Simple Families (Denaye Barahona Ph.D.)

In today's episode, author Michael Easter, shares his work and theories on the topic of comfort. He posits that the growing rates of mental and physical health challenges may be rooted in the fact that we are living more comfortable lives than ever before. As parents, we strive to keep our kids as comfortable as possible when they are infants. But, perhaps we should ask ourselves if continuing on that path will negatively impact their future resilience. Connect with Michael + his books: The Comfort Crisis The Scarcity Brain Website Instagram Sponsors Kiwico: Visit kiwico.com and use the promo code SIMPLE to receive 50% off your first box of fun! Masterclass: Get 15% off an annual membership at masterclass.com/families Prep Dish: Get 2 weeks of meal planning for free when you visit prepdish.com/families.

Parents are faced with all sorts of complicated questions from their children. Today, Mary-Robb Wilson is here to give us her wisdom to answer some big questions in her new book Soulshine. Links from the episode Soulshine Book Website: www.soulshinebook.com Instagram @soulshinebook Simple Families Episode 322: Parenting & Poetry Sponsors Indeed – Visit indeed.com/families to start hiring now. SEED – Visit seed.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to redeem 20% off your first month of Seed's DS-01 ™️ Daily Symbiotics. Organifi – Visit organifi.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to get a 20% discount on your entire order.

Love is love. But in today's world our growing children are experiencing rapidly shifting messages about identity and commitment. Sometimes our own life experiences around first love can help us to guide our children. Yet often, as parents, we can feel confusion around processing this new milestone in our ever-changing world. In this episode I'm chatting with Lisa Phillips, the author of First Love: Guiding Teens through Relationships and Heartbreak. Lisa's New Book: First Love Lisa's Website: LisaAmyPhillips.com SPONSORS: Cozy Earth - Visit cozyearth.com and use code SIMPLE and get 40% off Air Doctor - Go to airdoctorpro.com and use code FAMILIES and to receive up to $300 off

FRILUFTSLIV is the Norwegian word describing a popular Nordic way of life: Passion for nature and getting outdoors. I loved learning more about this concept (and cultural differences) from Linda Åkeson McGurk, and author and mother who has raised children in the US and Scandinavia in her new book The Open-Air Life. Links from the episode Linda's Website The Open-Air Life Simple Families Episode 90: There's no Such a Thing as Bad Weather Sponsors Faherty – Get 20% off your first order of quality & comfort on fahertybrand.com/simple and use code "Simple." Indeed – Visit indeed.com/families to start hiring. Organifi – Visit organifi.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to get a 20% discount on your entire order.

In today's episode, author Eli Harwood joins us to explain what it means to be securely attached and why it matters. Eli is a mother and therapist known widely on the internet as the Attachment Nerd. She shares her own experiences as well as tools to build the connection we need to help our children thrive. LINKS: Eli's Website Eli's New Book: Raising Securely Attached Kids Eli on Instagram SPONSORS: LMNT - Get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Families Jenni Kayne - Get 15% off your first order when you use code FAMILIES15 at checkout.

Child anxiety rates are on the rise, therefore, it's a topic that feels familiar to many parents. Last week I discussed child anxiety with expert Dr. Eli Lebowitz. In today's episode, I'm joined by fellow mom and mental health professional Niro Feliciano. We are answering questions submitted by listeners on the interaction of parenting styles and child anxiety. Links from this Episode Child Anxiety, Part I ft. Dr. Eli Lebowitz Niro’s Website This Book Won’t Make You Happy: Eight Keys to Finding True Contentment All Things Life with Niro Podcast Simple Families Podcast Episode 298 - Accommodating Simple Families Podcast Episode 306 - Contentment SPONSORS Kiwi –Get 50% off your first month plus FREE shipping on ANY crate line with code SIMPLE at kiwico.com. PrepDish – Get two weeks free prepdish.com/families Indeed -Visit Indeed.com/FAMILIES to start hiring now.

Time management can feel challenging for both children and adults alike. Today, I'm discussing some tools and strategies to start intentionally handing over this responsibility to our children. My favorite kid-friendly analog clock Photo of our working clock depicting the morning routine Sarah Ward talks about her 'Working Clock' Concept

When we speak to our kids, words do matter. We don’t have to get it right all.the.time, but I like to use the same phrases repeatedly to help drive home important lessons. Therefore, I’m sharing the 10 exact expressions my kids hear on a regular basis. Sometimes the simplest things can be the most impactful. You can either listen along or read–in today’s episode, I’m sharing how I use these and why they are important. Links for this Episode Simple Families Podcast Episode 219: Absolute Thinking Sponsors Shopify - E-Commerce for your business. shopify.com/simple

When I asked listeners to send me questions for a holiday episode of Q&A, I received so many inquiries. Interestingly, so many of them contained the word 'Scrooge!' I am answering your questions regarding gifts, extended family, compromise, and finding your why during the holidays. Links from the episode Simple Families episode 332: Appropriate Toys Simple Families episode 234: Comparison, Envy & FOMO Sponsors Native – Get 20% off your first order of personal care products at nativedeo.com/families or use the code 'families' at checkout. SEED – Visit seed.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to redeem 20% off your first month of Seed's DS-01 ™️ Daily Synbiotic.

I don't know about you, but I find it difficult to delegate tasks in both my work and family life. Often, I find myself deciding that it's easier to do things myself rather than enlist the help of supportive people. In this episode, I'm excited to chat with Emily King, CEO and co-founder of Faye. Emily experienced the overwhelm that comes with balancing parenthood and a demanding job, and she created a whole business dedicated to help parents delegate. SPONSORS: Cozy Earth - Visit cozyearth.com and use code SIMPLE and get 40% off Air Doctor - Go to airdoctorpro.com and use code FAMILIES and to receive up to $300 off Prep Dish - Get two weeks free at prepdish.com/families

When it comes to setting boundaries, clarity saves relationships. Implementing boundaries is a vital component to building a healthy relationship, whether with a partner, relative or friends. After reading Nedra Glover Tawwab's book Set Boundaries, Find Peace, it's become clear just how important boundaries are for every relationship. If you've ever struggled to communicate your needs and limits, then this episode is for you. Links from this Episode Nedra's Website Set Boundaries, Find Peace Nedra on Instagram SPONSORS LUS Brands – Get 15% off your haircare order through September 30, 2022 at LUSBrands.com. Indeed – Visit indeed.com/families to start hiring now.

