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!

The benefits of a healthy smile are more than you think!

Posted on April 11, 2018

On an elementary school ski trip my bestie had her front tooth broken off by a wayward t-bar chair lift. Three things were learned that day and the days that followed; finding a broken tooth in the snow is impossible; … Continue reading →

Posted in kindergarten, Mental Health, Oral Health, Parenting, Physical Health, Preschool, School-aged Children, Teens, Toddlers, Tweens | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is it hormones or mental health? What every parent needs to know.

Posted on March 5, 2018

I heard shouting down the hall… then crying. My daughter entered the room with an empty mug in her hand and she’s sobbing. “She spilled my hot chocolate.” So we are crying over…. spilled hot chocolate? Understandable behaviour if she … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental Health, Parenting, School-aged Children, stress, Teens, Tweens | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Who’s the boss? You or your phone?

Posted on February 5, 2018

The dinner is on the table, the milk has been poured, and everyone dives in. Well, everyone except one. There is one person at the table checking their phone. No. No. Not my daughters. Like many households, we have a … Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Mental Health, Parenting, preschoolers, School-aged Children, stress, Teens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How to help your teen make big decisions

Posted on December 5, 2017

“I need to decide what to do after high school!” This is the big topic of conversation in my house these days. It seems to be a cruel joke of nature that as teenagers approach one of the first big … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting, School, school health, School-aged Children, stress, Teens | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Baby you can drive my car… I think

Posted on October 17, 2017

Handing the car keys over to my 16 year-old is one of the most difficult parenting moments I have yet to encounter. Putting her on a 10 hour flight as an unaccompanied minor had caused me angst and kept me … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting, Safety, Teens | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 Parenting, school health, School-aged Children, stress | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments