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.

More Helpful ParentingU Resources

- 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.)

More Helpful ParentingU Resources

- 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.

More Helpful ParentingU Resources

- 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.

What is the difference between urgent and emergency care?

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!

More Helpful ParentingU Resources

- 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.

More Helpful ParentingU Resources

- 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.

As children grow up, they gain more independence and autonomy in every aspect of their life, including healthcare. Nicholas George, MD, pediatrics and internal medicine physician with Our Lady of Lourdes Health, shares the advice he gives parents to help ease the transition from pediatric to adult primary care. Dr. George emphasizes that it’s normal and natural for adolescents to want more privacy during medical appointments.

We hope this  episode of ParentingU gives you some ideas for supporting your tweens and teens as they continue the journey through adolescence.

Questions Answered on the Episode

• -          Why might I need to leave the room during my older child’s healthcare appointment?
• -          How can I help my child feel comfortable speaking openly with their physician?

Additional Resource

- Read more on Helping Kids Feel Empowered at the Doctor’s Office

We’ll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.

Teens and tweens have their own needs when it comes to eating and food. Teens might be past the baby years when younger children are figuring out what they like to eat and what they need to grow, but not quite to the adult years when metabolisms change and most growing is done. How can parents help their teens develop healthy eating habits that will serve them well into adulthood?

Lisa Le, MD, a pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Prairieville joins host Stephanie on this episode of ParentingU to talk about what teens need in terms of nutrition and calories as they grow into adults. This episode is filled with great practical tips that will help get teens involved in their own health and nutrition, developing what can be positive, life-long food habits.

More Helpful ParentingU Resources

- Read our blog post all about healthy eating for teens: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/the-adolescent-appetite-healthy-eating-tips-for-tweens-and-teens/

- Watch Dr. Le and Stephanie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QZjll7W9vik

 

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.

Teenagers and tweens start asking about it early—first with colas and sodas, but soon after with coffee and energy drinks. It’s all about caffeine. While adults might worry about caffeine hyping kids up and disrupting sleep, teens often seek out caffeine for the same reasons adults do.

Caffeine is a stimulant, make no mistake about that, but some of the things people believe about caffeine might not be fact-based. On this episode of ParentingU, Kali Broussard, MD joins host Stephanie to get the straight story about caffeine for teens and tweens. How much caffeine is too much? Does caffeine stunt kids’ growth? What is really in those energy drinks? Dr. Broussard provides some great guidelines all parents can use when making decisions about caffeine.

More Helpful ParentingU Resources

- Read our blog post all about caffeine for teens: Beyond the Buzz: Insights on Teens, Tweens and Caffeine

- Watch Dr. Broussard and Stephanie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cFvSa9sEVUw

While you pour yourself another cup of coffee, if you know a parent who is interested in how much caffeine their kids are consuming, you’re invited to share this episode of ParentingU.

 

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.

It’s a teenager milestone that fills some parents with fear and dread: teen driving. How can parents help teens learn how to be safe and responsible drivers without causing family strife? Grant Clinkingbeard, MD, pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health who practices on the Northshore, shares ways parents can help their teens develop safe driving habits. Dr. Clinkingbeard brings the facts—and shares many actionable tips—to help make this stage of the parenting journey as productive and peaceful as possible.

More Helpful Teen Driving Resources

- Read our blog post all about driving in the teen years: Roadmap to Safety: Teen Driving Tips

- Watch Dr. Clinkingbeard and Stephanie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C6FIcLAcYKI?si=RHJymEViqXSCLFpv

What was your favorite teen driving tip from Dr. Clinkingbeard? If you know someone with a teen driver, you’re invited to share this episode of ParentingU.

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.

Is your teen getting enough sleep? Or are they trying to “catch up” on the weekend? Or do you worry they’re sleeping too much, staying in bed as much as they can? Teens and tweens have different sleep needs than toddlers or young adults. Natalie Derouen, MD joins host Stephanie on the Season 4 premiere of ParentingU podcast to talk about sleep for teenagers.

Sleep habits and sleep routines can be forged in the teen years, and may help (or hinder!) young people in these important years. Dr. Derouen shares tips and tricks for helping teens get quality sleep, and provides helpful facts about sleep needs from ages 11-18. We all know sleep is important, but parents will have all their top sleep questions answered on this episode.

More Helpful ParentingU Resources

- Read our blog post all about sleep for teens and tweens here: Unlock the Secrets to Teen & Tween Sleep – ParentingU Podcast

- Watch Dr. Derouen and Stephanie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZeAZigCa8Ck

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.

As temps fall, we all experience the instinct to bundle up. Not so fast for our littlest passengers.

Rachel Dewey, DO, family medicine physician with Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group, shares why parents should remember to remove children’s coats before buckling them into a car seat in this ParentingU Extra Credit episode.

Read more about car seat safety on our blog: https://health.fmolhs.org/body/childrens-health/winter-wonders-coats-off-for-car-seat-safety/

We’ll be back with more full-length ParentingU episode soon. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.