Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting Problems

How to Co-Regulate With Your Toddler (So It Actually Works) with Emma Girard

If your toddler's meltdowns leave you feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next, you're not alone. During toddler tantrums, many parents have heard they should practice co-regulation, but few know what that actually looks like in the moment. In this episode, Dr. Emma Girard joins me to explain why toddlers are not melting down to manipulate you, how their brains process big emotions differently, and how positive parenting techniques can help both you and your child move through those difficult moments together. We break down what co-regulation really means, why your own emotional state matters first, and how the CARES framework gives parents practical parenting help they can use during everyday meltdowns. You'll learn why your job isn't to fix your toddler's feelings, but to help them feel safe enough to work through them while building emotional regulation skills over time. In this episode, we cover: * Why toddler tantrums are different from older children's tantrums * What co-regulation actually looks like during a meltdown * How positive parenting techniques help toddlers develop emotional regulation * Practical parenting help for staying calm when emotions run high * Why regulating yourself is the first step in successful co-regulation * How to respond to toddler tantrums without giving in or becoming punitive * The CARES framework and other positive parenting techniques you can use today * Simple parenting help for supporting your toddler through big emotions while maintaining healthy boundaries If you're navigating daily toddler tantrums, trying to better understand co-regulation, or looking for practical positive parenting techniques and parenting help, this episode will give you tools you can start using with your toddler today. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: CARES Handout [https://pcit-toddlers.org/forms-handouts/08_PCIT-T_Emotions_and_Caregiver_Help_Girard_E.I._et_al._2018.pdf] LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/thrivingchildcenter] PCIT Experts [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/pcit-experts] Calm and Connected Program [https://thrivingchildcenter.com/calm-and-connected-program-for-parents] Instagram [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/instagram] Love having expert tips you can actually use? https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/newsletterJoin our newsletter [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/newsletter] and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/provider-newsletterSubscribe here [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/provider-newsletter] for professional insights and parenting resources! CONNECT WITH EMMA GIRARD: Website [https://www.pcit-toddlers.org/]

Should You Panic?! When to Take Your Child to the ER Urgently with Dr. Kailey Buller

If you've ever found yourself staring at your child wondering whether you should rush to the emergency room or wait it out, you are not alone. Many parents struggle with child health concerns, especially when their child is sick, injured, or acting differently than usual. In this episode, emergency physician Dr. Kailey Buller joins me to break down exactly when to take your child to the ER and when you can safely monitor things at home. We talk about the signs that truly require urgent medical attention, the situations that cause unnecessary panic, and how parents can feel more confident navigating common child health concerns. Dr. Buller shares practical parenting help for recognizing emergencies, understanding normal childhood illnesses, and knowing when healthy children may actually need immediate medical care. In this episode, we cover: * The biggest child health concerns that send parents to the emergency room * How to know when to take your child to the ER versus waiting to see the pediatrician * Why changes in behavior can be more important than symptoms alone * The difference between a sick child and a child who is no longer acting like healthy children * Practical parenting help for evaluating fevers, dehydration, and breathing concerns * Why trusting your instincts matters when deciding when to take your child to the ER * Common child health concerns that are scary but often not emergencies * How parenting help from medical professionals can reduce unnecessary anxiety Whether you're dealing with a fever, breathing issues, dehydration, or simply wondering if something feels off, this episode offers clear parenting help for understanding child health concerns, recognizing signs of normally healthy children becoming seriously ill, and knowing when to take your child to the ER without second-guessing yourself. LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/thrivingchildcenter] PCIT Experts [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/pcit-experts] Calm and Connected Program [https://thrivingchildcenter.com/calm-and-connected-program-for-parents] Instagram [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/instagram] Love having expert tips you can actually use? https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/newsletterJoin our newsletter [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/newsletter] and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/provider-newsletterSubscribe here [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/provider-newsletter] for professional insights and parenting resources! CONNECT WITH KAILEY BULLER: Website [http://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr.kailey.buller/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.kailey.buller]

How to Help Your Kids Talk About Hard Things: The Counterintuitive Way to Get Them to Open Up

