The Art of Playful Parenting

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting , Jill welcomes her first dad guest, Jeff Hittner, executive coach, founder of Ambitious Dads, and father of two boys. Together, they explore what it means to redefine fatherhood, balance ambition with presence, and build meaningful connections through play. Jeff shares his personal journey to fatherhood, the lessons he's learned about leadership at...

Looking for simple summer play ideas that don't require hours of planning? In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting , Jill explores how to create flexible summer rhythms that help children feel calm, connected, and ready to play. Whether your kids are home for the summer or coming home from camp each day, you'll learn how to use play as a tool for regulation, discover easy low-prep play ide...

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting , Jill explores what it really looks like to parent when you are not at your best. She breaks down why so many parents feel pressure to show up fully resourced, and why real-life parenting often happens in moments of exhaustion, overwhelm, and depletion. Jill shares practical, low-lift strategies for those harder days, including how to lower the "act...

In this episode, Jill explores what it means to be unevenly gifted and why some children can appear remarkably advanced in one area while struggling significantly in another. She breaks down the concept of asynchronous development, explains why giftedness often coexists with challenges in emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory processing, and social skills, and discusses why these de...

In this episode, Jill welcomes Beth Rosenbleeth. Beth, creator of the popular blog and Instagram account Days with Grey, simplifies routines and promotes play-based learning for young children. She's a former teacher and a mom of three whose strategies and activity ideas resonate with her 275,000+ Instagram followers. Jill and Beth explore the connection between quality time and independent play,...

In this episode, Jill takes a look at some of the parenting advice many of us grew up hearing and why it may not hold up when viewed through a modern understanding of child development. She unpacks the assumptions behind these common phrases and offers a more nuanced, connection-based perspective. This conversation invites parents to move beyond rigid rules and toward curiosity, helping them bette...

In this episode, Jill explores the deeply tender question many parents quietly carry: "Am I really cut out for this?" She unpacks a conversation with a client whose highly energetic, sensory-seeking son feels like the opposite of her own nervous system, and how that mismatch can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure of themselves. This episode is a must-listen for parents navigating similar...

In this episode, Jill shares a personal reflection on her daughter's upcoming transition into kindergarten and the complex emotions that come with it. She explores what it feels like to navigate modern public school systems as a parent today, including the shifting landscape of early education, the role of play, and the quiet tension many parents feel between excitement and grief during this miles...

On today's episode, Jill is joined by Jenny Friedman, a pediatric nutrition expert and mom of three boys to discuss a topic that so many parents struggle with: extreme picky eating and feeding challenges. They discuss how picky eating can be both normal developmental behavior and potentially indicate underlying issues. Jenny shares strategies Jenny emphasized the importance of parents trusting the...

In honor of Screen-Free Week, Jill breaks down how families gradually end up relying on screens more than they intended and why it can start to feel like the only thing that works. In this episode, she shares a realistic, non-shaming approach to reducing screen dependence by focusing on what matters most: creating more opportunities for play. Jill discusses how to evaluate screen time beyond just...

Parenting more than one child quickly shows just how different kids can be. In this episode, Jill explores what it looks like to raise children with different needs, routines, personalities, and play styles, and why it can feel so challenging. She shares from her own experience navigating these differences with her daughters, and unpacks our natural tendency to compare, why some dynamics feel easi...

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting , Jill explores a subtle but common habit that can unintentionally disrupt independent play. Through a client story and a look at how young children's natural play and movement patterns, she reframes what it really means when a child walks away from an activity. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the cyclical nature of play and how small s...

In this episode, Jill sits down with Lynn Hazan Bush, a mom of three, former blogger, and certified health coach behind Shuva Wellness, a nervous system–informed coaching practice for overwhelmed mothers. They talk through maternal mental and physical health, along with simple, actionable ways to feel better, build supportive habits, and prioritize yourself without adding overwhelm to your life. I...

If your child's play space suddenly feels like it's not working anymore, this episode is for you. I'm breaking down why that happens as kids move from baby to toddler, what signs to look for, and how to make simple changes that can completely shift how your child plays. I'm also sharing a couple real client examples to show how small, intentional updates can make a big difference. Want to book you...

In this episode, Jill shares how understanding your child's sensory needs can transform afterschool play. She explores why some children struggle to regulate with traditional "calming" sensory activities, and how different nervous systems require different kinds of input. Drawing from her experience as a play expert and early childhood educator, and as a mom, she offers a new lens on afterschool m...

In this episode, Jill shares a real client story of a 5-year-old who struggled with independent play and frequently sought screen time. She walks through her process of supporting the family, starting with an in-depth intake to understand the child's interests, challenges, and goals. This episode offers practical insight into fostering independence through connection and intentional setup, rather...

In this episode, Jill sits down with Blanche Buchwald, a seasoned mom of 5(!!!) and occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience and founder of Wonderkids Therapy. Jill & Blanche discuss how children's behavior is always a form of communication, how to better understand what a child's behavior expressing, and how to distinguish between behavior and the sensory needs that may be behind t...

In this episode, Jill , inspired by a client story about a sudden morning meltdown, she explains how children often release big emotions in the places where they feel safest. Jill shares why kids "let it rip" at home, and how parents can approach these moments with curiosity instead of judgment. She also offers simple questions parents can ask themselves to uncover what might be happening undernea...

In today's episode, Jill explores the connection between mindfulness and play, and why playful moments can be one of the easiest ways for parents to practice being present with their children. She explains how even short pockets of focused, child-led play can strengthen connection and support emotional regulation. Jill also shares simple, practical ways parents can bring more mindful moments into...

In this episode, Jill talks about how your child's play environment impacts their focus, behavior, and creativity, and why more toys doesn't always mean better play. She also walks through simple, practical strategies for toy rotation, designing a play space that actually supports your child's play style. If you've ever wondered how to decide what to keep, store, or let go of so play can feel calm...

In her first episode back since welcoming her second child, Jill returns to the mic with honesty and heart. She opens up about what the transition from one to two has really looked like, sharing both the tender moments and the challenges that don't always get talked about. Jill also walks through the tools, mindset shifts, and small supports that have helped her feel more grounded in this new seas...

Before taking a little break from the mic to welcome her new baby, Jill is looking back at your favorite episodes from the past year. From simple play ideas to deeper conversations about child development and connection, these highlights capture what makes this podcast such a supportive space for parents. Whether you've been here from the beginning or just recently joined, this episode is the perf...

You know those moments when something that's supposed to be fun, like a holiday, birthday party, or family outing, suddenly unravels into tears, meltdowns, and overwhelm? In this episode, Jill dives into why that happens and how we can make special events like Halloween (or any day that's out of routine) a little smoother for everyone. She shares practical, compassionate tips for setting expectati...

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting Podcast , Jill dives into how play can become one of your most powerful parenting tools for helping young children navigate big feelings and how playful moments can support emotional expression, regulation, and connection. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn ab...

In honor of NICU Awareness Month, this powerful episode features Jodi Klaristenfeld, founder of Flrrish , a transformative resource and support hub created by a NICU mom for NICU parents. Jodi opens up about her own unexpected journey into motherhood and how it inspired her to build a community that helps preemie parents navigate life from hospital to home and beyond. This episode is a must-listen...