Blog

ONLY 108. TOTAL!
August 23, 2020

Labor Day is coming soon. Just another 3-day weekend, right? Not really. Three-day weekends are unique parenting opportunities, especially now during the pandemic. Unlike the usual overbooked experiences of a 2-day weekend, with soccer games, play dates, and a “to do” list of chores, 3-day weekends are bonus times for [...]

REELING FROM CONCEALING
August 7, 2020

There are so many reasons this pandemic has been traumatic and depressing. People are ill and dying. Some are panicking, others disregarding and even defaming. But one of the subtler traumas has been caused by an unintended consequence of masks. I’m an infectious diseases doctor, and I believe in masks. [...]

One of the Things I Miss The Most
July 13, 2020

On a walk through the park the other day, I heard a sound I hadn’t heard in months, and realized it’s one of the things I miss most during this pandemic – the sound of a kid’s bat hitting a ball. There was, for the first time since March, a [...]

THE 4 INDEPENDENCE DAYS OF CHILDHOOD
June 15, 2020

OUR KIDS’ INDEPENDENCE DAYS As we approach July 4, our nation’s Independence Day, this is a good time to reflect on a different kind of “independence day.” Each day of a child’s life brings new growth and development, sometimes subtle, other times momentous. Among the many “firsts” in our kids’ [...]

A Graduation Speech for Parents
June 5, 2020

Well, graduation season is here and sadly the venue for most ceremonies is Zoom. But the accomplishments of your kids aren’t diminished by the pandemic. So, to all the graduates, from preschool through grad school, Congratulations! And yur accomplishments as parents, getting your kids to this point, are also not [...]

OUR BACKYARD DIAMOND
June 4, 2020

With the pandemic shutting down youth sports across the country, I thought I’d tell you about: OUR BACKYARD DIAMOND The grass is almost fully grown in now, where the base paths used to be. Our yard was the field of dreams when our kids were small. They wore the base [...]

No Regrets Parenting Moments with Even the Youngest Infants
April 20, 2017

I get letters. Lots of letters. This one from a mom in Horsham, Pennsylvania and really touched me – both for her kind words about “No Regrets Parenting” and for her creative applications of its principles (excerpted with her permission): Dear Dr. Rotbart: Thank you for your book, “No Regrets [...]

Milestone Madness – Don’t be a Victim!
April 20, 2017

Parents obsess about their kids’ milestones. They shouldn’t. My recent post for Parents Magazine explains why – click here! [...]

I Surrender! FaceTime and Skype are Great for Young Kids!
April 20, 2017

The American Academy of Pediatrics has changed its mind – it says it’s now okay for even the youngest infants to FaceTime or Skype. As a new grandparent, I couldn’t agree more (which is also a change of mind). Click here to read my “surrender” post for Parents Magazine. [...]

Parenting Lessons from the White House
December 21, 2016

Well, for anyone who hasn’t been on Mars for the past few months, you may have heard that the White House will have new residents beginning next month. Before the transition, I reflected for Parents Magazine on the lessons we as parents can learn from Sasha and Malia’s parents. My [...]

Two New Posts for Parents, Just in Time for Thanksgiving
November 1, 2016

We are entering a time of joy and celebration – holiday season is upon us and with it comes new challenges for parents. How do we raise our kids to appreciate what they have, to be grateful for their many blessings, and not to have a sense of entitlement. I [...]

Parents Magazine’s review of “Miracles We Have Seen”
November 1, 2016

Parents Magazine did a wonderful feature on “Miracles We Have Seen,” and nailed it with their title – “Why Doctors Believe in Miracles.” Indeed, the 75 leading physicians who wrote beautiful and moving essays for this book believe, and you will, too. For the Parents Magazine review, click here [...]

A Memorable Dinner with Teenagers
October 16, 2016

My recent post for Parents Magazine told the story of a remarkable dinner with a group of teenagers who showed maturity beyond their years. Their responses to a provocative discussion question give us some useful lessons in how to get our kids to stop making excuses. The question they were asked: Imagine you [...]

What a New Grandfather Advises Young Dads
July 27, 2016

On Father’s Day this year, I posted some advice in Parents Magazine for young dads. I was one myself, once, but now I see the world a little differently as a new grandfather. Click here for my post from Parents Magazine:   [...]

Motherhood, Full Circle
May 31, 2016

This Mother’s Day, as we welcome our daughter-in-law to motherhood with our first grandchild, we pay tribute to our own moms and ask only one thing of them – let us begin to repay the many, many blessings you gave to us when we were little. It’s time for us [...]

Helping your parents transition to grandparenthood
April 16, 2016

It’s hard to remember sometimes, when your parents are getting on your nerves about your parenting style and choices, but becoming new grandparents can be almost as disorienting and challenging as becoming new parents. Here’s my 7 tips for helping your parents make the transition – and helping you cope [...]

Dr. Rotbart’s Developmental Milestones of Parenting
March 7, 2016

The big news of 2016 (drum roll, please) my wife and I have become grandparents (!!!!) More about the grandparent thing coming in a future post soon, but for now, this is for our kids who have just become new parents, and for parents of all ages everywhere. While much is written [...]

Even Though the Super Bowl is Over
March 7, 2016

Peyton Manning’s announcement of his retirement brought back a lot of nice Super Bowl memories for those of us in Colorado. Here’s my post for Parents Magazine for this past Super Bowl. Yes the game is over, but the lessons for how to enjoy future big TV events with your [...]

I Wish You a Less Efficient New Year 2016
January 18, 2016

In my post this month for Parents Magazine, I make the case for being a little less efficient this coming year. In exchange, you’ll enjoy your parenting experience a whole lot more. Try these 6 easy steps towards inefficiency and parenting fulfillment: Click here for my latest post, and share with others [...]

NOW is the TIME to become the parent you want to remember being
December 3, 2015

In this month’s post for Parents Magazine, I ask the question: How will you feel when your kids are grown up? It’s an important question, as you’ll see – and it happens faster than you can imagine. When you walk by their empty bedrooms, will you have regrets? To read [...]

1 Comment

WHEN FLOWER GIRLS GROW UP
November 6, 2015

Our niece was the flower girl at our wedding 29 years ago grew up, and is now a beautiful bride. But in the generation since our wedding, is the world a better place for our little flower girl? And will it be a better place a generation from now when [...]

1 Comment

Grandma’s Wisdom Protects Your Kids from Back-to-School Germs
September 8, 2015

Grandma’s Wisdom Wins Again! When it comes to protecting kids from back-to-school colds, flu, and other germy annoyances, Grandma had it right – sleep, exercise, bundling up in the cold weather and…chicken soup? See my post this month for Parents Magazine; click here:   [...]

THE DAY OUR KIDS’ HEROES CAME TO OUR RESCUE
August 6, 2015

As the water cascaded down our basement walls during the summer’s worst storm, out from the drawers and closets and storage bins came our kids’ childhood heroes racing to the rescue. Faded and tattered as they may have been, their courage and strength in the face of adversity were exactly [...]

1 Comment

Your Kids’ 4 Independence Days
July 4, 2015

Happy July 4! Independence means lots of different things to lots of different people. But for parents, there are 4 milestone moments during kids’ childhoods that stand out for the independence they represent for kids – and for you! Click here for my post this month for Parents Magazine. And for [...]

YOUR LICENSE FOR FUN – SUMMER CAR GAMES
June 13, 2015

Time in the car with your kids is precious quality time. It’s much more than just getting somewhere – this is time to treasure with a captive audience buckled into their car seats or seat belts. Don’t waste with your kids plugged into earbuds or watching a DVD. Whether you’re [...]

1 Comment