Latest news with #MaryCatherine
Khaleej Times
14-07-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
'Give kids a break': UAE doctors warn against children's burnout during summer holiday
Doctors in the UAE are highlighting that the relentless push to fill every hour of your child's day with structured learning and activities could quietly be affecting their mental and physical well-being. The warning comes on the heels of a viral Instagram post by Mary Catherine, a US-based paediatric nurse practitioner and a mother (@ who reminded parents that childhood is not a checklist. She recently wrote, 'If your activity/sports schedule for your kids elementary age and below still allows for: Rest, Free play, Family meal and bedtime you are probably doing all right. 'But most of the families I see in my personal life and in practice, are over scheduling to where multiple of those green check marks are being sacrificed and that's too much.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mary Catherine | Pediatric Health and Wellness Education (@ More harm than good Additionally, in a study featured in the February 2024 edition of the Economics of Education Review, three economists from the University of Georgia and the Federal Reserve Board discovered that when students are overloaded with homework and extracurricular activities, the 'last hour' no longer contributes to improving their abilities. Rather, these commitments then negatively impact their mental health, increasing feelings of anxiety, depression, and anger. As schools closed for the long summer break this June, working parents rushed to sign their children up for an array of activities—from robotics to football camps and swimming lessons to piano and coding classes. Though, the intention is often to keep kids engaged and off screens, medics across the country are emphasising that a jam-packed day may be doing more harm than good. 'Overscheduling of activities for children is a common occurrence during the summer holidays in the UAE,' said Dr Hanan Kandil, Specialist Psychiatrist at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital. 'It is good for children to be bored occasionally so that they can themselves come up with their own creative ideas to handle their boredom.' Physical, emotional toll In clinical settings across the UAE, a pattern has emerged each summer: more children complaining of headaches, fatigue, disrupted sleep, and even stress-induced stomach aches. These are all signs of burnout, doctors explained, often caused by too much structure and not enough rest. Kandil lists several key indicators: 'Fatigue or low energy despite a full night's sleep, frequent infections due to weakened immunity, mood swings, anxiety around time-bound activities, and even a lack of interest in hobbies they once loved.' Dr Mamata Bothra, a specialist in paediatrics and neonatology at International Modern Hospital, Dubai, also echoed similar concerns. 'Every summer, we see more children showing signs of being stretched too thin — fatigue, poor sleep, irritability, and emotional withdrawal. In the UAE, many parents sign kids up for multiple camps and classes, but too much structure can be overwhelming.' 'Children need balance — not just to avoid burnout, for mental and emotional wellbeing,' added Bothra. Experts underscored that sometimes unstructured time, whether it involves daydreaming, doodling, or just lying on the couch with a book, also plays a vital role in creativity and emotional regulation. Dr Barjis Sulthana, a psychiatrist at NMC Speciality Hospital in Al Nahda, adds that burnout, common even in adults, is increasingly being seen in young children. 'An over-scheduled child is a moody irritable child, and will be noticed as lacklustre when schools reopen.' She also encouraged involving children in planning their schedules. 'Best way to avoid this is by involving your child in the decision-making process and involving activities which are both relaxing, as well as fun and enriching for kids. Every child is unique so customised plans will benefit the child, especially in balancing and avoiding over-scheduling.' What can parents do? Experts stress that summer should be a blend of learning and leisure. Kandil recommends creating a flexible routine with no more than one or two structured activities per day. 'Alternate high-energy camps with calmer hobbies like art or reading. Monitor your child's mood and energy levels. If they appear constantly tired or stressed, cut back on certain activities. Avoid enrolling children in back-to-back classes unless they are excited and coping well.' Bothra suggests dividing the day into thirds. 'One-third for camps or classes, one-third for movement or play, and one-third for rest or family time.' Another practical tip is to make the most of early mornings. 'Take advantage of early mornings: Early mornings between 7am–10am are ideal for children to burn off their energy so make use of this time strategically, to allow children to get their physical activity, said Kandil. 'Then allow the rest of the day to unfold with some quiet downtime.' For younger children especially, playdates or time at community parks can offer just as much value as a structured program. These unhurried social settings help develop interpersonal skills organically and without pressure. 'Choose quality over quantity,' advised Kandil. 'Instead of five different short camps, opt for one or two that offer a well-rounded experience with built-in breaks and playtime.'