In light of the recent tragic events in Texas, I am moving up the interview with Dr. Kate Truitt. I have found Dr. Truitt's method of Havening so simple, yet powerful for managing stress and anxiety. I utilize this self-directed method on myself and have been teaching it to my children. I hope you find it useful as well.  Dr. Kate Truitt is a neuroscientist and clinical psychologist with an M.B.A. in Healthcare Administration and has dedicated her life to advancing the treatment of trauma and stress-related disorders. She leads her flagship organization, Dr. Kate Truitt & Associates, headquartered in Pasadena, CA. She is the CEO of the Trauma Counseling Center (TCC) with offices throughout Los Angeles. Links From This Episode Dr. Kate Truitt & Associates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrKateTruitt  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.katetruitt  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.katetruitt/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKateTruitt SPONSORS Manscaped - Gift for Father's Day. Use Code SIMPLE to receive 20% off, plus FREE shipping. Daily Harvest - Up to $40 off your first box. Use the code SIMPLE Pair Eyewear - 15% off your first purchase of eyewear. Use the code SIMPLE This originally appeared on Simple Families

In continuing my quest to find a balance in my own use of digital technology, I found the book Rewired: Protecting your brain in the digital age. The author, Dr. Carl Marci, reviews mounting evidence that overuse of smart phones and social media is rewiring our brains. Links from the episode Dr. Marci's book: Rewired: Protecting your brain in the digital age Simple Families Podcast Episode 344: Addictive Technology ft. Gaia Bernstein Simple Families Podcast Episode 302: Analog Curious I Simple Families Podcast Episode 303: Analog Curious II Sponsors Fast Growing Trees: Receive 15% off your entire order on fastgrowingtrees.com/simple. Just Thrive Health: Visit justthrivehealth.com and use the promo code 'Simple' to receive 20% off a 90-day supply of Just Thrive Probiotics or Just Calm.

In this episode, I'm discussing two valuable principles in parenting: co-regulation and declarative language. I recently read two short books by the same author (Linda K. Murphy) with tools that have proven useful in both my own parenting and in my therapy practice. I'm giving you a quick overview of these tools and tips for integrating them into your own life (with both kids and adults!). Links Linda K. Murphy's Website + Books SPONSOR: Airdoctor - Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code FAMILIES and you’ll receive UP TO $300 off airpurifiers. You will also receive a free 3 year warranty on any unit, which is an additional $84 value.

I'm excited to chat with Bunmi Laditan--I've been a fan of her work for years and find myself repeating her beautiful words in everyday parenting. Bunmi, also know as The Honest Toddler, is a writer, poet, and mother who has inspired millions of women across the world. She's sharing more about life and her new book. Links for this Episode Find Bunmi on Instagram & Facebook Bunmi's Website: www.bunmiladitan.com Bunmi's Books SPONSORS KiwoCo: For unique learning activities and experiences, use the Promo Code "Simple" to get 50% off your first month, or free shipping on any Crate line. Hello Fresh: Get 16 FREE meals and 3 FREE gifts using this link for a Summer meal delivery service to make life simpler.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Matthew Lederman, a physician and wellness expert that you might know from Forks Over Knives. His most recent book, Wellness to Wonderful (together with partner, Alona Pulde) goes into greater depth to explain how connection is has a profound impact on mental and physical wellness. That's our topic today: the intersection of connection + wellness.

Most of us have a conflicted relationship with social media and online life. For today's episode I'm chatting with author Kara Alaimo. Kara's new book, Over the Influence: Why Social Media is Toxic for Women and Girls - And How We Can Take it Back, debuts this month. In our conversation we are sifting through a variety of topics related to how we are influenced as parents and how we can be thoughtful when leading our children into a more mindful online space. Due to some sensitive content, this episode should be first previewed without young children present. Sponsor: Prepdish - Get two weeks free at prepdish.com/families

As adults, we often avoid uncomfortable situations and even frequently rescue our children from uncomfortable experiences. We know, however, that experiencing discomfort can result in growth and resilience. Have you gotten uncomfortable recently? Maybe you should. Links from the episode Simple Families Podcast Episode 298: Accommodating your kid's anxiety Simple Families Podcast Episode 318: Child Anxiety Simple Families Podcast Episode 302 & 303: Analog Curious I & II Sponsors Kiwico: Visit kiwico.com and use the promo code SIMPLE to receive 50% off your first box of fun! Prep Dish: Get 2 weeks of meal planning for free when you visit prepdish.com/families.

Music is one of life's simple pleasures that unites cultures and ages. Through my kid's Suzuki classes, I've found, music can teach big life lessons too. In this episode, I am speaking to Heather Watson Hardie about her musical journey as a child, a music teacher, and now a parent. Links from the episode Heather's Music School: Greenwhich Suzuki Academy What is the Suzuki Method? Sponsors Earth Breeze – Subscribe and save 40% on Earth Breeze laundry detergent Eco Sheets. Visit www.earthbreeze.com/simple. Indeed - Over 3 million businesses have used Indeed to hire the best Talent! Visit www.indeed.com/families.

As a neuropsychologist with over 40 years of practice, Dr. William Stixrud has seen many parenting trends come and go. His best-selling book The The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives with co-author Ned Johnson is on my must-read list for parents. It was a pleasure to speak to one of my all-time favorite scientists, authors and practitioners about motivating our children, screen time, and the root causes of stress. Links from the episode Dr. William Stixrud Website The Self-Driven Child: The Science & Sense of Giving your kids More Control over their Lives Dr. Stixrud's Band: Larry and the Flames Simple Families Episode 302 - Analog Curious: Part I Simple Families Episode 303 - Analog Curious: Part II Sponsors Native – Get 20% off your first order on your favorite deodorant at nativedeo.com/families and use promo code "Families." Indeed – Visit indeed.com/families for an all-inclusive hiring platform. Seed – A different probiotic that works! Try Seed's DS-01TM Daily Synbiotic, learn more at seed.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to get a 20% discount on your first month.

