The only thing I have in common with my patients is our kids...

... therefore, we have everything in common

I learned nothing about children in medical school. I learned how to diagnose specific pediatric illnesses that I would probably only see working in a pediatric hospital. I learned what specific constellations of symptoms are associated with rare conditions that manifest only in children. In residency, I learned significantly more about children's health and preventive care, but ultimately the bulk of advice I give to the parents of my pediatric patients is based on my experience with my boys.

I think those parents trust my advice more because of it. Those first-time moms who call answering service late at night because they feel horrible because they turned their back for one second and their toddler fell off the bed - I can console them with a relatable story, make them feel like their are not the world's crappiest parent, and advise them whether or not their child should be taken to the ER. When parents bring their 6-month-old in and have infinite questions about starting baby food, I can tell them what foods are easiest to start with, tips on making baby food at home, and how to persist when baby will not eat the broccoli and scream for chicken nuggets instead. I learned exactly none of those things in med school. My own children were the best schooling in that department.