The Carmel Valley Life | Author Archives

Teaching Kids Gratitude, the Healthy Attitude

Lately, I’ve been thinking about all the things in my life I am grateful for. The unique privilege that is my calling – to teach mothers and daughters about puberty, birth and conception, and to serve my community as a pediatrician. A recent thank you note I received meant a great deal to me, and […]

May 23, 2019 / No Comment / Read More

What Do You Really Want?

January 17, 2019 No Comment

It’s a new year, and everyone’s thinking, to some degree, how can I get what I want this year? Out of life, out of my relationships, out of my career. For parents of teenage girls, a great resolution can be to help them articulate what they really want. It may come as a surprise, but very few teenagers, […]

Everyday, There’s a Reason to Celebrate Life!

January 19, 2017 No Comment

Reasons to Celebrate! Living in the Carmel Valley San Diego community means there are plenty of things to be thankful for. We have some of the best weather in the world and can enjoy the company of some of the best people around. Events such as weddings, graduations, births, birthdays, and anniversaries can be a […]

The Influenza Vaccine…What No More Flu Mist?!

August 4, 2016 No Comment

For the past several years, we pediatricians were thrilled to have the option of offering families the Flu Mist. The children loved us for it too! A quick nose spray instead of a shot, which protected them from the influenza. A nasty respiratory illness. But now, the Flu Mist is gone. So what happened???? Luckily, […]

Your Baby and Shots – What to Expect

April 12, 2016 No Comment

My baby is due for her first round of shots soon, and I’m a nervous wreck. How can I make my little one as comfortable as possible both during and after the appointment? Before heading to the appointment, calm your nerves by making a list of the questions you have. Perhaps you have specific questions […]

Parenting by Positive Discipline

January 15, 2016 No Comment

Parenting is one of the most challenging experiences that I have had to face. Yet, it has also been the most rewarding. There is much to learn and it provides us with an opportunity to grow as a person and a professional. It does take discipline. A word that seems to have a negative connotation. […]

The Sore Throat Dilemma

June 2, 2015 No Comment

Is it Strep, is it allergies or is it just a sore throat? How many times do we pediatricians hear this complaint? Even for us in the medical field it is not an exact science to diagnose a strep throat. Many factors are taken into account when a sick child presents with a sore throat. […]

How to Protect Kids from the Sun

May 20, 2015 No Comment

Too many parents wrongly assume that the sun is only dangerous when it’s shining brightly. The fact is, the sun’s rays are dangerous no matter what time of the year, and too much exposure during childhood can lead to serious problems later in life. Parents should pay special care to protect their kids when playing […]

Preparing for Your Child’s Well Child Check-Up and Vaccines

February 20, 2015 No Comment

Well child checks are a routine part of a child’s life. These visits are opportunities to follow their growth and development and to review accurate information regarding their overall health. Topics such as nutrition, bedwetting, parenting, and, of course, vaccinations can all be reviewed at this time. Here are some tips to prepare for these […]

Make Space for Risk in the Life of Your Middle-Schooler

October 10, 2014 No Comment

Middle School. I know no one who would be willing to relive those awkward, anxious years. Changing bodies, changing classes, changing circles of friends. More hormones, more homework, more stress. And, as parents who have lived through it, it’s natural for us to want to minimize the discomforts of adolescence for our children. And it’s […]

Be Confident and Strong, Like a Girl

August 4, 2014 No Comment

Have you seen the #LikeAGirl video making the rounds recently? If not, take a minute (OK, three minutes) to watch it and then read on. The video is a social experiment. First, the director asks teenage girls and boys to “run like a girl”, “fight like a girl” and “throw like a girl.” Then she […]

San Diego Graduations, Recitals, Proms and Anniversaries!

June 6, 2014 No Comment

It’s that time of the year once again. No, not the Holidays, but the end of another school year in San Diego and all the events that follow. From recitals, end of year school parties, proms and graduations. Everybody is excited and if not, at least relieved, that another school year has come to an […]