Today I’m sharing my best relationship tool. It’s called expansion and contraction. Expansion and contraction is a simple way to find the rhythm in your family. In fact, it’s probably something you do all the time without even noticing. However, once you bring it to your awareness you will be able to use it with more intention. You’ll find your days flow more smoothly and you view your relationships more positively. In this episode, I’m going to tell you how to use it as a mindset switch and as a tool to manage behavior.  Sponsors Just Thrive Health: Visit justthrivehealth.com and use the promo code 'Simple' to receive 20% off a 90-day supply of Just Thrive Probiotics or Just Calm

In this episode, I'm chatting with you about moral development. The study of moral development helps us to understand how humans learn right from wrong, make decisions, and internalize a value set. I'll share about the typical developmental stages and how this topic can help us to better understand parenting strategies and child behavior. Sponsors: Team Supercrew - visit teamsupercrew.com and use the code SIMPLEFAMILIES for 10% off Prepdish - visit prepdish.com/families for 2 weeks free

It can feel impossible to carve out an identity and personal space in motherhood. In today's conversation, Eve Rodsky shares her own experiences and encouraging words to set us on the path to finding ourselves again. Eve transformed a “blueberries breakdown” into a catalyst for social change when she applied her Harvard-trained background in organizational management to ask the simple yet profound question: What would happen if we treated our homes as our most important organizations? Eve Rodsky is the New York Times best-selling author of Fair Play and National Bestseller, Find Your Unicorn Space. Links for this Episode Eve Rodsky: Fair Play Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everodsky Fair Play: https://www.instagram.com/fairplaylife SPONSORS Indeed | Sign up for Indeed now and get a $75 credit toward your first sponsored job. Plus earn up to $500 extra in sponsored job credits with Indeed’s Virtual Interviews. Visit Indeed.com/FAMILIES to learn more. Faherty | Head to FAHERTYBRAND.com/SIMPLE and use code SIMPLE at checkout to snag 20% Mint Mobile | MINTMOBILE.com/simple to cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month Join the Simple Families Community!

It's Back-to-School season and today we are talking about about contentment--as it relates to our children's educational experience. I'm joined by Niro Feliciano (Author, Psychotherapist, National Media Commentator and Mom of 4). In this episode Niro and I discuss monitoring our own expectations and reactivity, in addition to that of our children. Links from this Episode Niro’s Website This Book Won’t Make You Happy: Eight Keys to Finding True Contentment All Things Life with Niro Podcast SPONSORS KiwiCo: To build curiosity and fun, go to kiwico.com/simple to get 50% off your first month, plus free shipping. PrepDish: Meal planning made easy, go to prepdish.com/families for your first two weeks free.

I went into this episode not a huge fan of Disney, but my mindset has been shifted. I learned a lot from Jen Hoffman & Lauren Gaggioli, who dissect the life lessons of Disney movies on their podcast Magical Mindset Moments. I really enjoyed this conversation and hope you do too. Links from the episode Magical Mindset Moments Podcast Sponsors Faherty – Get 20% off when you checkout at fahertybrand.com/simple, using the code 'simple.' SEED – Visit seed.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to redeem 20% off your first month of Seed's DS-01 ™️ Daily Synbiotic.

Child anxiety is a topic on the mind of millions across the world. I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Eli Lebowitz about his innovative Space Treatment method, which he outlines in his new book Breaking Free of Child Anxiety & OCD. This method of treating anxiety in children is unique in that it works solely with the child's parents, and is shown to be as effective as working with the child. Professor Lebowitz studies and treats childhood and adolescent anxiety at the Yale Child Study Center. His research focuses on the development, neurobiology, and treatment of anxiety and related disorders, with special emphasis on family dynamics and the role of parents in these problems. Links for this Episode Eli Lebowitz: Space Treatment Book: Breaking Free of Child Anxiety & OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spacetreatments Simple Families Podcast Episode 298: Accommodating SPONSORS Faherty: Head to Faherty and use code SIMPLE at checkout for 20% for all your wardrobe needs. Mint Mobile: Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at MINTMOBILE.com/simple.

In today's society, we could all use a little more practice in critical thinking. Julie Bogart is known for her common sense parenting and education advice. She’s the author of the beloved book, The Brave Learner, which has brought joy and freedom to countless home educators. Her new book, Raising Critical Thinkers, offers parents a lifeline in navigating the complex digital world our kids are confronting. You may know Julie Bogart from her award-winning, innovative online writing program Brave Writer, now 22 year old, serving 191 countries. Today, I chat with her about her new book and how creating an intimate bond with our children helps in raising critical thinkers. Links for this Episode Julie Bogart & Brave Writer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliebravewriter/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bravewriter Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bravewriter Simple Families Podcast Episode 302 & 303: Analog Curious I & Analog Curious II Simple Families Podcast Episode 309: Mental Chatter SPONSORS Faherty | Head to FAHERTYBRAND.com/SIMPLE and use code SIMPLE at checkout to snag 20% Pair Eyewear | Go to paireyewear.com/SIMPLE for 15% off your first purchase. Prep Dish | Two Weeks Free at Prepdish.com/families Join the Simple Families Community!

Creating a more engaging home environment for our children can be difficult given the mounting sources competing for their attention. It take intentionality and hard work. Our guest Erin Loechner discusses how we can make some changes in our own lives, and our own screen-time use to foster a positive change in the lives of our kids. Links from the episode Erin Loechner's Website: Designed for Mankind Simple Families Podcast Episode 302: Analog Curious I Simple Families Podcast Episode 303: Analog Curious II Sponsors Storyworth: Perfect Father's Day or any day gift at storyworth.com/simple. Get $10 off your first purchase. Just Thrive Health: Visit justthrivehealth.com and use the promo code 'Simple' to receive 20% off a 90-day supply of Just Thrive Probiotics or Just Calm. KiwiCo: To build curiosity and fun, go to kiwico.com/simple to get 50% off your first month, plus free shipping.

I'll be honest, cooking and meal planning has never come easy to me. If you've listened to Simple Families for long, you've heard me sing the praises of a meal-planning company called PrepDish and its founder Allison Schaaf. Although this episode of my chat with Allison is not sponsored, I couldn't wait to share more about how the simple tool PrepDish provides, in the form of a weekly PDF, has simplified my life around around family meals. Links from this Episode PrepDish Website (for two weeks free) Simple Families Episode 304: Procrastination. SPONSORS Cozy Earth – Get 35% off on Oprah's Favorite sheets and new lounge wear (site wide) using the code SIMPLE at CozyEarth.com. KiwiCo - Get 50% off your 1st month's order & Free Shipping with Code SIMPLE at KiwiCo.com.

I've always been intimidated by poetry. However, Maggie Smith has changed that. Not only have I found myself enjoying poetry, but I've also found it to be a way to get off auto-pilot and center myself on the hard days. Maggie is on the show today to share some of her poems on parenting, loss and life. Not only does Maggie write beautifully, but her work is so relatable and thought-provoking I find that each poem brings me a mini-mindfulness break. Links from this Episode Maggie's Website Maggie's Books and Poetry Maggie on Instagram Poem: Small Shoes - Moving Poems SPONSORS Cozy Earth – Get 35% off on Oprah's Favorite sheets and site wide using the code SIMPLE at CozyEarth.com. Indeed – Visit indeed.com/families to start hiring now.

Many of us (myself included) strive to develop more effective and efficient routines. Sometimes, we fail to realize that we have more functional systems in place than we realize. Personally, I've set lofty goals for improving routines in cleaning, homework, exercise, the morning hustle, etc. Those systems generally fail. What I have found does work is to do what I call, "obstacle-identification-and-removal". I'm sharing a little about that and some examples of how it has been useful for my home. SPONSORS LMNT Get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Families. Jenni Kayne Our listeners get 15% off your first order with code FAMILIES15 at checkout PrepDish Get two weeks free!

