2017 Blog Posts

Tough Love

By: Maeghan Garcia on December 20, 2017

Sometimes it seriously feels like my child hates me, and I know I am not the only mom to ever feel this way. I love that kid more than I could ever adequately express in words, and every single thing that I do, I do with the intention of providing the best possible childhood for him.
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"Priorities"

By: Cristina Edmunds on December 13, 2017

Having a kid with multiple chronic health conditions has given me a whole new outlook on prioritizing. And I don’t mean the more obvious “putting your children’s needs before your own” kind of priority, I’m talking about the minuscule tasks and goals that need to be prioritized each and every day.
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A Mother's Oath

By: Maeghan Garcia on November 22, 2017

As mothers, we sometimes assume all responsibility for our children’s pain. We forget that it’s not only impossible to absorb or prevent all of their suffering, but it may also be detrimental to their well-being. Sure, we want to eliminate whatever stressors we can, but some obstacles will not be removable. And sometimes, just because a challenge can be avoided, doesn’t mean that it should be.
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El amor por los primeros hijos

By: Paula Zelaya on November 15, 2017

Isa es mi primer amor, mi sueño de ser mamá hecho realidad; mi primera compañera de desvelos, de amamantadas con miedos y una pregunta constante cual es ¿Qué hago ahora con esta bebé? Con ella he aprendido a ser mejor persona y mejor mamá. Es mi guía y maestra para entender que funciona, que no funciona y tal vez que puedo hacer diferente con sus hermanas Sabri y Mikis. Con ella he aprendido a superar miedos y obstáculos que me permiten estar más tranquila y segura cuando los vivo con mis otras dos chiquitas.
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“But, He doesn’t Look Disabled…”

By: Cristina Edmunds on November 08, 2017

It’s the reason why I cringe as people walk past me after I’ve parked in the handicapped spot, the reason why I chose a bright blue hearing aid instead of one to match his hair, and the reason why I’d almost rather be using an adaptive stroller rather than an average one (though the cost of adaptive equipment will make you re-think that real quick). To the untrained eye, no, my son doesn’t look disabled/ handicapped/ abnormal, and I guess I am glad for that - although to say that is rather guilt-inducing because I don’t think that anyone with more obvious disabilities should be ashamed of that, either.

¡Celebrar la vida!

By: Paula Zelaya on October 26, 2017

Mis hijas son lo mejor que me ha pasado en la vida y su vida hay que celebrarla. Porque además de eso, me encanta gozar, pasar rico y qué mejor oportunidad que juntar a los amigos y la familia para celebrar los “milestones” de los hijos.
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Balancing Life

By: Anais Grullon on October 18, 2017

Blogger Anais Grullon discusses the daily struggles with balancing everything in life, in addition to being the best parent possible.
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To My Fellow Imperfect Parents

By: Maeghan Garcia on October 11, 2017

I never imagined that I would have to transition into parenthood without my husband by my side. That was never the plan. The plan always included him, as far back as I can remember. Then, suddenly, without warning or my consent, the plan changed and I was forced to adjust.
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First Time Medical Mom

By: Cristina Edmunds on October 03, 2017

My first experience as a parent was consenting to surgery, the first of quite a few that would take place in Oscar’s first year of life. The decision was clear — of course, I would consent. The alternative to surgery was quite grim. The medical interventions that Oscar would endure in the first few days of life were life-saving and absolutely necessary, but that doesn’t take away from how scary and difficult they were to endure.
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Are we Hurting or Helping Our Children?

By: Nikki Novo on September 13, 2017

How often do we judge ourselves on not being the parent we think we should be? Should being the key word here. This is the first lie we tell ourselves when judging our own parenting skills. There’s a big difference between the kind of parent we think we should be and the actual parent we are. And the first step in becoming a better parent is accepting the kind of species that we are when raising our little ones.
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¿Calidad o Cantidad?

By: Paula Zelaya on September 01, 2017

Hoy quiero invitarlas a que nos tomemos un buen tiempo para estar con nuestros hijos y tener más calidad al compartir con ellos. Y esto es no solo para las mamás que trabajan, a quienes entiendo, pues soy una de ellas, y me consta lo que sentimos al no poder estar con nuestros chiquitos como queremos. Sino también a las mamás que están 100% disponibles para atender sus pequeñitos. Todas, cada una en nuestra manera, queremos tiempo con estas personitas que nos llaman MAMÁ.
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Parenting in a Social Media World

By: Anais Grullon on August 29, 2017

Vlogger, local mom and business owner Annie Grullon discusses the pressures of social media on parents and children for Parents Connect.
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Play Dates. It's Complicated.

By: Cristina Edmunds on August 23, 2017

Going on one’s first playdate almost feels like a right of passage. You dream of your child meeting their new best friend, and imagine them growing up together side by side. You’re hopeful to find a new best friend yourself, a new mom who understands what you’re going through, and start planning future dates for lunch, coffee, shopping, mommy and me classes, and maybe even double dates with your spouses before you’ve even really met. It will be perfect! But what if it’s nothing like that? What if you have absolutely nothing in common except the fact that you’ve birthed a child recently? What if you have completely different approaches in parenting? What if your child is developmentally delayed and their kid is running in circles around yours?
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Living in the Now

By: Maeghan Garcia on August 16, 2017

Earlier tonight, I was snuggled up behind Mason as I lay with him in his new car bed waiting for him to fall asleep. He was facing away from me and my arms were wrapped tightly around his delicious little body. Somehow my hand inadvertently ended up perfectly wedged between the mattress and his chest, and I could feel every beat of his tiny heart on my fingertips. I usually leave shortly after I'm sure he has dozed off into dream land. But tonight, I lingered for a while longer.
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Welcome!

By: Jennifer Caminas on August 14, 2017

Welcome to Parents Connect, 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.
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