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 elementary school to post-secondary; life is never dull! I am so thrilled to be connecting with all of you and look forward to sharing this parenting journey together!

How to help your teen make big decisions

Posted on December 5, 2017 by Nicole O'Donnell, RN

“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 Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Parenting, Parenting Your Teen, Teen Brain, Teens, Transition to High School | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Baby you can drive my car… I think

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Nicole O'Donnell, RN

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 Keeping Your Teen Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Teen, Teen Brain, Teens | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Through loss we grow

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Nicole O'Donnell, RN

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 Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Teens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Questions about puberty? No need to panic!

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Nicole O'Donnell, RN

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 Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Nicole O'Donnell, RN

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 Babies, Children & Tweens, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Pregnancy, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment