Are You Kid-ding Me?

Dinner shouldn’t feel like a nightly negotiation, but picky eating can make even the best-planned meal fall apart fast. What can parents do to overcome picky eating in their homes and set realistic expectations? Dr. Tara Forcier and Nurse Practitioner Lindsay Piwinski discuss the best ways to get nutrient-rich food into the bellies of little eaters and how parents can feel good about it.  Like wha...

It seems there is a study to back up any point of view, including the topic of childhood health. How can parents determine what is fact, and what is fluff? Dr. Tara Forcier and Nurse Practitioner Lindsay Piwinski discuss the how and why of scientific studies, and what to look for when reading the results as a parent.  Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star revie...

Vaccines are one of the most controversial topics surrounding childhood health but understanding them and their effectiveness can help parents feel at ease. Dr. Tara Forcier and Nurse Practitioner Lindsay Piwinski break down the different types of vaccines, their timing and the risk factors.  Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever you listen to p...

Periods are a normal part of growing up, yet often still shrouded in mystery for some parents and teens.  Dr. Tara Forcier and Nurse Practitioner Lindsay Piwinski share their medical knowledge on periods, flow and health for teen girls.  Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow Pediatrics in Brevard on Facebook Follow...

Use of marijuana and vape materials is on the rise and sometimes the safety and legality of these substances can feel confusing for parents.  Dr. Tara Forcier and Nurse Practitioner Lindsay Piwinski share their tips for keeping kids safe, as well as the science behind marijuana and vape use in teens.  Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever you li...

Starting foods with your baby is an exciting, and messy, time. Knowing when and how to introduce solids can help them grow safely and avoid digestive or choking hazards.  Dr. Tara Forcier and Nurse Practitioner Lindsay Piwinski share their tips for introducing solid foods to your baby safely.  Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever you listen to...

Headaches come in many different shapes and forms and can cause stress and disruption in family schedules.  Dr. Tara Forcier and Nurse Practitioner Lindsay Piwinski discuss the types of headaches in childhood -- including types of migraines -- and how parents can best help their kids manage them. Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever you listen...

Irritated skin can have a lot of causes, but one of the most common in childhood is eczema.  Dr. Tara Forcier and Nurse Practitioner Lindsay Piwinski discuss the signs of eczema in children and the best ways to avoid breakout and treat the ones that happen. Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow Pediatrics in Brevar...

Poop is a big part of the early lives of children -- and pediatricians often want to know what it looks like, and how often it is happening, to monitor the health of babies and toddlers. Dr. Tara Forcier and Nurse Practitioner Lindsay Piwinski discuss the common issues surrounding constipation in children and how to handle it as a parent.  Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and l...

First-time parents experience a lot of new things upon the birth of their child and understanding what to expect at that first doctor's visit can eleviate some stress.  Dr. Tara Forcier and Nurse Practitioner Lindsay Piwinski discuss the different tests and expectations for that first visit to the pediatrician's office following birth.  Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding M...

What are the symptoms of ADHD? And what can parents do to support their children with ADHD? In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Tara Forcier delves into the signs, diagnosis process, treatments and co-morbidities of ADHD in children. Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow Pediatrics in Brevard on Facebook Follow Pedia...

How do you know if your child has asthma?  What should you do if you think your child is wheezing? In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Tara Forcier discusses the causes for wheezing and other difficulty breathing in children, and what parents should know about asthma in childhood. Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever you listen to podcasts. Follo...

Divorce and separation can cause a rift in communication between parents -- and navigating this with the best interest of the kids is important to healthy, effective co-parenting. Expert guest : Divorce attorney and mediator Joel Wilson joins the podcast to discuss his 25+ years helping families establish co-parenting strategies and courtesies that are successful. Like what you hear? Subscribe to...

Protecting children's vision and hearing matters for the lifetime of the child -- and parents can help establish healthy habits alongside their kids. In this episode, Dr. Tara Forcier discusses eye health in children and what signs to look for when it comes to needing a professional assessment. Expert guest: Elyssa McRae, Au. D. also joins the podcast to discuss ways that parents can help the...

Preparing children for adulthood is the ultimate goal for parents -- and a multi-faceted approach that includes chores, time management and even unstructured time can help prep kids for their future adulthoods. Dr. Tara Forcier shares her best tips for teaching kids the skills of independence, including some examples from her own parenting. Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and...

A large part of preparing children for an independent adulthood is financial literacy -- including conversations on budgeting, interest rates and credit cards. Dr. Tara Forcier gives parents financial literacy conversation starters with kids, including how to use real-world examples. Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever you listen to podcasts....

In such polarizing times, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start discussing race and social justice with your children -- but it's more important than ever. Guest: Pediatrician Dr. Kimberly Dozier-Thornton joins the podcast to give actionable tips on discussing race in America with your kids. Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever y...

Self-regulation in children can be difficult -- especially if underlying issues are an added challenge. Parents can work alongside healthcare experts to help their kids, though.  Expert Guest: Dr. Caylee Banta joins the podcast to talk about the ways children can learn self-regulation and other insights from her occupational therapy expertise.    Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding M...

Navigating early childhood when it comes to safety starts with the basics for parents -- including childproofing, boundary-setting and honest conversations. Guest: Pediatrician Dr. Betty Cheney Kelly joins the podcast to share her tried-and-true tips for keeping kids safe in their early years -- and beyond. Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever...

There are developmentally-appropriate ways to start conversations with your kids about sex in order to keep them safe and healthy into adulthood. On this episode, pediatrician Dr. Tara Forcier shares the best ways to speak to kids about sex, from preschool through early adulthood. Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever you listen to podcasts. Fol...

Adequate and quality sleep is vital to the physical and mental health of children and there are ways to ensure your child is receiving the sleep they need, at every age. Expert Guest: On this episode,  Pulmonologist and Sleep Specialist Dr. Akinyemi Ajayi shares the most-common disorders and challenges he sees in children’s sleep and gives his best tips for sleep health. Like what you hear? Subscr...

Illness and injury to children can cause panic in parents, but aren’t always cause for an urgent care or emergency room visit. Expert Guest: Dr. David Williams, founder of urgent-care network Medfast, joins the podcast to discuss the ways to know if urgent care, or a call to your pediatrician, is warranted. Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are You Kid-ding Me and leave us a 5-star review wherever...

The coronavirus pandemic changed the world forever -- and pediatricians had a front-row seat to changing standards and best practices, including vaccine recommendations.  In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Tara Forcier shares insight into what she experienced as a doctor during the onset of the pandemic and what recommendations she sees as sound ones for all children.  Like what you hear? Subscribe...

Discipline for children often has negative connotations -- but when broken down, it simply means teachable moments and structure, not punishment. In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Tara Forcier shares her insight into how applying expectations and discipline into family life makes a smoother journey for everyone, and often eliminates the need for punishment.  Like what you hear? Subscribe to Are Yo...

You do not have to be an expert on school subjects, or to have even been a great student yourself, to support your child's education. It really comes down to staying involved in their schoolwork and showing interest in what they are learning. In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Tara Forcier shares her insight on the best ways parents can easily support their child's education, even on the...