Parenting Translator (Dr. Cara Goodwin)

Tis the season to be bombarded with toy advertisements at every turn! Every influencer on social media, and every parenting blogger seems to have a gift guide with hundreds of potential gifts for children.

It's overwhelming for us as parents to dig through all of this information and choose a reasonable number of gifts for our children.

So this episode is a different kind of gift guide - one that actually helps you to understand the research behind toy quality and determine which toys might actually be beneficial for your child.

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

In recent years, homework has become a very hot topic. Many parents and educators have raised concerns about homework and questioned how effective it actually is in enhancing students' learning.

There are also concerns that students may be getting too much homework, which ultimately interferes with quality family time and important things like opportunities for physical activity and play.

But what does the research say about homework?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Even though I've been through the crib to toddler bed transition three times, I'm still a little anxious about how it will go and the prospect of not sleeping for a week or maybe even more. Yikes!

Many parents wonder when is the best time to make the switch, and what's even normal when it comes to the transition process.

Let's find out what the research tells us!

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

There are several studies that explore white noise (and pink noise, brown noise, and lullabies) and their effectiveness on both falling asleep and getting a good night's sleep overall. What did those studies find? And does white noise contribute to hearing loss?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

The COVID 19 pandemic caused widespread disruptions across the world that led to financial strains, social isolation, and decreased support for many. These disruptions in turn led to increased stress in parents and caregivers and a mental health crisis among adults and children. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many parents and experts have raised concerns that the pandemic and all of its terrible side effects would also impact the development of children.

And very slowly, a body of research is coming out that can address these concerns. So what is the research telling us? Did the pandemic cause subtle changes in development that children will eventually compensate? Or did it cause serious developmental delays that may ultimately result in more children meeting criteria for developmental disabilities, meaning conditions that emerge in childhood may result in lifelong impairments and functioning?

Let's discuss.

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

With the prevalence of expert-driven parenting advice, how can we as mothers strike a balance between research and trusting our instincts as a parent? Today with New York Times Journalist Jessica Grose, we discuss our shared parenting experiences and what it's like to be a mom in the modern age of social media.

Mom guilt, stress, the evolution of parenting, and keeping up with mom influencers. Let's tune in!

Jessica Grose is a New York Times Journalist who often writes about parenting. She was named a Glamour Game Changer for her realistic coverage of parenting during the pandemic, and she's the author of several books including Sad Desk Salad, Soulmates, Love, Mom, and most recently Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood. 

 
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Sign up for the Parenting Translator Substack, and follow along on Instagram.

Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

As awareness of ADHD grows, particularly among women, more are facing the intricacies of managing symptoms alongside the rollercoaster of motherhood. So is there a safe path through therapy, medication, and self-care that ensures both parent and child thrive?

It's an intricate issue, and today we're shedding light on the little-discussed challenges like disorganization, distractibility, and the relentless need for patience—traits that can turn parenting into an uphill battle. But there are silver linings as well. And every parent out there, ADHD or not, can find the strength and tactics to navigate this beautiful chaos called parenting. Tune in, as we offer not just insights, but real, tangible solutions that promise to guide, support, and empower.

About Our Guest
Dr. Julia Schechter is the co-director of the Duke Center for Girls and Women with ADHD.

 
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to four children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Today, Dr. Cara Goodwin and Dr. Emily Edlynn discuss the concept of autonomy supportive parenting - a style of parenting based on the idea of three fundamental needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. It involves strategies such as taking a child's perspective, using empathy, giving choices, and involving decision making.

Can this style reduce stress in the home and help children build resilience?

Dr. Emily Edlynn is a clinical psychologist and practicing therapist, and author of Autonomy-Supportive Parenting.

[00:00:02] Mindful parenting to reduce stress.
[00:01:53] Nurture children with autonomy support.
[00:04:33] Nurture child's autonomy, competence, relatedness.
[00:06:24] Autonomy supportive parenting reduces stress.
[00:08:38] Empathize, explain, connect to values.
[00:10:45] Empowering child choice, not fear.
[00:12:54] Autonomy-supportive parenting: six words
[00:15:27] Empathetic parents struggle with controlling kids.
[00:17:48] Building resilience through trust.
[00:20:16] Unconditional love, making mistakes is okay
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

We've all been there. Our child lies to us, and we absolutely know it's happening. But what should we do about it?  And how does lying change as they get older and the lies become more significant?  Let's find out from Dr. Victoria Talwar.

About Our Guest
Dr. Victoria Talwar is a Canada Research Chair (II) and a Professor at McGill University. She has been working in the area of developmental psychology for over fifteen years with an emphasis on social-cognitive development. Her research interests include children’s verbal deception, children’s moral development, theory-of-mind understanding and behaviour; children’s expressive display rule knowledge and behaviour.

 
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to four children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

I recently returned from a two week vacation in France with my family and my children are 7, 5, and almost e years old - and I was 31 weeks pregnant at the time of this trip. We visited Paris and the south of France, which I realize sounds very dreamy and magical and it definitely was, but it was also exhausting and full of many of the same sibling fights.

So today I'm going to be talking about traveling with kids - why travel with children, some of the research on jet lag and recommended products for travel, and finally, 10 tips I have from my own personal experience of traveling with my kiddos. 
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

This week's episode is on tongue ties, which seems like a very niche topic, but it's actually one of my most requested topics that I have on my platform.

With a difficult parenting decision, medical professionals on this topic are likely to give parents different guidance based on their area of expertise, and they often leave the decision up to parents. So this leaves parents in a position where it's really important to understand the pros and cons of their decision and to make a really informed decision.

I also wanted to address this topic because I couldn't find this research compiled anywhere else. So I really hope that this newsletter will help parents like myself who have faced this difficult decision.

So what does the research on tongue ties tell us?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

The research behind how the age gap between siblings relates to physical and mental health, the sibling relationship, and parent stress.
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Is time-out an effective discipline strategy, or could it be potentially harmful to children?

Today we dive deep into the research behind whether time-out works and how it impacts emotional development and attachment.

Let's discuss.

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Today we answer all the questions about your pelvic floor that you were too afraid to ask or look up.  Dr. Michelle Little joins us to shed light on various aspects of pregnancy and postpartum care, including exercise recommendations, core strengthening, and pelvic floor exercises. She also highlights the significance of addressing issues like leakage, pelvic floor pressure, and pain to improve overall well-being and mental health.

There are so many myths out there about exercise during pregnancy, how long to wait to be active after giving birth, and tolerating discomfort. Let's find out what's real.

Dr. Michelle Little is a physical therapist who specializes in orthopedics, obstetrics, and pelvic health, and she's the founder of Women in Motion, an organization dedicated to helping women maintain their movement goals during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.

 
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

As I embark on maternity leave for my fourth child, today I'm sharing 5 research-backed reasons why everyone deserves paid time off for the births of their children.

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Parents who are fortunate enough to have a choice in their child's school may feel overwhelmed by all the choices that are out there. There are public schools, private schools, charter schools, or you could even homeschool your child. 

So how does a parent make this choice? And which of these options results in the best outcome for students? 

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

If you are like me, you can’t wait to get back to a routine after weeks of having no structure, eating too much, and relaxing a few too many family rules. Over winter break, even my 4-year-old said, “I can’t wait to get back to school so I can be in a routine.” It is clear that both kids and parents seem to do best with some kind of routine or structure. 

So let’s discuss the research behind routines. Why do routines matter? How do you create good routines and stick to them? What are some routines that are backed by research that you can start today?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Nearly every parent has a moment when they say or do something and they wonder, "Oh my gosh, am I turning into my mother/father?" This particularly happens at times of stress or overwhelm, and it seems that we can't help but default to parenting in the same way our parents did when we are stressed out and overwhelmed.

For some parents who don't want to repeat the mistakes of their own parents, this experience is beyond frustrating and they may feel desperate for any way to break this generational cycle. 

So does research really find that you are destined to parent in the same way as your own parents?
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

We hear so much about the negatives of being a working parent. The reality is that there are so many hours in a day, so it's difficult if not impossible to excel at work AND parenting. Some of us will view this dichotomy and tension as Work Family Conflict.

But Dr. Yael Schonbrun is putting a positive spin on it, preferring to use the term Work Family Enrichment. But what does that mean? And how can a positive spin help us become better parents?

Dr. Yael Schonbrun is the author of the book Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like Too Much) and the co-host of the Psychologists Off the Clock Podcast.
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

In today’s episode, I was fortunate enough to interview Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson of Birds & Bees - an incredible resource for talking to children about sex. Mary Flo and Megan have a combined 36 years of experience in helping parents to have these difficult conversations. 

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Sign up for the Parenting Translator Substack, and follow along on Instagram.

Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Let's talk about the awkwardness of puberty. Things have changed since we were going through it, and most of us want to be much more open with our children than our parents are with us.  

But how do we do that without confusing them further or embarrassing them?

Today, we're joined by Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll-Bennett from the Puberty Podcast to discuss the importance of open communication, using accurate terminology, and teaching kids about consent. We also highlight the impact of social media on body image and self-perception during puberty, and the need for critical thinking and parental involvement. 

The modern puberty experience is unquestionably different, and this episode will help guide you through it.

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Dr. Cara Natterson is a pediatrician, popular speaker, consultant, and New York Times bestselling author of multiple parenting and health books, including The Care and Keeping of You, a three-book series with more than six million copies in print, and Guy Stuff, the corollary for boys. Vanessa Kroll-Bennett is a bestselling author, puberty educator, and podcaster who helps adults navigate uncertainty while supporting the kids they love. Together they host the Puberty Podcast and wrote This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained.

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Ms. Rachel has become a household name for nearly every parent with a baby or toddler. Her YouTube channel, Songs for Littles- Toddler Learning Videos, has over 2.6 million subscribers and her videos have hundreds of millions of views. The woman behind the Ms. Rachel is Rachel Griffin Accurso, a preschool teacher and mother living in New York City. Her husband is a Broadway composer who helps to produce her YouTube channel. As she explained in a recent interview on the Today Show, she started the YouTube channel because her son did not speak his first word until nearly 3 years old and she could not find a television show that targeted language development to help him. 

Her website claims that her videos help “children learn to talk, learn letters, numbers, colors, animal sounds and more." On her website, she also states that her team works with speech language pathologists to “provide speech practice techniques on video for toddlers!” and she has a quote from a speech language pathologist saying that she uses “all of the right techniques.” 

Ms. Rachel isn’t alone in creating “educational” shows for babies on YouTube. Little Baby Bum has 40.6 million subscribers and claims to “support cognitive development” in its show description. A similar channel called Super Simple Songs has 37 million subscribers and is described as being “created by a team of educators.” Hey Sensory Bear has 1.48 million subscribers and seems geared towards very young babies, as it features black-and-white and contrasting colors which are known to hold the attention of newborns.

So is the marketing on these shows accurate? Can babies actually learn from a television show?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

When I was a child, I fought frequently with my older brother. We were only 18 months apart and we would both tease each other mercilessly until one of us snapped. Because he was older, he was often the one who got blamed for the fighting. My mom would always say “Apologize to your sister this instant!” and he would eventually yell through gritted teeth “I’m sorry, YOU STUPID IDIOT!” This apology eventually became a family joke and we will still say it to each other to this day in jest. Yet, it raises the question of whether this type of disingenuous apology benefits anyone? 

