Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn

Would you believe me if I said that toddlers are the most misunderstood people on the planet? In this episode, we’re uncovering the common misconceptions parents have about toddlers' abilities to share, control their emotions, and manage their impulses. Let’s debunk unrealistic expectations and challenge the negative label often associated with the "Terrible Twos" phase. When we remember the vulnerability and natural curiosity of toddlers, we can learn to approach them with patience and compassion, just like we did when they were babies. It's time to break free from old parenting styles and embrace new approaches that truly align with our values and nurture the well-being of our children. Let's take a step towards building stronger connections and fostering personal growth for both us and our toddlers!Links and resources: Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_babyCheck out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy CourseOur NEW Potty Training Made Easy course is here!Get the Dynamic Duo: Toddler Tamining + Potty Training courses and save $20Does potty training terrify you? Discover 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success! Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and stay calmer with tricky toddler moments. Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️ If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you. Episode website

Feel like your toddler is acting out, or throwing more fits than normal, and you’re not sure why? Toddlers often lack the verbal skills to articulate their emotions, but they rely on us as their parents to understand and interpret their behavior. Sometimes this looks like acting out or throwing a “fit”. By asking the right questions and peeling away the layers, we can uncover the underlying feelings and needs behind their actions. It's important for us to recognize and validate their emotions, creating an environment where they feel safe and valued. This, in turn, strengthens the bond between parent and child.Remember, even when your toddler is upset, it's important to acknowledge their feelings while maintaining firm boundaries. Building trust and emotional security with our toddlers is a rewarding journey that benefits both parent and child. Together, we can decode their behavior and unlock the superpower of understanding! Join me on this incredible parenting adventure, and don't forget to explore our online resources! Links and resources: Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_babyCheck out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy CourseOur NEW Potty Training Made Easy course is here!Get the Dynamic Duo: Toddler Tamining + Potty Training courses and save $20Does potty training terrify you? Discover 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success! Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and stay calmer with tricky toddler moments. Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️ If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you. Episode website

Picture this: the breakfast table is set, the sun is shining, and the birds are chirping. You've managed to get your three-year-old to sit down, ready to enjoy your first cup of coffee. But suddenly, their favorite pancakes have turned into the worst thing in the world, and they demand a bagel instead. The power struggle begins. Sound familiar? In this episode, we’re exploring the concept of the "pivot point," a crucial moment where you, as a mom, can choose to escalate or de-escalate the situation. As moms, we understand the desire for our children to listen and respect us. But instead of resorting to yelling or threats, I encourage you to sidestep the power struggles. Try using playfulness to inspire cooperation, and meeting your child where they are developmentally and emotionally. By engaging them with characters or playful challenges, you can lighten the mood, strengthen your bond, and reduce frustration! Join me as we dive deeper into handling power struggles with toddlers and discover ways to navigate these moments with empathy and connection. Remember, it's about turning challenging situations into opportunities for growth!Links and resources: Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_babyCheck out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy CourseOur NEW Potty Training Made Easy course is here!Get the Dynamic Duo: Toddler Tamining + Potty Training courses and save $20Does potty training terrify you? Discover 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success! Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and stay calmer with tricky toddler moments. Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️ If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you. Episode website

Are you struggling with tricky toddler moments? Ever find yourself in situations where you think, "I can't do this"? Well, fear not, you aren’t alone! While there may be some things you can't do, there are plenty of other fantastic strategies you can use to navigate the ups and downs of parenting.We have all experienced those moments when tensions run high. Siblings are fighting, a toddler won’t give up their favorite toy when it's time for bed, etc. In this episode, I’m sharing the secret to calming everyone down, and seizing the moment to teach a lesson! You can give your child a do-over, turn learning into playtime, or simply have a quick chat. And guess what? You can even teach your child valuable strategies to handle problems and frustration. How amazing is that?Being emotionally supportive and nurturing does not make you a pushover. You're a superhero! You set and hold limits with kindness and firmness. You're the cool, confident family leader who knows how to strike that perfect balance. Keep up the fantastic work! You're doing an amazing job. Links and resources: Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_babyCheck out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy CourseOur NEW Potty Training Made Easy course is here!Get the Dynamic Duo: Toddler Tamining + Potty Training courses and save $20Does potty training terrify you? Discover 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success! Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and stay calmer with tricky toddler moments. Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️ If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you. Episode website

