

Discerning Parenting
Victoria Ang-Nolasco, MD
Are there days you feel you’ve had it with the sleepless nights, the temper tantrums, the constant fatigue of trying to keep up with an active baby? Does it feel like you’re always working so hard as a parent, trying to do everything for your kids and family, and yet it never feels enough? We get it. You love your child more than anything, and yet parenting is also exhausting and challenging. Especially when you’re bombarded with criticism and pressure to be the perfect parent (which, spoiler alert, does not exist!). But what if you had experts who understand exactly what you’re going through help you navigate the everyday challenges of parenting your baby, toddler, or preschooler? What if they help you use scientific research to your advantage, so you become the calmer, happier, and more empowered parent you’ve always wanted to be? That's why we created "Discerning Parenting," the podcast that helps you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters in your parenting journey. Join Dr. Victoria Ang-Nolasco, developmental and behavioral pediatrician, positive parenting coach, author, speaker, and mom, as she and our guest experts tackle your most pressing parenting concerns. From toddler discipline to helping kids learn to talk or to read, from starting solids and potty training to promoting social and emotional development, this podcast is jam-packed with valuable insights and practical tips specifically tailored for parents of kids age 5 and below. So join us and discover how you can use the combined power of science, knowing your child, and your own intuition in making the best parenting decisions for you and your family. Head over to discerningparenting.com and get our FREE parenting resource library too!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 22, 2023 • 11min
033 - Are you stuck in a negative parenting cycle?
Are you feeling trapped in a negative parenting cycle that seems impossible to break? If that's the case, know that you're not alone. Parenting can be challenging and sometimes we find ourselves stuck in patterns that can make us feel more tired or maybe less joyful or that can even make us feel guilty as parents.So, listen on, and that's what we'll talk about in this episode.Would you like more support through parent coaching or consultation? Parent coaching is an essential intervention when it comes to parenting challenges.Our parent coaching is based on the Triple P framework. It’s been proven to help parents feel happier, more confident, and less stressed. It helps children improve their behavior and be mentally healthy.Learn more about our coaching program and consultation.⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Aug 15, 2023 • 15min
032 - Breastfeeding Shaming: The Mom Shaming That No One Talks About
In this episode of the Discerning Parenting Podcast, we talk about the mom shaming that no one talks about. There's a lot of talk about mom-shaming on the internet. Someone will post something on Instagram, whether it's about screen time or feeding, or any topic actually. And there will be comments calling out that person saying that's mom shaming.Now, I don't know what the world's coming to that it feels like moms now get shamed for almost everything. They're shamed for staying home. For going to work, for working from home. They're shamed for giving screen time, for restricting screen time. They're shamed for feeding only healthy food, for feeding "junk food".There's one type of mom-shaming that happens just as often as the other types of mom-shaming. But I'm baffled about why no one talks about it. So, if you're breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed, or you are supporting a breastfeeding mom, listen to this. Don't you want to take the guesswork out of parenting your new baby? Check out Hatch&Grow - a parent’s reliable companion as they learn to navigate this journey.Created by Pediatricians, Hatch&Grow provides you with up-to-date, evidence-based child-rearing and healthcare information, takes away the stress of guesswork for a parent, and, hopefully, brings back the joy of confidently raising a child.⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Aug 8, 2023 • 48min
031 - Breastfeeding: Tips, Journeys, and Thoughts with Drs. Nadine and Paul Zambrano
August is all about celebrating breastfeeding, and we're excited to share some heartwarming stories and invaluable tips in honor of breastfeeding month. Whether you're a new mom, currently breastfeeding, planning to breastfeed, or eagerly awaiting the arrival of your little one, this episode is tailor-made for you.But that's not all – we're breaking new ground this time! For the first time ever, we're thrilled to welcome a dad onto the show. Our previous episodes have been graced by the wisdom of experienced moms, but today, we're broadening the conversation. This dynamic duo, both accomplished doctors, brings a unique perspective. They're not only parents, but they're also experts in the fields of health and breastfeeding.Join us on the Discerning Parenting podcast as we celebrate the beauty of breastfeeding and uncover the incredible stories that shape our parenting journeys.Don't forget to check out these links mentioned in this episode:Navigate the birthing process with confidence when you grab our FREE Birth Plan. Breastfeeding series from the Lancet Journal mentioned by Dr. Paul Zambrano.⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Aug 1, 2023 • 7min
030 - Does “Reverse Psychology” Work?
Does reverse psychology work? Often we hear, "Oh, if there's something you don't want your child to do, the best way is to tell them that they should do it, because if you tell them to do it, then they're not going to do it."I've often heard this cheeky line in Instagram posts, well, they may be funny and they have thousands of likes, but are they true? Here at the Discerning Parenting Podcast we also examine common things that we hear about parenting and look at them through the lens of science and child development.⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Jul 25, 2023 • 12min
029 - Should I Get My Child’s Permission Before Doing Something That Involves Them?
"Should I get my child's permission before doing something that involves them?"This is a controversial topic. In this podcast, we're talking about young kids, and for some people, the concept of asking permission from a young child sounds absolutely absurd. While other people will insist that you should never do anything unless your child agrees to it.No matter what the situation, and even starting from when the child is a baby, you should already always ask for their permission, let's say, before changing their diaper or before giving them a bath. Here at Discerning Parenting, we empower you with science-backed ideas and strategies to help you make better parenting decisions.And we tackle this controversial issue head-on in this episode. ⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Jul 18, 2023 • 15min
028 - Discipline Without Yelling with Dr. Amy Webb
"I yelled at my kids again and I felt so guilty. I wish my kids could listen without me having to yell."These are among the most common parenting struggles I hear. I'm happy to have with us today Dr. Amy Webb, founder of Thoughtful Parent and a Ph.D. in human development and family science, and we'll talk about this huge question - How can we discipline our kids without yelling? After listening to this episode, don't forget to grab these wonderful resources:The Discerning Parenting Toolkit includes quick guides and common questions such as handling tantrums and building language skills of toddlers.Get doable strategies to use even IF you're not the most patient person with Dr. Amy's FREE guide, Discipline Without Yelling. Visit Dr. Amy Webb's website - www.thoughtfulparent.com/ Get to know our guest, Amy Webb, Ph.D.:Dr. Amy Webb is a parenting writer who is passionate about bringing child development research into the lives of parents so they can use it to inform their decision-making. In her writing, she brings together her research background as well as real-life experience as a mom to two rambunctious boys. When she’s not reading (parenting books or mystery novels) she enjoys hiking, cooking, and watching her sons play hours and hours of baseball. ⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Jul 11, 2023 • 19min
027- How to Start Teaching Young Kids about Money with Dr. Marnie Prudencio
When do we start introducing kids to the concept of money? And if your child is asking for a lot of toys, how do we teach them that we limit our budget for toys while at the same time teaching them a healthy money mindset? Today we're lucky to have Dr. Marnie Moya Prudencio, a neurodevelopmental pediatrician, and author of How to Be a Money Smart Parent and Raise a Money Smart Kid.We'll talk about how to start teaching young kids about money so they grow up with a healthy money mindset and learn financial literacy. Don't forget to grab these wonderful resources:Learn to handle those big parenting moments with our Discerning Parenting ToolkitGet Dr. Marnie's books: How to Be a Money Smart Parent and Raise a Money Smart Kid and The Best Investment Book.⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Jul 4, 2023 • 14min
026 - Parent Led Interventions: What Are They and How Can They Help?
If you're worried about your child's development or behavior, there's an easily accessible strategy that can help you starting today. No, this is not a magic pill. It is not a false claim, but it is backed by research and is an easily accessible strategy. Parent LED intervention, whether it's speech and language delay or developmental delay, or maybe your child has received a diagnosis such as autism or ADHD, listen to this episode where we dive more into evidence-based parent-led interventions and how they can help.⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Jun 27, 2023 • 13min
025 - Navigate Parenting Challenges with Confidence, with the Discerning Parent's Club
From the joy of watching your baby's first steps to the challenges of navigating the school years and everything in between, parenting is an ever-evolving journey. That's why today I'm excited to announce that we're launching the Discerning Parent's Club. This will be a trusted resource by your side, guiding you through the maze of parenting challenges, and providing you with science-backed strategies tailored to your unique situation. This is your one-stop hub for research-based scientific parenting advice.⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Jun 20, 2023 • 10min
024 - Are Timeouts Bad For Kids?
Have you received advice that if your child misbehaves, you should give your child a timeout? But the moment you scroll through Instagram or TikTok, you see an entire slew of experts telling you that timeouts are bad for kids. All this is adding to parental guilt because it feels like whatever we do, we're bound to get it wrong.Whether we do timeouts or not, there's somebody telling us that we're doing it wrong, and that's why in this episode I address this sticky issue: Are timeouts bad for kids?⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.


