Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/909547
4 Hudson Valley Parent n December 2017 ON OUR COVER In this issue FEATURES 8 I am a Hudson Valley Parent Eric Martin is a strong athlete, great doctor and an even better dad BY PAUL SMART 10 Specialists that moms rave about See if your favorite doc made the list 28 Me Time: Just for women How to throw the perfect potluck and 3 other holiday home tips BY CASSIDY BRIGHTON 32 Is it time to take your daughter to the gyno? Help for moms with growing girls BY MICHELLE PETERSON 35 C-section, natural, home birth, water birth... Know your options and make the right choice for you BY LISA IANNUCCI 38 Smiling kids and their favorite toys Doll houses, bikes and toy cars…oh my! 40 Calendar Holiday events, Menorah lightings and Santa sightings galore 46 How many steps did you get in today? A hilarious and relatable comic for new moms BY ALISON WONG This month's cover kid is Emerson, a 3 year old from Rock Tavern. She attends Montgomery Montessori and loves ballet and putting on a show. Photo by Michael Bloom HV PARENT READER FEEDBACK We asked moms: What is the most important thing when choosing a pediatrician? I look for someone who is supportive of the breastfeeding relationship between mother and baby. They should have a good relationship with other specialists like a lactation consultant. It is important that I have a team of doctors working together. — Bridget A mother's instinct is important and a doctor that recognizes that is a good one. — Anne I take office wait time and bedside manner of both the doctors and the staff into consideration. Nothing is worse than when you have a sick child and the staff or doctor is rude or in a hurry. — Katie First thing I look for is how clean the office is. I need a doctor and a staff that has a good demeanor and doesn't brush off my concerns. — Tiffani I don't want to be judged or shamed for my daughter's developmental timeline. I only want to know if a delayed milestone is getting borderline "too late" and she needs intervention. Don't make me feel like a bad mom. — Jill Their reputation. — Dawn