Guess what? I just became a grandmother a few days ago! As a mom and a new grandmother, I know the struggles of bedtime. In this episode, we're diving into the all-too-familiar bedtime battle cry: "I'm not tired!" I’m here to share some tips on how to conquer bedtime stalling like a pro. Are you tired of feeling like a meanie? Do you dread bedtime because your toddler keeps running out of the room a million times? Well, here's the scoop: bedtime can be challenging because while you crave some time for yourself, your little one craves time and connection with you before saying goodnight. Plus, toddlers are all about asserting their power. They miss you when you're apart, and transitions can be tough. Sometimes bedtime might be too late, and let's face it, when you're tired, it's harder to enforce limits. But don't worry, I’ve got you covered!What your child needs at bedtime is a loving leader. Everyone wants to feel seen, heard, understood, and valued, so helping your child feel acknowledged and understood at bedtime can decrease pushback. I am also sharing some bedtime tools that can help you conquer resistance and get through bedtime like a pro! Ready to master your bedtime routine?? Let’s dive in! Links and resources: Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_babyCheck out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy CourseOur NEW Potty Training Made Easy course is here!Get the Dynamic Duo: Toddler Tamining + Potty Training courses and save $20Does potty training terrify you? Discover 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success! Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and stay calmer with tricky toddler moments. Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️ If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you. Episode website

Are you tired of feeling guilty and overwhelmed because you're constantly yelling at your kids? Do you wish you could be calmer and more in control of your emotions? Well, you're in luck because, in this episode, we're going to give you some awesome tips on how to stop yelling at your little ones! Let's face it, as a mom, it's easy to lose your cool when your kids don't listen or misbehave, but yelling is not the answer! Did you know that research has shown that yelling causes stress and anxiety in kids? And it also shuts down their learning centers, making it harder for them to understand and retain information.But don’t worry, I’m here to help! I am sharing some powerful strategies to help you respond to problems instead of reacting. I’ll also discuss how to understand and manage your own triggers and emotions, and how to set realistic expectations for your little ones.I know that parenting is not easy, but with these helpful tips, you can create a loving, trusting relationship with your child without resorting to yelling. So, let's dive in and learn how to be the best moms we can be!Links and resources: Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_babyCheck out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy CourseOur NEW Potty Training Made Easy course is here!Get the Dynamic Duo: Toddler Tamining + Potty Training courses and save $20Does potty training terrify you? Discover 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success! Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and stay calmer with tricky toddler moments. Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️ If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you. Episode website

In this episode, we'll be talking about an issue that we know all too well: dealing with clingy toddlers. We like to call this the snuggle struggle! As both a pediatrician and a mom, I understand how frustrating and emotionally exhausting it can be when your little ones seem to be attached to you at all times. And guess what? You're not alone in this. In a recent Instagram poll, 70% of parents described their toddlers as super-clingy.If you're tired of your little one pulling at your clothes every time you try to go to the washroom or if you're hoping to get some space during an arts and crafts project only to have your little one want to sit on your lap, then you already know how confusing and challenging it can be to have an overly-clingy toddler. Having a little one constantly attached to you can be emotionally draining.We’re taking a look at a real-life example of mom Sophie’s story and how she managed her 3-year-old daughter Chelsea’s suffocating clinginess. Stay tuned to hear what you can do to help your little ones through this developmental phase! Links and resources: Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_babyCheck out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy CourseOur NEW Potty Training Made Easy course is here!Get the Dynamic Duo: Toddler Tamining + Potty Training courses and save $20Does potty training terrify you? Discover 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success! Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and stay calmer with tricky toddler moments. Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️ If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you. Episode website

