The PedsDocTalk Podcast

I welcome Lauren Smith, a former educator and current nationally certified school psychologist to talk about how and why our American school system needs to change. From testing to the lack of resources to mental health — there’s so much to unpack. We discuss:Limitations to American school system educationHow the school system is failing our childrenWhy school systems are overwhelmed How the American school system is fueling anxietyFollow Lauren on Instagram @psychedforschool

I welcome a mom who struggles with resentment towards societal gender roles and expectations of being a mom. We discuss: How to handle unreasonable societal expectations for mothersHow to communicate with loved ones or partner for needsHow to combat resentment in motherhoodYou might also be interested in:E73: Is Mom Brain real? And how can we relax into our new self?In this new format of Monday Mornings with Dr Mona that began June 2022, I end each episode with three parenting or mindset principles. These principles can be used in various situations, but I explain how the three principles I chose apply to societal expectations in motherhood.

So many mothers feel they have to do everything “perfect” as a mom. Where does this come from? Society? Our childhood? Our work-culture? In this episode, I welcome Michelle Kenney who is a former teacher and high school counselor, mother, and a recovering perfectionist and control freak to talk all about how motherhood perfectionism is ruining motherhood and how to combat it.We discuss:Why we get caught up in trying to be a “perfect” parentHow to approach motherhood insteadHow to look at motherhood with a growth-mindset Find out more about The Yelling Cure, Michelle's Podcast or follow her on Facebook and Instagram @peaceandparenting.

On this episode of Monday Mornings with Dr. Mona, I speak with Blair about her son starting preschool. He is a pandemic baby and has had limited social interaction so she is concerned how he will do and how to best prepare him for this transition:  In this episode we discuss:Normalizing the various types of personalities we all have adjusting to new experiencesWhy our reaction matters so muchHow to prepare yourself and your child  I end each episode with three parenting principles. These principles can be used in various parenting situations, but I explain how the three principles I chose apply to introducing your child to new activities including group childcare.

ISR is gaining popularity in the U.S. As a Pediatrician in Florida, I know many families who have signed up for ISR classes for their children. We also started it but had to cancel due to the commute and weather delays. But, there are a lot of misconceptions about ISR. I invited Erika Wilson, ISR instructor and owner of @seastarisr to discuss all things ISR and why it should be a swimming educational resource option for all families.We discuss: What Infant swimming resource (ISR) is and when you can start Misconceptions about ISRThe benefits of ISRHow it differs from traditional swim classes Questions to ask swim school/instructor to ensure survival skills  The risks of puddle jumpers and what to do insteadThings to consider when signing up for an ISR class ISR is not available for all families in terms of time and finances.Water safety with swim classes and supervision are important for all children. For more, listen to Episode 82To read more about ISR and Erika’s company @seastarisr: seastarisr.comTo find an ISR instructor in your area:locator.infantswim.comFor ISR scholarships:thesylasproject.orgjudahbrownproject.orglivelikejake.comisrswimbabies.com/scholarship-partners

On this episode of Monday Mornings with Dr. Mona, I am talking with Christine about finding balance in our identities as mothers and why it’s so importantWe discuss: Why balancing our identities is so hard as mothers Why our other identities besides being a mother matter How to reframe guilt when creating this balanceIn this new format of Monday Mornings with Dr Mona that began June 2022, I end each episode with three mindfulness principles. These principles can be used in various situations, but I explain how the three principles I chose apply to finding balance in our identities after becoming a mom.

Social media is a blessing, but it can also rob you of your joy as a parent if you’re not aware of its negative impacts. On this episode, I discuss why I feel social media can be harmful to parental (especially maternal mental health) and how to create balance to reclaim our joy as we consume or share on social media.Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

On this episode of Monday Mornings with Dr. Mona, I am talking with Kaylee about how she feels disrespected when her 3-year old doesn’t listen. We discuss:How to not take our child’s behavior personally How to give a three-year old control when trying to set boundariesThe importance of boundary setting and how to approach themIn this new format of Monday Mornings with Dr Mona that began June 2022, I end each episode with three parenting principles. These principles can be used in various parenting situations, but I explain how the three principles I chose apply to when you may feel disrespected when your child doesn’t listen.

Let’s call a spade a spade here. Your Pediatrician is burnt out. Low insurance reimbursement, low salaries compared to other medical specialties, long hours, and the stress and worry of the job have led a lot of Pediatricians to cut their hours or leave the workforce. I speak with Dr. Elliston, a former colleague of mine and founder of @ellistonpediatrics. He left traditional pediatric medicine to start a large and thriving Concierge Medicine practice in NYC. We discuss:Why doctors are burnt out and why the system is failing us and patientsWhat are the benefits of concierge medicineHow does it work with insurance and for emergencies Find out more about Dr. Andrew Elliston at ellistonpediatrics.com or via Instagram @ellistonpediatrics

On this episode of Monday Mornings with Dr. Mona, I talk to Jeanna about her 21-month old son who used to be a great sleeper and suddenly is going through a sleep regression.We discuss:Why toddlers have sleep regressionsThe biggest pitfall parents make when approaching regressionsProper boundary setting with sleep to reach your goalsIn this new format of Monday Mornings with Dr Mona that began June 2022, I end each episode with three parenting principles. These principles can be used in various parenting situations, but I explain how the three principles I chose apply to toddler sleep regressions in a toddler.

