Help! I Have Kids!
Help! I Have Kids! is the podcast for moms who are doing their best, asking all the right questions, and still wondering if something’s being missed. Hosted by Pam—a mom of five and pediatric occupational therapist with 35 years of experience—this show helps you trust your gut, advocate for your child, and partner with professionals without the overwhelm.Each week, you’ll get practical tips, real-life stories, and heartfelt encouragement from experts and fellow moms who’ve been in your shoes. Because, as moms, we are the head of our child's medical team!
How Do I Know If My Child Needs a Therapist (and How Do I Find One)?
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Are you feeling overwhelmed and wondering how to find the right mental health support for your child? Taking that first step toward therapy can feel terrifying, but you don't have to guess your way through it.
In this episode, we sit down with licensed marriage and family therapist Heather Whitis to take the fear and confusion out of finding professional help for kids and teens. We discuss how to recognize when your child needs extra emotional support, what red flags to watch out for, and how to know if a therapist is...
“Don’t Let Anyone Steal Your Joy”: Navigating a Down Syndrome Diagnosis
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Receiving an unexpected medical diagnosis for your baby can bring an overwhelming wave of fear, shock, and uncertainty. What does the future hold? How do you process the news, handle medical hurdles, and support your other children through it all?
In this episode, host Pam Marshall sits down with special needs mom Ashley Davis to share her deeply moving personal story of receiving a Down Syndrome diagnosis for her son, Ashton. From navigating difficult doctor delivery moments and long hospital NICU stays to discovering a powerful community and finding pure, unexpected jo...
Healing Child Anxiety & Trauma Without Talking: How EMDR Works for Kids
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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 needing to talk through every detail.
Whether your child is dealing with significant life changes, sudden behavioral shifts, or specific phobias, EMDR offers a gentle, brain-based path to healing.
In this episode, you’ll lea...
What happens during a child's psych evaluation? With a Pediatric Psychologist
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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 Dr. Kaylee Wilson to walk you through the entire child psychological evaluation process step-by-step.
Whether you are looking into autism assessments, checking for ADHD, or trying to understand early developmental red flags, this conversation demystifies what to ex...
SIDS Awareness Month: Navigating Loss, Healing, and Advocacy with Beth and Jimmy
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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 heavy isolation of grief, and how they transformed their pain into vital community advocacy. This episode also covers the latest pediatric safe sleep standards, what modern science reveals about the biology of...
Ear Tubes & Speech Delays in Toddlers: Ear Pain, PE Tube Surgery & Hearing Explained
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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 fluid and speech delays in toddlers, explain what actually happens during PE tube surgery, and share practical advice for managing night-time ear pain and pressure changes.
In this episode, you’ll l...
Miracle League: Where Every Child Gets to Play
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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 league creates a joyful and inclusive environment for children with different abilities.
Our conversation covers the emotional journey families may experience after a diagnosis, the po...
After-School Meltdowns: What’s Happening to Your Child’s Nervous System?
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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 it together all day at school. She shares relatable, practical OT tips to help your child co-regulate, reset, and transition smoothly from school to home without the daily after-s...
Navigating Medical Motherhood: Parenting a Child with a Rare Genetic Condition with Abbigale Stewart
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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 diagnosis (PMM2-CDG), Abbigale knows the terrifying feeling of being on an isolated island. But she also knows what it feels like to reach the other side of...
Why isn't my baby crawling? Infant Development Explained with a Pediatric PT
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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 and see" approach. You will get expert advice on building core stability, avoiding "container syndrome," and creative ways to mak...
Conquering Picky Eating & Starting Solids: Expert Advice from a Pediatric Feeding Therapist
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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 where suddenly only goldfish and fruit roll-ups are accepted, we’re unpacking what’s actually normal and how to get through it with...
Confused About Sleep Training? With Pediatric Sleep Consultant Malama Mama
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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 controversies, and clear up the endless noise on social media. From AAP guidelines to safe bed-sharing alternatives, Jenna breaks down how to tailor a sleep plan that honors...
The True Cost of Medicaid Cuts: Brittany’s Story of Advocating for Her Son
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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 proposed Medicaid cuts, Brittany breaks down why a pause isn't enough to give parents peace of mind. To keep our pediatric therapy clinics open and our favorite ther...
IEP vs. 504 Plan: Which One Does Your Child Actually Need?
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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 mom Jill to break down everything parents need to know about navigating 504 plans and IEPs.
Whether you’re just starting the evaluation process or wondering why a...
7 Back to School Tips as a Mom of 5 and Pediatric OT
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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'm just hear to give you my personal experience and clinical expertise to help you make the best de...
Neuroanimation: Therapy That Grows the Brain
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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, "What now?"
In this deeply personal, solo episode, Pam Marshall speaks directly from her heart to yours. Sharing the hard-won truths she wishes someone had told her years ag...
What Is AutPlay Therapy? A Mom's Guide to Autism-Affirming Play Therapy
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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 designed specifically for autistic and neurodivergent kids.
