A mom writes to Janet wondering if she should give her 2-year-old a reprieve from socializing, since she can’t seem to get through a play date without either hitting, kicking, or biting one of her peers. She wants to raise her daughter “to be kind and loving and safe around other people,” but at this point she feels that she has become a bully.For more on aggressive toddler behavior and other issues, please check out this new audio resource -- "Sessions" -- my recorded consultations with parents: SessionsAudio.com.Our Sponsors:* Check out BabyQuip and use my code UNRUFFLED for a great deal: http://www.babyquip.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A mom with 4 and 6-year-old girls is worried that playdates at the park with friends are too rough, sometimes downright dangerous. She says that in many instances children get hurt and someone ends up in tears. This mom is wondering how, when, or if to intervene to protect her kids.For more advice on common parenting issues, please check out Janet's best-selling books on audio at Audible (https://adbl.co/2OBVztZ).Her exclusive audio series "Sessions" is also available for download. This is a collection of recorded one-on-one consultations with parents discussing their most immediate and pressing concerns (SessionsAudio.com).Our Sponsors:* Check out BabyQuip and use my code UNRUFFLED for a great deal: http://www.babyquip.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Janet responds to a mother who describes her husband and herself as “very healthy, active people.” They have been trying to encourage their almost 5-year-old to pursue physical activities by providing lessons and classes but are frustrated because he loses interest. They are wondering whether to push their agenda or just let it go.For more advice on common parenting issues, please check out Janet's best-selling books on audio at Audible (https://adbl.co/2OBVztZ).Her exclusive audio series "Sessions" is also available for download. This is a collection of recorded one-on-one consultations with parents discussing their most immediate and pressing concerns (SessionsAudio.com).Our Sponsors:* Check out BabyQuip and use my code UNRUFFLED for a great deal: http://www.babyquip.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Janet is joined by Dr. Meghan Owenz and her husband Adam to discuss some of the truths and misconceptions about children and screens. Meghan is a university professor teaching classes on counseling and infant and child development. She and Adam write about the latest research on their website ScreenFreeParenting and present a host of screen-free alternatives to keep children engaged and learning.For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazon and Audible (https://adbl.co/2OBVztZ).Also available for download, her audio series "Sessions" -- recorded consultations with parents discussing their most immediate and pressing concerns (SessionsAudio.com).Our Sponsors:* Check out BabyQuip and use my code UNRUFFLED for a great deal: http://www.babyquip.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The mother of a 16-month-old is climbing the walls because her daredevil boy insists on climbing the furniture and putting himself “in potentially dangerous situations.” She strives to maintain a respectful, trusting attitude and does not want to continually say ‘no’, but she feels her son is testing and trying to get a reaction out of her.For more advice on toddler parenting issues, please check out this new audio resource -- "Sessions" -- my recorded consultations with parents: SessionsAudio.comOur Sponsors:* Check out BabyQuip and use my code UNRUFFLED for a great deal: http://www.babyquip.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The parent of a 22-month-old seeks some clarification for toy-taking situations when her boy is in a public space -- if or when to intervene, and wondering if it’s better to weather the judgmental stares of other parents in favor of her son’s social development.For more on toddler conflicts and other common parenting issues, please check out this new audio resource -- "Sessions" -- my recorded consultations with parents: SessionsAudio.com.Our Sponsors:* Check out BabyQuip and use my code UNRUFFLED for a great deal: http://www.babyquip.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A mom is frustrated that her 4-year-old daughter has suddenly decided she’s helpless in the mornings, pretending to be overwhelmed and confused by the most basic tasks. This mom is expecting a new baby and is going to need her daughter’s cooperation when the child arrives.For more on common parenting issues, please check out this new audio resource -- "Sessions" -- my recorded consultations with parents: SessionsAudio.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A mom is struggling with her 3.5-year-old’s “controlling and oppositional behavior.” She’s trying to find reasonable boundaries to avoid big confrontations over minor issues when her daughter insists on calling the shots.For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazon and Audible (https://adbl.co/2OBVztZ).Also available for download, her audio series "Sessions" -- recorded consultations with parents discussing their most immediate and pressing concerns (SessionsAudio.com).Our Sponsors:* Check out BabyQuip and use my code UNRUFFLED for a great deal: http://www.babyquip.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A mom describes her daughter as “super easy, independent and happy” at school but emotional and defiant at home. She suspects her child is going through a “development leap” that will pass (she hopes!) but wonders how to handle her behavior in the meantime.For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazon and Audible (https://adbl.co/2OBVztZ).Also available for download, her audio series "Sessions" -- recorded consultations with parents discussing their most immediate and pressing concerns (SessionsAudio.com).Our Sponsors:* Check out BabyQuip and use my code UNRUFFLED for a great deal: http://www.babyquip.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A mom is confused by her one-year-old’s loud grunts and screeches and isn’t always sure what he needs in these situations.For more on common parenting issues, please check out this new audio resource -- "Sessions" -- my recorded consultations with parents: SessionsAudio.comOur Sponsors:* Check out BabyQuip and use my code UNRUFFLED for a great deal: http://www.babyquip.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.