• BEING YOUR BIGGEST CRITIC HURTS. . This weekend, I was networking with a local mom support group. After talking a little bit about what I do in my practice, I wanted to stay for the remainder of the support group. Heck, I’m a mom- I could always use some support! During the meeting, two things kept in my mind. . 1) Oh my gosh, these moms have the same worries as me - I’m not crazy! 2) I wish that mom would see she’s doing such a great job. Maybe she’s a little too hard on herself. . And then I realized, I should be coaching myself like that. . I show up. I do a pretty decent job at mommy-ing. I need to take my own advice more often! . Because moms who love their jobs and their families feel lucky to have both, they often feel they have no right to complain about the anxieties and stressors of balancing the two—which inevitably leads to even more anxiety and stress. 😐 . So moms out there on a Monday, I see you. It’s been a hard weekend, and we’re on to another work week. Maybe school is starting to fall into a groove, and you’re feeling more in control. Or maybe more chaotic. Or maybe you’re sitting at home scrolling on Instagram while nursing after yet another sleepless night. . Whatever you’re doing, wherever you are, I see you. Keep cheering yourself on. 💚 ________ #workingmoms #momlife #mamasinmedicine #doclife #njmom #selfcare #motherhood #pediatricianapproved #njworkingmoms #njmomlife #doctormom #mommypraisemondays #doctormommy #njpediatrics #pediatricianmommy #somedocs #puredirectpediatrics #coffeemom #pediatricianapproved #marlboronj #manalapannj #freeholdnj #coltsnecknj #njsmallbusiness #womeninmedicine #femalephysician #findyourtribe #millenialdoctor
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    BEING YOUR BIGGEST CRITIC HURTS. . This weekend, I was networking with a local mom support group. After talking a little bit about what I do in my practice, I wanted to stay for the remainder of the support group. Heck, I’m a mom- I could always use some support! During the meeting, two things kept in my mind. . 1) Oh my gosh, these moms have the same worries as me - I’m not crazy! 2) I wish that mom would see she’s doing such a great job. Maybe she’s a little too hard on herself. . And then I realized, I should be coaching myself like that. . I show up. I do a pretty decent job at mommy-ing. I need to take my own advice more often! . Because moms who love their jobs and their families feel lucky to have both, they often feel they have no right to complain about the anxieties and stressors of balancing the two—which inevitably leads to even more anxiety and stress. 😐 . So moms out there on a Monday, I see you. It’s been a hard weekend, and we’re on to another work week. Maybe school is starting to fall into a groove, and you’re feeling more in control. Or maybe more chaotic. Or maybe you’re sitting at home scrolling on Instagram while nursing after yet another sleepless night. . Whatever you’re doing, wherever you are, I see you. Keep cheering yourself on. 💚 ________ #workingmoms #momlife #mamasinmedicine #doclife #njmom #selfcare #motherhood #pediatricianapproved #njworkingmoms #njmomlife #doctormom #mommypraisemondays #doctormommy #njpediatrics #pediatricianmommy #somedocs #puredirectpediatrics #coffeemom #pediatricianapproved #marlboronj #manalapannj #freeholdnj #coltsnecknj #njsmallbusiness #womeninmedicine #femalephysician #findyourtribe #millenialdoctor
