Social-Emotional Development: Quirky or Time to Worry?

Primary care pediatricians spend a significant amount of time discussing and answering questions from parents regarding the behavior of their children. Although a majority of young children present with developmentally appropriate behavior, it is important that primary care pediatricians recognize concerning conduct that may be suggestive of a behavior or emotional disorder. It is important that social-emotional development is closely monitored in conjunction with physical and cognitive growth and development at each well visit.

The Perils and Pitfalls of Potty Training.

Although a child may meet the physiologic, developmental, and behavioral milestones required for potty training, the process of potty training remains a formidable task for many parents and toddlers. The primary care physician must be prepared to discuss the signs of readiness as well as the setbacks that may occur in the process of potty training, which include resistance to training, fears of toileting, stool toileting refusal, accidents, and persistent nocturnal enuresis. [Pediatr Ann.

A Nanny Versus Daycare: Is There a Right Choice?

As spring is on the horizon, my children begin to anticipate the end of the school year with thoughts of sleeping in, free days at the pool, and long evenings outside with friends. I, too, look forward to this time of the year, and a much needed hiatus from coaxing kids out of bed, making school lunches, and homework help in the evenings. However, I do not look forward to finding a new "kid sitter" for my preteens and teenager.

How Much is Too Much? Getting Children Involved, but Not Too Involved.

In the pediatric office, the summer months are filled with well-child visits and sports physicals. It is during these visits that it is important to evaluate our patients as a whole, remembering to discuss both physical and emotional concerns. It is also important to discuss the upcoming school year so concerns by both parents and children can be addressed.

Family Transitions: The Birth of a Two-Child Family.

I remember the morning we discovered we were expecting our second child. I was a second-year pediatric resident starting my rotation in the pediatric intensive care unit. I had just given birth to our first child 14 months earlier and was still overwhelmed, yet amazed, by the process of becoming a parent.