Parents Connect Blog

The official blog of Nicklaus Children's Hospital, written by parents for parents.

Parents Connect is a space where families can share their experiences and inspire hope as we aim to raise happier, healthier children. Contributing bloggers include parents and medical experts who together serve as a voice for families everywhere. We invite you to join our online community and connect with us on the parenting journey.

Our Latest Blog Posts

5 Ways to Help Your Child Get Enough Sleep

By: Sara Rivero-Conil, PsyD on March 15, 2023

Every evening, a similar routine plays out in many households: Parents try to get their children off to bed, and this starts a complex back and forth of demands, pleading, extra snacks, trips to the bathroom, and a stressful end to the day. You may occasionally give in and let your child stream another video or stay up late reading, but ensuring your child consistently gets enough sleep is crucial to their mental and physical health.
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How to Eat Healthy Amid Rising Food Costs

By: Tania Koerber, RDN, CSP, LD/N on March 08, 2023

Rising food costs are prompting consumers to get creative with their grocery-buying habits. This may be an ideal time to rethink how you spend your food dollars, with a focus on making budget-savvy and healthy choices simultaneously!
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How to Talk to Kids About Social Media

By: Sara Rivero-Conil, PsyD on February 17, 2023

Whether your child has started exploring social media or not, your family can work together to come up with a plan that everyone can agree on. By knowing the risks and benefits, talking to your child and working on a social media plan together, you’re building the relationship between you and your child.
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How Social Media Impacts Our Children’s Mental Health

By: Melanie Suaris, MD on February 14, 2023

Tablets and smartphones are a present and growing part of our daily lives. If you’re a parent to tweens or teenagers, their use of technology and social media is likely a primary concern. As social media apps such as TikTok and Instagram rise in popularity with our children, it’s relation to mental health has come to the forefront.
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Prioritizing Family Mental Health in 2023

By: Sara Rivero-Conil, PsyD on January 24, 2023

We all have resolutions that we focus on this time of year. This year, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital would like to shift some of that focus from physical goals to mental ones: Specifically, the mental health of you and your loved ones.
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Curb the Candy Craze for Trick-or-Treaters

By: Maria Parra on October 14, 2022

An important lesson we can teach our children is that no foods – not even candy – need to be completely off limits. It is well recognized that restricting foods can lead to an increased desire to consume the forbidden food. In worst case scenarios, restriction can lead to negative thoughts about these foods in the future while negatively affecting relationships with food.
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What Parents Should Know About Amblyopia

By: Luxme Hariharan, MD, MPH on August 17, 2022

Whenever I must deliver a diagnosis of amblyopia, or lazy eye, to a child’s parents, they typically have a lot of concerns. Can it be cured? Will it permanently impact their vision? What does the outlook look like for my child Amblyopia is a condition with long-term implications both for a child’s vision and physical appearance. Luckily, I can offer parents many assurances about the condition.

Three Ways You Can Support Families of Children With Autism

By: Krystal Giraldo on April 15, 2022

Odds are you either know someone with autism or know of someone with autism. Autism now affects one in 68 children and boys are five times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. The numbers alone are alarming. The fact that there is no medical detection let alone a cure, even more so. As a self-proclaimed advocate for my child on the autism spectrum, I have complied a list of 3 simple (and fun) ways YOU can support families with children with autism.
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Delicious and Nutritious: Add Latin American Flavor to Your Plate

By: Maria Parra on March 14, 2022

March is National Nutrition Month. That makes this month a great time to start making nutritious food choices for better overall health. If you think that eating healthy means eating boring, think again. The nutrition team at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is here to remind you that a world of flavors from other cultures is waiting for you. All you need are a few tips to start eating fun, healthy and delicious meals from around the globe!
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Enjoying Spring Break With Kids During COVID-19

By: Ana-Sofia DuLaney on February 14, 2022

Spring break is approaching, and as you plan an exciting family trip, the question may linger about how you and your family can travel safely with the ongoing COVID-19 worries and precautions. Here are a few tips that can help you plan so that your family can have a trip to remember.
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