Not Just Theories

When it comes to parenting and communication, it’s easy to go searching for the strategy that will fix everything. But in real life, one strategy is rarely enough. In this episode of Not Just Theories, I talk about the idea of a communication toolkit. A collection of strategies you can draw on flexibly, depending on your child, the situation, and the moment you’re in. Inspired by the book How to T...

In this final episode of the infant sleep series, we bring together the key ideas from the previous episodes. We revisit: • how circadian rhythms and sleep pressure shape sleep • why babies have different sleep needs • biological and medical barriers to sleep • allergies and gut discomfort • sensory processing differences • temperament and individual variation • strategies for protecting parent sl...

This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences. Some babies seem to sleep easily almost anywhere. Others are far more sensitive to stimulation, change, or discomfort. In this episode we explore how temperament can shape infant sleep, using the concept...

This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.   When babies wake frequently, the question many parents are really asking is: How do I survive the sleep deprivation? In this episode we shift the focus from “fixing” baby sleep to protecting parent slee...

This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.   Not all babies experience the world in the same way. In this episode we explore how sensory processing differences can influence infant sleep. Some babies seek more stimulation and movement, while other...

This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.   In Part 4 of the infant sleep series, we explore a biological factor that can significantly affect sleep but is often overlooked in mainstream sleep advice: food allergies and gut discomfort. Sometimes...

This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences. In Part 3 of the infant sleep series, we explore something that often gets missed in sleep conversations: medical and biological factors that can interfere with sleep. Most infant sleep advice focuses on...

This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.   In Part 2 of the infant sleep series, we zoom out from schedules and talk about something that often gets overlooked: individual sleep needs. Not all babies need the same amount of sleep. When your baby...

This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.   Infant sleep advice often focuses on bedtime routines and nap schedules, but in this episode, we zoom out and start somewhere else entirely. In Episode 26 of Not Just Theories, I explore infant sleep th...

Parents are often told to “wait and see” when it comes to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) concerns, especially if symptoms seem mild or inconsistent. In this episode, I share general, educational information to help parents recognise possible red flags related to sleep-disordered breathing and hearing difficulties in children. We talk about signs that can be easy to miss, including disrupted sleep, sn...

Advocacy is often talked about as being loud, confident, or knowing exactly what to say in the moment. But for many parents (especially neurodivergent parents) advocacy looks very different. In this episode, I talk about the quiet, exhausting, ongoing work of advocating for your child: noticing patterns, asking questions, following up, and trusting yourself enough to keep going - even when you’re...

No parent stays calm all the time. We snap, disconnect, misread, or say things we wish we could take back - and that’s not a failure of attachment. In Episode 23 of Not Just Theories, we explore rupture and repair: the idea that healthy relationships aren’t built by getting it right every time, but by coming back together after things go wrong. This episode unpacks what rupture actually looks like...

We talk a lot about transitions for children, but rarely about how hard they are for parents. In Episode 22 of Not Just Theories, we flip the focus and explore why transitions hit adults so hard, especially in the constant context-switching of parenting. This episode unpacks what’s happening in the nervous system when you’re asked to move quickly from one role to another (from work brain to parent...

Routines get a bad reputation - as rigid, controlling, or something parents impose on children. But for many parents (especially neurodivergent parents), routines are actually self-regulation tools. In Episode 21 of Not Just Theories, we unpack why routines and control feel so important, what’s happening in the brain and nervous system when structure disappears, and why losing your routines can fe...

Parenting comes with a never-ending stream of choices - from what snacks to pack to how to respond to the fifteenth “Muuum?” of the morning. And at some point, your brain simply taps out. This episode dives into decision fatigue, why it hits parents so hard (especially neurodivergent parents), and why it’s not a moral failing… it’s cognitive load. We break down what decision fatigue actually is fr...

Independent play is one of those topics that can make parents feel like they’re either winning or failing… but the truth is far more human than that. In this episode of Not Just Theories, we look at independent play through the lens most parenting advice misses: temperament. Some children seem wired from birth to explore, tinker, or entertain themselves. Others want proximity, co-regulation, or sh...

In this episode, we explore the four common parent roles in play: the Performer, the Director, the Watcher, and the Dance Partner. Each role has its place - sometimes kids need a little entertainment, sometimes they need teaching, and sometimes they need space. But the role that supports communication, connection, and deeper engagement the most? The Dance Partner. This is where play starts to feel...

Not every toy needs a “right way” to be played with. In Part 2, I explore open-ended play - what it really means, how it supports problem-solving and creativity, and why it can help kids play longer and more independently. I share examples of open-ended toys, tips for balancing them with more structured options, and how to encourage imaginative play without needing to constantly direct or entertai...

If your play space feels overwhelming or your kids ignore most of their toys, this episode is for you. In Part 1 of the Making Play Work series, I unpack the idea of toy rotation - what it is, why it works, and how it can reignite your child’s interest in play. I share how we make toy rotation work in our home (with just a small cube shelf in the living room, not a Pinterest-perfect playroom), wha...

It’s easy to fall into the habit of asking lots of questions ... “What’s that? What colour is it?” ... but too many can stall true connection. In this final part of the Early Communication Made Simple series, I share how to reduce non-genuine questions, follow your child’s lead, and use responsive comments that spark real back-and-forth moments. Learn what to say instead, how to tune in to your ch...

Not all words are equal when your child is learning to talk. In this episode, I break down how to choose which words to work on first - based on what matters most to your child and what will help them connect and communicate faster. This episode offers clear, practical guidance you can start using today at home or in therapy.   Pick words that are: Useful: They let the child get what they want or...

Before words come connection. In this first episode of the Early Communication Made Simple series, I explore the Harvard “serve and return” framework - the science behind those simple back-and-forth moments that shape a child’s brain and communication skills. You’ll hear practical examples of how to spot your child’s “serves,” respond in ways that build trust, and make everyday moments more meanin...

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the kettle boils over. In this final episode, I explore strategies for intense overstimulation, when yelling feels inevitable. I share scripts, mantras, and physical strategies (like yelling into a pillow, turning frustration into movement, or using loud music to “sing it out”) to help release the feelings safely. These tools let parents reset, repair, and mod...

Even with prevention strategies, the kettle can still bubble. In this episode, I share ways to release steam safely when you’re close to boiling over. Whether it’s tagging in another parent, giving yourself a quiet reset (screens for the kids are allowed!), or having a bath, you’ll learn how to lower the pressure before you hit boiling point.

Parenting can be loud, messy, and overwhelming. In this first episode of my self-regulation mini-series for parents, I talk about preventing overstimulation before it boils over. From reducing background noise (bye-bye, noisy toys) to using loop earplugs, to simply remembering to eat, I share practical ways to “turn down the heat” and protect your own nervous system so you can show up calmer for y...