.

ParentingU host Stephanie asks Dr. Hutch about the current recommended vaccine schedule and what conditions are trying to be prevented from the vaccinations. The conversation even covers flu shots for teens, and the top myth about flu shots.

Parents will appreciate Dr. Hutch’s calm, thoughtful manner in talking about vaccinations (he’s even got some suggestions for treats—even teens appreciate a little treat—after getting a round of vaccination shots.)

- Read more about vaccines for teens and tweens on our blog: Vaccines for Tweens & Teens | ParentingU Podcast - Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (fmolhs.org)

- Dr. Hutch has included a handy primer for parents: A Parents’ Primer on Vaccines - Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (fmolhs.org)

- Check out our current recommended vaccine schedule. Download the guide here: What to Expect at Well Checks Guide (PDF)

Watch Dr. Hutch speak with Stephanie (mom of two and ParentingU host): https://youtu.be/evgGDF8C9Ig

Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Sports teams and athletics can be a formative, fun part of tweens and teens lives. How can parents make sure teens are participating in sports in a safe way, that avoids injury, while providing enrichment, exercise, and life lessons along the way?

ParentingU welcomes Kyle Pontiff, MD, sports medicine physician with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health to share his insights about getting the most out of youth sports. Dr. Pontiff offers practical guidelines for parents to assess how much activity is too much as well as explains the importance of rest for young athletes (if sports pros can rest, youth athletes can rest, too!)

Dr. Pontiff also offers thoughtful perspectives on how to balance a desire to excel with a spirit of healthy competition. Parents of kids in sports programs will appreciate the real-world information in this episode.

- Read more about sports medicine for teens and how Dr. Pontiff cares for young athletes on our blog: The Playbook for Safer Youth Sports | ParentingU Podcast - Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (fmolhs.org)

- Watch Dr. Pontiff speak with Stephanie (mom of two and ParentingU host): https://youtu.be/WLbAcvxfWl4

Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Illness and injury seem to come up at any time (sometimes, the most inconvenient times!) How do parents of teens and tweens know when to go to urgent care and when to go to the Emergency Room? Hannah Chachere, MD, a pediatrician with Our Lady of Lourdes Children’s Health joins us on ParentingU to break down all the different choices parents have when encountering an illness or injury with a teen or tween.

Do you know when to call the pediatrician’s office instead of going to urgent care? Do you know when urgent care might be the best option, as well as what types of urgent care offices are available? You’ll find out on this episode as well as receiving practical tips from Dr. Chachere about first aid and some home remedies that she swears by!

- Dr. Chachere recommended a first aid product: Hibiclens, also known as chlorhexidine gluconate—available at most drug stores

- She also likes family favorites like Aquaphor, Vaseline, and local honey (listen to the episode for more details)

- We have a handy “Where to Go for Care” guide you can get here: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024ParentingU_Where-to-Go-800x1000-1.jpg

- Watch Dr. Chachere and Stephanie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Yfly4ehPHLk

- Read our informative blog post all about where to go for care: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/panic-free-pediatrics-where-to-seek-care-for-your-sick-or-injured-tween-or-teen-parentingu-podcast/

Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

The teen years can be difficult—for parents and teens alike! Did you know there’s a whole medical specialty dedicate to young people ages 12 to 21? It’s called adolescent medicine, and Ruben Battley, MD joins ParentingU to talk about what adolescent medicine is and how it can help families. Dr. Battley shares his insights from seeing patients at the Adolescent Medicine Clinic in Baton Rouge. He offers practical tips for how parents can be positive role models for teens, plus how to openly discuss topics teens need to hear about.

This episode will give parents of teens and tweens hope and clarity for navigating these formative years with their children.

- Read our blog post all about adolescent medicine for teens and tweens here: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/a-foundation-for-self-esteem-and-healthy-tween-and-teen-relationships-parentingu-podcast/

- Watch Dr. Battley and Stephanie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ayXBd62lk5c

Season 4 of ParentingU is all about Teens and Tweens! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.