Pretty Good Parents

Protecting our kids from life changing illness is something every parent wants. Asthma is life changing and we know now that gas stoves are a major risk. Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack give the straight facts about gas stoves that every parent needs to know.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins confront another timely topic. Learn all about the different kinds of infant formula and what to do if you can't find what your baby needs. 

Guns are the number one cause of injury to our kids. Pediatricians and parents should work together to pass common sense legislation to protect them. In this special episode, Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins talk about areas where we should find common ground to help prevent the next catastrophe and also help prevent the daily toll of gun violence.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins talk about why our kids cough and why they need to. They talk about when to go to the doctor and why sometimes no treatment is needed.

Fever can cause a number of different symptoms in your child. The most concerning and scary is a seizure. Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins confront those fears in this episode. We talk about what to do if your child has a seizure and when to call for help.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins completely failed at getting their kids to bed. In this episode, they talk about how pretty good parents can do better with their toddlers and preschoolers.

Almost every pretty good parent has worried at some point about their child's blood sugar. In this episode, Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins explore diabetes. We look at the symptoms, the types of diabetes, and the exciting progress that has been made in it's treatment.

Pretty good parents want to protect their children. Reading challenging books with your kids is a safe way to explore and learn about the world. In this episode, Dr. Jack and Dr. Karen Hopkins talk about some books that have been banned and why it's very important to read them. We chat about trusting and working with your childs teachers.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins are back to talk about another nasy kid virus, RSV. It can make babies snotty and sloshy! We talk about the impact of this germ has every winter and hope for future prevention!

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack return with a check in about Covid. They talk about and explain mutating viruses and the different strains. They address vaccination of 5-11 year olds and they spend time talking about problems that happen after Covid infection in kids.

The first of our three not so scary October episodes. Join Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins as they talk about how to have a fun and safe Halloween.

Fevers can be scary for pretty good parents. Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins talk through what causes fever and how it is a natural part of some illnesses. They talk through the basics of how to take a good temperature, when to treat, and when to call your doctor.

A child awakening in the middle of the night with difficulty breathing is scary. Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins explain your child's asthma and how to take back control.

How can we keep our kids safe and also help them not fall behind in their education?  How can we keep them safe and also keep them growing and developing emotionally, intellectually and physically?  Those choices are being made right now in school board meetings, among  and in families across the country. Using the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack talk about how we can get our kids back to school safely during a pandemic. 

Teach your child the puppy dog pant. Join Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins as they talk about strep throat including its history and current treatment. Most importantly, how to talk them through the dreaded strep test!

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins explain HPV, Human Papilloma Virus and all of its misery's from warts to cancer. We talk about how to stay safe from infection.  We discuss the safety of HPV vaccine and how it can keep your children safe from several terrible cancers as adults. This podcast contains discussions of how HPV is transmitted including usage of medical terms for human anatomy.

Delta variant has hit southwest Missouri hard. Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins are here with an emergency episode to bust some Covid vaccine myths.  There is so much misinformation bombarding our pretty good parents. The doctors take time to talk about risks that are real and risks that are not and talk about the importance of protecting yourself and your children.

Those little cute teeth can cause a lot of trouble. Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack talk about their growth and development and problems that can occur.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack reminisce about their favorite summer outside activities. They talk about how to stay safe during summer activities and discuss Covid risks.

New parents, do you clothes always smell like urp?  Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins talk about why babies reflux and ways to make it better.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack talk about a difficult but important topic. They talk about recognizing depression in your child or teen and how to deal with it.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins talk about viral gastroenteritis including home care and when to see your pediatrician.

In this special episode, Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins talk about their 25 years of experience with Medicaid insurance.  They talk about its importance and how the program has grown.  They talk about special challenges that face the families who need Medicaid.    They discuss ways to get insurance for yourself and your family.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins talk about common teen sleep problems.  They talk about healthy sleep hygiene.  They discuss what parents can do to help and when to seek the help of their pediatrician.

It's never fun when your child complains of any pain.  Pain at night is especially disturbing.  Join Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins as they discuss growing pains, their cause and what Pretty Good Parents can do.

Having more than one child is a real joy. It is so much fun to watch them develop their personalities and watch their relationship grow.  However, it isn't all peaches and cream. Kids fight a lot. Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins talk about sibling rivalry from the birth of a new baby to the problems of older children.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins talk about what to do when your child has ear pain.  We describe how the ear is put together and why kids get middle ear infections.  Finally, we explore what your pediatrician and parents can do about the problem.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins try something new!  We explain germs to kindergartners and to their pretty good parents.  We introduce the immune system and why it's important and talk on a basic level about vaccinations.  This podcast is a great resource for parents still trying to explain coronavirus to their 4 year old.

Dr. Karen and Jack Hopkins talk about poop!  How kids make it and all the problems that pretty good parents can still have when their children don't go.  We talk about basic home treatment of constipation and when to worry. 

Winter doesn't have to mean spending every day on a tablet or TV for our kids.  Dr. Karen and Jack Hopkins talk about the importance of outside activities, even in the winter, and talk about some fun outside adventures to try.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins share painful experiences as they discuss young children and violent behaviors.  What should parents do to prevent these behaviors and when should they seek help for the biting child? 

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins tackle colds that won't quit.  Does it seem like your 18 month old has been sick with a runny nose the whole winter?  Find out why.   We talk about what really helps and what really doesn't. 

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins explain normal sleep and then go on to explore parasomnias such as night terrors and how these are different from nightmares.  We talk about how scary these awakenings can be for parents but not always for our kids.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins finish their series on the senses by talking about baby's sense of smell and taste.  We talk about maternal diet and how you can guide your baby to healthy eating.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins continue to explore the development of a baby's senses.  Today we examine the progression of touch from the first feelings pre-birth through the first few months of life.  We talk about parenting as babies integrate the senses of sight, hearing, and touch and begin to experience their world.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins explore the development of hearing. We talk about what a baby can hear and the wonder that happens when they recognize voices.  We discuss the importance of catching early hearing problems.

Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack Hopkins' parenting podcasting begins with an exploration of a baby's senses from before birth through 6 months of age.  We start with a discussion of how babies see the world, how sight develops, and what can go wrong.  Most importantly, we find the joy in watching a child's vision of the world unfold.

When we became new parents over 20 years ago, we were already practicing pediatricians.  Like a lot of new parents we  hoped to be the perfect parents for our kids.  We quickly found out that decisions are different and a lot harder when you have kids of your own.  There were a lot of sleepless nights and many mistakes.  Over twenty years later, we’re just happy to be pretty good at parenting and we’d like to pass some of that knowledge on to you.  Together we’ll explore parenting challenges, learn about childhood development, and talk about medical conditions that worry every parent.  At the same time we’ll definitely touch on our own parenting mistakes and let everyone know that it is okay to just be pretty good at parenting. Dr. Karen Hopkins and Dr. Jack Hopkins are both practicing pediatricians with Sisters of Mercy Health System and are in their 25th year.  Dr. Karen practices in Richland, Missouri at Richland Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.  Dr. Jack practices in Lebanon, Missouri at Mercy Lebanon Pediatrics.  They both completed their training at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Dr. Karen and Dr. Jack are the proud parents of Katie and James who have left the nest!