I don't know about you, but parent anxiety seems to surround me at every turn. In today's episode, I'm chatting with Dr. Dana Dorfman, author of the new book, When Worry Works. Dana explains that even though anxiety is an unavoidable part of parenting today, we can turn our unique parenting anxiety patterns into an advantage, instead of a liability. Links from the episode Dr. Dorfman's Website When Worry Works Quiz: Identify your anxiety type Simple Families Episode 340: How to Raise an Adult ft. Julie Lythcott-Haims Sponsors KiwiCo - Get 50% off your first month with ANY crate line at kiwico.com/simple. Indeed - If you need to hire, you need Indeed! Visit www.indeed.com/families. Thrive Market - Get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! ThriveMarket.com/simplefamilies

There are many misconceptions about what it means to be 'gifted'. Today's guest, Julie Skolnick, explains to us that giftedness usually comes with considerable challenges. She also shares ideas and insight on how to support and educate children who are gifted, but also have challenges (sometimes called twice-exceptional).  LINKS Julie's Book, Gifted and Distractible Julie's Website, With Understanding Comes Calm Episode with Ross Greene, founder of CPS and author of The Explosive Child GHF Empowering Gifted Families SPONSORS PrepDish - use prepdish.com/families to get two weeks free + bonus Protein Boost menus in January Paired - 7 day free trial (25% off if you sign up) at paired.com/simple

At the heart of being an intentional parent is striving to calm our own reactivity. Reactivity...we all experience it. Hunter Clarke-Fields, author and podcaster, joins me today to discuss this topic. Links from this Episode: Hunter's Podcast - Mindful Mama Mentor Hunter's Books - Raising Good Humans // Raising Good Humans Everyday First episode with Hunter on Simple Families Podcast SPONSOR: Go to EARTHBREEZE.com/simple to get started with 40% off

While many parenting books detail the source of difficult childhood behavior or cover diagnoses, Dr. Ross Greene provides parents with a universal guide for dealing with challenging behaviors. In his bestselling book, The Explosive Child, Dr. Greene says children don't meet our expectations due to a lack of skills. Links from the episode Dr. Ross Greene's Website Sponsors KiwiCo - Get 50% off your first month with ANY crate line at kiwico.com/simple.

"It's not fair!" is a statement uttered by most children pretty early and often. Let's delve into defining the difference between 'fair' and 'equal' and try to understand why children's brain can not yet distinguish between the two. Links from the episode Simple Families Podcast Episode 219: Absolute Thinking Sponsors Just Thrive Health: Visit justthrivehealth.com and use the promo code SIMPLE to receive 20% off a 90-day supply of Just Thrive Probiotics and Just Calm.

Sharing life stories will not only preserve family history but also simplify learning important life lessons. It was an absolute pleasure to speak to Devan Sandiford, distinguished writer and story-teller, who eloquently shares his life through stories of tragedy, race, parenting and what it means to be connected through stories of the human experience. Links from the episode Devan Saniford's website Live Stories Sponsors Nessle – Receive a $10 credit for one-on-one coaching, group sessions or any other services for parents by visiting www.nessle.com and using the referral code "SIMPLE." Thrive Market - Go to thrivemarket.com/simplefamilies for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift.

Many of us are hitting the road or taking to the sky this summer for travel. If you've traveled with kids, you know that it's not easy. And if you are traveling with anxious or inflexible children, it can feel even more daunting. This is a two-part episode. First, I'm joined by award-winning Dawn Barclay, who has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry. Dawn is the author of the brand new book, Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse. Following my chat with Dawn, I'm hosting a Q&A section with my own travel tips for families--something I'm passionate about. Links for this Episode Dawn Barclay: Traveling Different Facebook: www.facebook.com/travelingdifferent Instagram: www.instagram.com/traveling_different SPONSORS Indeed | Sign up for Indeed for all your hiring needs. Visit Indeed.com/FAMILIES to learn more.

It's more than a month into the new school year, and many parents are feeling stress getting out the door in the morning for school and/or work. Although a consistent, smooth morning routine is never guaranteed, I am sharing some simple things you can do to increase your chances of success during before school hours. Links from this Episode Simple Families Episode 211: Reward Charts Telling Time Teaching Clock SPONSORS Faherty Brand – Get 15% off every order with code SIMPLE at Faherty.com/simple LUS Brands – Get 15% off your haircare order with promo code SIMPLE at LUSBrands.com Little Spoons – Enter SIMPLE50 at checkout to get 50% off our first order of delicious and healthy meals and snacks for kids at Littlespoon.com

You should know this by now. I’ve asked you a hundred times. How could you forget?  Today we are going to talk about consequences, punishment, and discipline. How do we raise kids to take ownership and care for themselves and their belongings? Today I’m going to give you some things to think about and some things to do.  This is a rebroadcast of Simple Families Podcast's most downloaded episodes. Take a listen again - you can really get new insights from with each phase of parenting. Sponsors KiwiCo - Get 50% off your first month plus FREE shipping on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/SIMPLE. PrepDish - Try two weeks free prepdish.com/families

When Majka Burhardt, social entrepreneur and world-class female rock/ice climber, found out she was pregnant with twins, she started writing her children letters. These raw, emotional and vulnerable written pieces later became the book More: Life on the edge of adventure and motherhood. I loved talking to Majka about risk, parenthood, marriage and more! Links from the episode Majka Burhardt's website: Passion.Purpose.Pursuit Book: More: Life on the edge of adventure and motherhood Sponsors Storyworth - Share your stories with future generations. Save $10 on your first purchase at www.storyworth.com/simple Fast Growing Trees - Sweeten up your garden this spring with 15% off your entire order of trees at www.fastgrowingtrees.com/simple

Social media gives us all an opportunity to create a false narrative of our lives. And too often, that narrative is of a life we wish we had or what we want to be. The result is a distorted sense of reality. For many of us, social media came into our lives and quickly became a slippery slope. Lena Derhally encourages us to take a step back and consider how we can be more intentional in the way social media plays a role in our lives. Lena is a licensed psychotherapist and expert in narcissism in the Washington, DC area. She's the author of the book The Facebook Narcissist. Links for this Episode Lena Derhally The Facebook Narcissist (Lena's newest book) Simple Families Podcast Episode 309: Mental Chatter Simple Families Community is now free. SPONSORS KiwiCo - Get 50% off your first month plus FREE shipping on ANY crate line with code SIMPLE at kiwico.com. PrepDish - Get 2 weeks free, prepdish.com/families

There's a lot of buzz about gut health and probiotics--but it can feel overwhelming to digest it all (no pun intended). In fact, years ago, I remember standing in the supplemental aisle at the grocery store wondering which probiotic I should buy. Do I get the refrigerated ones, the chewable...or maybe the gummies for the kids? Today, we are exploring all things gut health with Tina Anderson, the Co-Founder of Just Thrive Probiotics. Get 20% off the 90-day supply of Just Thrive probiotics. Go to Justthrivehealth.com and use the promo code "Simple."

