Parenting Understood

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Ashley Fallon, PhD in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from New York University and Director of Mansfield Children's Center, regarding how to produce summer activities for our children when we are all out of ideas. Dr. Fallon will demonstrate ways to introduce structured and unstructured learning into the summer days to combat "The Summer Slide." After thi...

On this episode of Parenting Understood, we are joined by Jaime H. Davis, partner in the family law firm Gailor, Hunt, Davis, Taylor & Gibbs, and podcast host of A Year and A Day: Divorce without Destruction. Jaime discusses the complexities of divorce and how to support both oneself and children through the process. Throughout, she emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the best interests of c...

In this episode of Parents Understood, we discuss the importance of micro moments in parenting, and how they can positively impact children and parent-child relationships. We emphasize noticing the good in children's behavior, using soft and gentle touch paired with praise, practicing active listening and validation, incorporating mindful moments to build self-regulation, and setting clear boundar...

 In this episode of Parenting Understood, we are joined by Dr. Jessica Gaulton, a neonatologist and founder of Familywell, about perinatal and postpartum health. We discuss the definition of PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders), emphasizing that it encompasses any mood disorder experienced during pregnancy or within a year after birth. We also highlight the lack of screening for PMADs and...

In this episode of Parenting Understood, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Rebecca Dekker founder of Evidence Based Birth. Rebecca is a nurse and researcher who is dedicated to supporting parents in pregnancy and the birthing process. She recounts her traumatic first birth experience, which involved unnecessary interventions and separation from her newborn, and how it led her to research the evi...

In this episode, we discuss boundaries with parent coach Cindy Shuster. We talk about what boundaries are and how to establish them with ourselves and our children. We further discuss the core principle of boundaries and why we have them. Additionally, we speak about how to change boundaries once they have been set. Lastly, we address mutual boundary setting.  Cindy Shuster, founder of Partner in...

In this episode of Parenting Understood we are joined by Chelsey Goodan, author of Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls. In this episode we talk about girls' experiences feeling unheard while also experiencing societal pressures to be perfect and likable. We delve into the role of social media in girls' views of themselves and others. We further discuss the role of gender in girls...

This week we discuss how AI language models, specifically ChatGPT and Gemini, can support us in parenting. We delve into how ChatGPT and Gemini may help with things from crafting meals to creating personalized bedtime stories, generating craft ideas and developing educational games. We note, however, that AI models are best used as a starting point for evidence-based information and should not rep...

In this episode of Parenting Understood we speak with Dr. Harriet Tenenbaum about the importance of parent-child talk for a child's development. As we discuss, parents who speak more about emotions with their children help their children understand emotions better. Interestingly, there does not appear to be a large difference between explaining emotions to children and asking them questions about...

In this episode, we discuss how a reward chart can support young children when traveling. More specifically, we walk through the key steps to using a reward chart, and the role of supporting positive behaviors. Traveling is a time of transition and often stress for children (and parents) but there are evidence based strategies to support children in the experience.  For more information on Spot It...

We are thrilled to be re-releasing our episode with Dr. Clancy Blair as part of our four week back to school series before our reflection on the past 100 plus episodes in two weeks. Dr. Blair is a developmental psychologist and Professor at New York University, who studies self-regulation in young children. His primary interest concerns the development of cognitive abilities, referred to as execut...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Holly Gover, a board-certified behavior analyst with extensive experience working with children with developmental disabilities. Dr. Gover, currently a faculty member in pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, joins us to tackle a common concern for parents: picky eaters. Dr. Gover shares valuable insights on how to encourage children to try new fo...

In this episode, we are joined by Lauren Smith-Brody, founder of the Fifth Trimester movement and the author of The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom's Guide to Style, Sanity, and Big Success After Baby . We discuss with Lauren how her work addresses the research and policy around early parenthood, as well as the practical. Lauren speaks about how her work dissects the systems that drive the inequi...

In this episode, we discuss 9 key principles to consider when having conversations with children around difficult topics, such as illness. We discuss ways to be developmentally appropriate with one's approach, especially for younger children. In addition, we talk about supports to consider when having these conversations, and the importance of gearing one's approach towards one's own child's needs...

In this episode we are joined by Harvard Professor, Dr. Paul Harris, to delve into the intricate world of children's imagination and its developmental significance. Drawing on his research, Dr. Harris challenges historical views, notably those of Freud and Piaget, highlighting the pragmatic value of children's imaginative play. He shares experiments involving young children's responses to pretend...

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Felienne Hermans to delve into the world of programming and its significance in children's development. We explore why programming is vital for children, emphasizing their shift from being digital consumers to creators. Felienne underscores the importance of fostering creativity in the digital realm, highlighting how programming empowers children to craft thei...

In this episode, we are joined by Danielle DuBosie, co-Founder of Sakara Life, which merges modern science and ancient healing wisdom. We explore the intricate connection between nutrition, emotions, and childhood development. Danielle, who had a background in functional medicine, delves into the emerging research on the gut microbiome's impact on emotional well-being, emphasizing how food directl...

In this latest episode, Professor Noguera argues for a shift in education, prioritizing both academic achievement and social-emotional development. He highlights how schools often neglect fostering positive student-adult relationships, which are crucial for well-being. Dr. Noguera proposes a holistic approach, emphasizing a supportive environment in schools. Further, we discuss how parents are key...

In this episode, we are joined by Drs Marc Brackett and Niobe Way to discuss the importance of human connection for children, teenagers, and adults. We talk about the significance of supportive relationships for healthy social emotional development, and the potential negative effects of a lack of supportive relationships, including violence and self-harm. Further, Marc and Niobe dive into the topi...

In this episode we speak with Dr. Keegan Tangeman about the use of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to support children and adults in overcoming difficult thoughts and behaviors. We speak about the use of this type of therapy in general, as well as with suicidal adolescents. Further, we discuss how the principles of DBT can be used to support children not only in therapy but in their interacti...

We are thrilled to be joined in our first episode of the New Year by Jessica Grose. Jessica is an opinion writer at  The New York Times  who writes a popular newsletter on parenting. Jessica was the founding editor of Lenny, the email newsletter and website. She also writes about women's health, culture, politics and grizzly bears. She was named one of LinkedIn's Next Wave top professionals 35 and...

In this episode, Dr. Whitney discusses her book "Doing It All: Stop Over-Functioning and Become the Mom and Person You're Meant to Be." She addresses the challenges faced by mothers who feel overwhelmed and pulled in multiple directions, offering strategies for self-compassion, setting boundaries, and prioritizing what matters most. Dr. Whitney emphasizes the importance of being sensitive and resp...

In this episode, we are joined by Professor Susan Neuman to explore early literacy and how parents can best support their young children. Susan emphasizes the importance of understanding the science of reading and highlights key skills that contribute to a child's success as a reader. The conversation delves into various aspects of early literacy, such as phonological awareness, representational l...

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Richard Weissbourd to speak about achievement pressure. We discuss how parents can be mindful of the messages they send and how to prioritize children's well-being over external validation. Dr. Weissbourd speaks as to how collective action is critical to address systemic issues that are fueling achievement pressure.  Richard Weissbourd is a Senior Lecturer at...

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome back Dr. Jeanne Donaldson to speak with her on the topic of behavior basics and creating a foundation of a warm, loving, safe, nurturing environment in our homes. We take on a variety of topics including establishing the foundations of sleep, nutrition, movement, safety, parental attention, and building and supporting independence through choice making....