  • ❌DELIVERING BAD NEWS:❌ . I don’t think there’s easy way to do this. If someone knows, please enlighten me. This is something all physicians grapple with. It keeps us up at night. . There is no right/wrong response & no way to predict how a patient will respond.The best start is to know that delivering bad news to a patient can change their life. . What’s helped me: . 🔵Empathy-Not sympathy. Prepare yourself to feel badly. As physicians, we went into medicine to make people feel better.That’s not what happens when we deliver bad news. Recognize this will be an unpleasant feeling for you & consider how the patient will feel. . 🔵Honesty. Don’t dance around the topic or minimize. Patients deserve the full & complete truth. Be clear & unequivocal. . 🔵Stop. When a person receives bad news, they have some kind of reaction. Some cry, get angry, or stay still in numbed shock. Some are in denial. Your job right now is to respond to what that reaction is before you move forward. . 🔵When you move forward, think abt doing it w/ simplicity. When explaining labs & tests, make sure your patient understands what’s said. . 🔵Let them ask questions. Make sure you answer them, &when you don’t the answer, tell them so. . 🔵Listen.Did you know the average time we let a patient speak w/out interrupting is 7 sec? Don’t interrupt your patient’s concerns.They may not be your concerns-but maybe they’re worried abt their child’s birthday party next month. . 🔵Validate their concerns. You can be supportive w/out trivializing their fears. You’re not here to make their decisions-You’re here to guide them. . 🔵Make a plan.Ask them to write down questions.Think of how to tell their family. Prepare them for the next steps of care. . 🔵Be supportive. Let patients know you’re not abandoning them, even if you have to say those words. Might seem obvious, but obvious thoughts aren’t what’s on your patient’s mind. . 🔵Lastly, CARE. Let them grieve w/ you. Power of touch is powerful, & these gestures will be something they remember. It might even provide you some closure. ___ Tough topic on National Positive Thinking Day, but one docs should be familiar with. Drop your tips below!
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    ❌DELIVERING BAD NEWS:❌ . I don’t think there’s easy way to do this. If someone knows, please enlighten me. This is something all physicians grapple with. It keeps us up at night. . There is no right/wrong response & no way to predict how a patient will respond.The best start is to know that delivering bad news to a patient can change their life. . What’s helped me: . 🔵Empathy-Not sympathy. Prepare yourself to feel badly. As physicians, we went into medicine to make people feel better.That’s not what happens when we deliver bad news. Recognize this will be an unpleasant feeling for you & consider how the patient will feel. . 🔵Honesty. Don’t dance around the topic or minimize. Patients deserve the full & complete truth. Be clear & unequivocal. . 🔵Stop. When a person receives bad news, they have some kind of reaction. Some cry, get angry, or stay still in numbed shock. Some are in denial. Your job right now is to respond to what that reaction is before you move forward. . 🔵When you move forward, think abt doing it w/ simplicity. When explaining labs & tests, make sure your patient understands what’s said. . 🔵Let them ask questions. Make sure you answer them, &when you don’t the answer, tell them so. . 🔵Listen.Did you know the average time we let a patient speak w/out interrupting is 7 sec? Don’t interrupt your patient’s concerns.They may not be your concerns-but maybe they’re worried abt their child’s birthday party next month. . 🔵Validate their concerns. You can be supportive w/out trivializing their fears. You’re not here to make their decisions-You’re here to guide them. . 🔵Make a plan.Ask them to write down questions.Think of how to tell their family. Prepare them for the next steps of care. . 🔵Be supportive. Let patients know you’re not abandoning them, even if you have to say those words. Might seem obvious, but obvious thoughts aren’t what’s on your patient’s mind. . 🔵Lastly, CARE. Let them grieve w/ you. Power of touch is powerful, & these gestures will be something they remember. It might even provide you some closure. ___ Tough topic on National Positive Thinking Day, but one docs should be familiar with. Drop your tips below!
