Episode 320: Vaccinations for Infants, Toddlers & During Pregnancy: A COVID-19 Discussion with Dr. Erica Pan

There’s so much information out there when it comes to our children’s health. Throw COVID-19 vaccinations for infants and toddlers into the mix, and it just got a lot more overwhelming. But we’re here to help! This week we sit down with an expert: the Deputy Director of the Center for Infectious Diseases and State Epidemiologist, Dr. Erica Pan. We talk about everything you need to know about COVID-19 vaccinations for infants, toddlers and pregnancy. She answers the questions we’ve all been wondering, like how the vaccine trials for children work, vaccine dosages for our littlest ones, and even getting vaccinated during pregnancy. Dr. Pan is a mom to two teenage daughters, so she understands how some parents may be feeling uneasy with so much new information. We hope this episode helps ease your mind and get your family vaccinated!

This episode is brought to you by the CA Department of Public Health.

#VaccinesSaveLives

More about Dr. Erica Pan: Erica Pan, MD, MPH, FAAP, the Deputy Director of the Center for Infectious Diseases and State Epidemiologist, was sworn in July 13, 2020. Prior to joining CDPH, Pan served in several positions at both the Alameda County Public Health Department since 2011, and the San Francisco Department of Public Health from 2004 – 2011. She is also a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of California, San Francisco. She maintained her clinical work at San Francisco General Hospital and at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland in Infectious Diseases until 2019.

Our Conversation with Dr. Pan

What can you tell us about the latest vaccines now available for infants and toddlers over 6 months?

Are children receiving the same dosage as adults?

What does the vaccine dose schedule look like for kids?

What do the vaccine trials entail? Who are these kids? What are they looking for?

What about super mamas who are listening who are currently pregnant or thinking about conceiving? Is it safe for them to receive the vaccine? As a mom, what tips do you have for them to protect themselves and their babies?

Does it matter when you get vaccinated during your pregnancy? First trimester vs. third?

Is it true women’s periods can change after receiving the vaccine? 

Does the vaccine affect fertility? 

Where can parents take their children to receive their COVID-19 vaccines?

How can we continue to help our family, friends and community receive the best information regarding COVID-19?

Call your pediatrician or health clinic to get your child vaccinated or, for listeners in California, go to MyTurn.ca.gov or call the hotline at 833-422-4255 to find a vaccine near you.

Pick or Tip of the Week

This week Paulina is on vacation in Oaxaca, but she’s been prepping for her trip by looking for a new bug spray! She found this natural bug spray that she’s carrying in her purse and also clipped on to the girls’ backpacks so everyone can be protected at all times! Another tip she learned about keeping the mosquitoes away is that they don’t like yellow lightbulbs. What are some other tips you have for keeping the mosquitoes away?

Bricia’s pick is more of a tip, but it’s to get and use a salad spinner. It might take up a lot of space in your kitchen, but trust her, it’s essential!

Links

Visit https://myturn.ca.gov for more information on COVID-19 and vaccinations.

Follow the California Department of Public Health on Instagram @capublichealth and like their page on Facebook.

Episode 281: Keeping It Real with the Super Mamas: Living in a Post-Pandemic World with Pandemic Struggles

We’ve on a bit of a hiatus this month and in today’s episode, we explain why. Our family’s restaurant, Guelaguetza, has been extremely busy (in a good way!) as covid restrictions begin to lift. We’re getting back to our roots and putting in work at the restaurant as servers, bussers, bar backs - wherever we need an extra hand. We’re hustling to get things done in the restaurant everyday, but we also realized we need to practice what we preach and take some time for self care when we need it most. So we took some time off for ourselves to celebrate our little sister, Elizabeth, and enjoy her bachelorette party! This is still a crazy pandemic time we’re living in, but we’re taking every opportunity to be thankful and use the wellness tools we have picked up along the way to help ourselves get through the tough times. We’re excited to move forward in 2021, more normalcy and more business!

P.S. BE NICE TO PEOPLE! Especially service industry workers. When you listen to the episode, you’ll know why. 😉

Pick or Tip of the Week

Paulina’s tip - On the days you feel like you want to quit, don’t. Slow down, start small and don’t stop.

