Parenting NH Administrator's Blog (232)

By Wendy Thomas

With the popularity of road races and triathlons, when is it too early for children to be involved in the sport of running?

Michelle Poublon has been a runner for 30 years and she is the mother of three children who also run. As a youth runner, Poublon ran track and field, and as an adult she is a distance runner who has completed six marathons including two Boston Marathons.



Currently the youth track and field program coordinator for Gate…

By Rob Levey

Summer is fast approaching, which for many families means outdoor excursions and activities, especially those that take place near and on the water. With New Hampshire now added to a growing list of states in which drowning is the number one cause of death in children younger than 5, swim safety has never been more important.

The question for many parents, however, is where to turn for help in protecting their…

By Rob Levey

With spring here, medical professionals from across the Granite State are helping their patients find natural ways to combat seasonal allergies. In getting started, experts agree the health and interrelatedness of your digestive, immune, and nervous systems greatly affect the nature and severity of your allergy symptoms.

Dr. Mikulis, ND, co-founder of Living Natural in Nashua, said she has her patients focus on sugars, dairy, whole…

By Wendy Thomas

Last year I wrote an article for Parenting New Hampshire about using portion plates – plates that show visual representations of how much food you should eat. On each, 1/2 of the plate had a graphic of vegetables, 1/4 of carbs, and 1/4 of meat or protein. The intent of these eating tools was to teach you how to balance your meal. You matched up the graphics to what you were eating and voila, you had yourself a balanced meal.

I used these plates…

By Julia K. Agresto

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma, you know it can be a struggle to manage, and at times a scary health concern for everyone involved. But what is asthma, how does a child get it, what are the triggers and what are the symptoms and treatment options?

According to Susan A. Schaefer, MD, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Specialty Care at Bedford Medical Park — whose institution affiliations include CHaD allergy and pediatric allergy — asthma is defined…

By Rob Levey

If you are looking for some new ways to keep you and your family fit, there are some new ways and places to go to get fit this summer.

Climb higher

Often portrayed as a sport in which individuals dangle from vertical rock cliffs by a mere finger, Evolution Rock and Fitness Founder Hilary Harris said such visual imagery is somewhat…

By Pamme Boutselis

We may chuckle at how adorable youngsters look in sunglasses, but these days sunglasses are far more than just a fashion accessory. It used to be that parents would snap up a pair of inexpensive sunglasses for their kids just for fun. But as we begin to better understand the…

With spring in full bloom and summer just around the corner, there’s no shortage of kid-friendly places to visit and things to do all over New Hampshire. For a concentrated dose of family fun, the Route 101 corridor from Manchester to the outer fringes of the Seacoast offers excitement and adventure off nearly every exit. 

By Jacqueline Tourville     

 …

When your kids are first born, being present means changing diapers, feeding, and rocking them to sleep. As kids get older, especially as they enter adolescence, being present means a lot more.

Sometimes, it can mean really listening to what your child has to say. Other times, being present could refer to something else entirely. The key at this point in your child’s life is to maximize the moments when they seek out your advice or want to share something with you, because…

By David I. Crowley, MD

What is fetal echocardiography? Fetal echo is the ultrasound evaluation of the human fetal cardiovascular system. The test is typically performed by a specially trained ultrasound sonographer, and the images are interpreted by a pediatric cardiologist like myself who specializes in fetal congenital heart disease (CHD). Some maternal-fetal medicine specialists (MFM, or perinatologist) also perform fetal echo.

Whom should OBs…

By Bill Burke

It looks like I've become the Mean Dad.

I've always said I didn't want to be that overbearing guy who forced his kid into an extracurricular activity she may not want to take part in. But recently our family came to a crossroads where mom and dad had to be the heavy.

In short, there's going to be violin music around our house for a little while longer, anyway.

Music has always been an important part of our family…

By Wendy Thomas

During a recent school vacation, my daughters asked me to take them to the store.

What do you need? I asked. Oh, we don’t need anything, they replied. We just want to go shopping.

Clearly my daughters have a bit to learn with regard to finances and shopping and so to help them on their path to financial security, I’ve come up with a list of ways they can help their mom save money.

Get a…

By Elizabeth Feingold

It’s hard to believe that another school year is winding down, but for those of us working in the field of special education, May and June are our busiest months because that’s when many annual IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meetings are held.

As a parent, you can prepare yourself and your child for this annual meeting in several key ways – ways that will not only help alleviate some of your anxiety, but will also help create a more…

Although tea was discovered in China, the English are responsible for the wonderful tradition of afternoon tea. One of England’s grand dames, the Duchess of Bedford, invented the afternoon tea party. Like many of us, she often felt her spirits flag in the late afternoon. She solved the problem with a reviving cup of tea and a light snack.

A tea break is a great opportunity to reconnect with your children after school. Take a 15-minute break to sit around the kitchen table…

By Jacqueline Tourville

What’s Memorial Day weekend without a picnic? To make this year’s traditional kickoff to summer even more memorable, give your backyard a break and take your gathering to one of these picturesque picnicking spots.

Merrimack Valley

Ready to grill? Grab the burgers and dogs and head over to Nashua’s Greeley Park on Concord Street. The picnic area rings the north side of this luscious…

A fighter since before she was born, she’s following in the footsteps of her parents

By Christina Hitchcock

Like so many young couples, Caitlin and Mike Rollo were excited to not only be starting a family but also to be finding out the sex of their baby a…

By Bridgette Springer

How will you be celebrating Mother’s Day this year? If you need some inspiration, we’ve come up with a list of getaways in New Hampshire sure to please. Whether you are the spa-loving type or adventurous nature lover, be sure to check out some of our favorite spots all right here in the Granite State. No need to pack the passport or book airfare for these wondrous getaways. All you’ll need is a weekend bag.

Did someone say spa?

There…

Manchester, NH – Spend the morning, afternoon or make a day of it at the Currier Museum of Art during April School Vacation Week, April 22-26. The museum is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 5 pm, and admission is FREE for all.

“The Currier Museum brings world-class art exhibits to our…

By Susan Nye

Earth Day kicks off April vacation this year. Let this historic day inspire you and your kids throughout the holiday week and the weeks and months to come. There are lots of family-friendly activities you can do to celebrate the earth and protect the environment.

To make the most of the vacation, start with a plan. Earth Day is a great opportunity to renew your family’s commitment to living green.…

What it means for patients and parents

By Jennifer L. McLaren, MD

One of my primary professional interests is treating children with autism spectrum disorders. Recently, parents have started to ask me questions about the upcoming changes to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual. These questions have included: What do you think of the DSM-Fifth Edition (DSM-5) changes for autism spectrum disorders? Why…