Today's caregivers have access to more parenting advice than any generation before them. But more information doesn't always mean more confidence. In this episode, pediatrician Justin Smith, M.D., discusses how information overload, social media and unrealistic expectations can leave families feeling overwhelmed. He shares practical guidance for navigating common parenting concerns, improving communication with children, handling sleep regressions and recognizing when a medical concern deserves attention. Families will walk away with reassurance that perfect parenting doesn't exist and that meaningful connection matters far more than getting every decision right. 

You'll Learn 

• Why information overload increases parenting anxiety 
• Better questions to ask children after school 
• How to recognize when symptoms need attention 
• Why answers can be different for every family  
• Why family meals support mental and physical health 
• How perfectionism impacts caregivers 
• Why curiosity strengthens parent-child relationships 

Between social media nutrition trends, picky eating battles and busy schedules, healthy eating can feel overwhelming for caregivers. In this episode of For Kids' Sake, Cook Children’s nutrition coordinator Maya Rashad shares realistic strategies for making nutrition simpler, more affordable and more sustainable. 

You'll learn: 

• Why family meals matter more than chasing nutrition trends 
• How to build healthier snacks 
• The truth about frozen and canned foods 
• Budget-friendly grocery tips 
• How to get children involved in cooking 
• Strategies for handling picky eating 
• The benefits of plant-based proteins 
• Why nutrition doesn't need to be perfect 

Whether you're packing lunchboxes, navigating picky eating or trying to make healthier choices as a family, this episode provides practical advice you can start using right away. 

Screens are everywhere, but how much screen time is actually too much for kids?

In this episode of For Kids' Sake, Cook Children's psychiatrist Austin Greenhaw, M.D., helps parents navigate one of the biggest challenges of modern parenting: raising healthy kids in a digital world. From “educational” digital content and smartphones to tablets and video games, he breaks down what families should really be paying attention to and why the total number of hours on a screen isn't always the most important factor. 

You'll learn: 

• Why focusing only on screen time limits can miss the bigger picture 
• Signs your child may need a break from screens 
• How excessive device use can affect mood, sleep, attention and family relationships 
• Why "educational" content doesn't automatically get a free pass 
• The best screen time rule every family should have 
• How to use parental controls and screen time settings effectively 
• When children are truly ready for a smartphone 
• Practical ways to create healthier digital habits at home 

Plus, Dr. Greenhaw shares advice on digital media literacy, managing parent anxiety around technology, and helping kids develop a healthy relationship with screens that can last a lifetime. Whether you're parenting a toddler, tween or teen, this episode offers research-backed guidance and actionable tips you can start using today. 

When it comes to youth sports, preventing injuries often starts long before game day. 

In this episode of For Kids' Sake, athletic trainer Jeffrey Bass joins us to discuss the habits, routines and warning signs parents should know to help young athletes stay healthy and active. 

Jeffrey shares why proper warmups, recovery and hydration matter, explains the risks associated with year-round sports specialization, and discusses the warning signs that an athlete may be pushing too hard. He also breaks down common concussion misconceptions, heat-related illnesses and the important role parents, coaches and athletic trainers play in identifying injuries early. 

Whether your child participates in soccer, football, volleyball, baseball, basketball or another sport, this episode offers practical, real-world guidance to help families reduce injury risks and support young athletes throughout the season. 

In This Episode: 

• Why injury prevention starts before game day 
• The importance of consistent warmups and stretching 
• Why young athletes should play multiple sports 
• Warning signs your child may be overtraining 
• Common concussion symptoms caregivers should know 
• Hydration myths and facts 
• How to recognize heat-related illness 
• The role of recovery, nutrition and rest in injury prevention 

Parents today are flooded with information about childhood vaccines. How do you know what to trust?

In this episode of For Kids’ Sake, Alice Phillips, M.D., pediatrician and Medical Director for Ambulatory Quality at Cook Children’s, answers common questions families have about childhood immunizations and shares practical advice for navigating vaccine conversations in today's information-heavy world.

Dr. Phillips discusses why trusted relationships with pediatricians matter, what parents should know about delayed vaccine schedules, and why routine well-child visits remain essential. She explains how vaccines are researched, tested and reviewed before approval and offers insight into Cook Children's internal review process for new vaccines.

You'll also learn about the Comfort Menu, a program designed to reduce fear and discomfort during immunizations, why questions about vaccines are always welcome, and how parents can identify trustworthy health information online.

Whether you're preparing your child for daycare, kindergarten or simply trying to sort through conflicting information, this episode offers practical, evidence-based guidance for parents who want to make informed decisions about their child's health.

You'll Learn:

• How to find trustworthy vaccine information
• Why pediatricians encourage parents to ask questions
• What parents should know about delayed vaccination schedules
• How vaccines are tested before they are approved
• The purpose of Cook Children's Comfort Menu
• Common myths surrounding vaccine safety
• Why routine well-child visits remain important
• How to talk through vaccine concerns with your pediatrician

When is a child's hyperactivity or impulsiveness just part of growing up, and when could it be ADHD?

In this episode of For Kids' Sake, host Chelsea Kretz Howell sits down with Akemi Watkins, M.D., child psychiatrist at Cook Children's, to help parents and caregivers better understand the signs of ADHD and when to seek support.

Dr. Watkins explains how ADHD often shows up at home, in classrooms and during extracurricular activities, and shares what parents should watch for as children grow. 

She also breaks down: 

• The differences between 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Early intervention resources available to families
• Practical guidance for navigating concerns about a child's attention and learning

Most importantly, Dr. Watkins reminds parents that not every quirky or daydreaming child has a diagnosis, and that asking questions is never an overreaction when a child is struggling.

Whether you're concerned about your child or supporting a student, this conversation offers expert insight and actionable next steps.

Subscribe to For Kids' Sake for trusted parenting advice from Cook Children's doctors, nurses and clinicians.
 

The school year is here. Is your family ready?
 

In the first episode of For Kids' Sake, Cook Children's pediatrician Diane Arnaout, M.D., shares practical advice to help families navigate the transition from summer break to the classroom.

From resetting sleep schedules and easing first-day anxiety to understanding school vaccines and preparing for cold and flu season, this episode covers the essentials every parent and caregiver should know before the school bell rings.

You'll learn:

• Why sleep should be at the top of every back-to-school checklist
• How to help anxious children feel more confident about a new school year
• The signs your child may be struggling with back-to-school stress
• What vaccines and preventive health measures parents should discuss with their pediatrician
• Simple ways to build healthy routines that support learning and emotional well-being
• How to prepare your home for inevitable school-year germs and illnesses

Plus, in our "Asking for a Friend" segment, Dr. Arnaout answers a question many parents quietly wonder about: Is it okay if my child eats the same lunch every day?

Whether you're sending a child to kindergarten or high school, this episode will help your family start the school year healthy and confident.

Subscribe to For Kids' Sake for trusted parenting advice from Cook Children's doctors, nurses and clinicians.