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In this episode of MomDoc Talk, host Kristen Cook offers an honest look at the challenges of motherhood during pregnancy and infancy. Kristen shares her personal and professional insights on topics like postpartum body changes, sleep deprivation, emotional struggles, relationship shifts, and breastfeeding difficulties. She encourages mothers to embrace their “mom badges,” seek help without shame, and practice self-compassion. Kristen’s goal is to prepare and support mothers with realistic expectations, reminding them that it’s normal to struggle and that they are enough just as they are.

What you’ll learn:

• Realities of motherhood during pregnancy and the infant stage
• Physical challenges of pregnancy, including nausea and fatigue
• Postpartum body changes and the concept of "mom badges"
• Sleep deprivation and its emotional toll on mothers
• Emotional shifts after childbirth, including postpartum blues and depression
• Changes in relationships with partners after having children
• Challenges and experiences related to breastfeeding
• Normalizing feelings of frustration with certain aspects of parenting
• Importance of self-compassion and realistic expectations for mothers
• Encouragement for open communication and seeking help when needed

Order My Book:
Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them Thrive

Podcast Disclaimer

The information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Get a copy of Kristen's Upcoming Book: Parenting Redefined HERE

Follow Dr. Cook at: https://www.facebook.com/MomDocTalk/

Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/
https://twitter.com/momdoctalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@momdoctalk_kcmd?lang=en

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In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen addresses parents’ concerns about whether their child is in the right grade for their age, emotional development, and academic abilities. She explores the pros and cons of skipping a grade, redshirting, or holding a child back, considering academic, social, and emotional factors across school stages. Kristen emphasizes there’s no universal answer—each decision should be based on the child’s unique needs, with ongoing family support and reassessment. She encourages parents to focus on emotional health and development, not just academic placement, and to prioritize their child’s well-being above all.

What you’ll learn:

• Concerns about children's grade level in relation to age, emotional development, and academic abilities.
• Options for grade placement: skipping a grade, redshirting, or remaining in the current grade.
• Benefits and drawbacks of skipping a grade in elementary, middle, and high school.
• Emotional maturity and social development considerations in grade placement decisions.
• The impact of redshirting on emotional regulation, confidence, and academic performance.
• Challenges and potential stigma associated with holding a child back a grade.
• The complexities of middle school transitions and their effects on social dynamics.
• Long-term implications of high school grade placement on college and career readiness.
• Importance of family support and emotional coaching in educational decisions.
• Questions for parents to consider when making grade placement decisions.

Order My Book:
Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them Thrive

Podcast Disclaimer

The information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Get a copy of Kristen's Upcoming Book: Parenting Redefined HERE

Follow Dr. Cook at: https://www.facebook.com/MomDocTalk/

Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/
https://twitter.com/momdoctalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@momdoctalk_kcmd?lang=en

Send us Fan Mail

Today’s conversation dives into topics that can feel a little uncomfortable even for adults. If you usually listen with your kids, please listen to this episode first on your own.

In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and mom of two, guides parents on how to talk to their children about sex, reproduction, consent, and body safety. She breaks down age-appropriate strategies from toddlerhood through the teen years, emphasizing open, ongoing conversations using correct anatomical terms. Kristen addresses challenges like body curiosity, pornography, and the limits of school sex education, encouraging parents to build trust and empower their children with accurate, values-based information to foster autonomy, respect, and emotional intelligence.

What you’ll learn:

• Importance of age-appropriate conversations about sex and reproduction
• Developmental stages of children: toddlers, preschoolers, early school-age, tweens, and teens
• Use of correct anatomical terms to promote body autonomy and reduce shame
• Body safety education and the concept of consent
• Addressing body curiosity and inappropriate touching in young children
• Discussing puberty and physical changes with children before they experience them
• Navigating conversations about pornography and its unrealistic portrayals
• Educating tweens about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and safe practices
• Importance of ongoing discussions about consent and emotional readiness for teens
• Building a trusting parent-child relationship to facilitate open communication about difficult topics

Order My Book:
Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them Thrive

Podcast Disclaimer

The information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Get a copy of Kristen's Upcoming Book: Parenting Redefined HERE

Follow Dr. Cook at: https://www.facebook.com/MomDocTalk/

Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/
https://twitter.com/momdoctalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@momdoctalk_kcmd?lang=en