Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

• How to Talk with Kids About Disasters, Illness, and Other Tough Topics

  In the wake of recent flooding in Central Texas, Katie Taylor—child life specialist and mom—pauses the regularly scheduled episode to speak directly to parents navigating uncertainty and grief. Whether you're facing a natural disaster, a scary news event, illness, or another tough moment, Katie offers a compassionate and practical framework to help guide difficult conversations with your child. Drawing from both her professional experience and personal moments with her own daughter, Katie walks you through a 5-step process to ensure these talks are grounded in safety, emotional connection, and honest, age-appropriate communication. Questions, media or collaborations? Reach out to us at [email protected] What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why regulating yourself is the first step to supporting your child How to assess what your child knows or believes about an event (and correct misconceptions) Strategies for explaining complex topics in clear, simple ways How to validate emotional reactions, even when you don’t have all the answers The importance of ending with a bonding activity to reinforce connection and security Katie’s 5-Step Framework: Regulate yourself Assess what your child knows Explain complex information simply Validate their emotions and responses Close with connection and bonding 🤝 Resources Mentioned: 🔗 Child Life Disaster Relief (CLDR) – Supporting families and professionals during crisis situations: https://www.childlifedisasterrelief.org 📚 Flooding & Crisis Resource Hub for Parents and CCLS: https://childlifeoncall.com/hillcountryfloods   [00:00] – Welcome & why this episode matters right now (Texas flooding) [01:00] – The emotional toll on parents and the importance of self-regulation [02:00] – Personal reflection: Katie shares how she coped this weekend [03:00] – Step 1: Why regulating yourself is step one in helping your child [04:00] – Step 2: Two ways tough conversations begin (reactive vs. planned) [05:00] – Creating a safe environment: timing, tone, and physical comfort [06:00] – Step 3: Assessing what your child knows and clearing up misconceptions [07:00] – Example: When Katie’s daughter feared the pool would flood their home [08:00] – How to explain complex topics like weather in simple, honest language [09:00] – Step 4: Reading your child’s cues and inviting collaboration [10:00] – When kids ask heartbreaking questions (e.g. “Did kids die?”) [11:00] – Validating your child’s emotions and offering honest responses [12:00] – Step 5: How to close the conversation with a bonding moment [13:00] – Simple ideas: drawing together, taking a walk, or reading a book [14:00] – What to do when you don’t have the answers to their questions [15:00] – Why the message of safety, love, and presence matters most [16:00] – Acknowledging the incredible work of Child Life Disaster Relief (CLDR) [17:00] – Where to find resources: childlifeoncall.com/hillcountryfloods [18:00] – Final encouragement: You can do this—and your words matter less than your presence

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• The NICU Dad Experience: A father’s view from the NICU [REPOST] (257)-Alex’s Story

