Lisa Dado, MD
Dr. Dado is a mom of three children, ages 21 to 16, a pediatric anesthesiologist with Valley Anesthesiology Consultants, and the Co-Founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization, the Center for Humane Living, which teaches life skills with an innovative approach to traditional martial arts training in six centers in and around Phoenix, AZ.
How many children do you have? We have three children. Our older daughter is 21 and a student at Colby College. Our younger daughter is 18 and a senior in high school, and our son is 16 and a sophomore.
What’s your specialty? Pediatric anesthesiology
What’s your favorite parenting tip? If you’re having a conflict with your kids, stop to consider their perspectives. Don’t always try to impose your own impressions and agenda on them. Always be considerate of what’s going on from their standpoint.
What has surprised you most about parenting? That you’re constantly involved and you’re never done! I remember thinking, Once I get rid of that diaper bag, it’ll get easier. But it didn’t! Then I thought, Once they’re in kindergarten, it’ll get easier. But it still didn’t. Even now that my kids are in high school and college, my husband and I are still very involved in their lives. It’s a great responsibility that we thoroughly enjoy.
How do you get your kids to eat healthy food? We love to cook together when time permits. Each one takes a course and makes it their own. Cooking is an expression of nurturing, and this is a great activity to do as a family prioritizing healthy cuisine.
How do you work exercise into your family’s life? When my daughter turned three, my husband started teaching her karate. He started to teach our friends, neighbors, and patients, and over the years it has grown into our own 501© 3 nonprofit organization called The Center for Humane Living. We teach life skills with an innovative approach to traditional martial arts training in six centers in and around Phoenix, AZ.
How do you recharge your batteries? A date night out with “daddy” is my favorite activity to recharge myself. Even an hour outside alone with my husband, sharing a glass of wine watching the sunset can be enough.
Dr. Dado’s Q&As
My son is three years old, and I’m considering signing him up for karate. Did you do this?