Should we be asking our children to apologize when they don’t really mean it? Does this type of prompted or “forced” apology actually make a difference? Yet, conversely, if we don’t ask our children to apologize, how exactly do we teach them to acknowledge when they have hurt others, take responsibility, and learn from their mistakes?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

The research behind when and why children stop napping and how to handle it as a parent

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

ADHD in girls and women has been historically difficult to diagnose. According to today's guest Dr. Julia Schechter, "ADHD does tend to look different than boys with ADHD generally, but not always. They do seem to have more of those inattentive symptoms - things like trouble staying focused for longer periods of time, easily getting distracted, difficulty organizing. Inattentive girls, they might kind of get labeled as spacey or seem kind of really forgetful, just often appear overwhelmed."

So what can we do about it?

Dr. Julia Schechter is the co-director of the Duke Center for Girls and Women with ADHD.
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Have you ever worried that you may be too overprotective as a parent?

Previous research has found that overprotective parenting is linked to anxiety in children, but researchers do not fully understand why this relationship exists. In a new study, published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, researchers examined whether emotional regulation skills might explain the relationship between overprotective parenting and anxiety.

So what did they find?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

One of my favorite things to do on my Parenting Translator platform is to debunk common parenting myths. Not only does it provide great conversation starters but it also shows why we need research. Although a lot of research backs up our observations as parents, some research helps us to see our own biases and misconceptions. Tune in for the three of the most common parenting myths and what the research actually finds on these topics.

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Sign up for the Parenting Translator Substack, and follow along on Instagram.

Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Parenthood often comes with a barrage of myths and misconceptions about the elusive "mommy brain" or, if you want to include dads too, "baby brain". In this episode, Dr. Cara Goodwin and guest Chelsea Conaboy explore the science behind the brain changes that occur during the transformative phase of motherhood - and they're not all negative transformations!

Discover how hormones and experiences shape the parental brain, leading to hyper focus, increased empathy, and other incredible strengths. Uncover the truth about forgetfulness and the profound changes that redefine your cognitive landscape. Whether you're a new parent or a seasoned one, this episode sheds light on the hidden gems of the parenting brain that deserve the spotlight.

It's time to separate myth from fact, as we unravel the science to get a fresh perspective on the marvels of the parental brain.

Chelsea Conaboy is a health and science journalist, specializing in personal and public health. She's the author of Mother Brain: How Neuroscience is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood, and creator of the Substack Between Us.

 
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Today we welcome Dr. Rina Bliss to discuss the concept of intelligence and learning, and how parents can reframe their thinking to focus on children's individual strengths.  

We go over questions such as: 

• Is intelligence is fixed and inherited?  
• How much does environment factor in? 
• How can we reduce stress in the learning environment
• Should we avoid telling our children that they're smart?
• And how should we think about grades and standardized tests?

Dr. Rina Bliss is a science technology and policy analyst, social justice advocate, and author of Rethinking Intelligence: A Radical New Understanding of Our Human Potential.

[00:00:02] Rethinking intelligence: Is smartness fixed?
[00:05:23] DNA and learning from environment.
[00:10:11] Connected learning through play.
[00:14:40] Brain growth through love, learning, and growth mindset.
[00:20:25] Does fixed intelligence harm kids?
[00:24:32] Promoting mindfulness and growth mindset in schools.
[00:29:43] Opting out of testing?
[00:33:57] Rejecting the fixed intelligence model in education
[00:38:56] Reducing stress to optimize learning.
[00:43:03] Celebrating neurodiverse learning
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Sign up for the Parenting Translator Substack, and follow along on Instagram.

Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Today we're discussing the five core principles of parenting: relationship, reflection, regulation, rules, and repair. 

How can these principles positively impact your child's development? And how do we think about them to raise resilient children?

Dr. Aliza Pressman is a developmental psychologist with over fifteen years of experience working with families. She's the host of the Raising Good Humans Podcast, and author of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans.

