Help! I Have Kids!

Send us Fan Mail Is your child constantly on high alert, struggling with deep-seated anxiety, or dealing with big fears that traditional talk therapy hasn't solved? In this episode, host Pam Marshall sits down with mental health therapist and EMDR specialist Jamie to uncover how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps children process trauma, anxiety, and fears—without need...

Send us Fan Mail Wondering what actually happens during a child's psychological evaluation? If you’ve ever noticed your child struggling with big meltdowns, school challenges, developmental delays, or you're just trying to navigate that nagging "mom gut" feeling, you aren't alone. In this episode of Help, I Have Kids, host Pam Marshall sits down with pediatric psychologist...

Send us Fan Mail In recognition of SIDS Awareness Month every October, we sit down with Beth and Jimmy for a powerful, deeply personal conversation about losing their son, Lucas, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). While October highlights safe-sleep education, the reality of child loss extends far beyond statistics. Beth and Jimmy open up about the immediate aftermath of the unthinkable, the...

Send us Fan Mail Are recurring ear infections leaving your child in pain and putting their speech development on hold? In this episode of Help, I Have Kids , host Pam Marshall (Occupational Therapist and mom of 5) sits down with pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist Beth Blankenship to discuss all things ear tubes and speech delays.  Together, they break down the connection between middle ear flui...

Send us Fan Mail What if the thing a child was once told they might never do became the moment they found belonging, confidence, and a team cheering them on? In this episode, we explore the heart of Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League baseball—a place where every child gets the opportunity to play, bat, run the bases, and score. Through modified equipment, supportive buddies, and flexible rules, the l...

Send us Fan Mail Are you picking up a happy child from school, only to have them explode into a massive meltdown the second you walk through the front door? You aren’t doing anything wrong—your child is experiencing After-School Restraint Collapse!  In this episode, Pam Marshall (Occupational Therapist and mom of 5) breaks down exactly what is happening to your child’s nervous system after holding...

Send us Fan Mail If you are in a hard season of motherhood, feeling overwhelmed by a tough medical diagnosis, or struggling to catch your breath—this episode will speak right to your heart.   Mama to four little ones, Abbigale Stewart joins us to share her story of navigating life with her sweet two-year-old son, John-Baylor. From open-heart surgery at just two weeks old to a rare genetic diagnosi...

Send us Fan Mail Does it wake you up at night wondering, "is my child doing what they need to be doing?" . In this episode, we address a common and often stressful concern for parents: Is my baby developing on track?  Pediatric physical therapist Julia Wood joins us to   dive into the importance of trusting your "mom gut" and seeking early intervention instead of the "wait...

Send us Fan Mail If dinner with your kids currently feels like an extreme sport, take a deep breath—you are not doing it wrong, and you are definitely not alone.  In this episode of Help, I Have Kids , host and pediatric OT Nicole Haney sit down for an honest chat about one of the most stressful parts of parenting: feeding our little ones. From the anxiety of starting solids to the toddler stage w...

Send us Fan Mail If you’re a tired mom sitting with a cold cup of coffee, listening to the baby monitor, and wondering how to finally get some rest—this episode is for you!  Host Pam Marshall sits down with Jenna Clarke, certified pediatric sleep consultant and founder of Mālama Mama Sleep Consulting . Jenna works with families with children ages 0 to 5 to help problem-solve sleep, navigate contro...

Send us Fan Mail As parents, we know that every single milestone our kids hit is a victory—and no one understands the fight to protect those milestones quite like another mom. In this episode, we sit down mom-to-mom with Brittany True to talk about her son, Weston, and what Kentucky’s Medicaid funding decisions really mean at home. While lawmakers recently put a temporary, one-year pause on propos...

Send us Fan Mail Is your child struggling in school, but you aren’t sure what kind of support to ask for? Hearing terms like 504 Plan, IEP, RTI, and educational evaluations can feel overwhelming—especially when you just want your child to succeed. In this episode of Help I Have Kids, host Pam Marshall (pediatric OT with 35+ years of experience) sits down with special education teacher, BCBA, and m...

