Feeding, diapering, dressing, soothing. At times, it feels like we’re merely surviving those early months. When in overdrive, pausing to observe doesn’t always come naturally, but looking and listening before responding to your baby or toddler can lead to some surprising discoveries about your child, and yourself! Something called RIE parenting is founded on that principle. RIE was created in 1978 by a woman named Magda Gerber. The basis of Magda’s RIE philosophy is respect for the child, and it asks us to examine our power in caring for these little beings.   Jessica  Rolph, your host, welcomes Hannah Olavarria to today’s episode, she has been trained in the foundations of RIE and is half of the parenting duo behind Upbringing, along with her twin sister, Kelty. Hannah shares how she has been incorporating RIE into their parenting and coaching for years.   Key Takeaways: [1:58] What does RIE represent? [2:49] What is Hannah’s experience with RIE as a mother? [5:03] What does the RIE method for parents of babies really look like? [8:23] Hannah talks about the RIE way to speak to a baby. [11:55] Some RIE practitioners object to tummy time and Hannah gives her perspective on this. [15:20] What does a typical “Yes space” look like? [18:13] Hannah breaks down Upbringing’s 10 Freedoms, starting with the Freedom to Struggle. [19:15] Hannah explains what the Freedom to Choose looks like for a baby and a toddler. [23:07] There is no one parenting philosophy that fits all parents.    Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Upbringing Upbringing on Instagram

It’s remarkable how choosing your words carefully can mean the difference between a moment of connection or disconnect. Today’s guests are experts at effective communication with young children. Joanna Faber and Julie King are co-authors of the book, How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7, and they have just released a second book: How To Talk When Kids Won’t Listen: Whining, Fighting, Meltdowns, Defiance and & Other Challenges of Childhood.   Joanna and Julie share helpful tools to communicate with young children thoughtfully, avoiding orders and threats.   Key Takeaways: [2:04] How do you get your kids to listen to you? [5:13] Joanna shares a few examples of how to be playful when communicating with your child. [6:03] Julie explains how it can help to give in fantasy what you can’t give in reality. [9:15] How can we phrase our instructions so that children want to follow through? [10:08] Do Julie and Joanna recommend giving children time-outs? [13:30] What to do when your kid is hitting a younger sibling? [15:31] Learn the distinction between punishment and expressing your feelings strongly. [16:32] How can you help your toddler make amends and feel better? [18:22] What are some strategies for whining?   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7, by Joanna Faber and Julie King How To Talk When Kids Won’t Listen: Whining, Fighting, Meltdowns, Defiance and & Other Challenges of Childhood, by Joanna Faber and Julie King

We’ve all been there: Witnessing the big emotions that roll in from the left field and feeling ill prepared for the storm that follows. It can be the wrong utensil, the wrong lovey, or just the wrong side of the bed. Toddlers are excellent at showing emotions but not yet skilled at expressing them, that is why they need our help naming and understanding their feelings.   Jessica Rolph, your host, is joined by Chazz Lewis, popularly known as Mr. Chazz, on today’s episode. Mr. Chazz walks us through how to co-regulate and offers tips on how to best communicate what the child is feeling in these dysregulated situations. He is an educational specialist who oversees 9 preschools.   Key Takeaways: [1:44] What is the concept of co-regulation? [4:45] Mr. Chazz gives some insight into what this co-regulation moment looks like. [7:54] A story about a frustrated 3-year-old girl who was not heard beautifully illustrates this process. [17:46] Should parents ask for children to apologize or even force an apology? [22:06] What does shame specifically look like?   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Learn more about Mr. Chazz Find more guidance from Mr. Chazz at Patreon Follow Mr. Chazz on TikTok