  • 📺 Screen Time for the Millennial Parent 📺 . If you’ve followed me for some time, you know how I feel about the power of screens, social media, and technology as a whole in today’s day and age. Screens can be friend or foe to not just child development but also family time. . Parentology recently released a survey that showed 20% of parents are buying pre-schoolers a laptop! Surprised? Me too! . I definitely believe in limits and as a parent, but also STRONGLY believe you have to pick your battles as a parent. . Limiting the screens in our household is my personal battle. If that means my daughter eats a little extra sugar here or there, then I’ll take it. . As a millennial parent, that’s not to say I ban screens in my home. It’s no secret that digital media is here to stay, but we must remain smart and vigilant with how we choose to expose our children to it. So if you have ever wondered how to go about doing that, check out my link in bio today 🙂. . ⠀⠀ In reality-No, I know I can’t prevent her from seeing screens and playing with our phones forever but if I can give her a childhood similar to mine for as long as I can, I will. . Yes, I know if ever plan to have a second child, these limits will be likely impossible to enforce for him or her, but as a parent, this is my choice for the here and now. . As a a parent, if you’re unsure about how to navigate this screen-filled world, check out today’s post! _________ #screentime #socialmediaparenting #screenconsultants #millenialparenting
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    📺 Screen Time for the Millennial Parent 📺 . If you’ve followed me for some time, you know how I feel about the power of screens, social media, and technology as a whole in today’s day and age. Screens can be friend or foe to not just child development but also family time. . Parentology recently released a survey that showed 20% of parents are buying pre-schoolers a laptop! Surprised? Me too! . I definitely believe in limits and as a parent, but also STRONGLY believe you have to pick your battles as a parent. . Limiting the screens in our household is my personal battle. If that means my daughter eats a little extra sugar here or there, then I’ll take it. . As a millennial parent, that’s not to say I ban screens in my home. It’s no secret that digital media is here to stay, but we must remain smart and vigilant with how we choose to expose our children to it. So if you have ever wondered how to go about doing that, check out my link in bio today 🙂. . ⠀⠀ In reality-No, I know I can’t prevent her from seeing screens and playing with our phones forever but if I can give her a childhood similar to mine for as long as I can, I will. . Yes, I know if ever plan to have a second child, these limits will be likely impossible to enforce for him or her, but as a parent, this is my choice for the here and now. . As a a parent, if you’re unsure about how to navigate this screen-filled world, check out today’s post! _________ #screentime #socialmediaparenting #screenconsultants #millenialparenting
  • I turned 30 this week. . ⠀⠀ Is that too young to some of you? Maybe too old? . In some ways, I’m many of the things I’d be imagine I’d be at 30 years of age: . A physician A wife A mother .⠀⠀ In other ways, I’m taking on roles I never thought I would. . Medical director Solo private practitioner Marketing manager . ⠀⠀ Struggling to adjust to the above roles plus motherhood has taken a toll. I’m grateful for what I have, but there are stressful days and very stressful moments that come with it. . ⠀⠀ It’s not been an easy last 10 years. There were definitely down DOWN moments-missing family get-togethers, sacrificing holidays for call weekends, relationship struggles, exams-(so many exams!), TTC, miscarriage. . ⠀⠀ But in the last 10 years, I graduated college, was accepted into med school, got married, matched into residency, delivered a healthy baby girl, became a mom, bought a house, passed my pediatric boards, started a practice-Wow! . ⠀⠀ When I reflect back on my 20’s, I think back to some crucial advice I’ve been given: ______________________________________________ 💫Nothing good in life comes without struggle. . 💫No doesn’t mean no-It means not right now. . ⠀⠀ 💫Everything happens for a reason. Don’t be afraid of change. . ⠀⠀ _______________________________________________ While these are all things I’ve heard before, for some reason, looking back on my struggles and achievements, they each mean something more today. Maybe that’s what they mean when they say “sage advice...?” . ⠀⠀ While things are stressful in the here and now, I have to remind myself to not let my difficulties fill me with anxiety. ✨After all, it is only in the darkest nights that the stars shine more brilliantly. ✨ . ⠀⠀ So spill, what would you tell yourself during your 20’s? (Asking for a friend 😬🙈) ⠀⠀ #adviceformyyoungerself #30something #birthdayadvice
