Being a parent can be a humbling experience. One day you feel like you have things under control, and the next day you feel completely overwhelmed. It helps to have advice from trusted experts along the way.

Mercy Kids has compiled a set of articles on parenting to help you meet some of these child-rearing challenges and developmental milestones head-on. In this guide, you'll find information on:

• Overcoming shyness
• Sleep problems
• Staying home alone
• Getting a family pet
• Depression in children
• And more

Mercy Kids has more than 800 physicians and care teams, two children's hospitals, a pediatric ER, pediatric clinics, urgent and convenient care locations, and telemedicine services to keep you close to home.

The safety of our patients and caregivers has been, and always will be, our priority. We follow strict standards for disinfecting, required masking for patients, visitors and co-workers, and social distancing. Please do your part by following these and other CDC guidelines.