Doctor Visits, Diagnoses, and Difficult Conversations: A Parent's Guide to Knowing What to Say

What do you do when your child receives a diagnosis and your mind suddenly goes blank?

Whether you're hearing difficult news for the first time or preparing your child for a medical procedure, knowing what to ask—and how to support your child—can feel overwhelming.

In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital, Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist, is joined by Dr. Mona Amin, board-certified pediatrician, founder of PedsDocTalk, and Chief Medical Officer at Poppins, for an honest conversation about helping families navigate some of the hardest moments in healthcare.

Together, they share practical strategies for asking the right questions after a diagnosis, preparing children for medical procedures in developmentally appropriate ways, and supporting both parents and children through fear, uncertainty, and overwhelming emotions. Dr. Mona also shares her own experience as both a pediatrician and the mother of a child who experienced a neonatal stroke, offering a unique perspective from both sides of the hospital bed.

Whether your child is facing a new diagnosis, an upcoming surgery, blood work, vaccinations, or ongoing medical care, this episode will leave you feeling more prepared, informed, and empowered.

In This Episode: 00:00 – Why difficult medical conversations can leave parents feeling overwhelmed

2:12 – Meet Dr. Mona Amin and her work supporting families through PedsDocTalk and Poppins

5:02 – How virtual pediatric care is helping families access support sooner

6:53 – What parents should ask after receiving a new diagnosis

8:16 – Why your brain "goes offline" during difficult news

13:42 – How to pause, regulate emotions, and advocate for your child

18:31 – Should parents Google a diagnosis? How to find trustworthy information