Podcast Episodes

A Secret to Stop the Hitting and Hurting When All Else Fails

It's common for young children to go through phases of unwarranted aggression, usually directed at the ones they love most. Janet has noted that these phases are as uncomfortable for our children as …

Published on 8 hours ago

Making Independent Play Work for You and Your Child (Brilliant Examples From My Inbox)

You've no doubt heard by now about the countless benefits of our children's self-directed play. Less understood is how to nurture this invaluable instinct in our babies—every child has it. With our g…

Published on 1 week ago

Obedience Is Not a Dirty Word

We all hope to raise polite, well-behaved kids who follow rules and comply with requests, assuming these are fair, just, and appropriate. We want our kids to not only respect us but other authority f…

Published on 2 weeks ago

Parenting Problems Our Childhoods Create (and How to Fix Them)

The root causes for our children's behaviors—especially the behaviors that most alarm and confuse us—are often confusing and complex. Sometimes, try as we might to understand and even reason with our…

Published on 3 weeks ago

Don’t Raise Your Kids in a Bubble

As parents, we're naturally protective of our kids' feelings and sensibilities, but as they mature and venture out socially, it's also our job to give them the tools they need to thrive in a variety …

Published on 4 weeks ago

Helping Your Child Overcome Anxieties, Fears, and Rocky Transitions

Transitions tend to be difficult for young children, and they express their struggles in a variety of concerning ways. They may be focused to distraction on particular random-seeming anxieties and fe…

Published on 1 month ago

Negativity, Pushback, No to EVERYTHING

The parent of a 7-year-old describes writes that her daughter has become relentlessly negative and argumentative. "It feels like everything is a debate, and she says no to almost every request." As o…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

Fighting Is Playing (Let the Kids Work It Out)

It's unnerving when our kids engage in conflict with siblings or peers, whether it's over a toy, their perceived 'space', or even our attentions. As emotions escalate, so does grabbing, pushing, and …

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Making a Successful Transition to Preschool (with Mr. Chazz)

Janet welcomes a timely visit from iconic educator Mr. Chazz who shares how parents and teachers can help kids successfully transition to a new preschool or childcare situation. His focus is on trust…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

How to Help a Strong-Willed Child (Without Wounding His Spirit)

Episode 400

A parent describes her 4-year-old son as energetic, independent and strong-willed. While she appreciates her son’s enthusiasm and free spirit, she constantly struggles to reign him in and fi…

Published on 2 months ago