Allison breaks down what a real play therapy session looks like, how it's different from talk therapy, how she reads a playroom, and why "meeting the child wher...
Will a Therapy Break Cause Regression? Caregiver Burnout & Therapeutic Breaks
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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 give. But the second the word "break" comes up, something in you panics. What if my kid loses everything we've worked for? What if we lose our spot? What if I'm the reas...
Is It Sensory or Behavior? A Pediatric OT Explains Sensory Seeking, Picky Eating & Summer Meltdowns
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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 child actually work through their sensory challenges — not just avoid them — plus a clear answer to one of the most common parenting questions: is this sensory or just behavior?
If you have a sens...
Does My Baby Need a Helmet? Tight Neck & Flat Head
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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 basket might be your new secret weapon for healthy infant development. 🍼💪
If any of this sounded a little too familiar today, don't panic—just reach out! Connect with us at Marshall Pediatri...
Can My Child with Autism Do Virtual Therapy?
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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 both sides of the screen. Liz shares her honest journey from being a total telehealth skeptic to watching virtual sessions become a major contributing factor to her son...
Navigating Your Child’s Health Insurance: Tips for All Parents
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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 bills" and start focusing on your child’s progress.
In this episode, host Pam Marshall sits down with Kathleen, a Patient Account Specialist at Marshall Pediatric Therapy, to demyst...
Bumblebees in My Head: Navigating ADHD/Autism as a Neurodivergent Mom
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“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 "mom gut" when professionals say "she’ll grow out of it," the relief of finally finding a name for why your child feels different, and how to find grace for yourself when the househo...
Teen Mental Health Part 3: Depression & Suicidal Thoughts | with Heather Whitis, LMFT
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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 brings her expertise as both a therapist and a mom to offer honest, grounded guidance on how depression differs from typical teenage moodiness, how to recognize warning signs of suicidal thinking, and how to...
Teen Mental Health Part 2: Understanding Anxiety in Teens | with Heather Whitis, LMFT
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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, offering practical insight into how anxiety shows up in teens, how to support your child through it, and how to respond in a way that builds trust instead of...
Teen Mental Health Part 1: Identifying & Addressing When Your Teen is Struggling | with Heather Whitis, LMFT
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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 therapist and a mom, giving practical advice on trusting your gut, starting supportive conversations, and knowing when to seek help. She reassures moms that noticing changes and aski...
Raising a Toddler with Cerebral Palsy: Emily’s Experience as a Medical Mom
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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, trusting your mom instincts, and finding your voice with doctors and care teams. She also shares the story behind Caroline’s Corner, a project dedicated to helping other families access helpful toys and to...
6 Ways Moms Can Take Back Their Health
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In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Sarah Schuetz and Dr. Katherine Dotson—both moms and lifestyle medicine physicians—for an honest and empowering conversation about what it really means to take care of your health.
We’re breaking down the 6 pillars of health and how small, realistic changes can make a big impact—not just for you, but for your entire family. Because the truth is, when moms are running on empty, it affects everything.
If you’ve ever felt like your own health gets pushed to th...
Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy: The Hidden Cause of Constipation & Bedwetting
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In this episode, we’re talking about something every parent deals with at some point but no one really wants to talk about… poop and pee.
Ashley Leach M.S., OTR/L, lead clinician and occupational therapist at Marshall Pediatric Therapy’s Richmond location, joins us to break down pediatric pelvic floor therapy and how it helps with things like constipation, bedwetting, and accidents. It’s way more common than you think. Some research shows up to 30 percent of kids deal with constipation.
We get super practical in this one.
<...Obstacles are Opportunities: Maddi Niebanck on Stroke Recovery & NeuroAnimation
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Maddi Niebanck was 22 years old when a scheduled brain surgery turned into an emergency stroke.
What followed was a journey most people couldn't imagine — waking up completely paralyzed on her dominant side, unable to speak, swallow, or see out of the left half of both eyes. Now nearly nine years later, she's living independently, traveling the world, and still making real gains through neuroplasticity therapy at NeuroAnimation of Lexington.
In this episode, Maddi shares her story as a stroke survivor, disability advocate, public speaker, and author — and what it felt like...
ABA Therapy: A Collaborative Approach with BCBA Jill Moore
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ABA therapy has evolved — and so has the conversation around it.
In this episode, we break down:
✔ Where ABA started
✔ How it’s changed over time
✔ Common misconceptions
✔ What collaborative, child-centered ABA looks like today
✔ How our program integrates ABA with OT, Speech & PT
Modern ABA isn’t about compliance or changing a child’s personality. It’s about building communication, independence, and real-life skills in supportive, meaningful ways.
If you’re navigating an autism diagnosis or exploring therapy options, we hope this brings clarity and pea...
Teaching Kids Empathy, Inclusion, & Self-Awareness Through Storytelling | Susan Mills
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We talk about Susan’s path into autism advocacy and the passion behind her award-winning DinoSprout Educational Book Series—stories that use lovable dinosaur characters to teach empathy, inclusion, self-awareness, and acceptance. These books are designed to help kids, parents, and educators start healthy conversations around differences and emotions.