  What happens when your world changes with a single phone call? In this powerful reposted episode, NICU dad and advocate Alex Zavala shares his emotional journey of fatherhood after his daughter was born at just 27 weeks. From the emergency C-section and NICU stay to the emotional toll of the "NICU dad shuffle," Alex opens up about the lesser-heard experience of dads navigating medical trauma, guilt, and resilience. As the host of the NICU Dad Podcast, Alex continues to amplify the voices of fathers facing similar experiences. This conversation is an essential listen for NICU families and healthcare professionals alike, reminding us of the often unseen emotional weight fathers carry and how vital their perspective is in family-centered care.   Key Takeaways from this week’s episode:   Premature birth can happen suddenly Fathers experience trauma too  The “NICU dad shuffle” is real  Life after the NICU is still challenging Community and storytelling are healing for fathers   Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] – Welcome & Episode Intro Alex’s story as a NICU dad begins with two premature daughters [04:00] – The NICU Numbers That Stay With You 27 weeks. 2 lbs. 5 oz. 67 days in the NICU—numbers you never forget [06:00] – A High-Risk Pregnancy & Sudden Crisis Despite a stable pregnancy, a 9:00 AM phone call changes everything [10:00] – The Emergency C-Section Racing to the hospital, trauma in the OR, and feeling helpless [15:00] – A Whirlwind of Fear & Responsibility Trying to stay strong for his wife and unborn child amid chaos [20:00] – The NICU Dad Shuffle Begins Managing hospital visits, home life, and caring for the rest of the family [27:00] – The Guilt of Having to Choose The emotional strain of not being able to be everywhere at once [33:00] – First NICU Visit & Early Trauma Walking into the NICU for the first time—alone, overwhelmed, and unsure [38:00] – Life After the NICU: It Gets Harder Why going home with a medically fragile baby brought even more pressure [40:00] – Dads Carry Trauma Too Postpartum stress, partner support, and being the emotional anchor [42:00] – Healing Through Storytelling Why sharing his story and connecting with other NICU dads has been life-changing [44:00] – Where to Find Support 💪 Join the NICU Dad Push-Up Challenge!NICU dads carry an invisible weight—emotionally, mentally, and physically. The "Built For This" Push-Up Challenge is a powerful way to honor that strength. Complete 100 push-ups a day for the number of days your child spent in the NICU, share your journey on social, and tag fellow NICU dads to join. This isn’t just a fitness challenge—it’s a movement to raise awareness and spotlight the resilience of NICU fathers. 🔗 Use hashtags: #musclesandmiracles #pushwithpurpose #thenicudadpushupchallenge   Resources & Links from today’s episode 📌 Follow Alex & The NICU Dad Community: Website Podcast Instagram  🎧 More episodes: Child Life On Call Share This Episode Know a NICU dad, partner, or healthcare team that would benefit from hearing a father's perspective? Share this powerful story to spark compassion, awareness, and connection. 🎙️ Subscribe & Review: Help more families find these stories by subscribing and leaving a review. 📩 Contact us: [email protected] 🎧 Listen Now and Honor the Stories of NICU Fathers Like Alex The Child Life On Call Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Child Life On Call Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Child Life On Call. Child Life On Call does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Child Life On Call and its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.

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• Helping Kids Swallow Pills:Tips and tricks for Parents from a Child Life Specialist (256)-Adina's Story

  Learning to swallow pills can be a major milestone—and a big challenge—for many kids. In this episode, certified child life specialist Adina Levitan joins host Katie Taylor to break down the myths, fears, and best practices behind teaching children how to confidently swallow pills. From her clinical expertise to creative solutions like affirmations, games, and candy "pill" practice, Adina walks us through her unique approach to supporting kids and parents through this skill-building process. Whether you're a caregiver, clinician, or a parent trying to help your child at home, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and practical steps you can start today. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why pill swallowing is a learned skill that takes time and practice ✅ Tools and strategies to make learning fun and pressure-free ✅ How to create a pill-swallowing kit and step-by-step plan ✅ Creative tricks like affirmations, bingo, and candy practice ✅ Why early, low-stress practice is key—and how to know when to ask for more help   Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] – Meet Adina, CCLS Child life journey and hospital experience in surgery and oncology [06:00] – The First Pill Swallowing Consult How a simple Facebook post launched a new resource [08:00] – Why It’s Not a One-and-Done Skill Building confidence over weeks, not minutes [09:00] – The Candy Ladder Using sprinkles, Nerds, and Tic Tacs as practice tools [11:00] – The Birth of a Resource How Adina’s workbook was created for families and clinicians [12:00] – Unrealistic Hospital Expectations Why pill swallowing consults need more time and less pressure [14:00] – Every Kid Is Different There’s no one-size-fits-all technique—just trial, error, and support [15:00] – Ideal Ages and Proactive Practice Why second grade and up is a great place to start [16:00] – What’s in the Pill Swallowing Workbook? Affirmations, tools, weekly trackers, tips & tricks, and more [20:00] – Setting Up for Success When to practice, how long, and how to keep stress low [22:00] – Suggested 6–7 Week Practice Plan Why taking your time is key to success [23:00] – Incentives & Bingo Making pill practice feel like play [24:00] – How to Get the Resource Details on accessing the workbook for families Resources & Links 📌Illuminate Child Life Website   📥 Pill Swallowing Workbook    📲 Download the SupportSpot app to get support for procedures and resources today!    🎧 More episodes: https://www.childlifeoncall.com/podcasts   Share Your Thoughts Has your child struggled to swallow pills? What strategies worked for you? Share your story or tag us with your own tips on Instagram. 🎙️ Subscribe & Review: Help more families discover these tools by leaving a review. 📩 Contact us: [email protected]   🎧 Listen Now and Learn How to Make Pill Swallowing Easier for Kids     The Child Life On Call Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Child Life On Call Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Child Life On Call. Child Life On Call does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Child Life On Call and its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.

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