And so we begin.

Why is the first post so difficult to write? I have so much to say and explain, yet I find myself staring at a blank page not knowing where to begin.

I guess the most obvious place would be to talk about why I am starting this site.
I have long dreamed of a place where information on parenting with a focus on the long term goals of parenting was the focus. A place to look past the everyday, endless decision making of parenting (what diapers to use, which strollers are best, breast vs formula, should I start with rice cereal or avocado, temper tantrums in toddlers, etc…) and dive into the values we want to instill in our children. Don’t get me wrong, the never ending list of questions associated with parenting are critical, but I have found a plethora of information on the web available for parents to find opinions and information about those topics.

However, what I want, what I have searched for and what I need, is a place that provides information on how we raise our kids to be the types of adults this world needs. What does it mean to be a good human, a kind human, a compassionate human? How do we manage to take our tiny bundles of joy and over the course of 18+ years provide them the life skills to become functional, independent and intelligent adults who make the world a better place? Historically, people have looked for those answers through close family, close knit neighborhoods, school districts and organizations of faith. In our broadening and increasingly secular world, this blog is an attempt bring together the parenting community at large. I hope to open new avenues of communication and create on online “ gathering place” that shares, discusses and supports each other in the parenting of our children.

I am a Neonatologist by training; a doctor who specializes in caring for sick and premature infants in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I love talking with friends and families about the joys and stresses of parenting - from parenting at home to parenting in the backyard, to parenting in the NICU, and even parenting around the world.

The idea for this blog started at a lunch with 2 friends. I was the last to arrive. At some point during our conversation, one friend said “we were talking before you got here, wondering what parenting pearls and information you were going to teach us today”. Immediately, my reaction was “What? I don’t tell you how to raise your kids.” I was defensive and embarrassed. I NEVER want to tell people what to do with their kids. But after talking with them, I realized that I absolutely love talking about all things parenting related. I want to talk about these deeper goals of parenting, and provide insight where I have it and share struggles and flat out failures. As a mom of three and a pediatrician and neonatologist, I have seen a lot and read a lot and have a lot to share.

My goal for this blog is simple - to provide helpful, meaningful, and practical information that I have come across in order to engage parents - from parenting in the NICU to parenting around the world. I want to provide content that will help us move through this crazy world of parenting, without stepping on your values or judging your parenting decisions. Let’s connect here and aim to raise kids the world needs, instilling compassion in our kids one child at a time.

Follow along with me as we explore core values, parenting styles, the struggles of parenting in the NICU, cringing as we make mistakes and allow our children to make their own mistakes (and hopefully learn from them) and help kids explore the world around them. Let’s tackle the everyday stresses of parenting and enjoy all the little moments of joy together.