[00:00:02] How do we embrace mistakes, bounce back, and learn?
[00:04:27] Simplifying parenting science for easier decisions.
[00:09:23] Five principles of parenting: relationship, reflection, regulation, rules, and repair.
[00:13:58] Summarizing Aliza's new book, and the importance of boundaries, limit setting, and repair in parenting to raise resilient and good humans.
[00:18:17] What is a good human?
[00:22:51] Brain architecture and stress
[00:27:10] Perfect parenting is detrimental to children.
[00:32:51] Social media amplifies parenting pressures.
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

When I had my first child, I remember being thrilled to start solid food. I had planned to start with vegetable purees and then move to fruit and I stocked up on everything Gerber had to offer and I got my iPhone ready to record this big moment. However, much to my dismay, my baby seemed to hate it and acted like I was torturing her as I directed a spoon toward her mouth.

I did my research and I quickly learned everything I could about baby-led weaning.
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

As I enter the final stretch of my pregnancy, I'm asked again and again what I'm planning to name my baby and what I really wanna say to all those people who ask this incredibly sensitive question is that no matter what answer you provide, you're opening yourself up to unsolicited comments and criticism.

The name that you choose for your child will go with them throughout life. And of course, this is a personal decision that's based on countless factors. For parents who feel stuck in this very important decision, it can help to have some research to turn to. So does research provide any insight here? How can research help you to choose the best name for your child?

Let's find out!

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

How do you know if your child has anxiety? And as a parent, what should you do about it?

Let's find out what the research tells us.

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

And it will improve your child's behavior!  Tune in to hear what the research says.

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Over the past 12 years, Dr. Jacqueline Nesi has been researching the effects of smartphones and social media on kids. As a result, she'd assumed that when she had kids of her own, she'd be well prepared to navigate the challenges that come along with managing screen time.

She assumed wrong.

With Dr. Goodwin on maternity leave, Dr. Jacqueline Nesi is guest hosting today's episode. She is a clinical psychologist and researcher at Brown University. She writes the substack called Techno Sapiens, which is all about psychology, technology, and parenting.

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Parenting Translator is (usually) hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Playfulness, as we all know, is something that comes really easily and naturally to our children. It seems like they could turn any object into a toy. They can turn the most boring thing into a game, but it does not come so easily to us parents. Our lives are serious and stressful, and we often don't have the time or the capacity to be playful.

It's hard to be playful when you're thinking about all the tragic world events that are going on right now, or when you're preoccupied by a work email, or even what's for dinner.

So what can we we do to be there for our children, by being playful?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Today we're joined by Dr. Rebecca Dekker, the founder of Evidence Based Birth®, a platform that compiles research on childbirth to empower parents and provide them with evidence-based information. We'll go over various topics related to childbirth, including:

• Research on induction. 
• The shift in attitudes towards elective inductions and insights from the ARRIVE study, which examined the effects of inductions at 39 weeks.
• Epidurals and pain relief during labor. 
• The pros and cons of regional analgesia, including epidurals, spinals, and combined spinal epidurals. 
• Non-medical pain relief options such as comfort measures, hypnosis, warm tubs, and doulas. 

Dr. Rebecca Dekker is also the host of the Evidence Based Birth® Podcast.

 
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

On today's episode, we're going to do a deep dive into the different sleep training methods, considering that recent high-quality studies have shown that sleep training is not just the strict "cry it out" method that some people might assume. Instead, researchers and experts now recommend a more gentle and gradual approach. Below are some of the sleep training methods we'll be discussing:

• Different sleep training methods
• Extinction "Cry it out Method"
• Modified extinction "intermittent responding"
• Camping out/parental presence
• Bedtime Feeding
• Sleep education/positive routines
• limitations of sleep research

Is there a particular approach that works better than others? Let's see what the research says!

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Is Santa Claus a fun holiday tradition or a harmful lie?

Critics of Santa argue that using a fictional character to judge behavior and the idea of a naughty and nice list is not only ineffective, but moreover teaches children to behave only to avoid being on the naughty list. And this messaging may even have a negative impact on children in the longterm.