Bricia’s pick this week is an electric lighter (you might have caught her Instagram story earlier this week). All you do is charge it with a USB! It’s one of the best new inventions of the 21st century. 😂

Episode 272: Dealing with Post-Pandemic Anxiety in Children with Dr. Maritza Mikolich, PsyD, LMFT

The world may be getting ready to reopen again, but are our kids ready for in-person school after a year of virtual learning? We speak with therapist Dr. Maritza Mikolich about anxiety issues our children might be facing when going back to post-pandemic life. We talk about behavioral signs to look for and how to listen and validate their feelings. She also offers tips on how to help them get back to normal in-person socialization in a safe & healthy way!

Before the episode, we’re talking about Eddie going back to school! He’s so excited to see his friends and it feels like he grew up overnight (or during quarantine 🤣) because he’s getting ready for school on his own and even packing his school snacks, including the new plant-based Sabra Kids Snack Kits. We dared Eddie, Krista and Sabina to try the snacks and all they talked about was how good they were! The girls love the yummy Brownie Batter flavor and Eddie can’t get enough of the Taco dip, especially the delicious tortilla chips. We’re daring YOU to dare your kids to try these snacks - we know they’ll love it!

More about Dr. Maritza Mikolich: Maritza is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a doctoral degree in psychology. “I come from a traditional Mexican family, raised in the United States and spoke Spanish as my first language. My parents were born and raised in Michoacan, Mexico and moved to the U.S. for the American dream of giving their family better opportunities. It was that dream that highly motivated me to follow my passion by going to college and studying psychology when I discovered it in high school. I was the first college graduate in my extended family to get a college education. I obtained my bachelors degree at the University of San Diego, my masters degree at Saint Thomas University in Florida and my doctorate degree at Alliant International University in San Diego. During my studies, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico and Madrid, Spain.

“I have therapy experience working in different settings including: youth and parents in foster care, teenagers in group homes, children in schools who struggled with behavioral issues, individuals struggling with co-parenting issues, and crisis intervention with all age groups. During the pandemic, in October 2020, I decided to start my private practice in hopes of giving back to the Hispanic community. I provide psychotherapy primarily to adults in English and Spanish virtually through telephone and video throughout the state of California. I provide individual, family and couples therapy virtually to people struggling with depression, anxiety,  trauma, life stressors, and relational problems.”

For more information on how to contact Dr. Mikolich, check out her site DrMikolich.com and scroll below for more links!

Tips & Resources for Parents from Dr. Mikolich

Parenting During Covid

• Self-care

• Manage your own emotions

• Manage your home environment

• Be more aware of your child’s mental health

• Practice healthy communication skills

• Manage school stress

Suggested Reading

• Children's Books for Anxiety: "Ruby Finds a Worry" by Tom Percival

• Positive Discipline by Jane Nelson (several option depending on child's age)

• 9 Ways to Cope With Anxiety as a Family During the COVID-19 Pandemic via Parents.com

• Parenting in the time of COVID-19 via World Health Organization

• Parenting in a Pandemic: Tips to Keep the Calm at Home via HealthyChildren.org

• NEW RESOURCE PACK: POSITIVE PARENTING IN COVID-19 ISOLATION via end-violence.org

• Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19 via NASPonline.org

Resources

• National Parent Helpline 855-4APARENT

• Parents Helping Parents: 800-882-1250

• San Diego Crisis & Access Line: 888-724-7240

• Youth Talkline: 877-450-5463

• Resources in San Diego: 211

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

• National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI): 760-722-3754

• Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): 800-826-3632

• Codependency Anonymous: 888-444-2359

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

Pick or Tip of the Week

Bricia’s pick is the covid vaccine. She and Paulina are lucky enough to have received their first rounds of the shot and they are very thankful they’re on the road back to normal life. Bricia suggest doing the research, finding reliable sources and talking to your doctor about any questions you might have. If it’s your turn and you can get the vaccine, get it! You can find more information at myturn.ca.gov.

Paulina’s pick is Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty. Her therapist suggested it as a tool for Krista to use to that help ease school stress and use during study time. It’s kind of like slime and it’s relaxing.

LINKS 

Learn more about Dr. Mikolich and her practice at drmikolich.com. Call or email for a free consultation at therapy@drmikolich.com. She is also available for virtual appointments via video or phone.

Try the new Sabra Kids Snack Kits now! Click here to find a grocer near you.