Send us Fan Mail Are you dreading the first day back to school because of the hard transition between summer and school schedules?  Believe me, I understand! As a mom of 5 and pediatric OT I have had many years to perfect the process of getting out of the door on the first day of school. Each year brings new challenges as my kids change and we just learn to adapt!  You know your child best, I&apos...

Send us Fan Mail Have you hit an invisible wall with your child’s therapy? If you are a mom navigating the beautiful, exhausting, and sometimes overwhelming world of raising a child with ADHD, autism, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), or stroke recovery, you know what it feels like to plateau. You’ve done the speech therapy, the occupational therapy, the physical therapy—yet you’re left asking, &quo...

Send us Fan Mail Play therapy gets thrown around a lot — but most moms have no idea what it actually looks like, or whether it's even an option for their neurodivergent child. In this episode, Pam sits down with Allison, a marriage and family therapist working toward her Registered Play Therapist credential, who's also certified in AutPlay Therapy — a neurodiversity-affirming approach de...

Send us Fan Mail Don't skip this episode because you hear "break in therapy" and think… "not for us." Stay with us for a minute. We see you. You're the nurse, the therapist, the caregiver, and the mom — all before lunchtime, most days. You've been white-knuckling it through every session for months, maybe years, and quietly wondering if you have anything left to...

Send us Fan Mail Is your child's behavior actually sensory? Pam sits down with Kelly, OTD from Marshall Pediatric Therapy to break down sensory seeking vs. sensory avoiding, the real link between picky eating and sensory processing, why "shy" kids may actually be overwhelmed, and why summer makes it all worse. You'll get simple, no-equipment sensory strategies that help your ch...

Send us Fan Mail New Mamas! Before you spend thousands on beautiful nurseries and plastic baby gear, listen to this episode! Pediatric Occupational Therapists Pam and Kelly discuss how modern "baby containers" might be contributing to tight neck muscles and flat heads in newborns. Learn how to trust your mom gut, get easy home exercise tips (HEPs), and find out why a simple laundry baske...

Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever wondered, "Can my child with autism actually do virtual therapy?" you are not alone. It’s one of the biggest questions parents ask when considering telehealth. In this episode of Help! I Have Kids , guest host and speech-language pathologist Beth Blankenship teams up with special guest Liz, a mom to two sons with autism, to look at virtual therapy from bot...

Send us Fan Mail Does opening a medical bill give you an immediate pit in your stomach? 💸 It shouldn’t have to. For many parents, navigating health insurance feels like a second full-time job—one that's confusing, stressful, and full of hidden rules. But here is the secret: Knowledge is your best defense. When you understand how your plan works, you can stop worrying about "surprise bil...

Send us Fan Mail “Mommy, it feels like I have bumblebees in my head.” 🐝 In this powerful and moving episode, host Pam Marshall (Pediatric OT) sits down with Sarah and Carolyn, two moms who are navigating the beautiful, "spicy," and often complex world of parenting neurodivergent children while being neurodivergent themselves. We’re diving deep into the advocacy it takes to trust your &q...

Send us Fan Mail In this important episode, licensed therapist Heather Whitis returns to help us navigate one of the most difficult topics a parent can face—teen depression and suicidal thoughts. If your teen seems withdrawn, hopeless, unusually quiet, or like they've just lost interest in things they used to love, this episode will help you recognize and respond appropriately.  Heather bring...

Send us Fan Mail In this encouraging episode, licensed therapist Heather Whitis joins us to talk about teen anxiety and what it can really look like in everyday life. If your teen seems overwhelmed, easily frustrated, avoidant, or constantly worried, this episode will help you better understand what may be going on beneath the surface. Heather shares her perspective as both a therapist and a mom,...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode, licensed therapist Heather Whitis joins us to talk about teen mental health and how parents can recognize early warning signs that something might be off. If you’ve ever felt caught off guard by your teen’s mood swings, withdrawal, or changes in sleep, appetite, or school performance, this episode is for you. Heather shares her experience as both a thera...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode, Emily Hinkle shares her personal journey as a medical mom raising her daughter, Caroline, a toddler with Cerebral Palsy. She opens up about the challenges of NICU life, G-tubes, therapies, and managing appointments, while also celebrating the small victories that make motherhood so special. Emily gives her heartfelt advice on advocating for your child, t...