Today, I'm bringing you a much-requested life update episode. In the past year I've moved off social media and have limited how much I share publicly on a day-to-day basis. As my kids grow and establish their own identities, this has been a change that feels right for our family. But today, I will update you on home, work, family, and also tell you about my new health routine. Links from the episode Simple Families Podcast Episode 302: Analog Curious Part I Simple Families Podcast Episode 303: Analog Curious Part II Simple Families Podcast Episode 304: Analog Curious Part III Simple Families Podcast Episode 150: Au Pair Insights Simple Families Podcast Episode 184: Year Without Alcohol Simple Families Podcast Episode 251: Downsizing Bandolier Rent the Runway Sponsors Growing Trees - 15% off at FastGrowingTrees.com/SIMPLE. Earth Breeze – Subscribe and save 40% on Earth Breeze laundry detergent Eco Sheets. Visit www.earthbreeze.com/simple.

Many of us have made great efforts to control our technology use, but is it working? I've invited Gaia Bernstein, author of Unwired: Gaining Control over Addictive Technologies to the podcast today to discuss how this is more than an individual issue. We explore digital connection along with how community efforts and national policies can help us gain control of our technology use. Links from the episode Gaia Bernstein's website: Unwired Book: Unwired - Gaining control over addictive technologies Simple Families Podcast Episode 302: Analog Curious I Simple Families Podcast Episode 303: Analog Curious II Sponsors Indeed - If you need to hire, you need Indeed! Visit www.indeed.com/families.

Overparenting is a pervasive practice in our society today. My guest Julie Lythcott-Haims identified over-parented students in her former role as the Dean of Freshman and Undergraduate Advising at Stanford University and wrote the NYT best-selling book How to Raise an Adult, and later Your Turn: How to be an Adult. Links from the episode Julie Lythcott-Haims: Website Julie Lythcott-Haims: Instagram How to Raise an Adult Your Turn: How to be an Adult Sponsors Prep Dish -- Get 2 weeks free meal planning, prepdish.com/families Indeed - If you need to hire, you need Indeed! Visit www.indeed.com/families.

This generation is increasingly looking to peer groups and the internet for child-rearing advice--a change from the past. Today, I'm joined by coach Deborah Porter who shares the benefits of understanding the seasons of parenthood and the value of mentorship. Deborah is a former Probation/Parole Officer and Criminal Investigator. She's now a sought-after life coach and media contributor who helps moms thrive. Links from this Episode Deborah's Website Deborah on IG SPONSORS LUS Brands – Get 15% off your haircare order of $50 or more, using the code SIMPLE at LUSBrands.com. Little Spoons – Your first order of delicious and healthy meals and snacks for kids are 50% off with the code SIMPLE50 at Littlespoon.com Prep Dish – Get two weeks free at prepdish.com/families

There are widely held assumptions about the adolescent years--many of which are negative. My guest today, Ellen Galinsky, challenges many of the stereotypes that we've come to believe about teens. In this chat she shares the basic needs of adolescents to help us better understand what they need (and want) from us. Her research supports collaborating with children during these years of growth, rather than trying to hold tight in controlling them. Book: The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens  Website: Ellen Galinsky SPONSOR PrepDish -prepdish.com/families for two weeks free.

As humans, we experience a vast array of emotions. We are sometimes confused about our own emotional experiences and often confused by the emotions of others (especially our kids!). Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, psychologist, neuroscientist and distinguished professor joins us to talk about her revolutionary work on understanding emotions. Links from the episode Dr. Barrett's Website How emotions are made Dr. Barrett's Ted Talk Sponsors Earth Breeze – Subscribe and save 40% on Earth Breeze laundry detergent Eco Sheets. Visit www.earthbreeze.com/simple.

Safe and healthy screen use is a topic on my mind...all.the.time. In today's episode, I'm sharing some rambling thoughts about how I'm making decisions for my kids (ages 8 and 10) around things like smart watches, YouTube, phones, content restrictions, and much more. In this episode I'm sharing many of my own thoughts and opinions, so please take what works for you and leave what doesn't. How are you managing screens at home? What's working and what isn't working? Link from today's episode: Gryphon Parental Monitoring Router Sponsor: PrepDish - prepdish.com/families for two weeks free

I'm answering several listener questions today on a wide variety of parenting topics, including: extracurricular activities, handling challenging behavior at dinnertime, volunteering at your child's school, and an update on my wardrobe. Links from the episode Manageable (Imperfect) Mornings Sponsors Kiwi Co - Give Awesome this holiday season with Kiwico. Get your first month of any crate line free at kiwico.com/simple. Organifi – Visit organifi.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to get a 20% discount on your entire order. Prep Dish -- Get 2 weeks free meal planning, prepdish.com/families

Many of us idealize 'The Family Dinner'. You know the scene - whole family at the table, eating homemade food, with each member telling everyone how their day went. This is rarely a reality in the modern home. Today, I share tips for a more peaceful (and realistic) mealtime. Sponsors Prep Dish -- Get 2 weeks free meal planning, prepdish.com/families

I'm excited to welcome my minimalist friend Zoe Kim back to the podcast to chat about what minimalism looks like with older kids. Zoe, an author and mother of four, is sharing some of her favorite tips, along with some of the wisdom that she used to build her simple home a few years ago. LINKS: Zoe's Custom Ikea Closet Zoe's Book, The Minimalist Family Zoe's Website, Raising Simple Zoe on Instagram Zoe and Matt's Weekend Workshop: Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff SPONSOR: Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code FAMILIES and you’ll receive UP TO $300 off air purifiers! Exclusive to podcast customers, you will also receive a free 3 year warranty on any unit, which is an additional $84 value.