Today, we’re diving into a hot topic, potty training! More specifically, we're chatting about why traditional potty training is totally outdated, and your toddler doesn't need it. I mean, come on, who has the time and patience for that anyway? Traditional toilet training is all about control and punishment, which is not cool for our little munchkins' emotional health.Let's give our toddlers the power they crave and let them learn to use the potty naturally. Just like when they learned to walk, we provided the right environment and let them try and try until they nailed it. And trust me, your little ones will feel so proud of themselves when they finally master peeing and pooping in the potty.But before you start, I've got a new strategy for you called pre-potty training or toilet training warm-up. Think of it as a little warm-up before you hit the gym. And to make it even easier, I've created a mini e-book for you with the five must-dos before starting potty training. It's filled with strategies to make the process a breeze, even if your little one doesn't show any signs of readiness.So, if you're ready to ditch the old ways and embrace the new, check out the link below for the 5 Must-Dos Before Potty Training E-Book. Links and resources: Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_babyCheck out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy CourseOur NEW Potty Training Made Easy course is here!Get the Dynamic Duo: Toddler Tamining + Potty Training courses and save $20Does potty training terrify you? Discover 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success! Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and stay calmer with tricky toddler moments. Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️ If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you. Episode website

Do you have a tattle tale? If so, today’s episode is for you. Let me paint a picture. Three-and-a-half-year-old Sam is a sweet kid, but he's in the habit of tattling on his older brother Eric, who is just six years old. Whenever Eric does something that Sam thinks isn't nice or fair, he runs to his parents and tells on him. For example, if Eric takes one of Sam's toys or accidentally drops something, Sam runs to his parents and says, Eric did it. Tattling happens after a child has stopped managing problems in physical ways like hitting or biting, but he or she hasn't yet developed a more sophisticated way of solving things. Children who tattle have enough social and emotional skills to stop the hitting, but not enough to solve problems without some help. A toddler may tattle to exert their power and see if they can get a rise out of you. Create a space or a moment between your child's behavior and your response to it. In other words, just pause for a moment before saying a word.  Ready to combat tattletales? Help your child feel seen. When they feel seen, their need to tattletale gradually diminishes. You can empower your child by equipping them with the tools to manage problems on their own. With time, tattletales will fizzle out. But in the meantime, also remember the power of exclusive time or special time or magic time, whatever you wanna call it, for just 10 minutes a day. Let your child choose what they want to do and then the two of you do that together. Playing with your toddler, just the two of you for 10 minutes a day is a research-based way to ease messy toddler behaviors.Links and resources: Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_babyCheck out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy CourseOur NEW Potty Training Made Easy course is here!Get the Dynamic Duo: Toddler Tamining + Potty Training courses and save $20Does potty training terrify you? Discover 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success! Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and stay calmer with tricky toddler moments. Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️ If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you. Episode website

Fears can be formidable for toddlers to face! Particularly so before they have formed the skills to express themselves fully.Fear is a survival mechanism that protects us from danger. Yet it can be overwhelming and confusing for toddlers. Toddlers depend on structure and routine to feel safe, so when something unexpected happens, they may become fearful.As adults, it is easy to forget how scary the world can seem from a toddler’s point of view. Fear is a perfectly normal part of any toddler's development. But even so, their fears can sometimes be exhausting, frustrating, or even inconvenient for us to cope with as parents. Today, I explore toddlers’ fears and dive into what you can do to help your little one manage and overcome their fears. Stay tuned to learn strategies to empower your child to accept their fears and make space to overcome them.Show highlights: Why do toddlers have fears? How thinking around parenting has changed since earlier generations. Why it is essential for children to feel heard and understood. Why children must be allowed to feel all their feelings, including those that make us uncomfortable. Things we should avoid saying to kids when they are fearful. How to let your child know you see them and care about their feelings and fears. Why there is no need for parents to offer solutions or rescue their children. What happens when you negate a child’s feelings? How to diffuse a situation when strong feelings arise. How sharing stories, narrating situations, and talking about feelings helps empower children to overcome their fears. Links and resources: Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_babyCheck out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy CourseOur NEW Potty Training Made Easy course is here!Get the Dynamic Duo: Toddler Tamining + Potty Training courses and save $20Does potty training terrify you? Discover 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success! Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and stay calmer with tricky toddler moments. Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️ If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you. Episode website