MMD BLOG


CATEGORY:

FAQS + PARENTING RESOURCES

THE DOCTOR IS IN: YOUR MOST PRESSING QUESTIONS ANSWERED

 Modern Mommy Doc


PUBLICATION DATE:

September 29, 2020

THE DOCTOR IS IN: YOUR MOST PRESSING QUESTIONS ANSWERED

 Modern Mommy Doc

CATEGORY: FAQS + PARENTING RESOURCES

“Is this rash normal?”


“Which car seat should I buy?”


“Should I be worried that she only eats yogurt?”


As a pediatrician, I get asked a lot of questions each day. As an author and a speaker, I get asked even more questions, but those usually fall into a different category. A category that deals with working-mom guilt, co-parenting, and balancing life and motherhood.


It is this second group of questions that we all need more answers to, which is why I have just launched a new line of online parenting programs – self-paced “classes” designed to spark simple but transformative change in your life. And it is in honor of these programs that I have decided to devote this week’s blog to some of the questions I hear most often from the creative, exhausted, determined, and real Mamas I have the privilege of seeing every day.




Q: I feel like I’m pulled in so many directions all day long. How am I supposed to do it all?


A: You cannot try to do everything well if you want to do anything well. You’re a human, not a robot, Mama, and human beings have strengths, weaknesses, and a real need for sleep. (And, in my case, almond croissants.) Instead of focusing on “doing it all,” hone in on what you want and what you need. Focus your mental, emotional, and physical energy on those things first. Then create systems and boundaries around the rest of your to-do list.



Q: You talk a lot about mindset being most important when it comes to motherhood. What does that mean?


A: I know a lot of moms who can ABSOLUTELY KILL IT when it comes to juggling everything. They can bake a birthday cake, cart the kids to and from soccer practice all week, show up like a boss at work – you name it, they’re on it. In the end, though, there’s just one thing missing: joy. Instead of feeling content and satisfied at the end of each day, they feel exhausted. And most moms I know feel conflicted when they think about where to place their energy. By focusing on mindset, we can better navigate the push and pull of motherhood to find a more centered vision for our lives as moms.




Q: WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM YOUR ONLINE PROGRAMS?

A: Our programs are designed to meet your needs in a way that’s accessible and digestible and fits your schedule. They’re chockful of evidence-based, expert information, but they’re also focused on solutions that will serve you in the long term. Each program is hosted by me and comes with an interactive manual so you can apply what you’ve learned to your own life and refer back to the information as often as you need to.


Q: What if I want more information or help after I complete a program?

A: Our programs should never be used as a substitute for in-person medical advice and are intended for educational purposes only. If you have an immediate health concern, you should seek help from your medical provider and/or your child’s pediatrician. If you want more Modern Mommy Doc-style support, however – there’s good news! We have four programs currently available, consulting sessions and, coming very soon, real-time masterclasses designed to help Mamas move from scattered to centered. And if you need quick answers now, tune in on Instagram when I field real questions in real time.

Raising Body-Confident Kids Starts at the Doctor's Office!

