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Help! I Have Kids!
Help! I Have Kids! is the podcast for moms who are doing their best, asking all the right questions, and still wondering if something’s being missed. Hosted by Pam—a mom of five and pediatric occupational therapist with 35 years of experience—this show helps you trust your gut, advocate for your child, and partner with professionals without the overwhelm.
Each week, you’ll get practical tips, real-life stories, and heartfelt encouragement from experts and fellow moms who’ve been in your shoes. Because, as moms, we are the head of our child's medical team!
Help! I Have Kids!
Helping Your Child Overcome Medical Anxiety through Play! w/ Mary Jenner, The Butterfly Pig | Episode 18
If your child has ever felt scared at the doctor’s office, nervous before a procedure, or overwhelmed by medical experiences — this episode is a breath of fresh air. 💜
Today, Meredith sits down with Mary Jenner, nurse, mom, and founder of The Butterfly Pig, an organization transforming how kids experience healthcare through play and emotional safety.
Mary has trained over 100 hospitals worldwide and is on a mission to ensure that healing never causes harm. In this conversation, she shares:
✨ How play rewires the brain for safety
✨ Simple ways to prepare kids for doctor visits
✨ What medically-induced trauma is (and how to prevent it)
✨ How parents, nurses, and therapists can work as a team
✨ Why emotional safety is essential for long-term healing
✨ Practical tools families can start using today
Whether your child has frequent medical appointments or you just want to help them feel more confident and calm, this episode will give you hope, language, and strategies you can use right away.
🎧 Listen to Episode 18: Helping Your Child Overcome Medical Anxiety — Through Play! with Mary Jenner of The Butterfly Pig
👉 Explore Mary’s resources & products: thebutterflypig.com
👉 Download Mary’s Playful Prescriptions App: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6747300259
👉 Need extra support? Therapy (OT + MH) can help your child build confidence and emotional safety. Visit marshallpediatrictherapy.com to learn more.