Kids go through so many stages and they need someone to coach them at every step — and so do parents. Parents always need someone to reassure them, give them advice and also praise them. That’s the part I enjoy most. I also have experience caring for kids around the world so I love taking care of families from different cultures and backgrounds.
Growing up, I was the eldest of five siblings so I was helping my mother with them early on. Because of that I never had to push my heart in any way to care for children. Now that I’m a mother myself, I have been caring for kids all through my life. So it comes very naturally.
When parents have newborns I focus on the prevention of diseases and accidents, because prevention is better than cure. I also help them find developmentally appropriate things to do with their children. I love caring for teens as well, and I try always to counsel them so they can manage their time and pressures in school. I want to help them make good decisions for their path in life. I try as much as I can to guide them and to answer every question.
As a child’s pediatrician I’m usually the first stop for parents so my ability to be broad in my thinking is important. Every age brings its challenges and I try to cover as much as I can together with them. Specific things I try to advise parents about are nutrition issues, and in Florida we have water everywhere so water safety and sunscreen is also critical. I also enjoy taking care of families from different cultures because I myself came from a distant place so, we really understand each other.
