Parenting in the First 3 Years

There's a lively conversation on social media about attachment parenting and sometimes it feels like if you don't get everything exactly right, you might be messing up or at least not be providing the best for your baby.  In this episode, Diane Goyette and Gabrielle Holt discuss how both infants and parents contribute to their secure, attached relationship. They explain how the attachment par...

We all seem to have our own take on what’s behind children’s behavior. I know my husband and I sure did when we were in the thick of raising little kids - we definitely had our own ideas of what was going on! In this episode Rochelle Bridges, a licensed family therapist and Integrated Enneagram Accredited Practitioner, explains how your center of intelligence affects how you respond to your child...

The sound of a crying newborn... oh my goodness! It sends shivers down your spine, creates emotional tension and you want to do anything to help them (and make it stop!). But how do you know what they need? Our guest, Dympna Kennedy, has created a checklist of 5 things for new parents to try when their baby is crying and they're not sure why. Her advice is simple, concrete and easy to remember, wh...

Toys. You love ‘em, your kid loves ‘em, people give you lots of them and after a while, they take over your house! How do you keep them organized? Amanda Liford, has the answers. She’s the founder of Easy Life Organizing, which specializes in decluttering, minimizing, and organizing homes, businesses, and digital spaces to make life easier. She knows what’s going on in your house because she’s the...

It's that time of year when kids like to wear their Halloween costume any chance they get and I say, let 'em! Costumes allow children to pretend big, often exploring themes of power and justice through their play. When they put on a costume that says “I’m in charge”, they're able to practice what it feels like to be powerful, whether that's a powerful lion, princess, witch or superhero. They’re al...

Those first weeks at home with a newborn are beautiful, memorable and well, kinda hard. The minute you walk in the door with your new baby, life changes. And frankly, moms can feel a little uninformed about their own recovery, both physical and emotional, in the first months. Carly and Meg of Fourth Trimester Foundations are registered nurses who found their passion working in the postpartum &...

Holiday gatherings are coming soon. What do you do when your child screams, clings to you and won't be friendly with grandparents, relatives and friends you haven't seen for a while? In this episode, Prerna Richards tells you why this happens, what's going on developmentally and what you can do to help your child feel comfortable and at peace, even in new situations.  For full show notes, cli...

The story of what happened to children during the pandemic isn't over. In this episode, Anya Kamenetz, author of The Stolen Year: How COVID Changed Children's Lives, and Where We Go Now talks about what families experienced during the pandemic, sharing stories of ways both children and parents continue to be affected and encouragement for the future. Contact Anya at http://www.anyakamenetz.net/ Pu...

Most new parents experience up and down emotions in the first weeks and months of parenting, but how do you know if you're experiencing postpartum depression? In this episode, Sherry Duson, MA, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist explains what's normal, how to alleviate feelings of depression through self-care and how to get the help you need. For full show notes, click here I'd love to p...

Babies bring about a new dimension to families beyond you and your partner. Grandparents, aunties, uncles… we all love that baby! Research shows that grandparent relationships provide lots of benefits for children - they have a stronger support system, are more resilient, less prone to depression and best of all, they have the security that comes from being loved. In this episode we take a look at...

Parenting Coach Lorena Seidel and I discuss strategies that help you to break free of negative cycles of parenting you may have experienced. Because most of us tend to become "just like our own parents", especially in moments of duress. If this is not necessarily a good thing , then you'll love the encouragement and practical advice Lorena has to offer. She shares four strategies that enable you t...

It's a huge milestone ~ you all made it through the first year! Now it's time to do some birthday party planning. Figuring out how you want to celebrate is the first step. Big party? Small party? A trip to the zoo with just you and your baby? You've got options! In this episode, I chat with Kim Morrison of The Hygge Gathering, who's passionate about creating cozy, comfortable, inviting gatherings...

How do you know if your baby is securely attached? What does that even look like? In this episode Annie Brook shares practical ways parents can support and nurture their child by becoming aware of their perception of the world. She explains early precognitive memory, like birth or attachment trauma, and how to help it heal through touch, talk and responsiveness. For full show notes, click here . I...

In this episode you'll learn how to select a preschool, what types of programs are available and most importantly, how to know if it's the best one for your child. Plus you'll get tips on getting ready for the first day of school, ways to have a smooth drop off and what to expect at the end of the day when you pick up your kiddo.  For full show notes, click here. I'd love to pray for you, ema...

Liz Tenety, co-founder of Motherly, gives behind-the-scenes insight on trends, what she sees as a big source of struggles for moms, how creating Motherly has influenced her own mothering and how being a mother has influenced her work.  Enjoy! Click here for full show notes, with links to the Motherly website, classes and resources. I'd love to pray for you and your family, email me . No strin...

Exploring how to "be" as a new parent takes time. There are so many people and approaches to glean from as you find what works best for you and your family. One thing I LOVE about the RIE approach to parenting is they way it honors to the dignity of your child by speaking to them with respect, giving them time to respond on their own, which promotes self-awareness and autonomy.  In this episo...

Just as our children are going through phases of development throughout their lives, we too are going through stages of parenting as our kid get older. But did you know there are stages of parenting that every mom and dad experience? Each stage brings its own set of lessons and struggles. We, as parents, grow and morph alongside our children. In this episode, I share the six stages of parenting, a...

When you're a new parent, you're expected to do it all. Homemade food, the best diapers, constant eye contact and playtime, zero chemicals. Meanwhile, the whole world is yelling at you that "parental self-care is so important!" When does a busy parent even find time for self-care between the overwhelming expectations coming from ourselves and others? In this episode, I chat with licensed occupatio...

Have you had the death talk with your child yet? Maybe it hasn't come up. Maybe you think they're too young. Or maybe you were forced to discuss it after a family pet or loved one died. Experts agree that it's never too early to bring up the subject of death with your child. And it's better to bring it up before they have to experience it first-hand. But what's the best way to broach the subject?...

You’re doing it all... working a job you love, taking care of littles, finding time for the big things that matter. But right now, at this moment, all you need is just to get to work on time. You’re dressed, packed up, and all set to go when your toddler starts World War 3 as you’re trying to get them out the door. Why does your kid resist today what she was perfectly fine with yesterday? We may n...

Parents around the world find comfort and guidance in their spiritual faith, even during the hardest of times of their parenting journey. Prayer, journaling, and reflection are powerful tools that can bring peace during turmoil and a sense of direction on those days you feel lost. In this episode, I talk to award-winning author Bunmi Laditan about how parents can use their faith to ease the worry...

Everyone knows that special newborn smell. And if you haven't experienced it yet, you've no doubt heard about it. Mothers young and old can recall the smell their children had during the first few weeks of their life. It's one of those things that sticks with you forever. But do fathers experience it the same way mothers do? And what about the babies - what role does smell play in developing an at...

Fathers play an important and complicated role in their family. Not too long ago, fathers were expected to provide financially, and not much else. Boy how things have changed! Now, a father is considered a good one if he takes an active role in parenting and keeping house, splitting the responsibilities and duties with his partner. How can fathers learn from the way things used to be while embraci...

Breastfeeding. It's one of the most controversial topics concerning motherhood. And no wonder - it's both communal and extremely personal, there are so many expectations surrounding it, and when you're first getting started, each session can feel like a make-it-or-break-it moment. So how can new and expectant mothers keep a level head and weed through all the breastfeeding myths flying at them? In...

When you have a growth mindset, you believe that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work (compared to solely relying on brains and talent). Many expecting parents think if they can just read enough books and do enough Googling leading up to the birth of their child, they'll be prepared for everything to come. Too bad that's not how that works. In order to become bette...