One day, J.C. decided he wanted a puppy to add to the organized chaos we called home. With my fingers crossed, I told him I was only allowed to potty train one living thing at a time, and until he stopped wearing diapers, we would only have a household of two-legged creatures. From that very instant, he was an official “big boy” and I was on the hunt for a puppy.

The trek for this puppy was six hours in a snowstorm—on New Year’s Day—to Minnesota (who would have thought, just to go to our pound!) to obtain the newest member of our family. All this for our foster son who called my bluff. Outsmarted by a 3-year-old, again.

It was a given that this puppy we named Riley would go with the children when they went home. Their parents loved the dog, bringing treats for the dog whenever they came to visit their children. Then their landlord had a change of heart. Like the narrator on Peanuts, I heard it echo loud and clear, “No dogs allowed.”

J.C. is still at home, and I still have his promised potty puppy. This cute little canine that came to us the size of a 12-ounce soda can, has morphed into a 6-year- old overweight dog who is blind in one eye, has a tumor on one leg and is a constant reminder of the first time I fell head over heels in love with a child that I parented that I did not birth. That it is possible to unconditionally love outside of your gene pool, to be a fiercely protective mama bear to someone who calls someone else mama. Life lesson brought by a 3-year-old boy and a dog.

So I leave you with this question. What life lessons have you learned in an unconventional way? Did an impromptu visit to a shopping mall bring about a lesson you learned? Did you finally see something for the first time through the eyes of a toddler that was there all along, but your eyes were closed to it?

Share with us. Let us learn through you!

Best to all this day,
Paulette

~ Paulette Drankiewicz, foster parent liaison, Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin

But if we think “outside the box,” what really makes this time of year so special? I think being with loved ones is what we all hold dear. Year after year, family after family, new traditions are created and old ones are honored.

When a child is in the hospital, being with family and honoring traditions can be a challenge. Families make their holidays come alive at the hospital with the help of staff and friends. Traditions and celebrations take on a different feel and meaning. Sometimes, simply being together is the most important gift.

With the help of a wonderful hospital staff and a generous community, we are able to provide significant support throughout the holidays. Our staff distribute donated gifts, host special events, deck the halls (literally) and serve special meals for children and their families. We also try to remove the barriers created by distance by providing gas cards or hotel accommodations so families can be close to the hospital.

So as we ring in the New Year, how do we stay focused on the good fellowship and feeling created during the past few weeks?

Think outside the box about the gifts you can share. Time, talent and thoughts about how to support a family struggling with a child in the hospital always will be greatly appreciated.

Happy New Year!

~ Maggie M. Butterfield, MS, director, Patient Amenities and Family Services, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
If you enjoyed this blog post, you might also enjoy reading our other blog posts about volunteering.  To learn more about giving and volunteering at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, visit our website.

To help showcase some of this year’s best blog posts, we put together the following list that ranks the 10 blog posts published in 2011 with the most views.

1. Updated car/booster seat recommendations – make sure your child is riding safely by Lisa Klindt Simpson, coordinator, Safe Kids Southeast Wisconsin.

2. Child Life team picks the 25 best toys of 2011 by Eileen Clark, MSM, CCLS, manager, Family Services.

3. The top 3 reasons you should volunteer at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin by Eileen Clark, MSM, CCLS, manager, Family Services.

4. Mason’s story is a story we should never forget by Jennifer Hammel, director, Child Abuse Prevention Fund.

5. Why I love working at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin-Fox Valley by Amy Evers, BSN, CPN, RN.

6. Let’s celebrate National Adoption Day! by Andrea Rivera de Vega, recruitment specialist, Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin.

7. Why Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is going purple for prematurity awareness by Melissa Hages, March of Dimes NICU Family Support specialist.

8. Meet me at the starting line by Rainer Gedeit, MD, program director, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

9. There’s no stopping Sofi by Rainer Gedeit, MD,  program director, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

10. I’m 18 Now! by Darcia Behrens, LCSW, supervisor/clinician, Family Services.

On behalf of everyone at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, thank you for reading and commenting on our blog in 2011. We are looking forward to a busy year in 2012, so I encourage you to subscribe to our blog via RSS to stay up to date on all our posts.

