I’m Kate…a working mother of two who is constantly trying to figure out the magical balance between having a career and raising a healthy family. It’s not easy. Luckily, I know that I’m not alone in my “struggle to juggle”…which is the reason for this blog. I find it comforting to discuss these issues with others who have “been there,” or are currently going through the same things. Plus, along the way we can all get some helpful insight from Dr. Doug Barton, a pediatrician with the SSM St. Charles Clinic Medical Group in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., who joined this online conversation in mid-August. I don’t know about you, but I can always use some help staying on top of current health issues relating to my kids!
You may have started reading my blog when I was pregnant with my second child, Kellen. At that time, my awesome OB/ GYN, Dr. Douglas Young, was chiming in on maternity issues. After plenty of pregnancy drama, my beautiful son was born in May 2008. My oldest child, Anna (whom I sometimes refer to as “Cocoa Puff”), is three years old. I am now back at work and I share this hectic life with my wonderful husband, referred to on this blog as “Puff Daddy.” (Cocoa Puff…Puff Daddy…get it?)
OK…so I’m not always funny. But I am honest about my life. And I’ll keep writing about it as long as you write back. Let’s figure out this balancing act together!
Doug Barton, M.D.
Dr. Doug Barton is a board-certified pediatrician with SSM St. Charles Clinic Medical Group in Lake Saint Louis, Mo. He has 16 years experience working with children and their families, with everything from normal healthy children to severe asthma cases to attention deficit disorder and other behavioral problems.
Dr. Barton received his medical degree from the University of California and completed his residency at St. Louis Children's Hospital in 1995. He's been in group practice with St. Charles Clinic Medical Group since then.
Dr. Barton has volunteered his time for community dialogues and education throughout his career. He's participated in several round-table sessions with St. Charles County school personnel and written numerous articles for newsletters and newspapers regarding children's health. He's a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and serves as chairman of the peer review committee and as a member of the Medical Executive Committee at SSM St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake Saint Louis.
With two children, an 8-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son, Dr. Barton can personally relate to many of the joys and frustrations of being a parent. When he's not doctoring and chasing his kids around, he can be found hiking with his wife of 16 years, doing a little gardening, playing computer games (gotta keep up with what the kids are playing!), or assembling scale replicas of World War II aircraft, ships or modern armor.
He will be chiming in from the medical perspective on many of the issues that Kate is going through, as well as other items of interest as they come up in the news or in his office. Dr. Barton welcomes your questions and comments through the Balancing Act blog.
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