Our pediatricians answer questions from parents in Promises magazine, a free quarterly publication by Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC. Read below for a list of questions and answers and submit a question of your own.

Submit your question to promises@chp.edu. Children’s Community Pediatrics will answer as many questions as possible in upcoming issues of Promises magazine.

Winter 2008
Q. My kids aren’t happy unless they’re playing games on the computer or sitting in front of the TV. What should I do? Read Answer

Q. What can I do to keep my child from whining? It’s become constant, and I find myself giving in just to get him to stop. Read Answer

Q. I thought that children overcame shyness by the time they were 4 or 5. My 5-year-old is so shy that she becomes almost paralyzed when someone asks her a question. What can I do to help her? Read Answer

Q. It seems as if my kids have the sniffles all winter. I don’t want them to miss too much school. How do I decide when to keep them home? Read Answer

Autumn 2007
Q. Should I worry if my children refuse to wear a hat, coat and gloves in subfreezing weather? Read Answer

Q. My husband and I smoke cigarettes, but we don’t want our children to take up the habit. How can we talk to them about not smoking? Read Answer

Q. How can we help our kids cope with stress now that homework and extracurricular activities are mounting up? Read Answer

Q. We’re thinking about a pet, but are concerned that our children may be too young to learn about caring and responsibility. What is a good age? Read Answer

Summer 2007
Q. My 8-year-old daughter says she wants to go to overnight camp with her friends. She has never been away for more than one night at a time. Is she too young? Read Answer

Q. After a summer away, how can I help my kids prepare for school? Read Answer

Q. My younger son wants to hang out with his older brother and his friends, but the older boy gets annoyed. Should I insist? Read Answer

Q.  How can I ease my toddler into potty training? Read Answer

Q.  When my 18-month-old is upset, he bangs his head against the crib. I’m worried he might crack his skull. Read Answer

Winter 2007
Q.  I didn’t take my child for a flu shot during the Fall, and now I wonder if it’s too late? We’ve been fortunate so far. He’s had only a few sniffles. Read Answer

Q.  I want my kids to be active – even indoors. How can I make sure it’s safe enough? Read Answer

Q.  How can I keep my 11-year-old daughter from hanging out with a child who I believe is a bad influence? Read Answer

Q.  How can I get my 7-year-old son to stop biting his nails? Read Answer

Q.  My grade school kids were on winter vacation for only two weeks, yet they’re having trouble readjusting to school night bedtimes. What can I do? Read Answer

Spring 2006
Q.  My 10-year-old despises wearing his bicycle helmet. How old does he have to be not to wear one? Read Answer

Q.  I sometimes think that my daughter, who’s now 4, was born talking. My 2-year-old boy doesn’t say a word. Should I be worried? Read Answer

Q.  My daughter hasn’t adapted since the start of Daylight Saving Time. What can I do? Read Answer

Winter 2006
Q.  When my son has a fever, I really don’t know how to react. How high does his temperature have to get before it’s considered an emergency? Read Answer

Q.  My older kids want to play outside, but I worry about them getting sick from cold or wet conditions and spreading the germs to their baby brother. What should I do? Read Answer

Q.  My children are usually very active, but come winter, all they do is sit on the couch and watch television. How do I get them to do something else? Read Answer

Autumn 2005
Q.  I want my child to be involved in activities, but sometimes it’s too much – for him and our family. What can I do? Read Answer

Q.  I keep a clean house. My children are clean, and so are their friends. Yet their school sent home notes that head lice have spread throughout some of the classrooms. How can this happen? Read Answer

Q.  My 10-year-old somehow forgets that she has homework – until bedtime. How can I make sure that she does her homework? Read Answer

Q.  How do I know if my child has a learning disability? He is having trouble keeping up with his schoolwork? Read Answer

Summer 2005
Q.  How can I tell whether my child’s symptoms are caused by a cold or allergies? Read Answer

Q.  I grew up afraid of the water. I don’t want that to happen to my child. When should I sign him up for swimming lessons? Read Answer

Q.  My child won’t wear a swim cap. What’s the best way to protect his ears while in the pool? Read Answer

Q.  I’m glad my little boy loves dogs. How do I teach him to be careful, but not afraid? Read Answer

Q.  How can I protect my children from getting bee stings this summer? Read Answer

Q.  My children and their friends enjoy exploring the woods on summer days. Is it inevitable that they’ll have allergic reactions to poison ivy or other similar plants? Read Answer