~ Julie Pedretti, director of public relations and marketing, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

As an art therapist, I have the opportunity to utilize my unique skill set, creativity, and the art process to bridge a seemingly insurmountable gap between hospitalization and home. I meet families in their time of crisis, when their sense of safety and well-being is tossed into chaos, and work with them to establish modicums of order, of control, of reconciling loss and of retaining hope.

The Expressive Arts Therapy Program at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is a collaboration with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin that supports families through difficult times, serving as an integral part of our overall mission of caring for children. The program recognizes that art making is healing and a necessary component to reconciling loss, exploring fear and sadness and rebuilding a sense of hope and well being.

I encourage you to watch the following video to learn more about the unique ways art therapy helps patients and their families at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGXTqlUZwKk

Please also visit our Patient Skywalk Gallery to see how art at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is an inspiring and universal language where all are welcome.

~ Marianne Huebner, MS, ATR, art therapist, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin
Marianne accepted the Best Bet of 2011 award from The Ronald McDonald House Charities Inc., recognizing successful and innovative efforts by a local Ronald McDonald House.

Watch the following video to see how winter-themed crafts and entertainment warmed the hearts of children, their parents and our staff members:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyDKcyeM3Qk

Happy holidays from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin!

~ Eileen Clark, MSM, CCLS, manager, Family Services, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Dr. Rohloff was recognized for his work instituting a more family-centered way of caring for kids that led to a change in the clinic’s approach to health care. This medical home model is being implemented more widely across the country, and thanks to Dr. Rohloff, Southwest Pediatrics is a recognized leader of this effort in our community.

Robert Rohloff, MD, was recognized as a health care hero.

I’ve known Bob Rohloff for 25 years and his tireless efforts to research and institute this approach and engage an outstanding health care team to sustain this model of care are truly amazing. He volunteers his own time to further the success of the programs he’s helped develop.

I can’t begin to describe how proud I am of Bob’s work as well as all of our Children’s Medical Group pediatricians. For all of them, it’s about caring for kids in the best way possible. Every day, they look for ways to improve patient care.

Making a difference in the lives of kids and families every day. Now that’s heroic.

Are you looking for a pediatrician? I encourage you to consider Children’s Medical Group with 16 clinics throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Visit www.childrensmedicalgroup.org to find a pediatrician near you.

~ Michael Gutzeit, MD, pediatrician and chief medical officer, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Despite electronic advances and having less social face-to-face time, children are still fascinated by bright colors, silly games and using their imagination. That’s why it’s our pleasure to present our team’s Top 25 Best Toys of 2011.

Create cuddle time

1. Fisher-Price Little Buttons Mobile
2. Pillow Pets
3. Taggies plush toys

Engage activity and dance

4. Fisher Price Stand ‘n Play Ramp Way
5. Fisher-Price Disney’s Dance Star Mickey
6. Hot Wheels
7. Mattel Loopz Electronic Memory Game
8. Mattel Sing-a–ma-jigs
9. Nerf toys
10. Radio controlled cars
11. Sesame Street Let’s Rock Elmo
12. Toddler sized push and pull toys (poppers, strollers, grocery carts)
13. Xbox Kinect

Games

14. Blokus Classic game
15. Lego board games
16. Uno card game

Imaginative and creative play

17. Crayola  Model Magic
18. Crayola No-drip Paint Brush Pens (with items to paint  such as jewelry boxes, frames, etc.)
19. Legos
20. Play-Doh
21. Scrapbook paper and colored pens

Support growth and development

22. Fisher-Price iXL Learning System
23. iball3
24. Puzzles
25. Scrabble Flash Cubes

When considering any toy, be sure to look at the recommended age for the toy and always remember that safety comes first. Also, if you personally enjoy the toy, you are more likely to get your child engaged in the activity. And finally, remember that no toy can compete with the greatest of all gifts – time with family!

