Episodes

  • Must-Try Back-to-School Smoothie Hack

    Must-Try Back-to-School Smoothie Hack
    Aug 7 2025
    Back-to-school season is busy enough — snacks shouldn’t be! In this episode of ParentingU Extra Credit, pediatric GI and healthy weight nutrition nurse April Hamilton, RN, shares her favorite smoothie pop hack: blend once, enjoy twice. Start with a protein-packed Greek yogurt smoothie in the morning Freeze the rest into after-school popsicles your kids will love April walks us through building a smoothie with fresh and frozen fruits, shares how to get the kids involved, and even offers a science-backed bonus tip for getting the most nutrition from your berries. April’s kitchen motto? “The kitchen is my playground. Cooking is contagious. Have fun and spread the love!” Featuring special helpers Liv and Jane, this episode is fun, flavorful and full of ideas to help you snack smarter during the school year. In this episode: Easy, nutritious smoothie ideasFreezer-friendly popsicle tipsWhy Greek yogurt is a great baseHow to get kids excited about healthy snacksA fun way to beat the after-school heat Watch, blend, freeze and enjoy! Want more parenting tips from our experts? Check out the full ParentingU playlist (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzHUSYQFjiX3D9xLrN-Ceza6AFTiQFtgl) and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Read more on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/back-to-school-smoothie-hack/
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    6 mins
  • Expert Screen Time Advice for Families

    Expert Screen Time Advice for Families
    Jul 31 2025
    Summer can make screen limits harder to hold, but it’s also a perfect time to reclaim imagination, connection and play. In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Sandy Reed shares her expert insight on how screen time affects child development, how to set boundaries that work for your family and why boredom might be the best thing for your child’s brain. With more than 27 years of experience (and generations of patients), Dr. Reed brings clarity, compassion and realistic advice for today’s parents. Key Moments: Avoid the Summer Screen Time Slide – 1:16Make a Family Media Plan – 2:20What Too Much Screen Time Actually Does to Kids – 3:22Passive vs. Active Screen Time – 5:16No-Excuses Screen Time Rules – 7:48Easy, Creative Alternatives to Screens – 11:31Parents Screen Habits Matter, Too – 14:02 American Academy of Pediatrics Media Plan Builder: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/fmp/Pages/MediaPlan.aspx Read more from Dr. Reed on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/managing-screen-time-expert-tips-for-parents/ Download our screentime tip sheet: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ParentingUS5E8_ScreenTimePlanDownload.pdf Learn more about Dr. Reed: https://doctors.ololchildrens.org/provider/sandy-shows-reed/1297722
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    18 mins
  • Bike and Scooter Safety Tips for Families

    Bike and Scooter Safety Tips for Families
    Jul 24 2025

    What’s the key to safe summer fun? According to Dr. Nicholas George, it’s all about modeling good habits, setting boundaries and never skipping the helmet. In this ParentingU episode, he shares personal stories (including a scary childhood injury), smart safety tips for bikes and scooters, and how parents can balance protection with play.

    From concussions to goose eggs and everything in between, this episode helps parents navigate summer safety without panic.

    Key Moments:

    • Benefits Beyond the Backyard – 3:02
    • Brains on Bikes – 4:00
    • Lead by Example – 5:20
    • Helmet Hair, Don't Care – 7:39
    • Safety Rules Without Panic – 11:43
    • Scrapes, Swells and When to Worry – 16:43

    Read more from Dr. George on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/a-parents-guide-to-safer-summers/

    Learn more about Dr. George: https://doctors.lourdesrmc.com/provider/nicholas-taylor-george/2215694

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    27 mins
  • Summer Allergy Help for Parents

    Summer Allergy Help for Parents
    Jul 17 2025
    Summer’s here, and that means more sunshine — and more sneezing! Join pediatric allergy expert Dr. Theron McCormick as he unpacks the mysteries of summer sniffles, itchy eyes and how to keep your kids smiling (not sniffling!) all season long. From allergy-busting hacks and myth-busting truths to travel tips and must-try remedies, this episode is jam-packed with advice that will help you breeze through allergy season. Get ready to turn summer allergies into summer adventures! Key Moments: Understanding Seasonal Allergies – 2:27What’s an Allergy? What’s a Summer Cold? - 5:08 Preventing Allergy Flare-Ups – 6:29Over-the-Counter Medicines – 10:30Debunking Allergy Myths – 13:47Managing Allergies While Traveling – 18:47Food Allergies – 30:45 Asthma and Seasonal Allergies – 32:45 Resources Mentioned: Pollen.com for checking pollen countsNational Weather Service for air quality updatesVarious over-the-counter medications like Claritin, Zyrtec, Flonase and NasonexDEET and PICARDIN-based insect repellents Read more from Dr. McCormick on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/parentingu-your-kids-summer-allergy-survival-guide/ Learn more about Dr. McCormick: https://doctors.ololchildrens.org/provider/theron-g-mc-cormick/1297107 Download an allergy tip sheet: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ParentingUS5E6_AllergyTipDownload.pdf
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    38 mins
  • Summer First Aid for Families

    Summer First Aid for Families
    Jul 10 2025
    From bug bites to skinned knees, summer brings plenty of opportunities for adventure — and a few inevitable mishaps. In this episode of ParentingU, Dr. Kali Broussard, pediatrician and infectious diseases specialist with Our Lady of Lourdes Children’s Health, shares practical tips to help parents manage common summer injuries and prevent bigger problems. Dr. Broussard breaks down when to worry (and when not to), why insect repellent matters, what every first aid kit should include and how simple wound care can make a big difference. Plus, she ends with must-know water safety advice for families spending time in or around the pool. Key Moments: Insect Bites Prevention & Treatment - 2:29Signs of Infection – 4:25Different Bites and Stings – 5:07Insect Repellants – 11:16Cleaning & Caring for Minor Cuts and Scrapes – 13:01Essentials for Your Family’s First Aid Kit – 15:48 Read more from Dr. Broussard on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/a-parents-guide-to-summer-first-aid/ Learn more about Dr. Broussard: https://doctors.lourdesrmc.com/provider/kali-a-broussard/2585966 Download a First Aid Kit checklist: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ParentingUS5E5_FirstAidKitChecklist.pdf
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    20 mins
  • Summer Hydration Hacks for Kids | ParentingU ExtraCredit

    Summer Hydration Hacks for Kids | ParentingU ExtraCredit
    Jul 3 2025
    Summer fun means staying hydrated, and we're making it easy and tasty in this ParentingU ExtraCredit episode! April Hamilton, RN, a pediatric gastrointestinal and healthy weight and nutrition nurse with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, joins host Stephanie and her daughter Riley Jo to share creative ways to help kids drink more water. From spa-worthy cucumber-mint water to strawberry lemonade with freeze-dried fruit, April’s got fun and flavorful hydration ideas that kids (and grown-ups!) will actually want to drink. She even shares her recipe for a refreshing LSU-themed mango spritzer and introduces a special cane and maple syrup created by a Louisiana doctor. Easy hydration tips No-sugar-added drink ideas Smart ways to use juice without going overboard How to make flavored ice cubes that double as snacks Why frozen lemon juice is a pantry must-have Whether you're headed to camp drop-off, the splash pad or just hanging out at home, this bite-sized episode will help you parent smarter, not harder, this summer. Want more parenting tips from our experts? Check out the full ParentingU playlist (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzHUSYQFjiX3D9xLrN-Ceza6AFTiQFtgl) and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Read more on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/four-fun-flavored-water-recipes/ Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/LkCKikflSXM
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    9 mins
  • Help Kids Cook Up Life Skills This Summer

    Help Kids Cook Up Life Skills This Summer
    Jun 26 2025
    Parents on the hunt for summer activities for their kids might want to look close to home: the kitchen! In this ParentingU episode, Dr. Thiravat Choojitarom, Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health pediatrician with a passion for culinary medicine, shares how time spent cooking can teach kids real-life skills that last far beyond summer. From cracking eggs to choosing recipes, Dr. Choo breaks down age-appropriate ways to invite kids into the kitchen and let them take the lead. Along the way, he explains how cooking together builds confidence, sparks creativity and encourages healthier eating habits. You’ll also hear why boredom isn’t the enemy of growth, how modeling behaviors matters more than micromanaging and why it’s okay if the pancakes come out a little wonky. With practical tips and plenty of encouragement, this episode is your reminder that life skills don’t have to be perfect to stick. They just have to start. Key Moments: The Importance of Culinary Skills for Kids – 2:57Age-Appropriate Cooking Skills – 5:16Encouraging Independence in the Kitchen – 7:54Other Essential Life Skills for Kids – 9:20The Power of Boredom – 11:24Making Cooking Fun –18:09 Read more from Dr. Choo on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/help-kids-find-joy-in-the-kitchen-with-real-life-skills/ Need some recipe inspiration? Download Dr. Choo’s red gravy and salad dressing recipes: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ParentingUS5E4_RedGravyVinaigrette.pdf Learn more about Dr. Choojitarom: https://doctors.ololchildrens.org/provider/thiravat-choojitarom/1297388
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    24 mins
  • Water Safety Advice from a Pediatrician

    Water Safety Advice from a Pediatrician
    Jun 19 2025
    In this episode of ParentingU, Dr. Kristen Sandoz, pediatrician with Our Lady of Lourdes Children’s Health, dives into one of the most important topics of summer: keeping kids safe around water. From pools to puddle jumpers, Dr. Sandoz shares what every parent needs to know — including why drowning is so dangerous (and often silent), how to spot a real-life water emergency and what tools can make a big difference. You’ll hear practical tips for every age and stage, plus the truth about so-called “dry drowning” and when to start swim lessons. Whether you're heading to the beach, the backyard pool or a splash pad, this episode will help you feel more confident and prepared. Key Moments: Alarming Reality of Drowning for Young Kids – 1:03What It Means to Be a Water Watcher – 2:20How to Recognize Drowning – 3:46‘Dry Drowning?’ Setting the Record Straight – 4:45Swim Lesson Options – 8:30Layers of Protection – 10:50Are Puddle Jumpers Safe? - 12:08CPR Training for Parents – 13:15Everyday Drowning Risks – 14:30 Read more from Dr. Sandoz on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/watch-the-water-to-keep-kids-safe-this-summer/ Learn more about Dr. Sandoz: https://doctors.lourdesrmc.com/provider/kristen-finney-sandoz/1962541 Download a Water Watcher tag: https://health.fmolhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/WaterWatcherTag_CHTau_2024.pdf Learn more about the National Drowning Prevention Alliance: https://ndpa.org/
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    19 mins