Volume 11, Issue 3
March  2009   

 

 
   We have had an outstanding response since we
   opened our practice to new families. In order to
   maintain the level of exceptional care our patients
   deserve, we have put a limit on the number of
   spaces available in Arlington Heights (150 spaces
   left) and we are at 25% of our goal for Algonquin.
   All interested families should call (847) 398-0400
   to schedule a "meet and greet" with one of our
   doctors or visit our "New Patient" page online.
 
 

 
     Beat the rush! If you need a Kindergarten, 6th 
     Grade, 9th Grade or College physical you can
     make your appointment today as times fill up
     fast over the summer months.
 
     To schedule a physical
     this April, May or June
     please call our office
     at (847) 398-0400.
     You'll be glad you did!

              This article provided by the American Psychological Association presents valuable information for your family.
 
   In this time of extreme economic stress, it is difficult to leave the problems of the economy off the kitchen
   table. Fears about mortgages, college tuition, retirement, and day-to-day expenses haunt the halls of
   many family homes. Children are no doubt noticing the increased stress of their parents during the
   financial crisis and may be experiencing their own stress as a result.
 
   “Children are extremely resilient,” says psychologist Dr. David Palmiter, “However, they are keenly aware
   of tension in the household, whether it is from the financial situation or from other familial problems. It is
   important to be honest with your children, yet only share information that you think they can handle.”
 
   While open communication between parents and their children is the foundation of a healthy relationship,
   parents should not overburden their children. Instead, address problems at age-appropriate levels. For
   example, what a parent might tell a younger child about the family’s financial situation is different then
   what they might tell an adolescent; young children may interpret the situation as more dire than it actually
   is. Older children and teens will be more exposed to the news--discussing their understanding of the
   economy and its implication on the family can be reassuring.
 

How parents phrase their worries about the financial situation influences a child’s interpretation. Younger children may take overheard statements such as “we’re going
to the poor house” literally and thus internalize fears about losing their home. Talking
to your children and asking them their thoughts and ideas will help clear up any misunderstandings, ease their anxieties, and reduce their stress.
 
Families can also use their financial situation as an opportunity to manage their children’s expectations for material goods. Teaching your children about budgeting, perhaps by setting up a “savings account” for their pocket money, or by allocating a certain amount for charity, will help them better understand that an Xbox or an iPod 
   might not be feasible for the holidays this year.                  (To read more from this article, click here.)
 

At APL, no question is too silly and remember the first five-thousand are free.

 

 
Every year we ask our families to fill
out a new demographic form to keep
us up-to-date, per our office policy.

Now you can save time and paper
by printing the 2009 form below:

Family Information Sheet  (.pdf)

You can fax the form to 847-398-9590
or bring it with you on your next visit.
 

 


 
 
   Sleep is a critical component of your child’s health and well-being. A rested
   child is more likely to behave better, concentrate fully, focus attention and
   recover more quickly from illness. Fostering good sleep habits should start
   from infancy. It is far easier to prevent sleep problems than to treat them later.
  
   Newborn babies sleep an average of 16 hours a day. The safest place for a
   young infant to sleep is on his/her back in their own sleeping place (cradle /
   bassinet / crib) with a firm mattress in their parents’ room. Around four to six
   months old, a baby often will start to increase the number of hours in a row that
   they can sleep at night. A schedule of two to three daily naps develops in the second half of the first year.   
 
   Good sleeping habits for your baby can be achieved by the following guidelines:
 
   Daytime hours should be active and engaging for your baby. Nighttime should be quiet and calm. Contact
   with your baby should be brief and boring at night. 
   
   Hold and snuggle with your baby at times other than feedings to avoid comfort nursing / feeds or grazing
   (feeding every time you hold him/her).
 
   Encourage self-soothing. While a young infant cannot be spoiled and should be responded to for crying,
   it is acceptable to allow your baby to “cry it out” starting at 4 months old. Learning self-soothing behaviors
   will help your baby get back to sleep by him/herself when he/she wakes naturally several times throughout
   the night. 
 
   Toddlers and preschoolers sleep an average of 12 hours at night and take one nap. By age 3 or 4, naps
   often are discontinued. School-aged children require about ten hours of sleep per night. Preteens and
   teens need about nine hours of sleep. 
 
   Good sleeping habits for your child can be achieved by the following guidelines: 
 
   Establish a standard bedtime preceded by a regular bedtime ritual. It may be helpful to alert your child of
   her approaching bedtime. Give a warning at 30, 10, 5 and 1 minute to allow your child time to wind down
   and finish activities prior to the bedtime ritual. The pleasant bedtime routine should be predictable and
   uncomplicated (bath, brushing teeth, story time, short conversation with parent).
 
   Allow your young child a favorite stuffed animal or blanket to help ease insecurities throughout the night
   and help your child to relax. 
 
   Once put to bed, your child should stay there. There should be a rule against leaving the bedroom after
   bedtime (except to use the bathroom). Return a child immediately to his/her bedroom without engaging
   in conversation. Being consistent in your expectations at bedtime and ignoring questions or demands
   will help to eliminate bedtime protests.   
 
   For the older child, stress the importance of sleep, avoid caffeine and keep computers, televisions and
   cell phones out of the bedroom. (Late night “texting” is a common activity for teens.)
 
   Remember that every child is different and some need more sleep than others. If your child seems tired
   or moody she may not be getting enough sleep. The best way to know if your child is getting enough
   sleep at night is to observe your child.
  

 

We have made it easy for you by
centralizing calls for both offices.
To make an appointment, talk to
a nurse or to contact a physician,
dial our main office number.
 
(847) 398-0400 Main Number
(847) 398-9590 Fax
 
algonquinpediatrics.com
arlingtonpediatrics.com
 

  Dr. Kathy was born and raised 
  in Chicago. She attended
  Loyola University for both her
  undergraduate and medical
  degrees. She completed her
  residency training at the

 
  Ronald McDonald Children's' Hospital at Loyola
  University in Maywood. She has been practicing 
  pediatrics in the Chicago area since 1997.
 
  And now you know a bit more about Dr. Kathy S.
 

Our motto: "We treat our patients like our own children and grandchildren."

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