Kids & Family
Today’s guest, Mercedes Kwiatkowski, is a triple board-certified physician: She is a pediatrician, and most of what she does pertains to child psychiatry. In addition, she’s a blogger, a mom of two young children, and a wife. Today’s episode focuses on being a parent and also being a child psychiatrist. Some of the highlights of the show include: Some ways that Mercedes relates her experience in child psychiatry to her parenting, and vice-versa. Mercedes’s thoughts on some of the differences between boys and girls and the stereotypes that pertain to each gender. How being a parent has changed the work-life balance for a family with two busy physicians. How Mercedes controls her stress and calms down after a tough day at work before she gets home. Thoughts on how parental stress lends to childhood stress and anxiety. How the overuse of technology lends to screen addiction and anxiety, as well as tips on how to curb this. The stigma of mental health issues and how talking about it and knowing what to do with kids and adults who are struggling can help. Also, thoughts on finding a balance between honesty and being strong when parents struggle with their own anxiety.