Robot Unicorn

In this episode, Jess and Scott dive deep into the complexities of parental anger and yelling sparked by a controversial social media post.They explore cycle-breaking, emotional regulation, and practical strategies for staying calm with kids. They share their personal experiences - Scott as someone who broke generational trauma patterns and Jess as a parent working through postpartum struggles. Listeners will gain valuable insights on visualizing the parent they want to be, understanding their triggers, and the power of repair after losing your cool. This honest conversation offers both validation and actionable tools for parents striving to create calmer, more connected relationships with their children while acknowledging that the journey isn't always perfect.Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. Credits:Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First  Learn more about The Anger Course here!

In this episode, Jess and Scott discuss how to support anxious or worried kids. Jess, a psychotherapist, shares the "Mind Table" concept - a powerful tool for helping children manage anxiety and difficult emotions. She shares the story of her own daughter's fears and explains how visualizing different emotions as characters sitting around a table can help kids externalize and cope with their worries.Jess and Scott explore why this approach works so well for children and how it differs from simply suppressing emotions. They also include practical tips for parents supporting anxious kids.Listeners will learn about key signs of childhood anxiety, the importance of maintaining strong parent-child relationships when addressing fears, and why gradually exposing children to challenges (rather than total avoidance) helps build resilience.With practical, real-life examples and Jess’ clinical expertise, this episode provides valuable strategies for parents who want to help their children develop emotional awareness and healthy coping skills.Check out the post Jess reads at the beginning of the episode here.Click here to learn more about The Worry Toolkit Jess and the Nurtured First team created to help parents support their anxious children.Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.Learn more about The Body Safety Toolkit here! We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.Credits:Editing by The Pod CabinArtwork by Wallflower StudioProduction by Nurtured First Learn more about The Anger Course here!

Dive into the complex realities of kids and screen time, where personal anecdotes blend with research insights. Discover how to balance digital engagement with meaningful play while setting clear boundaries. Unpack the addictive nature of gaming and social media, and the roles parents play in navigating these challenges. With emphasis on content quality and context, learn strategies to foster healthier screen habits and co-view experiences. This engaging discussion offers practical guidance for empowering parents in a digital world.

Scott and Jess have a candid discussion about New Year's resolutions and goal-setting, particularly through the lens of parenting and personal growth.They share their plans to prioritize family dinners, create more one-on-one time with each of their three children, and discuss how to teach their kids about resilience and nuanced thinking in an increasingly polarized world.Jess opens up about her journey with people-pleasing and burnout, while Scott reflects on finding balance between his drive for constant learning and the need to slow down.Listeners will gain valuable insights about setting meaningful goals, the importance of self-reflection, and how to approach resolutions with both ambition and self-compassion.If you want to share your goals with the Robot Unicorn community, send us a DM with an audio message on @robotunicornpodcast and let us know your name, where you are from and what your goal is for the new year!Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.Learn more about The Body Safety Toolkit here! We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.Credits:Editing by The Pod CabinArtwork by Wallflower StudioProduction by Nurtured First Learn more about The Anger Course here!

Libby Ward, Founder of Diary of an Honest Mom, joins for a heartfelt discussion on holiday grief. She shares her personal journey of losing her father during Christmas, shedding light on the complexities of mourning amidst festive cheer. The conversation highlights coping strategies like fully embracing emotions and leaning on trusted friends. They delve into the importance of supporting those in grief, providing insights on what to say—and what to avoid. It's a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of loss, especially during the holiday season.

Scott and Jess tackle the pressing issue of entitled children by highlighting the benefits of natural disappointments. They emphasize the importance of building resilience through coping skills while setting appropriate boundaries in parenting. Real-life anecdotes showcase how mild discomfort can lead to emotional growth. The hosts also discuss the balance between nurturing and risk in child play, challenging societal perceptions of entitlement in today's kids. Ultimately, nurturing understanding over judgment is key to developing well-rounded children.

The hosts delve into the age-old debate of whether to tell kids Santa is real or not. They explore various ways to approach the topic, balancing imagination and truth while nurturing trust. Insights on managing children's expectations during the holidays are shared, along with the potential pitfalls of using Santa for behavior management. Listeners are encouraged to foster gratitude and create magical traditions that align with family values, regardless of differing beliefs. Personal anecdotes enrich the conversation, making it relatable and engaging.

Scott and Jess dive into the significance of creativity and play for children and adults alike. They discuss the decline of childhood creativity since the 1990s, emphasizing the impact of structured education. Unstructured play is highlighted as vital for emotional development. The hosts share personal reflections on balancing responsibilities with creativity. They conclude with a soothing mindfulness exercise, promoting self-care for busy parents while encouraging a playful spirit in their children.

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, hosts Scott and Jess explore the complex relationship between food, parenting, and childhood development. Inspired by a viral social media post about body image and food messaging, they explore how parents can foster healthy relationships with food by focusing on family rituals, mindful eating, and meaningful connection rather than restriction.Jess and Scott share personal experiences, including their own family dinner traditions and weekend donut rituals. They reveal how food struggles often point to unmet relational needs and offer practical ways to approach these challenges with empathy and understanding.Some important topics discussed in the episode include: Food as Connection: Discover how food issues often reflect underlying relationship dynamics. Positive Memories: Learn how to create meaningful rituals that build healthy associations with food. Mindful Eating: Equip your children with tools to develop a balanced and intuitive approach to eating.This episode offers valuable insights for parents looking to nurture a happy, healthy attitude toward food in their families.If you want to hear more from Jess and Scott about food and eating, listen to “Is It Healthy Eating, Or Is It Trauma? Unpacking Scott’s Relationship With Food”. Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.Credits:Editing by The Pod CabinArtwork by Wallflower StudioProduction by Nurtured First Learn more about The Anger Course here!

In this episode, Jess and Scott answer a listener's question about sharing the mental load of parenting. Jess talks about times when she felt like she carried most of the mental load and how Scott and her now split the work of parenting. They discuss the challenges of balancing roles, especially when one parent feels like the default decision-maker, educator, and emotional support.Key takeaways for listeners include: How to approach conversations about mental load in a way that strengthens your partnership. Strategies to encourage reluctant partners to engage more fully in the parenting journey. Ideas for setting boundaries and creating shared responsibilities so neither parent feels solely responsible.Whether you feel overwhelmed as the default parent or want to be a more engaged partner, this episode offers practical wisdom for creating a united parenting team. Don't miss Jess and Scott's candid discussion of their own parenting journey and struggles!During the episode, Jess mentions an episode with Josh, a skeptical dad. You can listen to his episode here.Want more support on your parenting journey? Check out our incredible blog full of articles & advice here. Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.Credits:Editing by The Pod CabinArtwork by Wallflower StudioProduction by Nurtured First Learn more about The Anger Course here!