Author Archives: Nicole O'Donnell, RN

About Nicole O'Donnell, RN

Hi! I have been working as a nurse supporting children and their families in acute care, clinic settings and now in public health for over 20 years. As a mother of 4 girls I am walking the walk and talking the talk – from early elementary to high school; life is never dull! I am so thrilled to be connecting with all of you and look forward to sharing this parenting journey together!

Through loss we grow

Posted on July 26, 2017

My father-in-law recently died. His diagnosis 4 years ago had hit me like a punch to the stomach. At that moment my mind jumped immediately to the end of his life and inside I panicked. My very happy childhood had … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental Health, Parenting, Preschool, preschoolers, School-aged Children, stress, Teens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Questions about puberty? No need to panic!

Posted on May 17, 2017

Is there anyone out there who looks forward to talking to their kids about puberty? If so, I’d like to meet them. I’ve never wanted to talk about puberty, not when I was approaching it, going through it or finished … Continue reading →

Posted in learning, Parenting, school health, School-aged Children, stress, temperament | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Mama needs a drink!” Is it time to rethink our drinking?

Posted on February 22, 2017

The Rethink Your Drinking campaign has me thinking. Thinking about standard drink sizes, the long and short term health effects of alcohol use and when zero alcohol is the limit. It also has me thinking about my kids. When I … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental Health, Parenting, Physical Health, Pregnancy, Preschool, Safety, stress, Teens, Tweens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mom versus mascara in the battle of the make-up

Posted on January 17, 2017

Mascara.  It’s a simple word, but somehow it has become the bane of my existence. Really and truly. I’ve never had any hard-and-fast rules when it comes to make-up use and my four daughters. Usually, if something seems reasonable it is worth … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting, School-aged Children, Teens, Tweens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Holiday traditions. Can you have too much of a good thing?

Posted on November 21, 2016

Oh, the holidays. It seems the second the jack-o-lanterns hit the compost we gear up to deck the halls. A holly jolly season ripe for memory making. Today, TV and social media are full of ideas on the latest, greatest … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental Health, Parenting, rush, rush; stress; hurry; hectic; childhood; play; explore; imagination; curiosity;, School-aged Children, Teens, Toddlers, Tweens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment