Ep 25: Parenting in the Face of Chronic Illness with Dr. Maureen

Parenting is Easy Podcast

In this engaging episode of our podcast "Parenting Is Easy, Said No One Ever", we had an mindful conversation with Dr. Maureen. Not only is she a pediatrician, allergist and immunologist, she's also lived the experiences she talks about as a mother of a child with long-term health issues. Drawing from her personal journey, dealing with her daughter's pediatric cancer and type 1 diabetes, she shares valuable advice for how parents can effectively manage similar situations while taking care of themselves.
## Chronicle of a Pediatrician turned Resilient Parent
Dr. Maureen shares that her journey into specializing in long-term child health care was sparked by her own experiences. As a resident in Pediatrics, her six-month-old daughter was diagnosed with pediatric neuroblastoma, a type of pediatric cancer. This life-altering event distanced her from her dreams of being a mom and a pediatrician and plunged her into an unfamiliar world of anxiety and fear.
## Embracing Emotions and Taking Stock of Thoughts
A key element that Dr. Maureen emphasizes throughout the discussions is the significance of embracing emotions. Her journey taught her that thoughts lead to emotions, which lead to actions, which in turn, shape our lives' results. Emotions can sometimes be overpowering, leading us instead of us leading our lives. By becoming conscious of our thoughts and emotions, we can start to control our lives.
## The Central Role of Communication
Dr. Maureen is a strong advocate for maintaining open lines of communication, especially in families dealing with a child's illness. She explains how to approach the topic of the child's illness, making sure to tailor the conversation to the child's developmental age.
## Advocating for Children in Healthcare
When it comes to the child's interactions with the healthcare system, Dr. Maureen points out that children and their parents need to adopt an approach of advocacy. Advocacy means preparing for every medical visit with a list of questions or topics to be addressed.
## Nurturing Independence in Children with Chronic Illness
Dr. Maureen shares insights on nurturing independence in children with life-long illnesses. It's all about gradually letting control shift to the child themselves, allowing them to test their independence and learn from their successes or failures. This process is largely reliant on building trust between healthcare providers and the child.
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