Kids These Days

If you are a parent of multiples, your day-to-day reality is a completely different ballgame. The physical and emotional exhaustion of the early years is next level. But beyond the logistics of double strollers and synchronous tantrums lies a fascinating, highly specialized psychological landscape. We often celebrate the deep, non-verbal bond twins share, but clinically, that "womb-mate" connectio...

We talk a lot about clinical frameworks and evidence-based psychological theories on this show. But today, we are stepping out of the clinic and straight onto the playground to talk about the real-world execution of mental health: community . In this special bonus episode, Dr. Courtney sits down with Tessa Metiva , the founder of the Denver-based Cool Mom Collective and host of the Mama’s Got the...

Have you ever packed up your car for a weekend getaway with a baby or toddler, looked at the literal mountain of gear, and wondered: Is this even worth it? For most parents of young children, standard travel isn't a vacation—it’s just parenting in a different zip code. The cognitive and logistical mental load required to keep a toddler safe, fed, and sleeping on the road is enough to cause full-bl...

Inside the Episode: The Referee vs. The Coach The 4 Rs: How to Spot the "Referee" in You Chris identifies the four signs that you’ve slipped into a reactive, referee mindset. When we are in this mode, we focus on rules and punishment rather than growth. Reprimanding: Focusing strictly on what not to do (e.g., "Stop running!"). Repeating: Saying the same directive over and over, which actually teac...

This episode is the deep breath every modern parent needs. We live in a world where we are bombarded with "prescriptive" parenting advice at every turn—if we don’t use the right script or the right reward chart, we’re told we’re failing. But what if the goal isn't perfection, but simply being "good enough"? I’m joined by Katie Linn, LCSW , a Denver-based therapist and the creator behind @YourThera...

Biology 101: The Two Halves of Your Cycle Lauren breaks down the month into two distinct phases, driven by our "lead actor" hormones: The Follicular Phase (Front Half): Driven by rising Estrogen . This hormone is responsible for our zest for life. It makes us feel vibrant, creative, and resilient. This is the phase where we often feel like we "have it all together." The Luteal Phase (Back Half): D...

Guest: Dr. Lindsey O’Brennan, Licensed Psychologist & Founder of Morningstar Wellness On paper, they look perfect. Straight A’s, varsity spots, and a resume that would make a CEO jealous. But for many high-achieving teens, the cost of functioning at such a high level has quietly become too great. In this episode, Dr. Courtney sits down with longtime colleague and performance expert Dr. Lindsey...

Have you ever felt dismissed by your child's school? Your child’s teacher reports they are well-behaved and hitting benchmarks, yet the second they hit the front door at home, they explode into a "whirlwind" of meltdowns. In this episode, Dr. Courtney sits down with Hannah Higgins, LCSW , a former school social worker and neurodivergent advocate, to demystify the phenomenon of masking . Hannah sha...

Guest: Annie Close, Pediatric Occupational Therapist & Founder of OWN Pediatric Therapy Potty training is often treated like a high-stakes behavioral exam, but what if the struggle isn't about "willpower" at all? In this episode, Dr. Courtney sits down with pediatric pelvic health expert Annie Close to discuss why so many families hit a wall with potty training. We dive deep into the physiolog...

"Their behavior is a longing for connection." If you’ve ever found yourself in a "boiling point" moment—where a simple request turns into a door-slamming explosion—then this episode is your permission slip to stop being a "Fixer" and start being an Anchor. In this conversation, I’m joined by Emma Abel Loach, M.Ed., Ed. S., LMFT , the Clinical Director at Thrive Couple and Family Counseling Service...

“I looked, and I don’t see a tie.” For many parents, this sentence is the beginning of a long, frustrating journey of chasing symptoms like fragmented sleep, chronic gas, and delayed motor milestones without ever finding the root cause. In this episode of Kids These Days , Dr. Courtney Lynn sits down with Dr. Kayla Culbertson, a pediatric Occupational Therapist and specialist in tethered oral ties...

Morning stress, "tummy aches," and the desperate plea to stay home—school refusal is one of the most taxing challenges a family system can face. In this episode of Kids These Days , Dr. Courtney Lynn is joined by Dr. Alex Littleton to discuss the "School Refusal Trap." They dive deep into why our well-intentioned efforts to ease a child's distress can inadvertently reinforce their anxiety. Using t...