This week, we’re featuring an episode from a podcast you should check out. The Whole View, hosted by Stacy Toth, is an alternative health podcast that helps guide you on new ways to be your best self! Each week Stacy and her expert guests myth bust some of the most popular health and wellness fads and help you focus on the importance of being your best self. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

I would love to introduce you to a new podcast called "American Girl Fan Club" the newest show to be released on the American Girl Podcast Network.  This podcast is hosted by two superfans, who interview experts, creators, authors, designers and more-- to give YOU and your family the inside scoop behind your favorite characters and stories at American Girl… and sneak peeks on some exciting things to come.  I hope your family will listen and subscribe! apple.co/agfanclub

Today, I am speaking with the Founder of MomWell (formerly Happy as a Mother) Erica Djossa, who you may recognize from viral her maternal mental health memes on Instagram. Erica is a psychotherapist whose work on social media focuses on strategies to cope with the emotional load of motherhood. Links from the episode Erica Djossa's website: MomWell MomWell Podcast: Spotify MomWell Podcast episode with Denaye: Minimizing Mental Clutter Sponsors Earth Breeze – Subscribe and save 40% on Earth Breeze laundry detergent Eco Sheets. Visit www.earthbreeze.com/simple. Indeed - If you need to hire, you need Indeed! Visit www.indeed.com/families.

Once upon a time, building a village to raise a family probably felt simpler. The village was likely the (literal) neighbors and family members who lived right around the corner. But in today's world, our communities are more complex and diverse. The people we lean on may live nearby, but they also may live on the other side of the globe. I'm joined by Michelle Kennedy, the founder of the app Peanut, to talk about building community in motherhood. Peanut's Invisible Mother Campaign SPONSERS: PrepDish: Get TWO weeks free at prepdish.com/families Masterclass: Get 15% off an annual membership at masterclass.com/families

I would love to introduce you to "Let's Change Beauty" - a podcast powered by the Dove Self-Esteem Project. Let’s Change Beauty features intimate conversations with esteemed experts and celebrated guests from the worlds of beauty, gaming, sports, technology and entertainment. What if we could work together to create a world where we define beauty on our own terms? This is the world that cultural expert and host of Let's Change Beauty, Jess Weiner, invites you to help make a reality. I hope you listen and subscribe! apple.co/letschangebeauty

The chances are good that you are familiar with perfectionism. Either you have experienced it yourself, you have a partner or parent with these tendencies, or perhaps you have a child touched by perfectionism. In today's episode, I'm chatting with Clarissa Ong Ph.D. She's a professor and the co-author of the book The Anxious Perfectionist: How to Manage Perfectionism-Driven Anxiety. SPONSORS: Masterclass: Get 15% off an annual subscription at masterclass.com/families PrepDish: Try 2 weeks free at prepdish.com/families Paired: Paired.com/simple to get a 7-day free trial and 25% off if you sign up for a subscription

Many of the guests on this show are authors—especially of non-fiction books. Although we often rely on non-fiction to teach us, sometimes the greatest lessons actually come through diving deeper into the life experiences of characters in a novel. Today, I’m speaking with authors Christine Platt and Catherine Wigginton Greene. Christine and Catherine have co-authored a brand new book that tells the story of an entertaining and thought-provoking interracial friendship between two mothers, De'Andrea and Rebecca. You can find Rebecca, Not Becky anywhere books are sold.  SPONSORS: Prepdish: Get two weeks free, prepdish.com/families Masterclass: Give One Annual Membership and Get One Free at masterclass.com/families

I would love to introduce you to one of my favorite podcasts. 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is hosted by Rachel Nielson, who is a lover of practical ideas, conversations with kindred spirits, and her two wild miracle children who keep life interesting. She combined all of these passions when creating her podcast. After a long fight to become a mother through adoption and IVF, Rachel truly believed that she would thrive as a mom from day one. Her transition into motherhood was a little bumpier than she had imagined, and she sought the help of professionals for actionable advice. 3 in 30 is a podcast for women who want to love motherhood as much as they love their children. Since moms are short on time and brain space, each 30-minute episode offers 3 actionable takeaways to help you make your family life a little better each week. If this sounds up your alley, listen to 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms on your favorite podcast listening app.  In this excerpt, Rachel interviews Dr. Jen Riday about how to be a more emotionally-resilient mom. The takeaway you hear them discuss is the importance of boundaries. I hope you will listen and subscribe!

The addition of children is one of the most pivotal changes experienced in a partnership or marriage. Reconnecting and strengthening partnerships in the parenthood stage is what we are chatting about today with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Abby Nordquist. Links from the episode LoveWell by Abby Nordquist Take the LoveWell Quiz HERE Simple Families Episode 312: I Can't Believe I Just Did That ft. Eve Rodsky Simple Families Episode 323: Boundaries Sponsors Cozy Earth – Get 35% off site wide using the code SIMPLE at CozyEarth.com. LUS Brands – Get 15% off your first haircare order of $50 at LUSBrands.com using the code SIMPLE. SEED – Visit seed.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to redeem 20% off your first month of Seed's DS-01 ™️ Daily Symbiotics.

"Resilience is being able to handle the bad stuff over time and to know you are not doing it alone." - Tovah Klein Ph.D., author of Raising Resilience In today's world of uncertainty, resilience is an indispensable trait that our children will need as they grow. In this episode, I'm chatting with Dr. Tovah Klein, the bestselling author of the brand new book Raising Resilience. Tovah talks me through my own recent resilience-building experiences and together we reflect on what it looks like to help our children thrive. Get in touch with Tovah: Book: Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty Website: https://howtoddlersthrive.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howtoddlersthrive SPONSORS: Prep Dish: Get two weeks free prepdish.com/families Jenni Kayne Get 15% off with code FAMILIES15 at jennykayne.com Airdoctor: Save up to $300 on air purifiers at airdoctorpro.com with promo code FAMILIES

I favor a positive parenting approach, so I don't use a lot of rewards and punishments in our house. However, there are times when these methods can be useful and I want to share some examples with you today. When it comes to behavior modification, it's most effective to use reinforcement/rewards when you want to increase a desirable behavior and punishment when you need to decrease undesirable behavior. I'll talk more about this today. Other episodes referenced: Reward charts - https://simplefamilies.com/episode211/ Time outs - https://simplefamilies.com/episode113/ Expansion and contraction - https://simplefamilies.com/episode233/  Consequences - https://simplefamilies.com/episode266/ Hitting - https://simplefamilies.com/episode250 SPONSORS: Get 22% off @iherb with promo code SIMPLE at iherb.com Go to EARTHBREEZE.com/simple to get started for 40% off

Today I'm answering a listener's question on gift-giving. What do we do when a child asks for a holiday gift we don't want them to have? Links from the episode Simple Families Episode 247: Over-gifter Sponsors Kiwico – Get your first month of ANY crate line for 50% off at kiwico.com/simple. SEED – Visit seed.com/simple and use the code SIMPLE to redeem 20% off your first month of Seed's DS-01 ™️ Daily Synbiotics.

