Practical Parenting

From poison ivy and bug bites to eczema and heat rash, we dive into common summertime skin conditions every parent should know about. Find out what causes these rashes, how to prevent them, and practical tips for soothing your child’s discomfort.

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. We have all been in this situation: We ask 14 times to put their shoes on because it’s time to go. We argue with our teen about practicing the piano they chose to play. It’s stressful for all parties involved, and the arguing gets us nowhere. How do we lay the groundwork for kids to develop good time management?

Unstructured play and boredom are not only okay, they're essential for your child’s development. In a world filled with scheduled activities and endless screens, allowing kids the time and space to engage in free play can help build creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience. This episode gives practical tips on balancing structured activities with creative, independent play...

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Accidental drowning is one of the most common causes of death and injury for young children as well as teenagers. As pools open and vacations begin, we want you to have water safety information top of mind. 

The connection between your gut microbiome and mental health is fascinating. We explain how the gut and brain are intricately connected through physical and chemical pathways, and how the food we eat can influence mood, behavior, and mental wellbeing. Tune in to learn how you can use nutrition to enhance emotional wellness and mental clarity.

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Social media dominates conversations around effective parenting, and where it typically starts is managing screen time. Parents often struggle with setting effective, realistic boundaries, and we have practical tips for parents trying to navigate tech.

From everyday worries to more serious concerns like self-harm, this episode explores practical strategies for empowering kids with emotional regulation skills, building emotional awareness, and encouraging problem-solving. Tune in for actionable tips on supporting your child through life's stressors and fostering resilience.

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Sleepovers were a common childhood event growing up, but we've learned a lot since then. Should these still be a thing? Is there a way to say yes to sleepovers and feel good about it?

From middle school friendships to high school relationships, parents can help their teens develop healthy boundaries, recognize signs of unhealthy relationships, and navigate the tricky balance between trust and independence. We talk about respect, consent, and setting boundaries to ensure your teen is a part of safe and respectful relationships. Resources mentioned:  gbmc.org/safe Call 1-866-331-...

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Disciplining is often way more than teaching kids how to behave in the world. For parents, it brings up a lot from our childhoods. When two parents with different lived experiences try to blend their styles and beliefs, it can be a challenge. How do we navigate when our partner disagrees with our discipline approach?

Discipline is a loaded word and shows up in numerous ways during our parenting journeys. How parents show up when teaching children how to be in the world is laced with our own journeys and upbringings. How do we know the most effective and loving way to support our children while also preparing them to be confident, capable adults? 

On Feb. 26, 2025, a school-aged child died from the measles outbreak in West Texas. The child was unvaccinated and otherwise healthy. This was a preventable death. Vaccines. Save. Lives. They are imperative in keeping our children safe and healthy. We are revisiting this previously-recorded episode so parents can get all the facts from an expert. 

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Sibling dynamics are a learning curve for everyone, but adding in a child who needs extra attention can create an additional layer of challenge and potential resentment. How can parents help navigate sibling dynamics when one has higher level needs?

Sibling dynamics come down to teaching our children how to navigate conflict or problem solve, but it can be draining, especially when everyone is around each other all the time. Here, we outline common sibling conflicts and how to navigate them. 

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Tis the season … for illness. Coughs are one of the most prominent symptoms for a variety of illnesses, and how do we know when it is just a run-of-the-mill winter cold or something more serious?

We dig deeper on another touchy (no pun intended) topic parents can get hesitant to broach with their teens and tweens—sex and bodies. The Sex Talk as we knew it left something to be desired, but we have more tools now. This ongoing conversation prepares your kids for healthy relationships and comfort with their body for years to come. Listen for tips! 

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Routines during divorce are particularly important for kids and can be made complicated when the rules differ between households. How do you develop consistent routines, prevent children from using differences against parents, and keep the focus on what’s best for the child?

Divorce is tricky. You can decide not to be life partners, but if you have children, you still need to maintain a partnership for your children. We help you navigate the mixed emotions, tricky situations, and tough decisions that come with this transition. 

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Pneumonia cases in children have been in the news a lot recently. We are here to give you all you need to know and look out for.

Young people don't need your advice on becoming an adult. It’s counterintuitive to how you have been parenting up until this point, but when your child becomes an adolescent, your role needs to change. Hosts discuss how to support your young adult in developing agency, learning from mistakes, building the foundation of confidence and resilience, all while fostering connection between you and...

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Sleep health is important, and time changes—whether it’s Daylight Savings Time or jet lag after recent travel— can make it challenging to maintain a healthy schedule. We have tips for maintaining good sleep no matter what!

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10- to 24-year-olds in the United States and a global public health issue. Supporting the mental health of young people is a big topic of conversation on this podcast, so we wanted to make sure we tackled this difficult, yet critical piece of mental health struggles for adolescents. This episode touches on statistics, risk factors, protective factor...

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Talking about tough topics with teens is hard enough without the added factor of “all my friends are doing it.” How do we toe the line in these conversations when we think our adolescent’s friends might be leading them in the wrong direction?

Today, we are going deep on tough topics like drugs and other substances with your teens and tweens: what you need to know, how to approach the conversation, how to make sure you keep talking about it and more. 

Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. As parents, we want to encourage our kids to try new things, but we also don't want to force them to do things they don't want to do. How do we find the balance?