Explore Susan’s books and learn more:
📘 DinoSprout Book Series: https://rainbowsparrowbooks.com/dinosprout-educational-book-series/
🦖 Shop Individual Books: https://rainbowsparrowbooks.com/current-books/
🌈 Rainbow Sparrow Publishing: https://rainbowsparrowbooks.com/current-books/
Follow her journey: @susanmi...
From High Risk Pregnancy, CP Diagnosis, to First Steps: Kelsey Brooks’ Story of Advocacy
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In this inspiring episode, Kelsey Brooks shares her personal journey from a high-risk pregnancy and a CP diagnosis to celebrating her son’s first steps. She gives her testimony on what it truly means to be the head of your child’s medical team and advocate for the best care. Kelsey opens up about navigating therapies, celebrating small victories, and finding the strength to keep going. Her story is a powerful reminder that advocacy and love can create a better quality of life for your child.
✨ Click the link below to follow...
AAC Devices: Creating Connection with Your Child | Taylor Denney, SLP
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AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) can be the next step in helping your child find their voice and deepen connection with your family. Pediatric speech therapist Taylor Denney breaks down how AAC devices work, busts common myths, and shares real stories of children and families whose worlds opened up through communication. You will hear practical tips for getting started, supporting their child at home, and celebrating every win — because progress looks different for every child, and every voice matters.
✨ Click the link below to follow us on all socials and keep up w...
What Your Primary Care Doctor Really Wants Parents to Know with Dr. Erin & Dr. Geoff Cooper
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In this episode of Help! I Have Kids, host Pam Marshall sits down with Dr. Erin Cooper and Dr. Geoff Cooper, primary care physicians and co-owners of Olive Health Direct Primary Care, for an honest, behind-the-exam-room conversation about what parents really need to know.
As both doctors and parents, Dr. Erin and Dr. Geoff share what they see every day in primary care—and what often goes unsaid. From pregnancy and newborn life to toddlerhood, mental health, screen time, and parental overwhelm, this episode offers cl...
Friendship, Inclusion & Hope: How E’s Club Is Changing Lives for Autistic Teens
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In this episode, Pam sits down with Morgan Minter, Program Director for Erin’s Hope for Friends (E’s Club)—a nonprofit creating safe, judgment-free spaces where autistic teens and young adults can build real friendships and experience true belonging.
Morgan shares how her own brother’s journey with autism led her into occupational therapy and eventually to E’s Club. She explains the heartbreaking story that sparked the nonprofit’s creation, why social isolation is so common for autistic teens, and how E’s Club intentionally meets that need...
ADHD is a Superpower: Parenting, Routines & Real-World Tips with Tyler Dorsey
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In today’s episode, Pam sits down with Tyler Dorsey, Founder & Executive Director of Focus Forward ADHD, to talk about one of the most common struggles families face—ADHD in kids, teens, and even in parents themselves. Tyler brings her personal story, clinical insight, and mom-of-four perspective to one of the most hope-filled and practical conversations we’ve ever recorded.
You’ll hear Tyler’s honest journey from being an overwhelmed child with ADHD to becoming a nationally recognized ADHD coach leading a team that supports fa...
Intensive Therapy: Why It Works & Who It Helps with Meredith & Chloe
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In today’s episode, Meredith Proctor, MSOT, OTR/L, CIMC and Chloe Isaacs, PT, DPT, CIMI-2 break down one of the most exciting services we offer at Marshall Pediatric Therapy — Intensive Therapy. If you’ve ever wondered what intensives are, who they’re for, and why they lead to such fast, meaningful progress, this conversation is full of hope, science, and so many heartwarming stories.
We talk about:
✨ What intensive therapy actually is and how it’s different from weekly sessions
✨ Why repetition, neuroplasticit...
Helping Your Child Overcome Medical Anxiety through Play! w/ Mary Jenner, The Butterfly Pig
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If your child has ever felt scared at the doctor’s office, nervous before a procedure, or overwhelmed by medical experiences — this episode is a breath of fresh air. 💜
Today, Meredith sits down with Mary Jenner, nurse, mom, and founder of The Butterfly Pig, an organization transforming how kids experience healthcare through play and emotional safety.
Mary has trained over 100 hospitals worldwide and is on a mission to ensure that healing never causes harm. In this conversation, she shares:
✨ How play rewires t...
🥤Snack Break: Ep. 17 | Helping Your ADHD Child Thrive at School
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🎒 When your child holds it together all day at school… and then falls apart at home — you’re not alone.
In this Snack Break, Occupational Therapist and mom Caitlin Brown shares practical ways to help your child decompress after school, build calming routines, and set up a smoother morning rhythm.
From sensory-friendly transitions to visual schedules, these simple tools can make a big difference in your home.
💡 Catch the full conversation in Episode 3: “Backpacks, Routines & School Prep Tips from an OT Mom” — streaming now on Help! I Have Ki...
