The Parenting Brief

About one in five babies will experience colic, which means they may cry for three hours a day, at least three times a week, for about three weeks, even when they are perfectly healthy. With time, it goes away on its own but it’s important for families to get support while they’re caring for a colicky baby.  Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks about the challenges of colic and the importance of  s...

You know that moment when your kiddo’s holiday excitement turns into a meltdown? It’s a familiar scene for many parents— when holiday travel or celebration disrupts kids’ routines, it’s normal for little ones to struggle to manage their feelings.  Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Maria Lopez​​​​, the Senior Program Manager at the Birth to Five Helpline, about how parents can co-regulate by...

Every year, there are more and more single-father homes. These dedicated dads face unique challenges, including societal stereotypes and biases against fathers. Many navigate their parenting journey without the community support that mothers often receive.  Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Sleepy Vildosola, a Family Involvement Center Parent Ally and father, to talk about the unique ch...

Co-parenting your newborn is a challenge, but we’re here to confirm it can be done. In this episode, we dive into how to work with your co-parent to meet the needs of your little one while they grow up.  Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Billie Tarascio, an Arizona family law attorney, owner of Modern Law and co-owner of Win Without Law School. Together, they go over co-parenting an inf...

Playdates are a great way for kids to have fun and develop social skills.. But before parents send their kids over to a friend’s house, it’s important to make sure that the environment they are playing in is safe by checking in with the parents. But this can be a tricky conversation to navigate. Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sits down with Yomy Castillo, Injury Prevention Program Manager at the Ar...

After you give birth, you want to make sure you’re taking the right vitamins. That way, you have all the nutrients you need to support yourself and your growing family. But with so much advice out there about specific brands and postnatal vitamins, it can be hard to tell what’s true and what's not. Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sorts it out with Susie Leo, a Professional Parent and Child Health Di...

On the final day of the 2024 Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Pamela Stewart to discuss the history of women-headed households and how that impacts families today.  Guest:  Dr. Pamela Stewart Historian, Educator and Consultant Resources: Strong Families AZ ACTIVHISTorian

In a live interview from the 13th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with KC Davis on how to help parents overcome cleaning roadblocks. The conversation aims to teach parents they’re not bad people if they struggle to do care tasks, like laundry or cleaning the kid's playroom. Listen to learn how to create a more functional home that meets your...

This week, live from the 13th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez interviews Dr. Martín Celaya. They discuss adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and how parents can create a safer environment for children. Guest:  Dr. Martín Celaya Chief, Bureau of Assessment and Evaluation Division of Public Health - Prevention Services Arizona Department of Health S...

Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 13th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez interviews Dr. Kyle Pruett about building trust as co-parents. Listen to learn how to keep the baby at the center of parenting decisions, not the previous relationship between co-parents.  Guest:  Dr. Kyle Pruett Clinical Professor of Psychiatry Yale School of Medicine Resources: Strong F...

Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 13th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez interviews Dr. John Molina about the impact of Substance Use and Mental Health on Native American families. Tune in to learn about culturally appropriate ways to talk to children about substance abuse in a way they can understand.  Guest:  Dr. John Molina Director, Arizona Advisory Counci...

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) are mental health conditions that can occur during pregnancy or within a year after delivery. Many families feel afraid to talk about PMAD, but we want families to know that they are not alone, it's not anyone’s fault, and with support, things will get better. In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez talks with Rachel Flater, the Postpartum Support...

Whether you’re planning your first family trip or you’ve done it before, flying with young children is challenging. With so many things to keep track of, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.  Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez visits with Jodi Baker, the Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to learn tips and information to help make your family’s t...

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car crashes in Arizona. Like other distractions, kids can cause their parents or caregivers to lose focus on safe driving. In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sits down with Jesse Torrez, the Director of Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety, and Gabby Gallegos, the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety Occupant Protecti...

Prenatal care helps families have the healthiest pregnancy possible all the way up until the baby arrives. But the process can seem overwhelming if you haven’t done it before, or if you’ve heard some of the common myths about it. That’s why Jessica sat down with Jen Hamilton, board-certified labor & delivery nurse and Founder of Hot Mess Express, to answer your questions about prenatal care. In th...

If you are a new parent, feeding your newborn can raise a lot of questions. But don’t worry, this episode covers everything you need to know to make sure your baby is getting all the nutrients needed, whether you're using breast milk or formula. In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez talks to Amanda Shumway, the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program Manager for the Women, Infants, and Chil...

Are you a parent struggling to get your little one to fall asleep? Well, you're not alone! Sleep is essential for a child's healthy development and well-being, but sometimes it can be a real challenge. One safe and effective way to help children fall asleep is by giving them melatonin. Jessica chats with Dr. Rupali Drewek, the medical director of the Sleep Disorders Program at Phoenix Children's H...

Are you planning to have a party with family and friends? We have a guide to help make sure your celebration is safe for kids who may be in attendance. Jessica sits down with Emily Flanigan, the Program Strategy Specialist of Children's Health at First Things First, to discuss how to keep kids safe during family gatherings, especially when alcohol and breakable dishes are involved.  Host: Jessica...

​​Regular home maintenance can prevent accidents before they happen. It's easy to stay on top of these necessary chores by setting yearly reminders. That way, you won't fall behind on checking to make sure things like plumbing vents and traps are in working order for the year. Jessica speaks with Adam Rodriguez, the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program Director at the Bureau of Emergenc...

Infant Sensory Screenings measure a newborn’s hearing and seeing. When hearing loss is detected early on, families can start exploring interventions sooner to support their little ones as they grow up. Jessica chats with Morgan Scadden, Sensory Screening Program Manager with the Arizona Department of Health Services, about the screening process and why it's important to take the screening seriousl...

It can feel like a headache to figure out what car seat is right for a child. Rear-facing car seat, combination seat, or booster seat? That’s why we made this follow-up car seat episode, to help parents safely buckle their kiddos in the car and know when it’s time to transition from a car seat to a booster seat.  Yomaira Castillo chats with host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez about resources available t...

Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls according to data from the CDC. That’s because the traditional signs of autism are often difficult to detect depending on the gender a child is assigned at birth. Our guest explains the signs parents should look for and what to do if they think their little one may be showing signs of autism.  Jessica speaks with Dr. Christophe...

You may have seen an announcement for product recalls on the news or even received notice of a recall from a product you’ve bought in the past. It’s critical to stay up to date about these recalls so that you can have a safe and healthy home environment. Jessica sits down with Teresa Murray, the Consumer Watchdog for the Arizona PIRG Education Fund and author of the Safe At Home Product recalls re...

Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can't make enough insulin during your pregnancy. It can be scary for many folks but the good news is – the condition is treatable and often goes away after pregnancy.  Jessica speaks with Raquelle Weight, a Staff Development Specialist at the Arizona Department of Health Services in the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity, to explain how this condit...

Routine doctor appointments are important to make sure your kiddo grows up healthy, but navigating the medical system can be overwhelming. This episode explains how often to expect a doctor's visit, how to find the right provider for your family, and what you should know about telehealth pediatrician check-ups. Jessica speaks with Dr. Miran Song, an Arizona pediatrician and a board member of the A...