Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled

A mom worries that her toddler has developed an irrational fear of people, both strangers and family friends. She says that in some situations her daughter will cry uncontrollably for 10 minutes or more. “It’s awful to see our daughter so upset, and I’m desperate to know the best way to handle this.” For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazo...

A mother is alarmed by her feelings of animosity towards her demanding 5-year-old. She admits that there have been a lot of transitions in the household, but she’s run out of patience with her daughter's constant complaints and is “turning into the kind of mother I’ve always hated… I want to hit the reset button but can’t find it.” For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please...

A mom writes that her 3-year-old has become whiny, demanding, and clingy since her separation from the boy’s father and their move to a new home. At this point, she says, “I do not enjoy being with him at all” and she wonders if Janet has advice on how to re-establish their relationship so she can enjoy being with him again. For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check o...

Janet responds to a letter from a pregnant mom who struggled mightily with her first child, whom she describes as a Velcro baby. Though her daughter has developed into a “happy, confident and wonderful little girl,” the experience took a toll on this mother and left her feeling insecure as a parent and “frankly terrified of having the same experience again.” For more advice on common infant/toddle...

A mother writes that her “kind, sensitive” boy has picked up the F-word and is using it frequently to test his parents’ patience. She says that she has tried a variety of responses, ranging from ignoring the word to disallowing it, but nothing has helped. Both parents are out of ideas and looking for some direction. For more advice on parenting issues, please check out this new audio resource -- "...

A mom writes to Janet wondering if she should give her 2-year-old a reprieve from socializing, since she can’t seem to get through a play date without either hitting, kicking, or biting one of her peers. She wants to raise her daughter “to be kind and loving and safe around other people,” but at this point she feels that she has become a bully. For more on aggressive toddler behavior and other iss...

A mom with 4 and 6-year-old girls is worried that playdates at the park with friends are too rough, sometimes downright dangerous. She says that in many instances children get hurt and someone ends up in tears. This mom is wondering how, when, or if to intervene to protect her kids. For more advice on common parenting issues, please check out Janet's best-selling books on audio at Audible (https:/...

Janet responds to a mother who describes her husband and herself as “very healthy, active people.” They have been trying to encourage their almost 5-year-old to pursue physical activities by providing lessons and classes but are frustrated because he loses interest. They are wondering whether to push their agenda or just let it go. For more advice on common parenting issues, please check out Janet...

Janet is joined by Dr. Meghan Owenz and her husband Adam to discuss some of the truths and misconceptions about children and screens. Meghan is a university professor teaching classes on counseling and infant and child development. She and Adam write about the latest research on their website ScreenFreeParenting and present a host of screen-free alternatives to keep children engaged and learning....

The mother of a 16-month-old is climbing the walls because her daredevil boy insists on climbing the furniture and putting himself “in potentially dangerous situations.” She strives to maintain a respectful, trusting attitude and does not want to continually say ‘no’, but she feels her son is testing and trying to get a reaction out of her. For more advice on toddler parenting issues, please check...

The parent of a 22-month-old seeks some clarification for toy-taking situations when her boy is in a public space -- if or when to intervene, and wondering if it’s better to weather the judgmental stares of other parents in favor of her son’s social development. For more on toddler conflicts and other common parenting issues, please check out this new audio resource -- "Sessions" -- my recorded co...

A mom is frustrated that her 4-year-old daughter has suddenly decided she’s helpless in the mornings, pretending to be overwhelmed and confused by the most basic tasks. This mom is expecting a new baby and is going to need her daughter’s cooperation when the child arrives. For more on common parenting issues, please check out this new audio resource -- "Sessions" -- my recorded consultations with...

A mom is struggling with her 3.5-year-old’s “controlling and oppositional behavior.” She’s trying to find reasonable boundaries to avoid big confrontations over minor issues when her daughter insists on calling the shots. For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazon and Audible (https://adbl.co/2OBVztZ). Also available for download, her audio...

A mom describes her daughter as “super easy, independent and happy” at school but emotional and defiant at home. She suspects her child is going through a “development leap” that will pass (she hopes!) but wonders how to handle her behavior in the meantime. For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazon and Audible (https://adbl.co/2OBVztZ). Als...

A mom is confused by her one-year-old’s loud grunts and screeches and isn’t always sure what he needs in these situations. For more on common parenting issues, please check out this new audio resource -- "Sessions" -- my recorded consultations with parents: SessionsAudio.com Our Sponsors:* Check out BabyQuip and use my code UNRUFFLED for a great deal: http://www.babyquip.comSee Privacy Policy at h...

Janet responds to a question from a mom whose 15-month-old is constantly taking toys from his peers on the playground. She describes him as “very physical and stronger and taller than most of the other kids.” She’s tried many approaches to moderate his behavior, but none of them have worked. She’s looking for some new strategies. (Here's the article that Janet and the parent refer to in the podcas...

Janet weighs in with a concerned mom whose toddler is having trouble sitting and listening in his enrichment class. "Sessions" is Janet's collection of private phone consultations with parents. Check out episodes here: SessionsAudio.com Our Sponsors:* Check out BabyQuip and use my code UNRUFFLED for a great deal: http://www.babyquip.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...

Janet responds to a mother who has avoided using words like ‘no’ and ‘stop’ when interacting with her child, and she’s now concerned that her toddler doesn’t have the social vocabulary to establish her own boundaries. For more on boundaries and other common parenting issues, please check out this new audio resource -- "Sessions" -- my recorded consultations with parents: http://sites.fastspring.co...

Janet responds to a letter from a single parent who describes her relationship with her 4-year-old as close and respectful, yet her daughter’s behavior is exhausting and concerning. This mum is overwhelmed and is desperately seeking advice and hope. For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books on Amazon and Audible (https://adbl.co/2OBVztZ). Also availa...

Janet offers advice to a mother of nine-month-old twins. The boy is physically active and social and seeks her engagement. The girl is content to play independently without much interaction or feedback, and the mom is worried that she may not be giving her enough attention. For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazon and Audible (adbl.co/2OBV...

A working mom writes that her 3-month-old is not happy when left on the floor to play by himself. He quickly begins “screaming and crying to be saved,” and the situation is causing problems both at home and at the child’s daycare. Check out Sessions, my recorded consultations with parents: SessionsAudio.com Our Sponsors:* Check out BabyQuip and use my code UNRUFFLED for a great deal: http://www.ba...

Janet receives a letter from a mom who’s been separated from her husband for six weeks and is about to make the arrangement permanent. She wonders how much, and how best to communicate with her four-year-old about the situation and how to handle the changes in their lives. "Sessions" is Janet's exclusive collection of private phone consultations with parents. Check out episodes here: SessionsAudio...

Janet advises a worried mother whose child's behavior seems to have taken a turn for the worse. For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazon and Audible (adbl.co/2OBVztZ). Also available for download, her audio series "Sessions" -- recorded consultations with parents discussing their most immediate and pressing concerns (SessionsAudio.com). Ou...

A father is concerned about his 3-year-old’s sensitive reaction to hearing the word ‘no’. He senses that his boy feels punished or that he has done something wrong, so he wonders if there’s something he can adjust in his delivery. For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazon and Audible (adbl.co/2OBVztZ). Also available for download, her audio...

Janet answers a letter from an expecting mother whose 2.5-year-old daughter has become wantonly defiant, especially during various extracurricular classes, and her antics are leading to some potentially dangerous situations. This mom feels like she’s being baited and wants the testing to stop. For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazon and A...