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By Modern Mommy Doc • October 9, 2026
About the Episode: There’s so much parenting advice out there, and most of it doesn’t matter nearly as much as the internet wants you to think. (Seed oils? We have bigger fish to fry.) In this solo episode, Dr. Whitney gets back to basics and shares the six evidence-based parenting principles she focuses on as a pediatrician, the ones she dug into with a leading child development researcher. She also shares how these play out in real life as a mom of two neurodivergent kids, because guidance only helps if it actually fits your family. Key takeaways: Be sensitive and responsive. Simple practices like mirroring your child’s emotions and “serve and return” interactions build a loving, trusting foundation. Dr. Whitney shares how a Halloween decorating session turned into a deep conversation about religion once she slowed down and got curious. Meet kids where they are, especially at their worst. Drawing on Tina Payne Bryson, co-author of The Whole-Brain Child , Dr. Whitney explains that soothing a meltdown isn’t giving in. It’s letting your child know they’re not alone in a big feeling. Model self-regulation, and repair when you lose it. Self-regulation predicts academic success better than IQ. The goal isn’t staying calm all the time, it’s understanding why you got dysregulated, coming back to baseline, and offering yourself some self-compassion. Set limits for your kids and yourself. Every child’s needs are different (screen time affects Dr. Whitney’s two daughters very differently), but all kids need limits, and so do parents. Taking time for yourself models something healthy. Aim for authoritative, not permissive. High expectations paired with warmth and grace is the sweet spot. “Gentle parenting” can blur into permissiveness, which research shows is as harmful as authoritarian parenting. Protect unstructured time. Kids need boredom and free play to become self-directed. For ADHD and autistic kids, Dr. Whitney recommends offering a few options and letting kids choose. Support internal motivation. Using a “mirrors facing outward” image from her own therapist, Dr. Whitney explains why we want kids to trust their own instincts rather than constantly look outward for approval. Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today? 📘 Order the Books Raising Body-Confident Kids If you've ever caught yourself saying something to your kid about their body that sounded exactly like what your mother said to you, this book is for you. Raising Body-Confident Kids is a research-backed, judgment-free guide for parents who want to break the cycle of diet culture and body shame without swinging into toxic positivity or giving up all structure around food and movement. It answers the real questions parents are actually asking about Ozempic, about picky eaters, about what to say when your kid is being bullied for their body, and about social media influences. This is a practical, values-based game plan you can actually use, even if your own relationship with your body is still a work in progress. My One-of-a-Kind Body My One-of-a-Kind Body gives kids the language and understanding they need to care for their bodies with respect without fear, shame, or appearance-based messaging. Through inclusive illustrations and evidence-based health education, the book teaches body literacy, boundaries, and self-trust in a way kids can actually grasp. 👉 www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books
By Modern Mommy Doc • October 5, 2026
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ON THE PODCAST


By Modern Mommy Doc • October 9, 2026
About the Episode: There’s so much parenting advice out there, and most of it doesn’t matter nearly as much as the internet wants you to think. (Seed oils? We have bigger fish to fry.) In this solo episode, Dr. Whitney gets back to basics and shares the six evidence-based parenting principles she focuses on as a pediatrician, the ones she dug into with a leading child development researcher. She also shares how these play out in real life as a mom of two neurodivergent kids, because guidance only helps if it actually fits your family. Key takeaways: Be sensitive and responsive. Simple practices like mirroring your child’s emotions and “serve and return” interactions build a loving, trusting foundation. Dr. Whitney shares how a Halloween decorating session turned into a deep conversation about religion once she slowed down and got curious. Meet kids where they are, especially at their worst. Drawing on Tina Payne Bryson, co-author of The Whole-Brain Child , Dr. Whitney explains that soothing a meltdown isn’t giving in. It’s letting your child know they’re not alone in a big feeling. Model self-regulation, and repair when you lose it. Self-regulation predicts academic success better than IQ. The goal isn’t staying calm all the time, it’s understanding why you got dysregulated, coming back to baseline, and offering yourself some self-compassion. Set limits for your kids and yourself. Every child’s needs are different (screen time affects Dr. Whitney’s two daughters very differently), but all kids need limits, and so do parents. Taking time for yourself models something healthy. Aim for authoritative, not permissive. High expectations paired with warmth and grace is the sweet spot. “Gentle parenting” can blur into permissiveness, which research shows is as harmful as authoritarian parenting. Protect unstructured time. Kids need boredom and free play to become self-directed. For ADHD and autistic kids, Dr. Whitney recommends offering a few options and letting kids choose. Support internal motivation. Using a “mirrors facing outward” image from her own therapist, Dr. Whitney explains why we want kids to trust their own instincts rather than constantly look outward for approval. Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today? 📘 Order the Books Raising Body-Confident Kids If you've ever caught yourself saying something to your kid about their body that sounded exactly like what your mother said to you, this book is for you. Raising Body-Confident Kids is a research-backed, judgment-free guide for parents who want to break the cycle of diet culture and body shame without swinging into toxic positivity or giving up all structure around food and movement. It answers the real questions parents are actually asking about Ozempic, about picky eaters, about what to say when your kid is being bullied for their body, and about social media influences. This is a practical, values-based game plan you can actually use, even if your own relationship with your body is still a work in progress. My One-of-a-Kind Body My One-of-a-Kind Body gives kids the language and understanding they need to care for their bodies with respect without fear, shame, or appearance-based messaging. Through inclusive illustrations and evidence-based health education, the book teaches body literacy, boundaries, and self-trust in a way kids can actually grasp. 👉 www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books
By Modern Mommy Doc • October 5, 2026
What really matters when it comes to college admissions (for you and for them).
By Modern Mommy Doc • September 17, 2026
Kids going off to college are mean for a reason.