Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting Problems

Getting your kids out the door shouldn't feel like an Olympic event! But between missing shoes, endless distractions, and constant reminders, even a simple morning routine for kids can turn into a battle. In this episode, I'm joined by psychologist Daniel Katz, Psy. D., to explore why child behavior makes everyday transitions challenging and how communication with children can help. We share morni...

Have you ever opened Instagram after your kids go to bed and suddenly found yourself wondering if everything you're doing as a parent is wrong? One reel tells you the phrase you should never say to your child. Another warns that something seemingly harmless could damage your relationship forever. Before you know it, your parenting anxiety is through the roof, the mom guilt has kicked in, and you'r...

Realizing your child may need a new school can feel incredibly overwhelming. Where do you even start? How many schools should you consider? And how do you know whether a school that sounds great on paper will actually be the right fit for your child? In this episode, I’m joined by Julie Blumberg and Dee Dee Halpin of Houston School Options to break down how to choose a school for your child withou...

Have you ever planned a fun family outing only to spend the entire time dealing with whining, disappointment, tantrums, and meltdowns? You get home exhausted and wonder, “Wasn’t this supposed to be fun?” In this episode of Educated Parent , I’m sharing one of my favorite positive parenting techniques for making family outings go more smoothly: talk about expectations before you leave. So much of c...

We hear people say things like, “He’s so OCD” or “I’m so OCD” all the time. But what does OCD actually look like in a child? And how can you tell when your child simply likes things a certain way versus when their behavior might be driven by something more serious? In this episode of Educated Parent , I’m joined by psychologist Dr. Chad Brandt, who specializes in treating severe OCD in children an...

Have you ever felt completely touched out by the end of the day, but guilty for wanting your child to just stop touching you? I want you to know that needing physical space doesn't make you a bad parent, and setting limits around your body isn't harmful to your child. In this episode of Educated Parent , I'm talking about why parenting boundaries around physical touch are not only okay, but import...

Getting your child to eat vegetables can turn dinner into a nightly power struggle. You serve the broccoli, carrots, or cauliflower; your child refuses, and suddenly you're negotiating over every bite. If you've ever wondered how to get kids to eat vegetables without making everyone miserable, registered dietitian Jennifer Anderson of Kids Eat in Color has a surprisingly simple approach. In this e...

Parenting has always been demanding, but what happens when you suddenly feel more anxious, irritable, overwhelmed, or forgetful than you used to? For many moms, these changes can feel like a personal failure when they may actually be perimenopause symptoms. And because we don't talk nearly enough about hormone changes in women, it can be difficult to recognize what's really going on. In this episo...

Bringing a new baby home can be joyful, exhausting, isolating, and completely overwhelming. Suddenly you're responsible for this tiny person while trying to figure out when you're supposed to sleep, shower, eat, or have a moment to yourself. And all that pressure to do everything "right" can create some serious mom guilt. In this episode, pediatric nurse practitioner and lactation counselor Elyse...

One of the biggest transitions of the year is here: back to school. New teachers, new classrooms, new routines, and plenty of unknowns can create back-to-school anxiety for kids and parents alike. In this episode, I’m sharing what to say when your child starts worrying about the new school year, including how to validate feelings without accidentally reinforcing their fears. We’ll also talk about...

One of the most frightening moments as a parent is when your young child tells you that something upsetting happened. Your mind immediately jumps to the worst-case scenario, but reacting too quickly can make it harder to understand what actually happened. In this episode, I'm joined by child psychologist and trauma specialist Jenny Hughes to discuss how to respond in a way that helps your child fe...

Back-to-school mornings can quickly become the most stressful part of the day. If you're constantly reminding your child to get dressed, brush their teeth, pack their backpack, or put on their shoes, you're not alone. In this episode, I'm joined by child psychologist Dr. Whitney Fosco to share a simple system that helps kids become more independent while making mornings calmer for the whole family...

One of the hardest moments in parenting is hearing your child say, "I hate you." Those words can feel deeply personal, but they're usually not saying what you think they are. In this episode, I explain what's really happening beneath those painful words and how to respond in a way that protects your relationship while teaching respectful communication. If you've ever wondered how to deal with an e...

If you've noticed your child having more meltdowns, becoming unusually clingy, fighting more with siblings, or reacting in ways that seem out of character, they may be trying to tell you something. Recognizing the signs of emotional distress in a child isn't always easy, but knowing what to do next can make all the difference. In this episode, I share the three simple steps I use when my own child...

If your child melts down over the smallest inconveniences, you're not alone. Whether they're devastated that their sibling's cookie is slightly bigger, upset because the toothpaste ran out, or furious about something that seems insignificant, it can be hard to know how to respond. In this episode, we explore how to build emotional resilience without dismissing your child's feelings, why different...

If your child hides mistakes, blames others, or insists they did nothing wrong, you're not alone. Many parents worry when their child seems to avoid responsibility, wondering if it reflects their character or values. In this episode, I explore why children often struggle with taking responsibility, what is really happening beneath the surface, and how effective parenting can create an environment...

If your toddler's meltdowns leave you feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next, you're not alone. During toddler tantrums, many parents have heard they should practice co-regulation, but few know what that actually looks like in the moment. In this episode, Dr. Emma Girard joins me to explain why toddlers are not melting down to manipulate you, how their brains process big emotio...

If you've ever found yourself staring at your child wondering whether you should rush to the emergency room or wait it out, you are not alone. Many parents struggle with child health concerns, especially when their child is sick, injured, or acting differently than usual. In this episode, emergency physician Dr. Kailey Buller joins me to break down exactly when to take your child to the ER and whe...

If you know your child is struggling but every attempt to talk about it seems to make them shut down, you are not alone. Many parents can see when something is wrong, but getting kids to open up about difficult emotions is often much harder than it seems. In this episode, I share practical parenting skills that therapists use to help children feel safe enough to talk, along with positive ways to t...

If your child suddenly starts repeating a curse word over and over again, you are not alone. Whether they heard it from you, a sibling, a friend, or somewhere else, toddler swearing is surprisingly common. The challenge is that many parents accidentally make the behavior worse without realizing it. In this episode, I share a funny story about my own child, explain the psychology behind attention-s...

If your teen feels overwhelmed about the future, you are not alone. Between college applications, social pressure, and constant conversations about success, many families are struggling with intense academic stress. In this episode, Dr. Jocelyn Abrams joins me to talk about how parents can offer real career guidance for teens without accidentally increasing anxiety. We also discuss how thoughtful,...

Watch the full video episode HERE! If you’ve ever felt guilty for giving your child a consequence that was not perfectly “natural” or “logical,” you are not alone. Parents are constantly told that natural consequences are the best way for kids to learn, but as a parenting expert, I want to challenge that idea. Sometimes the real-world outcome is far too harsh, and sometimes kids are simply not dev...

Kids fighting in the car can turn even a short drive into a stressful experience fast. In this episode, I’m sharing practical, evidence-based strategies to help you handle sibling conflict in the back seat without yelling, losing your patience, or feeling completely overwhelmed. From simple snacks to smart distractions and behavior systems that actually work, these effective parenting strategies c...

If your child constantly says “I’m bored” and expects you to fix it immediately, you are not alone. Knowing what to do when kids are bored can feel overwhelming, especially when it turns into a daily struggle. The good news is that boredom is not actually a problem. It is an opportunity to build independent play and creativity using the right positive parenting techniques. In this episode, I sit d...

If you’ve ever snapped at your kids and immediately felt that wave of guilt, you are not alone. That moment where you wish you could take it back is something every parent experiences, and it’s exactly where effective parenting skills really matter. The good news is that what you do after matters more than the mistake itself. In this episode, I walk you through exactly how to apologize to your chi...