Jessica Rolph, your host, is joined by Nicole Kavanaugh, a Montessori parenting expert and the writer and mom behind The Kavanaugh Report. Learn why Nicole takes a firm stance against bribing and likes to see children take an active role in their own potty learning. This doesn’t have to be a sprint to the finish. If you approach it more like a marathon, or at least a long, meandering stroll through the park, it can take some of the pressure off. And removing some of the pressure tends to make the process a whole lot more enjoyable for the parent, and the child.    Key Takeaways: [1:57] How does Montessori toilet learning differ from the more traditional potty training? [3:34] How early did Nicole start this process with her kids? [4:49] Nicole explains how the Montessori approach works. [7:14] What kind of timeframe should a parent expect? [9:10] Nicole talks about the benefits of the Montessori way and the cons of doing it in a more focused manner, with bribes and rewards. [11:47] Why are we so squeamish when it comes to poop? [14:48] Nicole describes what the Montessori potty learning environment can look like. [16:03] Are cloth diapers an essential part of the equation? Nicole says no. [17:07] Nicole gives her recommendations for pottying in public. [19:56] Tips on nighttime and nap-time toilet training.   Mentioned in this episode:  Brought to you by Lovevery.com Everyone Poops, by Taro Gomi

Jessica Rolph is joined by Jamie Glowacki, author of the book: Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right. And don’t we all want to “do it once and do it right”? Despite our best intentions, this is one transition that rarely goes smoothly. But a few ground rules can make a world of difference. Tune in for a little parent training on how to do toilet training.   Key Takeaways: [1:25] Jamie’s top do’s and don’ts in potty training. [3:57] Jamie talks about the importance of parents making the decision about when to start potty training. [7:11] Is there any advantage to starting potty training earlier than 3 years old? [8:42] Jamie shares what to expect on the road to regular toilet use. [12:54] A discussion about the tension around poop and how we should be reacting to this bodily function. [15:30] The ergonomics of pooping — and why you should care! [16:47] Advice to those parents whose children hold poop until they are in their diapers. [20:15] Jamie’s policy on rewards and praise while potty training. Spoiler alert: Don’t go there. [22:53] Jamie shares a piece of final advice to listeners: Potty training is not a measurement of your parenting.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Jamie Glowacki’s digital home

Natural is a loaded word when it comes to parenting. While it feels good to make choices that stem from nature, following an all-natural course and all the rules that come with it, can lead to stress. There are a lot of conflicting messages out there when it comes to what is healthy for our children: Is it ok to delay vaccines? Is it ok to use formula? What happens if your birth doesn’t go as planned?   Jessica Rolph is joined by Pediatrician Dr. Mona Amin on today’s episode to discuss alternate vaccination schedules, natural birth, cesarean deliveries, early nutrition, and even the nature vs. nurture debate. Tune in to hear the of straightforward medical advice that has made Dr. Mona’s podcast PedsDocTalk hugely popular.   Key Takeaways: [1:49] Dr. Mona’s advice about babies, vaccines, and alternate schedules. [6:55] Dr. Mona addresses parents who are concerned that there is a link between autism and vaccinations. [8:16] What about the concern that babies on their first pediatric appointments are just too young to get so many vaccines? [10:08] Dr. Mona shares aspects of her personal birthing experience and what she learned from it. [13:34] There’s evidence that babies born by cesarean miss out on this transfer of essential bacteria from their mother. Is there anything that can be done about that? [17:01] Dr. Mona provides her perspective on the homemade vs. packaged baby food debate. [21:09] Dr. Mona talks about the age-old nature/nurture question. What is more important, genetics or the environment? [23:25] Learn why owning your parenting decisions is so crucial.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Listen to Dr. Mona’s podcast PedsDocTalk 

Maple syrup, beet sugar, molasses, honey… there are so many alternatives to refined sugar. But despite a parent’s best efforts, it’s hard to avoid the processed stuff all together. And is that really the best approach anyhow? How much sugar restriction is too much? Can it backfire? Jessica Rolph welcomes Registered Dietitian Jennifer Anderson to the show. She is the mom behind Kids Eat In Color. Her specialty is forming healthy eating habits in the home.   Key Takeaways: [1:54] The government released the first-ever dietary guidelines for infants and toddlers recommending no added sugar for children under age 2. Does this mean you should be making your kid’s first birthday cake with beet sugar? [4:36] Jennifer gives suggestions to parents who have mostly avoided sugar for their baby, and want to introduce sugar after two. [6:38] Jennifer talks about how overly restricting sugar for children can backfire. [8:54] Consider this alternative to: No dessert until you finish your veggies! [13:22] How do we encourage our kids to love veggies? [15:22] Jennifer and Jessica discuss intuitive eating. [18:27] Jennifer reviews the top questions she hears from parents who struggle to feed their toddlers.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Kids Eat In Color Get your Free Child-Feeding Guide at Kids Eat In Color

Child nutrition and early brain development are profoundly linked. What goes into our babies, is essential to their brain growth. But that’s not to say achieving those optimal inputs is easy! The picky-eater routine can wear down even the most steadfast parent, and If we’re not careful, mealtime can become a battleground.   Jessica Rolph, your host, is accompanied today by Specialist Pediatric Dietitian Dr. Bahee Van de Bor. Learn valuable tips for parents challenged with keeping their strong-willed babies healthy.   Key Takeaways: [1:48] Did you know a child may need up to 10 encounters with a new food before trying it? [3:04] What approaches to feeding help nurture an adventurous eater? [5:35] What are some common reasons why toddlers become picky eaters? [9:54] Dr. Bahee shares her perspective on disguising veggies (for example, hiding foods like cauliflower or broccoli in other foods). [12:07] Is it recommended that parents insist on their children trying new flavors, even when they reject it? [13:11] How to avoid creating pressure around mealtime. [14:43] Dr. Bahee gives a few strategies to try with children who only want sweets. [16:05] Can snacking have a negative impact on the child’s health? [17:39] How should parents approach their children’s variation in appetite? [18:11] Dr. Bahee expands on how to transform a picky eater into a more expansive eater.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com You can learn more about Dr. Bahee at UK-KIDS-NUTRITION.com Dr. Bahee’s free download: 5 ways to help your child try new foods

As co-founder of the organic baby food company Happy Family, host Jessica Rolph has invested a lot of energy trying to get the right nutrients into her kids. One of her children’s favorite first foods was sardines, and fast forward a few years, Jessica was surprised to see a post on the hugely popular Solid Starts recommending sardines as a first food.   Solid Starts promotes baby-led weaning, or finger-foods first. CEO Jenny Best joins Jessica on today’s episode to share her perspective on when to start your baby on solid foods and how best to do it.   Key Takeaways: [1:40] What is baby-led weaning? [2:24] Jenny talks about the advantages of the baby-led weaning approach. [7:35] Giving children a front seat in their feeding experience. [9:16] Challenges that come with baby-led weaning. [13:47] How did Jenny first expose her twins to solids? [14:51] Jenny examines fears around allergens. [18:08] How should we think about the ingestion of food in those first few months of feeding? [22:23] Jenny shares the recommended ages for starting baby-led weaning and starting solid foods in general. [25:29] Jessica revisits some of the highlights of her conversation with Jenny Best.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Solid Starts

Host Jessica Rolph welcomes Certified Pediatric Sleep Specialist Lauren Heffernan to the second episode of our new season, Perspectives. In this season, you’ll hear curated perspectives on topics like sleep, feeding, and parenting philosophies, so you can make informed choices for your family.   It is rare to find a new parent who doesn’t wish for more hours of sleep; long nights seem to be part of the bargain. When those long nights start dragging on, it can feel like sleep training is the only way out. Lauren proposes a different approach. She is the founder of Isla Grace: Attachment-Focused Sleep. She prefers to avoid separation and the cry-it-out method of sleep training.   Key Takeaways: [1:31] Lauren speaks about her own experience sleep training. [3:56] She explains how that experience informs her practice as a sleep consultant. [6:35] Supporting your babies’ emotions when you are sleep deprived is challenging. [8:20] Why it’s difficult for parents to sit with those big emotions from their child. [9:26] Lauren answers a question from a listener: My baby only falls asleep when I breastfeed him and wakes up throughout the night for more breastfeeding; how can I stop this without the cry-it-out approach? [12:48] What happens when night weaning gets derailed. [13:38] Bed-sharing and how to practice it safely. [16:08] Lauren explains “bridging” between crib and toddler bed. [17:04] How to reframe inconsistent napping. [19:45] If you are getting extremely frustrated and exhausted, try a shifting pattern or ask for someone to support you. [21:06] Lauren’s bottom-line advice to sleep-deprived parents.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Isla Grace: Attachment Focused Sleep