Parenting Advice From Your Physicians at Kaiser Permanente

Healthy Meals for Kids? You Serve, They Choose

Grown-ups choose what food is served; kids choose what to eat and how much. If trusted, kids will eat the right amount of food their bodies’ need. Some days kids grow more than other days. Some days they move more than other days. Growth and exercise create energy (or, calorie) needs and the body feels this need as hunger. Only the child knows when they‘re hungry. READ MORE

What Does My Child’s “ACEs” Number Mean?

When your child’s doctor asks about ACEs, it’s a way of showing how much they care. It’s also an invitation to partner with them, to be aware of possible health risks, and meet them head-on with strength and resiliency. READ MORE

Fun Family Dinners? Here’s How!

One upside of pandemic parenting for me has been more time spent preparing and eating meals with my kids. We have tried new recipes, done lots of stress baking, and enjoyed the results gathered around our dinner table talking together. This has made me happy and likely has been good for their health as well.  READ MORE

Why Your Child Needs the HPV Vaccine

I saw an 11-year-old girl recently for her well-child checkup. I encouraged her mom to give the 3 standard vaccines recommended for kids this age. READ MORE

Your 9-Year-Old Child

At this age, many kids become increasingly interested in activities outside of school and home. Many will want to play team sports, some will dance or join clubs. Whatever they do it is a good time to continue working to teach them to have good “sportsmanship”. READ MORE

Funny Things Parents Tell Their Kids

Kids are always good for giving us the giggles. But we parents can be pretty funny ourselves – especially when we "stretch the truth" to save our sanity. READ MORE

Does My Child Need to Take a Vitamin?

Does giving your child vitamins help keep them healthy? Or, as a friend put it, does it “just make them have expensive pee?” READ MORE

Is My Child Depressed?

Depression is persistent sadness or low mood and loss of interest that interferes with daily activities. While you might attribute this to your child “going through a phase” or having changing hormones, it may be depression. Depression lasts even after circumstances change for the better. READ MORE