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I'm a pediatric nurse... here is the common parenting practice that is extremely harmful to children
A pediatric nurse has revealed the common parenting practice that is actually extremely detrimental to children. Mother-of-two Mary Catherine, 36, from Louisville, Kentucky, has had over 13 years of experience working with children in the medical field. Over the course of her lengthy career, she has learned a lot about what's good and bad for kids. And according to the expert, there's one thing that tons of moms and dads do that she believes is extremely harmful: scheduling kids for a ton of activities at a young age. While chatting exclusively with the Daily Mail, she explained that parents love to put their kids in art classes or get them involved in sports really early. But she warned that 'overscheduling' a toddler can 'impact both their physical and emotional health.' 'Young kids, I'm talking prior to elementary school, need unstructured free play every single day,' she stressed. 'This is how they "learn" and develop their mind and bodies. In their free play they learn how to label and express emotions. 'Young children also need rest and downtime. Their bodies are rapidly growing physically and they need the rest (hence why most of this age group still naps daily).' The pediatric nurse added that being busy all the times often means parents 'miss out' on chances to 'connect' with their kids. 'We are meant to sit down and eat dinner together as a family most nights, not be running from one ball field to another or from work to gymnastics to home just in time to bathe and get in bed,' she continued. 'This is stressful for most kids, and adults, when you slow down to actually think about this impact.' If you want your child to try out an activity, Mary suggested focusing on one thing at a time so it really gives them a chance to discover whether or not the enjoy the hobby. And when it comes to sports, she reminded parents that it's meant to be 'fun' and should not be about winning when they're young. 'I also think travel sports (and the intensity that comes with them) should not be allowed until kids are much older, middle school to high school age,' she added. She encouraged embracing a 'slower-paced life,' and if your child is getting bored at home she suggested getting them involved in household chores as they make them feel important and can even be fun to young kids. When it comes to sports, she reminded parents that it's meant to be 'fun' and should not be about winning when they're young (stock image) 'Involve [them] in the tasks at home like laundry and cleaning,' she recommended. 'I'm not saying we all have to be homebodies and never schedule events, but having something on the calendar nightly should not be the norm. 'We've created a culture of overstimulation, even us adults, we can't sit down without scrolling our phones. 'The current busy culture tells us it's not okay to rest. We as parents have to learn to rest and slow down too, so we can model that for our kids.' She also spoke to the Daily Mail about how dangerous 'unsupervised screen time' could be for kids. 'I think using screens to pacify kids' boredom is a huge issue,' she said. 'I constantly see kids scrolling their parents' phones on TikTok or YouTube in my clinic and it pains me.
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Pediatric nurse reveals the most dangerous thing parents can do... and millions are guilty of it
A pediatric nurse has revealed the most dangerous thing parents can do... and millions are guilty of it. Have you ever handed your child an iPad to keep them distracted while you're trying to get things done around the house? Or let them watch YouTube unattended while you're cooking or cleaning? Well, according to mother-of-two and pediatric nurse Mary Catherine, 36, from Louisville, Kentucky, who has had over 13 years of experience working with children in the medical field, that can be extremely detrimental to young kids. She told the Daily Mail during a recent exclusive chat that 'unsupervised screen time' is one of the worst things parents can let youngsters do. 'I think using screens to pacify kids' boredom is a huge issue,' she said. 'I constantly see kids scrolling their parents' phones on TikTok or YouTube in my clinic and it pains me. 'These apps are not made for kids and there can be some very dangerous imagery and topics that children should not be exposed to.' Mary noted that she herself was guilty of the practice when she was trying to balance having a newborn and a toddler following the birth of her second child. But one eye-opening moment showed her just how bad excessive screen-time could be. 'I remember when my second child was born, we used the iPad A LOT with my oldest, who was about 2.5 years old at the time, to "help" us distract her while we needed to do things with the baby,' she admitted. 'One day I was watching her scroll through the YouTube Kids app and she was watching maybe 30 seconds of a kids show clip, then scrolling to the next. 'It is training young minds to need quick dopamine hits. I immediately deleted the YouTube Kids app and realized how much I needed to cut her screen time and quit relying on it to help me parent.' She revealed that after they completely cut-out screens for her daughter during the week, the toddler started 'sleeping and eating better,' and had less 'tantrums.' 'It was all tied to the screens. They have a very big impact on young developing minds and we've got to stop utilizing screens as a daily parenting tool,' said the expert. The pediatric nurse also warned against letting older kids use electronics unsupervised - especially when it comes to social media. 'Social media is the gateway to their childhood ending,' she pointed out. 'I fully support no smart phones until at least eighth grade and no social media until at least 16.' Mary has dedicated her social media accounts to educating parents on how to keep their family healthy. She said the key is to focus on a healthy diet, restful sleep, and daily play. She recommended limiting packaged snacks and instead, giving kids healthier options like fruits and vegetables. 'Also, water should be the primary drink for everyone!' Mary urged. She also stressed the importance of implementing a 'consistent bed time' as well as a 'consistent routine' before kids go to sleep. 'This helps kids learn how to slow down their mind and body and get their body to naturally wind down for bed,' she shared. 'This can be a simple - bath, brush teeth, read a book, good night. And try to aim for the same 30 minute window for bedtime.' The mom-of-two added that healthy playtime is vital because it helps with 'social, emotional, and physical development.' 'Unstructured play and free-time gets out energy, stabilizes cortisol and regulates their appetite and supports healthy sleep cycles,' she concluded.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Concerned mom is ruffling feathers by urging parents to stop overscheduling kids: ‘This is crucial'
Parents, it's time to chill. A pediatric nurse practitioner is going viral for telling moms and dads to pump the brakes on ballet, soccer, piano and Kumon — because their kids are heading toward total burnout before they even hit first grade. Mary Catherine, aka @ on Instagram, is fed up with families turning into full-time Uber services, shuttling little ones from one extracurricular to the next with zero downtime in between. 'This might ruffle some feathers, but it's a hill I will die on as a pediatric nurse and mom to young kids… I firmly believe we are starting our kids in organized sports/ activities WAY TOO EARLY,' she wrote in a recent post. 'My daughter is in kindergarten and most of her classmates are involved in 2-3 after-school activities/ sports. That's A LOT.' Her prescription? Ditch the jam-packed schedules and give kids more time to just be kids. 'Free play still needs to be prioritized in elementary age and younger kids. This is CRUCIAL,' she continued. Catherine swears by the 'one activity at a time' rule in her house for her two young kids — and experts say she's onto something. 'In my clinical experience, I've seen that children—especially those in early elementary years—who are consistently over-scheduled often present with signs of chronic distress,' Zishan Khan, MD, a psychiatric clinician, backed her up, telling Parents in a recent interview. Think: anxiety, trouble sleeping, mysterious stomachaches and enough sick days to rival flu season. 'The developing brain and body need downtime to process, grow and recover,' Khan added. Catherine emphasized the importance of letting kids engage in free play — the unfiltered, imaginative kind that doesn't require uniforms, scoreboards or permission slips. Khan agreed, calling free play 'critical' to childhood development. 'Through play, children learn to regulate their emotions, collaborate with others and develop a healthy sense of self,' he said. And while many parents might already be trying to squeeze in more free time for their kids, they still feel like it's not enough. As The Post previously reported, the average child already racks up 10 hours of play daily — split between parents, solo time and playing with friends or siblings — but three-quarters of parents say they still wish their child had more time for creative, unstructured play. An overwhelming 92% of parents believe that kind of play is key to their child's growth and development — and they're not wrong. The top play activities? Physical games like dancing and ball tossing won out, followed by social play that involves sharing and teamwork. And while screen time is still part of the equation — kids clock about two hours a day on devices — most parents agree: off-screen play is crucial. Parents are also doing their part to keep curiosity alive. The same survey found they answer an average of 14 questions a day from their pint-sized philosophers — and many even study up to keep up. In the end, the experts and the data agree: When it comes to childhood, play isn't a luxury — it's essential.
