Hello,  Long time no blog...I've missed this blog, but let's be honest, we are one of the oldest child life blogs out there, there is so much new information, and social media has really taken over which is just incredible, I love the honest conversations and hard topics that are finally being addressed. I'm not promising anything, but I'm just going to say it feels good to be in this space again.  Some quick updates on my life... I got married(in a fully outdoors, covid safe wedding), moved to Texas, and am now working as an inpatient child life specialist after five wonderful years ..read more

Hi friends. It's been awhile. I don't know how many of you are even still following our little old blog here.  For the sake of followers, I am going to provide you with a few life updates.  If you follow us on Instagram, you may have seen that our very own Sydney is getting married. We can't wait to celebrate in the big city in just a few short weeks. It will also be my first time flying with a 6 month old! Sydney is still marching along as a jam up Child Life Specialist in the Emergency Department and remains incredibly active in the professional community.  But this pos ..read more

 Hear me out, I've posted a lot of toys over the years, and have not posted a new blog post for over a year. It's not even Tuesday. You need this.  If you are a Child Life Specialist you need this tool in your bag, box whatever you use. This tool only comes out during Halloween.  This tool will be your new best friend.  This tool is game changer in CT scans, VCUG's, infant distraction and so much more. (Unless you are cool and already have LED projector toys)  Go to your local Lowes or order online as soon as you can because these guys sell out every year. I just bou ..read more

Hi! Welcome back to Toy Tuesday!  Today I'm coming at you with a brand new find. Baby Shark has swept the nation. In every procedure you know we are listening, singing and dancing to the song. You might love it, you might hate it, you might love to hate it, but you will you do anything for the kids. My issue has always been when parents say, "they love baby shark," but they are under age two, and  I didn't bring my iPad with me. This new toy allows me to bring the song and not the screen. I'm in love with this. The Baby Shark Melody Pad. This little yellow guy is my new bes ..read more

My Mantra and Child Life Philosophy has always been:  "You are a Child Life Specialist no matter what you bring into the room with you. You are a Child Life Specialist because of what you know and what you can do, and that's all that matters." Today I am going to tell you a story of how I know Child Life is making an impact in my hospital. I have been a child life specialist for 4 years now.  A few weeks ago, I got a text from a nurse stating that a patient was being brought back from CT because she was refusing to hold still, and the techs wanted to sedate. The nurse -caring ..read more

So have you ever had a medical procedure done for the first time? Maybe you've prepped for surgery 15,000 times but never had it yourself? Well, this happened to me for the first time this summer. First with an Endoscopy and second with an MRI.  I hate needles. I can prepare a kiddo for a stick all day long, but personally I still struggle. My coping plan consists of looking away, pumping my other fist, and taking deep breaths. Sometimes I feel silly- but it works.  As I laid in the MRI machine, I thought to myself, "If I were a child, what would I be thinking right now?"  1 ..read more

Hello Friends! This is a product I should have shared years ago, but I'm just now getting around to it.   A baby soother is a magical little box that provides soothing vibrations, and noise to calm infants. The one we like at my hospital provides white noise, lullabies, heartbeat and running water. We utilize this product in the ED during procedures to soothe infants. I have found using this, with a combination of swaddling, sweetease, and pacifying works wonders. Our favorite brand is the Summer one and I will link it here. Its only aroun ..read more

This is a post I never thought I would have the courage to write, but as the one year anniversary of the Las Vegas Route 91 mass shooting is approaching, I thought it was time. Quick Backstory: I work in a Children's Hospital within an adult hospital as a child life specialist in the pediatric emergency department. October 1st 2017, started out as a normal night in the emergency department, it was low census due to a strange annual lull in patients from the end of September to the second or third week in October.  It was almost 10:00pm.  I remember, I was sitting at my station ch ..read more

And just like that another FACLP Conference is in the books...  I love FACLP.  I love conferences.  I love child life.  I love feeling revitalized.  I love networking with people of like minds.  What about you?  This year's FACLP theme was "What's in your Tool Box?" My first thought was... "Well that doesn't really apply to me anymore, does it?"  But as always, conference has a way of putting things into perspective for me.  My Tool Box is my Tool Box. Not yours. It's mine. I can have what I need in it to be the best I can be at whatever I mi ..read more

Hi friends!  So it's been nearly a year since we have posted anything on here, and yet in the mean time we still have constant emails regarding questions for those entering the wonderful field of child life! Yahoo!  I've been thinking about you all lately and what I would like to say to my readers... And honestly, I think it's more of a confession.  I am slightly embarrassed by my current job position. (And I don't know how to talk about it within the Child Life Community.) I have been working in a nonprofit, community based organization for almost 2 years now. (And I love it ..read more