Many parents are worried. So what does the research tell us? Does Santa encourage good behavior? Is it lying to encourage a belief in Santa? Will children be upset when they find out the truth? And can parents encourage children to believe for longer?

Let's find out!
 
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Today we discuss the research on supplements, vitamins, and probiotics. What should parents think about in general when we're thinking about supplements and vitamins (non-medical treatments), the stuff you can buy off the shelf of a drugstore. There's a lot of misleading information led by huge marketing machines, so we asked Dr. Krupa Playforth (aka "The Pediatrician Mom") to give us answers on what's effective and what's harmful to our children.

 
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

As parents, our short term goal is to get our children to listen to us and follow the rules and limits we set for our family. But our long-term goal is really to raise children who truly understand why we have created these rules and limits, and develop an internal motivation to be kind and to do the right thing.

We want them to follow rules because they care about being a kind moral person, not just because they're scared or they might get in trouble. 

So how do we make sure we are working toward this long-term goal? And could our short-term discipline strategies be interfering with this long-term goal?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

We recently discussed if time-outs are harmful or effective, and today we dig into the best ways to use them, if time-outs are what your family has decided to do.

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Parents often hear about the dangers of screen time for children, but rarely does there seem to be a distinction among different types of screen time.  Every day research finds that infants and toddlers on average spend 10 to 45 minutes per day on touchscreen devices. Many apps on these devices claim to be educational, and some apps are even used as part of the curriculum in elementary schools and even in early childhood education centers. Yet apps for young children are largely unregulated, and the number of choices alone may be extremely overwhelming for parents.

So does research find that young children can actually learn from this technology? Are apps more educational than TV shows or movies?
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Today we explore the research on gentle parenting, and more specifically, what you do when gentle parenting doesn't seem to be working. 

I have four kids now, and with my first, I was really into the gentle parenting movement...

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to four children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Today we're talking about some new research on breastfeeding, specifically three new research studies that have come out in the past few months that might change how you think about breastfeeding.

For more research on breastfeeding, including the "Breast is Best" vs "Fed is Best" debate, check out our free pdf at https://parentingtranslator.org/resources.

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

As Halloween approaches, today we're talking about a hot topic, the "sugar high".  

How does sugar impacts kids' behavior. Does it really make kids more hyperactive? Does it really cause more challenging behavior? 

Let's dig into the research. I think you will be very surprised by what it finds!

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Today we're discussing the research behind redshirting - delaying kindergarten or school entry for a year. This seems to be an increasingly popular trend for giving your child a competitive advantage.

The growing popularity of redshirting may have been started by Malcolm Gladwell's bestselling book, Outliers, which claims that a child being relatively older than their peers provides an advantage.

But what does the research say?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

An interview with the authors of How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen, Julie King and Joanna Faber
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Women are still stigmatized for expressing anything but bliss in the transition to motherhood. So the goal of this episode is to spread awareness of the common mental health struggles during the postpartum period, and we'll specifically cover postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum psychosis, and other common postpartum symptoms such as intrusive thoughts and postpartum rage.

Let's dig into how to improve our postpartum mental health.

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

The transition to parenthood can be rough on a partnership. Between sleep deprivation, the high anxiety of caring for a tiny infant, persistent demands, and the dizzying changes that accompany the transition to parenthood, many couples experience a rapid decline in relationship happiness once a baby enters the scene.

So what can we do about it? How can we reignite that romantic flame?

Dr. Yael Schonbrun is a practicing clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, relationship specialist, and mom of three. She recently launched a newsletter about growing connections, Relational: The Art and Science of Connections, which share science and science-backed ideas for thriving in our most important relationships.

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Parenting Translator is (usually) hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

We've all been on a play date with our kids where they have struggled with sharing with another child. They might scream "That's mine!" or "Give me that!" or get into a fight with another child over sharing. 

