Silvana Ribaudo, MD
Dr. Ribaudo is a mom of two and an assistant clinical professor at the Columbia University Medical Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and at ColumbiaDoctors Eastside, both in New York City.
How many children do you have? Two, ages three and one.
What’s your specialty? Ob-gyn
What’s the best parenting advice you’ve ever received? Enjoy the process: As challenging and frustrating as the moments are, enjoy them because once your children get older, you’ll look back fondly on these memories.
What’s your own favorite parenting tip? Take a deep breath! I get frustrated like anyone when both of my children are screaming at the top of their lungs wanting my attention. I try to take a deep breath and remember that it’s good to be wanted and needed.
What do you wish you knew earlier about parenting? How much I truly care about my kids and how much they mean to my life.
How do you get your kids to eat healthy food? Bribery. My son is now into video games, so we make compromises that if he finishes his broccoli he gets to play his games.
How do you work exercise into your family’s life? They work it into my life. My kids insist on going out to play, and I have to chase after them. This keeps me fairly fit.
How do you recharge your batteries? I try to schedule dates with my husband at least twice a month, and that is recharging for me.
Dr. Ribaudo’s Q&As
My baby is two weeks old. I didn’t expect this to be so hard! How did you make it through?