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    I turned 30 this week. . ⠀⠀ Is that too young to some of you? Maybe too old? . In some ways, I’m many of the things I’d be imagine I’d be at 30 years of age: . A physician A wife A mother .⠀⠀ In other ways, I’m taking on roles I never thought I would. . Medical director Solo private practitioner Marketing manager . ⠀⠀ Struggling to adjust to the above roles plus motherhood has taken a toll. I’m grateful for what I have, but there are stressful days and very stressful moments that come with it. . ⠀⠀ It’s not been an easy last 10 years. There were definitely down DOWN moments-missing family get-togethers, sacrificing holidays for call weekends, relationship struggles, exams-(so many exams!), TTC, miscarriage. . ⠀⠀ But in the last 10 years, I graduated college, was accepted into med school, got married, matched into residency, delivered a healthy baby girl, became a mom, bought a house, passed my pediatric boards, started a practice-Wow! . ⠀⠀ When I reflect back on my 20’s, I think back to some crucial advice I’ve been given: ______________________________________________ 💫Nothing good in life comes without struggle. . 💫No doesn’t mean no-It means not right now. . ⠀⠀ 💫Everything happens for a reason. Don’t be afraid of change. . ⠀⠀ _______________________________________________ While these are all things I’ve heard before, for some reason, looking back on my struggles and achievements, they each mean something more today. Maybe that’s what they mean when they say “sage advice...?” . ⠀⠀ While things are stressful in the here and now, I have to remind myself to not let my difficulties fill me with anxiety. ✨After all, it is only in the darkest nights that the stars shine more brilliantly. ✨ . ⠀⠀ So spill, what would you tell yourself during your 20’s? (Asking for a friend 😬🙈) ⠀⠀ #adviceformyyoungerself #30something #birthdayadvice
  • 💊The Art of Medicine💊 . One of my favorite peds journals- Peds in Review-turns 40 yo this year. Recently, the journal published an article by seasoned pediatrician Ann Beach, MD FAAP on her thoughts of how medicine hd changed. I ❤️what she wrote & had to share some of my favorite highlights! . Back then: _ 🚫There was only 1 generation of cephalosporins. Now, you have to remember the difference btw all of the cephalo du jours. 🚫The immunization schedule was easy to memorize bc it pretty much just included DPT, OPV and MMR. Parents were excited for their babies to get immunizations & never questioned the wisdom of vaccines. 🚫Kawasaki’s was treated w/ high dose aspirin, but no IVIG. 🚫I treated meningitis (and there was more of it before the HIB vaccine) with ampicillin & chloramphenicol. 🚫We knew Reye’s often happened after the flu, but we didn’t yet understand the aspirin link. 🚫All of my patients w/ acute myeloblastic leukemia were going to die soon. Now the 5-year survival rate is 60% or more. . . What hasn't changed? _ ⭕️The ability to take a thorough history and do a complete physical exam is still the most important tool we have (More important than the CRP or the MRI machine). ⭕️Be prepared for the results of any lab test you order. Think about what you’ll do if it is normal. Think about what you’ll do if it is abnormal. If you’ll do the same thing either way, you probably don’t need to order the test. ⭕️Making sure parents know that you care is high on the list of important things. ⭕️Expect to learn something new every day. ⭕️Children are way more fun to take care of than adults.” . When I look at this list, what strikes me is how the science of medicine has changed dramatically: labs, imaging modalities, medications-have all made leaps and bounds in medicine. But there’s something else…
. 
Dr. Beach points out a profound thought: The speed of change seems to be accelerating in medicine, but it is the 🌟ART of medicine🌟 that is not changing. . So what’s the “art of medicine?” For me, it’s the “non-scientific” experience you have w/ a patient-a caring hand, listening ear, the empathy & understanding which is part of our duty as physicians💙.