Leadership is built into parenthood. In today's episode I welcome Adam Galinsky, a renowned social psychologist and Columbia Business School professor. Adam is the author of the brand new book, Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others. He has more than 300 scientific publications and a TED Talk viewed 7.5 million times. Although he may never have set out to speak to an audience of parents, Adam naturally made the connection between his research on leadership and his experience as a parent of two young boys. Inspire reveals the spectrum that we function on as parents and leaders--often landing somewhere between inspiring and infuriating. SPONSORS: Jenni Kayne: Get 15% off your first order when you use code FAMILIES15. LMNT: Get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Families Prep Dish: Get two weeks free at prepdish.com/families

Today we're talking all about exposure: exposing our kids, and ourselves, to current events, different cultures and different parenting styles. With unlimited access in today's world, children and adults have more exposure than ever, which has its benefits and of course...risks. Links from the episode Leslie Cohen-Rubury's website: Home Is My Child a Monster? Podcast Sponsors Fast Growing Trees: Receive 15% off your entire order on fastgrowingtrees.com/simple. Storyworth: Perfect Father's Day or any day gift at storyworth.com/simple. Get $10 off your first purchase for a limited time. Just Thrive Health: Visit justthrivehealth.com and use the promo code 'Simple' to receive 20% off a 90-day supply of Just Thrive Probiotics or Just Calm.

We have many academic and expert guests on the podcast, but today we have a meaningful story of lived experience. In this episode, Ginger Zee, Chief Meteorologist for ABC News and New York Times Best-Selling author, shares the story of her mental health journey, the pursuit of healing, and building a successful family life & career. Links from this Episode Ginger’s Website Natural Disaster (I Cover Them, I Am One) A Little Closer to Home: How I Found the Calm After the Storm SPONSORS Faherty: Use code 'SIMPLE' at checkout for 20% for all your Fall wardrobe needs. KiwiCo: Make learning and adventure using code 'SIMPLE' to get 50% off your first month order and Free Shipping. Indeed: Visit Indeed to start hiring today. Indeed.com/families

We are currently packing the whole house into boxes to move out for renovations. Therefore, I've been reflecting a lot on our journey towards minimalism. In today's episode, I'm talking about minimizing the "stuff" in all parts of the home--kitchen, bath, closets, wardrobe, drop zone, etc. SPONSOR Try two weeks of PrepDish for free: prepdish.com/families

Let’s talk about kids who hit. Let’s also talk about adults who hit. This kind of behavior is taboo, especially as kids get older. I'll explore some basic reasons behind hitting and offer solutions. In next week's episode, I'll delve deeper into understanding this behavior in older kids and adults. This is a rebroadcast of Simple Families Podcast's most downloaded episodes. Take a listen again - you can really get new insights from with each phase of parenting. Links from the episode Simple Families Episode 113: Troubleshooting "Time-out" Sponsors Prep Dish -- Get 2 weeks free meal planning, prepdish.com/families KiwiCo - Get 50% off your first month plus FREE shipping on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/SIMPLE.

Let go of the pressure to be the perfect parent and start to embrace the teachable moments that you are (accidentally) creating. In this episode we are flipping around some common summer #momfails. As parents, we are far from perfect. On the bright side, our mistakes often create opportunities for our kids to grow.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. While many of us know someone or have been a victim of bullying ourselves, it remains a source of great pain for some of our youth with long-lasting effects. Kayla Taylor is a mom who lived through the pain with her child and shares her experience in her new the book, Canaries among us: A mother's quest to honor her child's individuality in a culture determined to negate it. Links from this Episode Canaries among us: A mother's quest to honor her child's individuality in a culture determined to negate it. SPONSORS Cozy Earth – Get 35% off site-wide using the code SIMPLE at CozyEarth.com. Indeed – Visit indeed.com/families to start hiring now. Prep Dish -- Get 2 weeks free, prepdish.com/families

In this episode I am answering the question, “how much do you play with your kids?”. I don’t actually play with my kids very much and I am going to give you an explanation of why. The Highlights What quality time looks like in our house. How I facilitate play without playing myself. When I am playing with my kids, what is my role? Show Notes and Links Catherine Wallace Quote From This Episode Why I Don’t Do Pinterest-Worthy Activities with My Kids Do you have a question for the show? Ask it here.  The post SFP 06 : How Much Do You Play With Your Kids? appeared first on Simple Families.

The first year of feeding solid foods to babies is incredibly important. In this episode, I am giving you tips to get started the best way possible. The Highlights How to introduce tastes How to introduce textures The importance of positive talk Show Notes and Links Getting Started With Baby-Led Weaning Mastering the Dinnertime Hustle One Simple Tip to Get Your Kids to Eat Better Do you have a question for the show? Ask it here.  The post SFP 07 : What Is the Best Way to Start Solid Food with Babies? appeared first on Simple Families.

Nearly all parents resort to using “time-out” with their kids at some point. But the problem is it rarely works. In this episode I explain how to use time-out correctly and why I don’t really use it much myself. The Highlights What exactly is “time-out” Why I don’t really like it or use it myself If you are going to use it–how to do it correctly Show Notes and Links The Bad Behavior I am Ignoring (why ignoring behavior can be an effective way of giving “time-out”) How to Really Tick Off a Toddler Why My Kids Doesn’t Listen to Me Do you have a question for the show? Ask it here.  The post SFP 08 : Why Isn’t Time-Out Working? appeared first on Simple Families.

Getting our kids to cooperate with everyday tasks can seem impossible. Brush your teeth, take a bath, put your shoes on…even the simple things can be a struggle with young children. In this episode I am going to explain why cooperation is so difficult. The best part–there is an easy trick to get immediate results with your kids. The Highlights Why is cooperation such a struggle? Why you can’t “threaten” a kid into cooperation (and why you are probably doing this–even if you don’t realize it) A quick trick that works magic to get kids to cooperate Show Notes and Links How to Really Tick Off a Toddler Why My Kids Doesn’t Listen to Me SFP 08: Why Time-Out Isn’t Working Do you have a question for the show? Ask it here.  The post SFP 09 : How Do I Get My Kids To Cooperate? appeared first on Simple Families.

I got rid of my oversized wardrobe in favor of creating a tiny collection of clothing articles that I really love. This has been an amazing change in my life. In this episode, I will share with you how I got started and some of my favorite things. The Highlights Why I made the switch to a small wardrobe How to get started Favorite pieces that I am wearing right now Show Notes and Links Why I Got Rid of My Wardrobe (The story of how I got started) Pick a Wardrobe Color Palette The Perfect Sweater My favorite tunic (aff. link) My favorite chambray shirt (aff. link) Do you have a question for the show? Ask it here.  The post SFP 10 : How Do I Get Started With a Small Wardrobe? appeared first on Simple Families.