I welcome Penny Merenge, a Nurse Practitioner, a passionate advocate for early childhood education and digital wellness, and founder of @screens_n_kids to discuss how to balance screen-time to protect the mental and physical health of our children. We discuss:The SPOIL method and how it relates to child developmentWhy we don’t love the term “screen-time rules”Some things to consider when choosing to use screensTimes to consider limiting screens  For more, listen to episode 111 and 118Find Penny Merenge online at screensnkids.com and on Instagram @screens_n_kids.

On this episode of Monday Mornings with Dr. Mona, I am talking with Katie about the frustrations and burden of decision-making about risk-reduction as a parent in a pandemic. We discuss:How pandemic parenting is a form of grief Why it feels hard when everybody else seems to be “moving on” in this pandemic Mindfulness tips to navigate pandemic parentingI end each Monday Morning with Dr. Mona episode with three parenting or mindfulness principles. These principles can be used in various situations, but I explain how the three principles I chose apply to decision fatigue as a pandemic parent.

You’ve probably heard routines are very important for toddlers, but do you know why? I welcome Jessica, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and founder of @rootedinroutine to discuss why routines are useful and misconceptions surrounding routines. We discuss:Why routines are helpful for toddlersWhy they are helpful for YOUSome non-negotiables when it comes to routinesMisconceptions about routines Find out more about Jessica on her Instagram @rootedinroutine or her website  rootedinroutine.com

On this episode of Monday Mornings with Dr. Mona, I talk to Megan about her four-year-old and his picky eating. I like to call it “selective or preferential eating because picky eating gets a bad connotation. So, let’s reframe how we approach this together.We discuss: Why our biases with meals/food matter The power of allowing some control for our childrenWhy pressure backfires In this new format of Monday Mornings with Dr. Mona that began June 2022, I end each episode with three parenting principles. These principles can be used in various parenting situations, but I explain how the three principles I chose apply to a 4-year old who is hesitant to try new foods.

In today’s episode I am talking to Lynda Cormier-Hanser, a business owner, speaker/trainer, author, non profit founder, wife and proud mother of 2. Of her many accomplishments, she is most proud of achieving work/life balance, and the quality of her relationships with her two adult daughters, husband, ex-husband, extended family and connection to her community. We will talk about:How to find purpose during chaosMisconceptions about positivity How to re-define grief Stay connected with Lynda on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or her website: lyndacormier.com

In this episode of Monday Mornings with Dr. Mona, I am talking to Kayla who is struggling to find the energy and balance between working and motherhood. We will discuss:Compassion fatigue  How to create more mental space in our busy daysHow to reframe our approach to our daily activities In this new format of Monday Mornings with Dr Mona that began June 2022, I end each episode with three mindfulness and/or parenting principles. These principles can be used in various parenting situations, but I explain how the three principles I chose apply to feeling tapped out as a working mom.

In this episode of FINDING JOY I am talking to my husband about marriage and parenting, covering:How we connect in marriage amidst busy schedules and parentingThe importance of emotional check-insThe biggest mindset shifts we made through marriage How we make our differences work for us

In this episode I am talking to Leah, the mom of 18 month old Isla. Leah is struggling to find a way to stop Isla from scratching, hitting, and kicking.In this episode we will be talking about different approaches to make an 18 month old understand not to hurt.In this new format of Monday Mornings with Dr Mona that began June 2022, I end each episode with three parenting principles. These principles can be used in various parenting situations, but I explain how the three principles I chose apply to physical tantrums.

In this episode I am talking to Dr. Carrie Jackson, a licensed child psychologist and coach. She has first hand experience of a life with ADHD and coaches parents how to rebuild their relationship with their kids with ADHD. We will cover:What is ADHDHow to recognise ADHDAge of diagnosisIs ADHD hereditaryYou can find Dr. Carrie Jackson on Instagram @the.parent.therapist or via her website: iparentadhd.com

Today I welcome my first guest for an episode of Monday Mornings with Dr. Mona. Keeley is the mom of a 6 months old baby boy and has trouble with the transition to solid foods. In this episode we are having a chat about her son Ian covering these topics and more:How to know your baby is getting enough solidsWhat to do when they scream in the high chairHow to advance feeding schedulesIn this new format of Monday Mornings with Dr Mona that began June 2022, I end each episode with three parenting principles. These principles can be used in various parenting situations, but I explain how the three principles I chose apply to food hesitancy in infancy,