“I feel like I’m failing on all fronts.” “I’m always the one left out.” If you are a member of a stepfamily, you know that the word "step" often carries a heavy weight. Between the Disney stereotypes of evil step-parents and the internal feeling that your family was born from a place of "brokenness," it is incredibly easy to get stuck in a state of high-alert. We try to "manage" the dishes and the...

“Is this decision going to break my child?” When a family faces divorce, parents often spiral into intense fear and shame. We worry that our choice to pursue a healthier life will dismantle the Secure Base we’ve worked so hard to build. But as we often say at IBH: our children don’t need us to be perfect; they need us to be regulated, honest, and present. In this episode of Kids These Days , Dr. C...

“If I just try harder, my child wouldn't need this.” “I can exercise my way out of this depression.” As parents, the pressure to "optimize" our families often turns us into "Human Doings" who are stuck in a state of high-alert. We treat clinical struggles as personal failures. But what if the path to a healthier family wasn't through perfection, but through balance? In this episode of Kids These D...

“Mommy, my tummy hurts.” It’s the phrase that can derail a morning and send a parent’s stress levels through the roof. When medical tests come back "normal" but your child is still in pain, where do you turn? In this episode of Kids These Days , Dr. Courtney sits down with Dr. Cat Naclerio, a pediatric psychologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Digestive Health Institute. They pull back the cu...

Did you know that 90% of your child’s serotonin—the "feel-good" neurotransmitter—is actually made in their gut, not their brain? In this episode of Kids These Days , Dr. Courtney sits down with functional and integrative medicine expert Dr. Laura Vanston to demystify the "gut-brain connection." We often think of anxiety as a "head problem," but Dr. Laura explains why it is a bi-directional highway...

“I’m stupid.” “I’m going to fail.” “If I don't get an A, I'll never get into college.” As parents, hearing our children engage in negative self-talk can trigger our own "Internal Critic." We feel the urgency to fix it, to argue against it, or to problem-solve the pain away. But what if our "fix-it" mode is actually closing the door on connection? In this episode of Kids These Days , Dr. Courtney s...

Navigating the school system can feel like learning a foreign language. Between IEPs, 504 plans, MTSS, and specialized educational jargon, parents often find themselves overwhelmed and unsure of how to get their child the support they actually need. In this episode, Dr. Courtney is joined by Rachel Schopp , a K-12 veteran, former administrator, and educational consultant. Rachel acts as a "transla...

We hear the term "Self-Care" everywhere—usually accompanied by images of three-hour spa days or solo vacations. But for parents in the "messy middle," those things don't just feel rare—they feel impossible. When we can't achieve the Instagram version of self-care, we end up feeling two things: Guilt and Pressure. Today, Dr. Courtney is joined by Dr. Brittany Wade , a Licensed Psychologist and foun...

It is perhaps the conversation every parent dreads the most: explaining death to a child. Whether it’s the loss of a pet, a grandparent, or a sudden tragedy in the community, our instinct is to protect—to shield our children from the pain of grief. But as we often discuss on this show, protection isn't about the absence of pain; it's about the presence of a Secure Base. Today, Dr. Courtney is join...

No amount of individual therapy or premarital counseling truly prepares you for the emotional "hit" of parenting. When a child screams, refuses to brush their teeth, or struggles at school, it doesn't just trigger our parenting instincts—it often hijacks our relationship with our partner. Today, Dr. Courtney is joined by Allison Rimland, LPC, an expert in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Togethe...

If you’ve ever felt like anxiety is the uninvited cousin who showed up to your family dinner and refused to leave, this episode is for you. We often view a child’s anxiety as a problem they are carrying individually, but the clinical truth is that healing happens from the Inside-Out . To change the child’s experience, we often have to change the family environment. Today, Dr. Courtney is joined by...

What does it mean to be a "Modern Dad"? For many fathers, the role has shifted significantly from the previous generation. It’s no longer just about providing financial stability; it’s about being emotionally involved, attuned, and interested in the internal lives of our children. But how do we navigate this shift when we didn't have a roadmap for it? Today, Dr. Courtney is joined by Dr. Gabe Cash...

But my child can play video games for eight hours straight—they can't possibly have ADHD." If you’ve ever said those words, this episode is for you. We often think of ADHD as a deficit of attention, but in reality, it’s a struggle with Executive Functioning —the brain’s internal management system. Today, Dr. Courtney is joined by Dr. Stephanie Fox , a clinical psychologist and expert in neurodevel...