Our kid’s behavior can be frustrating–particularly when they won’t “stop” when we ask them to stop. Today we are talking about why it’s so hard to get kids to “knock it off” and how we can handle these situations with success. Highlights A new lens to view behavior Inertia–and how it applies to kid behavior An easy, effective strategy for improving behavior Show Notes/Links Why My Kid Doesn’t Listen to Me (Get the Mini Course on Cooperation) The post SFP 11 : How Do I Stop My Kid From Misbehaving? appeared first on Simple Families.

Sharing is hard. In this episode, I am explaining why sharing can be such a struggle for young kids. I will also introduce the strategy that we use at home to handle sharing easily and effectively. Highlights Why it’s so hard for kids to share Walk a mile in their shoes The Method: How do handle it at home Show Notes/Links Teach Your Kids to Share Without Losing Your Mind The post SFP 12 : How Do I Teach My Kid To Share? appeared first on Simple Families.

It can be hard to get kids to go to bed. In today’s episode, I am answering a question about how to get a child to go to bed (and stay in bed). Highlights: Bring the positive energy. Pattern your days for success. Get kids to stay in bed The post SFP 13 : How Can I Get My Kid to Go to Bed? appeared first on Simple Families.

Kids shouldn’t be playing with their food. That means making a mess should be the exception, not the expectation. In this episode I will discuss how to handle throwing and playing with food at mealtime. Highlights: Understand the motive Control of Error The Food Time-Out Show Notes/Links: How to Get Kids to Stop Throwing and Playing at Meal Time One Simple Tip to Get Kids to Eat Better (Why we don’t talk likes/dislikes) Episode 05: How I Feed My Kids The post SFP 14 : How Do I Put an End to Food Throwing? appeared first on Simple Families.

It seems like kids are starting school earlier and earlier. In today’s episode, I will be discussing how to decide on the best age for a child to start preschool. Highlights: Preschool vs. Daycare–what’s the difference? What type of curriculum and education does a baby/young toddler need? What’s the best age to start school? Show Notes/Links: How to Choose a Preschool The post SFP 16 : What Age Should Kids Start Preschool? appeared first on Simple Families.

The kids of today need minimalism. In this episode I am sharing with you some of the benefits of minimalism with kids and family. Highlights: What is minimalism? Four benefits for our children. Show Notes/Links Does your Kids Have Shiny Object Syndrome Why Kids Need Fewer Toys Research: Children learn better in simple, clean spaces Research: Clutter increases stress The post SFP 15: How Will My Kids Benefit from Minimalism? appeared first on Simple Families.

In this episode we talk about making the difficult transition to daycare as a toddler. I discuss why it is so difficult for kids to separate and give (a strange) analogy. The post SFP 17: Am I Traumatizing My Kid When I Leave Him at Daycare? appeared first on Simple Families.

In this episode I answer a question from a mother about her child that is shy and slow to warm up. I discuss ways to support and encourage her. The post SFP 18: How Should I Handle My Shy Child? appeared first on Simple Families.

In this episode I will discuss three things to consider when preparing your child for a sibling. We will also discuss what type of behavior and emotions you might encounter from a young child during this period as well. I wrap up with the one thing I wish I would have known before having my second baby. Show Notes: Sign up for the Toy Detox The New Baby Book (Depicts breastfeeding) Rocker made for 3 + Ottoman The post SFP 19: How do I prepare my child for a new sibling? appeared first on Simple Families.

It can be difficult to wean a baby off of a bottle. In this episode I discuss the transition from formula/breastmilk to cow’s milk. I also explain the attachment to the bottle and why this process is so difficult. I also discuss things to keep in mind when making the switch from bottles to cups. Show Notes/Links Are sippy cups even necessary? Open Training Cup Open glass (6 to 12 months) Open glass (12 to 24 months) The post SFP 20: How do I cut out the bottles? appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode we are discussing how to handle the “stranger danger” talk with your children. I am not a fan of putting fear and anxiety into children. I think you can educate them and prepare them for life without scaring them. It’s important that children have opportunities to practice socializing with new adults, but at the same time maintaining a healthy dose of skepticism. Show Notes/Links: The Toy Detox How to Teach Your Kids Consent (Huff Post) The post SFP 21: Should I encourage my kid to be friendly to strangers? appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode I respond to a question about how much we should push our kids to be successful. I explain that parents should provide support when teaching new skills, but kids might actually benefit when parents “disappear” and give them opportunity to persevere on their own. SHOW NOTES/LINKS: Get the Toy Detox The post SFP 22: How much should I push my kid to succeed? appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode we discuss how to maintain a minimalist play space when you have children of various ages. Show Notes/Links: Video Tour of our Minimalist Playroom The 25 Best Toys Get the Toy Detox The post SFP 23: How does toy minimalism work with different aged siblings? appeared first on Simple Families.

Preparing for your first baby can be overwhelming. Today I discuss how I suggest you spend time preparing during pregnancy, including some of my favorite books. Show Links/Notes: The Best 5 Books to Read Before a Baby The post SFP 24: How do I prepare for my first baby? appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode we discuss how to handle big transitions with toddlers–things like moving, starting a new school, and having a new baby. The post SFP 25: How much transition can a kid handle? appeared first on Simple Families.

Sometimes babies get restless–but how much entertaining should we do as parents? In today’s episode I answer a question about how to handle a restless, bored baby. The post SFP 26: What should I do if my baby gets bored? appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode I am answering a question from a mother about pretend play. She wonders how often she should intervene when there are disagreements or when the play shifts to an inappropriate story line. The post SFP 27: When should I interrupt my kid’s play? appeared first on Simple Families.

Sometimes our kids can feel impossible at meal times. In this episode, I give my best advice–and it might surprise you. The post SFP 28: How do I end food battles with my kid? appeared first on Simple Families.

Our kids are not going to be good at everything. In today’s episode we discuss how to approach a child that is not having success in sports or other activities. The post SFP 29: Should I encourage my kids to do things they aren’t good at? appeared first on Simple Families.

Many of you are probably blessed with family and friends who love to give your children gifts. In this episode we are discussing how to talk to family members about toy minimalism. The post SFP 30: How do I handle family members who give too many gifts? appeared first on Simple Families.

Every parent deals with kids that interrupt. Today we are discussing two approaches of how to handle this challenge. The post SFP 31: How do I stop my kid from interrupting? appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode we are discussing how to repurpose items we have from decluttering. The post SFP 32: How do I repurpose the things I have from decluttering? appeared first on Simple Families.

Birthday celebrations shouldn’t be complicated—they should be focused on what is important. In today’s episode, I discuss why we should keep celebrations small, intimate, and focused on the needs of the child. The post SFP 34: Is it possible to have a simple birthday party? appeared first on Simple Families.