Lulubug's Podcast For Parents

Send us Fan Mail What if the reward you give your child for being kind changes the reason they want to help? You want to raise a child who notices others, shares, and helps because they care. But when kindness turns into grabbing toys, refusing to share, or asking, “What do I get?” it can be hard to know what to do next. In this episode of LULUBUG’s Podcast for Parents, we explore how to nurture y...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever feel like you’ve asked your child to do the same thing five times, and they still haven’t heard you? From getting dressed to putting toys away, everyday routines can feel frustrating when everything else seems to have their attention. In this episode of LULUBUG’s Podcast for Parents, we explore why young children get distracted and how parents can support their growing...

Send us Fan Mail Parenting can feel busy and overwhelming, but connection can happen in the simplest moments. In this episode of LULUBUG’s Podcast for Parents, Jill and Karen welcome Holistic Hilda for a conversation about parenting, family wellbeing, and slowing down. Drawing on her travels and experiences as a mother, Hilda shares perspectives on caring for ourselves and building meaningful conn...

Send us Fan Mail What do you say when your child looks at you and says, “I’m scared”? It can be hard to know when to offer comfort, when to encourage bravery, and how to help without dismissing what they feel. In this episode of LULUBUG’s Podcast for Parents, we explore feeling afraid and how parents can support children through big fears with understanding and connection. You’ll learn: • How to m...

Send us Fan Mail How do you help your child know their worth is bigger than what they achieve? And how can an honest conversation about mistakes help them feel safe asking for support? Former NFL quarterback Max Hall joins the LULUBUG Parent Podcast to share how he tied his identity to football, and how injuries and prescribed pain medication led to a five year addiction. He reflects on the people...

Send us Fan Mail Making friends can feel exciting, awkward, scary, and overwhelming for young children. In this episode of the LULUBUGS Parent Podcast, we talk about how parents can help children build the confidence and social skills they need to connect with others. We discuss: • Why making friends can feel difficult for young children • How parents can help without forcing an interaction • Teac...

Send us Fan Mail Envy is a normal feeling, but it can be a difficult one for young children to understand. When kids see someone else with something they want, receiving attention they wish they had, or succeeding at something they are struggling with, envy can quickly turn into comparison, frustration, sadness, or anger. In this episode of the LULUBUG Podcast for Parents, we explore what envy can...

Send us Fan Mail What if your child’s late afternoon meltdown is not really a discipline problem? It might be a fuel problem. One minute they are completely fine. The next, the wrong cup, a broken granola bar, or a sock that feels funny becomes a complete catastrophe. For young children, hunger can make already big feelings feel even bigger. In this episode of the LULUBUG Podcast for Parents, we a...

Send us Fan Mail When your child is sad, your first instinct may be to cheer them up, solve the problem, or make the feeling disappear. But sadness is not always something that needs to be fixed. In this episode of the LULUBUG Podcast for Parents, we explore how sadness affects young children, why it is an important part of emotional development, and how parents can support their children without...

Send us Fan Mail Sometimes a child’s sudden outburst looks like anger, defiance, or misbehavior. But what if they’re actually confused? In this episode of the LULUBUG Podcast for Parents, we explore how confusion can lead to frustration and anger, and why understanding what’s happening beneath a child’s behavior can completely change the way we respond. Learn how to recognize when your child may b...

Send us Fan Mail Your child suddenly has a stomachache before school, asks the same question over and over, or melts down before a new activity. As a parent, it's hard to know whether they're being resistant, nervous, or something in between.    In this episode, Jil and Dr. Karen unpack what nervousness really looks like in young children, why it's often a body experience before a t...

Send us Fan Mail Your child comes home from a birthday party or school and says, "Nobody played with me." But you saw them surrounded by other kids all day. As a parent, it's hard to know what to say—or how concerned to be. In this episode, Jil and Dr. Karen unpack what loneliness really is, why children can feel lonely even in a crowd, and how connection differs from simply being a...

Send us Fan Mail Your child can't stop talking about kindergarten one minute and is crying about it the next. They love the new baby... and want to send her back. As a parent, it can feel confusing and contradictory. In this episode, Jil and Dr. Karen unpack why young children often struggle with mixed feelings, what's happening in the developing brain, and how to help kids understand th...

Send us Fan Mail No parent gets everything right, and none of us can prevent every struggle our children will face. But what if there were ways to help them build emotional strength before the hard seasons arrive? In this special guest episode, Jil and Dr. Karen sit down with Kaycee Rasmussen to talk about parenting through real mental health challenges, what her family's journey taught her,...

Send us Fan Mail You give your child a gift, and instead of excitement, they ask, "What else do I get?" or complain that it's the wrong color. As a parent, it's hard not to wonder if you've somehow raised an ungrateful child.  In this episode, Jil and Dr. Karen unpack why gratitude takes years to develop, what's happening in the brain when kids focus on what's mi...

Send us Fan Mail Your child can't get their shoe on, and suddenly they're in tears, begging you to do it for them. As a parent, it's hard to know whether to step in, push through it, or call it quits.   In this episode, Jil and Dr. Karen unpack what's really happening when kids get frustrated, why reasoning often backfires in the moment, and how to respond in ways that build gr...

Send us Fan Mail Your child makes a mistake and suddenly shuts down, hides, or insists they're "bad." As a parent, it's hard to know whether to correct the behavior, comfort the feelings, or do both. In this episode, Jil and Dr. Karen explore what shame looks like in young children, what's happening in the brain when they feel exposed or embarrassed, and how to help them l...

Send us Fan Mail It's a normal day when suddenly, a small disappointment feels like the end of the world. The popsicle breaks, the cupcakes are gone, someone took the red cup—and your child falls apart. Why do small setbacks hit young children so hard, and what actually helps in those moments? In this episode, Jil and Dr. Karen unpack what's happening in the brain when expectations crash...

Send us Fan Mail Your child runs over shouting, “I DID IT!”—and you want to say the right thing. Encourage them… but not overdo it. Build confidence… but not create arrogance. It’s a small moment that can feel surprisingly high-stakes. In this episode, Jil and Dr. Karen unpack what’s really happening in those proud, “look what I did!” moments—and why they matter more than we think. You’ll learn ho...

Send us Fan Mail You love your child—but in the middle of a meltdown, you’re not always sure what to say or do. You’ve wondered if you’re getting it right… or accidentally making things harder. You’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. In this first episode, meet Jil Hunter and Dr. Karen Manotas and hear how storytelling and science came together to create this podcast for parents of kids ag...