Post a comment and let us know what other toys you think should be on the list.

~ Eileen Clark, MSM, CCLS, manager, Family Services, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Over the last five years, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has expanded, the scope of the NICU Family Support Program has grown and NICU graduates also have grown. These are all great accomplishments.

However, there’s one thing we don’t want to grow – the rate of prematurity in Wisconsin, the U.S. and around the world.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, which was started by the March of Dimes to get the word out that prematurity is a serious problem. It can lead to learning disabilities, hearing and vision loss, cerebral palsy and even death.

Fortunately, the March of Dimes funds research to find causes and treatments for illnesses related to prematurity. In fact, right now half a million dollars is being used for research right here in Wisconsin!

Be sure to keep an eye out around Children’s Hospital during the month of November as we blanket the hospital in purple, the signature color of the March of Dimes. There will be purple lights at the top of Children’s Corporate Center and in the Noel Family Healing Garden. In the NICU, all of the babies will be given purple hats and the windows will be painted with purple baby feet.

Get more information about the March of Dimes and Prematurity Awareness Month by visiting the March of Dimes website.

~ Melissa Hages, March of Dimes NICU Family Support specialist, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

The Ties Program has been supporting children’s racial/ethnic development for nearly 20 years and leads specialized travel to 16 countries. Each tour allows families to learn about the culture and history of the country, as well as participate in experiences specific to their child’s history (for example, visiting the orphanage from which the child was adopted or connecting with nannies/foster parents who provided care before adoption).

Participating families are supported through the experience with focused “Parent Talk” times (led by an adoption professional) and children’s “Connect and Chat” (often led by an adult who was adopted during childhood). These meetings provide emotional support and reassurance for all family members during an emotionally charged experience.

Dr. Wilson plays Duck, Duck, Goose.

I witnessed the incredible impact these trips have on children (adopted or not) when I first traveled to Cambodia with The Ties Program in December 2010. During this two-week trip, I led “Parent Talk” times and offered support during individual meetings with birth families.

Throughout the trip, informal play (like Duck, Duck, Goose, shown in the photo with Dr. Wilson standing) provided children with invaluable opportunities to know the people with whom they shared their heritage were warm, wonderful people.

I will return to Cambodia in December to support a new group of families. As before, I’m looking forward to this trip – not only for the honor I will have supporting families during such a special time, but also for the growth I continue to experience in understanding the complexity that some of us encounter to truly find “home” and “identity” as Americans.

~ Samantha L. Wilson, PhD, psychologist, Child Development Center, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Whatever the reason, these drugs are a serious threat to people and the environment. Detectable amounts of medications are showing up in our water systems. While much of it is a byproduct of consumption, there are things we can do to reduce the amount of waste reaching our waterways.

Unfortunately, under the current laws, pharmacies cannot take back unused and unwanted medication. There are several ways to dispose of old or unused medications:

• National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
• University of Wisconsin – Extension “Get the Meds Out” program

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Office of Diversion Control, will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that stay too long in home cabinets may be misused or abused.

The current local collection sites in southeast Wisconsin are:

• Concordia University,12800 N. Lakeshore Dr., Mequon Wis.
• South Milwaukee Police Department, 2424 S. 15th Ave. South Milwaukee, Wis.
• West Allis Police Department, 11301 W. Lincoln Ave., West Allis,Wis.
• Grafton Police Department, 1891 Washington St., Grafton, Wis.
• Franklin Police Department, 9455 W. Loomis Ave., Franklin, Wis.

More locations are being added, so check the DEA website to find the location near you.

Another opportunity is the “Get the Meds Out” program, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin – Extension. This program provides free postage-paid padded envelopes for residents to mail unwanted medications to a disposal site. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Pharmacy and the Skywalk Pharmacy are participating and can provide envelopes. You can call the Children’s Hospital Pharmacy at (414) 266-3300 or the Skywalk pharmacy at (414) 266-7893. A list of participating locations is available.

~ Jan Cryns, BS, RPH, pharmacist, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin