Practical Parenting

Motherhood, entrepreneurship, weight loss surgery, postpartum recovery, and building a village—Zuryna Livermore has navigated it all. In this candid conversation, she shares what she's learned about resilience, self-compassion, asking for help, and balancing ambition with motherhood.

June is Pride Month, which may bring up questions from curious kids. Many parents wonder how to answer them honestly, respectfully, and in an age-appropriate way. In this episode, we discuss how to encourage curiosity and create a safe space for open conversations about differences and identity with respect.

Expectations placed on fathers today look very different than they did a generation ago. Dads are expected to be emotionally present, active caregivers, co-parents, providers, and partners, often without clear role models or support systems to help guide them. In this episode, psychiatrist and father Dr. Anthony Chico joins us for an honest conversation about what fatherhood actually looks like to...

Summer is almost here, and with it comes the age-old parenting question: how do you balance structure and downtime? In this episode, we discuss why free play and boredom matter, how much learning kids actually lose over the summer, and creative ways to keep reading and math skills sharp without turning summer into school.

Parents today are under enormous pressure to protect their children from discomfort, but what if constantly “fixing” anxiety is actually making it worse? In this live conversation, Dr. Nguyen talks with clinical child psychologist Dr. Meredith Elkins on how avoidance fuels anxiety, what keeps families stuck, and how parents can help kids build resilience by facing hard feelings instead of escaping...

Challenging behavior spikes once the weather gets nice aren't just in your house. In this episode, we explain why kids at all ages hit burnout as the school year winds down and what parents can do to help.

Neurodivergence is a normal variation of the human condition, but many parents still struggle to understand what it means for their child. In this episode, we discuss what neurodiversity really is, why early identification matters, and how a strengths-based approach can help kids thrive.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its screen time guidance, shifting the focus from hours to a broader “digital ecosystem” that includes the child, caregiver, content, and larger systems. In this episode, we break down the new framework, including the 5 Cs and practical tools parents can use to support healthy media use at home.

Body image pressure is no longer just affecting girls—more boys are now struggling with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. In this episode, we discuss where these pressures come from, how they show up differently for boys and girls, and what parents can do to support healthier relationships with food and body image.

Nutrition guidance evolves as science evolves, and that can feel overwhelming for parents who are simply trying to feed their kids well. In this episode, we unpack the recent changes to the federal food pyramid and explain what these tools are really meant to do.

Most of parenting has very little to do with our kids. In this episode, we explore how our childhood experiences show up in moments of parenting stress, why everyday parenting moments can trigger us, and how this can lead us to respond in ways we might not intend, all through the lens of Internal Family Systems framework. This isn't another parenting style or item we need to check off the lis...

We are well into January, but it's never too late to reflect. In this episode, we review key parenting themes from 2025 and share what parents should leave behind and what they should bring into 2026.

Play is fun, but it's also how children communicate. In this episode, we are joined by psychologist and play therapy expert Dr. Rachel Altvater to explore what kids express through play and why it’s such a powerful therapeutic tool. From understanding play themes and symbolic behavior to learning why children need control, autonomy, and emotional safety, this conversation helps parents see pl...

It happened; you yelled. You swore you never would, but you did. You are not alone. There isn't a parent in the world who hasn't lost their cool, and honestly, it's important you did. Repair is an essential skill for parents to learn and to model for our kids. 

Entitlement shows up in many families — whether it’s resistance to chores, frustration when things don’t go their way, or racing through Christmas gifts and asking, “Is that it?” In this episode, we break down the roots of entitlement in kids and why today’s instant gratification culture makes it even harder for them to wait, cope, and problem solve.

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. If you're wondering how much tech is too much, what counts as responsible AI use, or how to protect your child’s cognitive development in a digital world, this episode offers actionable insights straight from the research.

The digital world can literally feel like its own world. In this episode, we discuss the importance of media and digital literacy, the benefits and risks of media, and how to protect their own safety, privacy, and sovereignty. This conversation empowers families to build safer, healthier digital habits together.

TW: discussion of suicide In this episode, we outline how to co-create a suicide prevention safety plan with your adolescent—what it is, what goes in it, and how to keep it accessible. Talking about suicide doesn’t put the idea in kids’ heads. Open conversations are where it starts.  Plan templates to use: Stanley-Brown Safety Plan SAMHSA Child Mind Institute Peer-to-Peer Support 988 (call or text...

Legal for adults doesn’t mean safe for teens. In this episode, we detail adolescent risks, clarify medical uses, and walk parents through how to talk with teens about smoking, vaping, and edibles. Enjoy this practical, fact-forward guidance for having ongoing, open conversations at home.

This episode shares fluid targets, when electrolytes matter (and a DIY recipe), the surprising recovery power of chocolate milk, and why sleep and nutrition are integral to a hydration strategy—quick, evidence-based tips to keep your athlete safe and performing their best.

Sports and activities offer a slew of benefits for our kids, but can often come with burnout, battles, and blown budgets. We break down how to balance structured sports with free play and how to help your child discover what truly lights them up inside. And, once we are in the sports, reframing quitting, the sports scholarship myth, building resiliency, and more. Articles mentioned: The Double Shi...

Vaccine information this fall has been confusing, to say the least. But recommendations from professional medical societies are clear and have not changed. Get the information you need to make the best decision for your family here. 

Sleep is the secret weapon for learning, growth, and a strong immune system. We break down how much sleep kids really need, how to shift sleep schedules to get back on track (hello, 30–60-minute steps), and daytime habits that make nights easier ... to make your life easier. 

Back-to-school without the chaos. We answer all your burning back-to-school questions with practical tips for resetting sleep and morning routines, handling first-day jitters, making homework more manageable, and more. Quick wins, zero guilt, totally doable, a perfect recipe for that first week back!

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. We have our first guest! Ameka, Executive Director, Early Childhood at the Y in Central Maryland is answering the question: “What is the one thing you believe parents need to know before sending their kids to school for the first time?”