If you know your child is struggling but every attempt to talk about it seems to make them shut down, you are not alone. Many parents can see when something is wrong, but getting kids to open up about difficult emotions is often much harder than it seems. In this episode, I share practical parenting skills that therapists use to help children feel safe enough to talk, along with positive ways to talk to your child that reduce pressure and increase connection. We’ll explore why direct questioning often backfires, how kids develop different ways of expressing emotions, and why strong communication with children starts with listening rather than interrogating. Whether your child is struggling with friendships, school transitions, anxiety, or something they simply cannot put into words, these strategies can help create conversations that feel natural and supportive. In this episode, we cover: * Why direct questions can sometimes shut down communication with children * Simple positive ways to talk to your child without making them feel pressured * How different kids develop different ways of expressing emotions * The role of strong parenting skills when children are struggling emotionally * Why silence can be one of the most powerful tools in communication with children * How to use storytelling as one of your positive ways to talk to your child * What therapists understand about ways of expressing emotions that many parents miss * How effective parenting skills help children feel safe enough to open up If you are looking for positive ways to talk to your child, want to strengthen communication with children, better understand different ways of expressing emotions, and build stronger parenting skills, this episode will give you practical tools you can start using right away. LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/thrivingchildcenter] PCIT Experts [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/pcit-experts] Calm and Connected Program [https://thrivingchildcenter.com/calm-and-connected-program-for-parents] Instagram [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/instagram] Love having expert tips you can actually use? https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/newsletterJoin our newsletter [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/newsletter] and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/provider-newsletterSubscribe here [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/provider-newsletter] for professional insights and parenting resources!

Why Kids Swear (and How to Make It Stop)

If your child suddenly starts repeating a curse word over and over again, you are not alone. Whether they heard it from you, a sibling, a friend, or somewhere else, toddler swearing is surprisingly common. The challenge is that many parents accidentally make the behavior worse without realizing it. In this episode, I share a funny story about my own child, explain the psychology behind attention-seeking behavior, and walk through what actually works when kids start using inappropriate language. We’ll talk about why strong reactions often reinforce toddler swearing, how positive parenting techniques can help reduce the behavior, and why staying calm is one of the most powerful forms of parenting help you can give yourself. If you have ever felt embarrassed, frustrated, or unsure how to respond when your child starts repeating bad words, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: * Why toddler swearing is often driven by attention-seeking behavior * Why strong reactions make attention-seeking behavior more likely to continue * The role of positive parenting techniques when addressing inappropriate language * Practical parenting help for responding calmly and consistently * What an extinction burst is and why toddler swearing may temporarily get worse before it gets better * How positive parenting techniques help shift attention toward appropriate behavior * Why understanding attention-seeking behavior can make parenting feel less stressful If you are looking for practical parenting help, want to better understand attention-seeking behavior, or need strategies for handling toddler swearing, this episode will show you how positive parenting techniques can help make the behavior stop without power struggles. LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/thrivingchildcenter] PCIT Experts [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/pcit-experts] Calm and Connected Program [https://thrivingchildcenter.com/calm-and-connected-program-for-parents] Instagram [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/instagram] Love having expert tips you can actually use? https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/newsletterJoin our newsletter [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/newsletter] and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/provider-newsletterSubscribe here [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/provider-newsletter] for professional insights and parenting resources!

How to Help Your Teen Choose a Career (Without Increasing Their Anxiety) with Jocelyn Abrams

If your teen feels overwhelmed about the future, you are not alone. Between college applications, social pressure, and constant conversations about success, many families are struggling with intense academic stress. In this episode, Dr. Jocelyn Abrams joins me to talk about how parents can offer real career guidance for teens without accidentally increasing anxiety. We also discuss how thoughtful, supportive conversations and strong positive parenting techniques can help teens feel more confident and understood during this stage of life. Dr. Abrams shares practical parenting resources and explains why helping teens explore their strengths and interests is often far more effective than pushing them toward a specific path. We talk about how academic stress impacts both teens and parents, why curiosity matters when offering career guidance for teens, and how positive parenting techniques can create an environment where teens feel safe exploring different possibilities for their future. In this episode, we cover: * Why academic stress is affecting teens earlier than ever * How to provide healthy career guidance for teens without creating more pressure * The role of positive parenting techniques in helping teens feel supported * Why strong parenting resources can reduce conflict around future planning * How academic stress impacts confidence and self-esteem * Ways to use career guidance for teens that focus on strengths and interests * Why positive parenting techniques help teens feel seen and heard * The value of using trusted parenting resources when navigating college and career conversations If your family is navigating academic stress, struggling with career guidance for teens, or looking for better parenting resources, this episode will help you use positive parenting techniques that support your teen without increasing anxiety. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 15: Should You Keep Pushing Your Child to Succeed or Back off? With Kristin Mervich, LCSW [https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d3bbc49c-736d-44be-91a1-4dca60b7f4c7/] LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/thrivingchildcenter] PCIT Experts [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/pcit-experts] Calm and Connected Program [https://thrivingchildcenter.com/calm-and-connected-program-for-parents] Instagram [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/instagram] Love having expert tips you can actually use? https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/newsletterJoin our newsletter [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/newsletter] and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/provider-newsletterSubscribe here [https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/provider-newsletter] for professional insights and parenting resources! CONNECT WITH JOCELYN ABRAMS: Website [https://www.abramspsychology.com/]