Newsletter no. 1
A newsletter for parents navigating children's chronic health — from two nurse moms who've been on both sides of the stethoscope.
Hi friend — as we head into Memorial Day weekend, we're thinking about all the healthcare providers, nurses, first responders, and military families who've shaped this country. Today is also a quiet moment to acknowledge something we often forget to say:
You are not alone in this.
Whether you're raising a medically complex child, navigating a new diagnosis, or just feeling overwhelmed by the weight of it all — there is a community of parents who understand. Who've sat in those same waiting rooms. Who've fought for the same answers. Who know what it feels like to be both strong and completely terrified at 2am.
This week's issue is short and intentional. We wanted to refocus on what matters most: you, your child, and the strength you carry every single day. The strategies in our first issue are still in your inbox. The tools are still there. Today, we just wanted to remind you that you're doing better than you think you are.
What "Advocating for Your Child" Actually Looks Like in the Appointment Room
And the exact phrases that get results.
Every parent has heard it: "You need to advocate for your child." But nobody tells you how. What does that look like when you have 12 minutes with a provider who's already typing before you finish your sentence?
As nurses, we've watched thousands of appointments. We've seen parents leave with their questions unanswered, their instincts dismissed, and their child's chart unchanged — not because the provider was bad, but because they didn't know how to use their 12 minutes effectively.
Here is what we've learned, from both sides of the stethoscope.
"The medical system is not designed to slow down for you. But it will respond to a prepared, specific, confident parent every single time."
The single most important shift: Stop describing symptoms and start making requests. Instead of "she's been so tired lately," say "I'd like to rule out iron deficiency — can we run a full iron panel including ferritin?" The first is a complaint. The second is a clinical conversation starter. Providers respond differently to the second one.
Before your appointment, prepare three things:
🗂️ Your Pre-Appointment Power List
And if you ever feel dismissed? This is the phrase that changes rooms: "I hear you. I want to understand your reasoning. Can you help me understand what we would expect to see if this were ___?" It's not confrontational. It's collaborative. And it forces a clinical conversation instead of a pat answer.
You are not a burden when you ask questions. You are doing your job. And we are here to help you do it well.
This Week's Root Cause Spotlight: Magnesium
The mineral most chronically ill kids are quietly depleted in — and what to do about it.
If your child has ADHD, anxiety, sleep problems, constipation, muscle cramps, or just can't seem to wind down at night — magnesium deficiency should be on your radar.
Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. It calms the nervous system, supports sleep, regulates blood sugar, and is essential for muscle and nerve function. And yet, studies consistently show that a significant portion of children don't get enough through diet alone — and many chronic conditions deplete it further.
Sleep & Anxiety
Magnesium glycinate before bed supports GABA activity — the brain's calming neurotransmitter. Many families notice a difference within 1–2 weeks.
ADHD & Focus
Low magnesium is disproportionately common in ADHD kids. It plays a key role in dopamine regulation and attention circuitry.
Muscle & Gut
Constipation and muscle cramps are classic low-magnesium signs. Magnesium citrate gently supports bowel motility.
Blood Sugar
Essential for insulin signaling. T1D and pre-diabetic kids are often depleted. Support is critical alongside standard care.
Food sources first: pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, leafy greens, almonds, black beans, avocado. Then supplement if needed — always start low and slow.
Which form matters: Not all magnesium supplements are equal. For anxiety and sleep, look for magnesium glycinate. For constipation, magnesium citrate. Avoid magnesium oxide — it's poorly absorbed and mainly used as a laxative.
⚠️ As always, discuss supplementation with your child's provider before starting, especially if your child takes medications or has kidney concerns.
"A 'normal' lab result does not always mean optimal. When a provider says your child's ferritin is normal at 14, know that research supports 30+ for healthy energy and cognition in children. Normal range and optimal range are not the same thing. Learn to ask: 'What is the optimal range — not just the reference range?'"
Free Sick Day Checklist
Our most downloaded resource — a nurse-built guide for exactly what to do (and watch for) when your chronically ill child gets sick.
Download Free → momsinscrubs.com/sick-dayOur Podcast
Real conversations about navigating the medical system, advocating for your child, and finding community in the hardest seasons. New episodes coming soon.
Listen at momsinscrubs.comOur Favorites Shop
The products, supplements, and tools we actually use and recommend for our own chronically ill kids — curated by us, vetted by us.
Browse → momsinscrubs.com/storeKnow a Parent Who Needs This?
Forward this newsletter to a mom, a dad, a grandparent — anyone raising a child with a chronic condition who deserves a community like this one.
Share Moms In ScrubsMom of three, two with rare and medically complex conditions. Over a decade of pediatric NP experience across NICU, primary care, and endocrinology. She brings both clinical expertise and a parent's heart to everything she does.
Mom of two, including a T1D daughter diagnosed at age 3. School nurse and certified diabetes educator, now pursuing functional health certification. She bridges conventional and root-cause medicine for real families.