Diary of a Doc: Dr. JJ -- 1240 Days & Counting

Our intrepid Max, fully outfitted in khaki green Northface expedition parka and LL Bean subzero boots continues to love the freezing cold, ice storms, snow and subzero temperatures that define the heart of winter in Michigan. Spring break for the Wolverines comes the third week of February -- as the kids are likely to be in the depths of seasonal affective disorder, dreading short days and long nights, and tired of the daily slog through snow drifts to get to class, the prospect of a little fun for a week keeps them warm with hope.
Max's first inclination was to return home for some R&R. However, knowing that we would force him out on the trail of identifying employment for summer dashed his dreams of sleeping in, eating trays of food lovingly prepared by mom, and the prospect of doing nothing. Skip to Plan B -- a trip to Mount Rushmore, by bus, enduring 36 hours in a smelly seat with perfect strangers. Good enough? NO! Skip to Plan C -- a quick trip to New York to visit the United Nations, see a Broadway show, take in the Museums before they are impassable in the Spring, a return to Ellis Island to caress the inscribed names of his great grandparents -- you bet! With the kind offer of a friend to stay in her apartment while there, Max will trek to the bigger city to take inn a little culture, a lot of history, and while not really having a chance to defrost, enjoy the vibrancy that is Manhattan.
It will be a little late to see Conan, but no less thrilling.
So what does Mom do? Put away the trays (ready to be laden with home cooked food), forget about fluffing up the pillows, put herself back in the office to work, and mope a bit...all part of the necessary process of emancipation and detachment that both parent and young people experience at this stage of life! So much of the college experience comes from not what is conveyed in the classroom, but rather the coping, resourcefulness and creativity that comes from striking out on one's own, problem solving, living within a budget and surging forward steadily into real adulthood.
Yeah, I'm moping a bit, but inside, I am totally proud!

Health & Safety Tip: Are you keeping your New Year's Stay-Healthy Resolutions?

Well, we're 22 days in to the New Year and it's awe-inspiring to think how much change we've all been surrounded by of late! With all this excitement, it's sometimes easy to forget the promises we made to ourselves at the top of the year, so we thought we'd check in and see how your progress is going on your New Year's resolutions. We know how difficult it is to keep them, however well-intended they may be. So we're sharing our favorite stay-healthy resolutions that are actually easy to keep (and easy to pick up again any time of year)!

1. "I resolve to use sunsreen on my family every day."
   We know, we know..."But it's January! And we're not at the beach!" Believe it or not, harmful UV rays don't just make their appearance Memorial Day through Labor Day. Exposure to UV rays adds up all year round. The most effective way to prevent skin cancer (aside from staying out of the sun) is to use sunscreen 365 days a year. Our favorite (though we know we're biased) is the Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes SPF 30+. These indispensable sunscreen wipes are so easy to pop in the pocket of your winter coat and have a perfect amount of sunscreen to cover any exposed areas like face, ears & back of the hands -- any time of year.
   
   
2. "I resolve to wash my hands...a lot!"
   In our pediatric practices we are constantly bombarded with nasty germs, yet we rarely get sick. Our most tried & trued stay-healthy secret is surprisingly simple: We wash our hands constantly! Hand washing is the most effective (and easiest) way to prevent the spread of germs that cause colds, the flu, and several gastrointestinal disorders. Help your kids get in the habit early by teaching by example. Make it fun and lather up to a rousing rendition of the ABCs! If you don't have soap and water handy, go ahead and use a great multipurpose alcohol-free wipe or all-natural hand sanitizer.
   
   
3. "I resolve to adhere to the 30-second rule."
   Did you know the most effective way to maintain your and your baby's precious moisture barrier is to smooth on a moisture balm within about 30 seconds of patting dry? We like to call it the "30-second rule", and it's one of our favorite techniques to recommend to parents of children with eczema and dryness. Especially as the temperature continues to drop and winter dryness threatens even normally supple skin, we suggest at least a once-daily dose of moisture balm. A note to parents of children with very dry skin or eczema: One key to successfully treating these conditions is REPEATED application throughout the day.
   
   
4. "I resolve to up the antioxidant ante."
   Antioxidants protect us (and our babies) on the inside and out, aiding in skin repair and strengthening blood vessels. Blueberries are our top "superfood" choice for little ones (they're packed with antioxidants, phytoflavinoids, Vitamin C and potassium!) and a recent British study even showed that an antioxidant-rich Mediterranean diet may even prevent allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms in youngsters. When it comes to the outside, be sure to look for antioxidants like Vitamin E, Avocado Oil, Grapeseed Extract and Olive Squalane to protect baby's uniquely delicate skin from environment damage.

These resolutions we know we can keep... Now if only somebody would make it easier for us to stop eating chocolate and start jogging!

Diary of a Doc: Dr. JJ

A year and a half ago, I started to blog about my son in my practice newsletter - counting down the 400 days he had at home until his graduation from High School. Was he ready to go forth into the big world of college? Had we given him the right tools?
He successfully completed his journey and started as a freshman at the University of Michigan in September. Yet another countdown started, as I blog about his progress in college, our progress as empty nesters, and reflections of the life he faces currently. Enjoy as we pick up on this week's entry, and check back every Friday as we update our countdown...

1257 Days and Counting...

Brrrrr.....it's cold in Ann Arbor - freezing temps are hitting the entire Midwest and Northeast. From the comfort of our tropical climate, we shudder at the thought of even a 40 degree morning in LA - and yet thousands of our kids trudge bravely through several feet of snow, ice and slush to go to class, grab a hot chocolate, nourish in the dining hall, or just go to work! Max related that the other night, in the midst of an almost-blizzard, the fire alarms went off in his dorm, the kids trudged downward and outside, dreading the cold, and beleagured at the hour. What did they face at the front door - an army of energetic colleagues from the dorm across the way - and a pile of thousands of pre-made snowballs at the ready! The battle was on, the freezing temps didn't matter, as the proud warriors engaged in a contest that none of us could or would survive at our age. This is just one example of how our perspective changes with youth. Seriously, aside from a brief weather report from Max, I have not heard ONE complaint from him about the cold. His daily description is "It's so beautiful mom", and "thanks for the great coat and boots - 'cause I'm not cold."....and here I am this week, dreading a trip to NY, Boston and Providence next Friday - imagining that upon leaving the safe confines of a warm airport terminal, that I will IMMEDIATELY turn into a human popsicle and never recover! Of course the very mention of my anxiety arouses huge guffaws from my son, and a reminder from him that I have a little natural insulation to help me through such ordeals - oy!

The kids are gearing up for a celebration of hope on Tuesday as the inauguration and its' personal significance to Max and his friends is truly huge. I hope that we all stop and pause on Tuesday and realize the signficance of this very day. Think about the millions who will happily stand in the cold, ice, and snow to witness history, to revere freedom, and to support our country and its new president. Take the opportunity to share this event with your children, as it will generate such a variety of discussion points - both from the past and present. Whatever your politics, it is incumbent upon all of us to link together in mutual support in order to survive these tough economic and political times...

Have a great week - and enjoy this historic moment!