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    💊The Art of Medicine💊 . One of my favorite peds journals- Peds in Review-turns 40 yo this year. Recently, the journal published an article by seasoned pediatrician Ann Beach, MD FAAP on her thoughts of how medicine hd changed. I ❤️what she wrote & had to share some of my favorite highlights! . Back then: _ 🚫There was only 1 generation of cephalosporins. Now, you have to remember the difference btw all of the cephalo du jours. 🚫The immunization schedule was easy to memorize bc it pretty much just included DPT, OPV and MMR. Parents were excited for their babies to get immunizations & never questioned the wisdom of vaccines. 🚫Kawasaki’s was treated w/ high dose aspirin, but no IVIG. 🚫I treated meningitis (and there was more of it before the HIB vaccine) with ampicillin & chloramphenicol. 🚫We knew Reye’s often happened after the flu, but we didn’t yet understand the aspirin link. 🚫All of my patients w/ acute myeloblastic leukemia were going to die soon. Now the 5-year survival rate is 60% or more. . . What hasn't changed? _ ⭕️The ability to take a thorough history and do a complete physical exam is still the most important tool we have (More important than the CRP or the MRI machine). ⭕️Be prepared for the results of any lab test you order. Think about what you’ll do if it is normal. Think about what you’ll do if it is abnormal. If you’ll do the same thing either way, you probably don’t need to order the test. ⭕️Making sure parents know that you care is high on the list of important things. ⭕️Expect to learn something new every day. ⭕️Children are way more fun to take care of than adults.” . When I look at this list, what strikes me is how the science of medicine has changed dramatically: labs, imaging modalities, medications-have all made leaps and bounds in medicine. But there’s something else…
. 
Dr. Beach points out a profound thought: The speed of change seems to be accelerating in medicine, but it is the 🌟ART of medicine🌟 that is not changing. . So what’s the “art of medicine?” For me, it’s the “non-scientific” experience you have w/ a patient-a caring hand, listening ear, the empathy & understanding which is part of our duty as physicians💙.
  • 🥖How Many Carbs are Too Many in Childhood?🥖 . ⠀⠀ Have you heard of the Ketogenic Diet-focused on increasing more proteins and fats in the diet over carbs? I recently had a mom who’s lost quite a bit on the Ketogenic diet ask me about it for her school age child who’s struggling with obesity. . ⠀⠀ Notice I said “child struggling with obesity” not “obese child.” I believe STRONGLY in the AAP’s recommendation on using “people first” language, despite September being the is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Empathetic and empowering counseling techniques are the cornerstone of motivational interviewing which is used in weight counseling. .⠀⠀ As a pediatrician, I never advocate restricting one macronutrient in children or teens. Children need carbs, just like they need protein or healthy fats. The quality of carbs matter. .⠀⠀ However, the Ketogenic diet actually has been around since the 1920’s and does have some implications in pediatric medical care. Read my latest blog post to learn more about a pediatrician’s take on the Keto diet! 🌟LINK IN BIO🌟 . . ⠀⠀ #ketodiet #ketogenicdiet #ketokids #ketoepilepsy #ketokitchen #childhoodobesityawarenessmonth #childhoodobesity #childhoodobesitymonth
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    🥖How Many Carbs are Too Many in Childhood?🥖 . ⠀⠀ Have you heard of the Ketogenic Diet-focused on increasing more proteins and fats in the diet over carbs? I recently had a mom who’s lost quite a bit on the Ketogenic diet ask me about it for her school age child who’s struggling with obesity. . ⠀⠀ Notice I said “child struggling with obesity” not “obese child.” I believe STRONGLY in the AAP’s recommendation on using “people first” language, despite September being the is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Empathetic and empowering counseling techniques are the cornerstone of motivational interviewing which is used in weight counseling. .⠀⠀ As a pediatrician, I never advocate restricting one macronutrient in children or teens. Children need carbs, just like they need protein or healthy fats. The quality of carbs matter. .⠀⠀ However, the Ketogenic diet actually has been around since the 1920’s and does have some implications in pediatric medical care. Read my latest blog post to learn more about a pediatrician’s take on the Keto diet! 🌟LINK IN BIO🌟 . . ⠀⠀ #ketodiet #ketogenicdiet #ketokids #ketoepilepsy #ketokitchen #childhoodobesityawarenessmonth #childhoodobesity #childhoodobesitymonth