What should we do in those moments? How do we encourage them to share? And should we force them to share? 

Let's find out what the research says.

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Today we discuss what the ideal number of kids is according to research. We review studies on how the number of children you have impacts parental happiness, parenting quality, and outcomes for your children.

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

As I prepare for my fourth child, I am reflecting on my previous birthing experience, which was traumatic to say the least (tune in to hear what I mean). So it got me wondering, what does the research say about birth trauma and how it affects both parents and children?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

In this podcast and on my social media pages, I often discuss very controversial and sensitive subjects such as birth trauma and maternal morbidity. I've never used a trigger warning or a content warning on any of this material, and you might be wondering why. So my reasoning is not due to a lack of sensitivity, but rather is based in research. And I really wanted to explain this research to you so you can understand why I don't use trigger warnings and content warnings.

Let's discuss what the research says.
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

When is the right time to start your baby on solids? 4 Months? 6 Months? There's so much information out there on what is right for our kids, and it can all be overwhelming.

Today, we debunk outdated advice and explore the true signs of developmental readiness for introducing solids. We also unravel the myths around tongue thrust reflex, first food choices, and the one-food-per-week rule.

Discover the secrets behind iron-rich foods, managing parent anxiety, and understanding the right balance of sodium. If you've ever been perplexed about your little one's food journey, this episode is your ultimate guide to nourishing your child effectively and confidently. Tune in for expert insights, and breathe a little easier.

Kim Grenawitzke is the co-executive director of Solid Starts Pro and a senior feeding/swallowing therapist.

Join the community of 2.9M on the @solidstarts instagram.

 
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

The Pew Research Center recently published the results of a survey that they conducted to understand how most parents are functioning right now in the United States.

Results of a survey like this are interesting because they help us to understand how other parents experience parenthood, and maybe we feel a little bit less alone in our own journey.

So what did the study find?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

April is World Autism Month, a month designated to enhance understanding of autism and increase acceptance of autistic individuals.  Today’s episode will help to provide answers for the following questions: 

• What is autism? 
• Why are rates of autism increasing? 
• What causes autism?
• How do you know if your child is autistic? 
• What to do as a parent?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Kate Baer has always been a writer, and as soon as she became a mother, her blog and essays became about motherhood. Even with success, she felt boxed in, that people weren't respecting her work as literary. So she took a break for four years and started working on a novel - but then she started to cheat on that novel with poetry.

That poetry has become a gift for mothers, art that makes us feel like we’re not alone. It verbalizes a lot of the things we’ve been scared to say out loud because it’s taboo or it seems like this isn’t what a good mother would say.

Today, Cara chats with Kate about her writing and motherhood journeys, and asks about some of her favorite poems.

Kate Baer is the 3x New York Times bestselling author of What Kind Of Woman, I Hope This Finds You Well, & And Yet. Her work has also been published in The New Yorker, Literary Hub, Huffington Post and The New York Times.
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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD, is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.

Today is all about how to handle ungrateful children, and the research behind what is commonly called bratty or even spoiled behavior. So as many of us are spending increased time with extended family members over the holidays, We may be feeling dread or stress about our children showing a lack of gratitude, or as some of our older relatives may call it, bratty or spoiled behavior.

For some reason, our children being ungrateful towards others, particularly older relatives, seems to be worse than when they are ungrateful with us in the comfort of our own home. So for example, my children occasionally refer to the meals I make for them as disgusting or gross, and it really, at this point, rarely fazes me.

But if they did this to someone else, like an older relative, I would be mortified. So, it's often situations like this that make us wonder whether we are raising spoiled brats, even though we might hate that term, and feel desperate for a way to prevent this behavior.

So let's dig into the research - why is ungrateful behavior so common in young children and how do we as parents respond to ungrateful behavior in a way that discourages it in the future?

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Parenting Translator is hosted by Dr. Cara Goodwin and is produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and mother to three children who "translates" research on parenting and child development into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful to parents.