The Parent Empowerance Podcast

Episode 15: Sibling relationships in early childhood: Navigating conflict and supporting the bond

Sibling relationships are the longest relationship your children will have across their lives. But these often come with a lot of conflict, especially in early childhood. This episode focuses on understanding the benefit (and risks) of sibling relationships for development, the importance of supporting the bond, and how to navigate conflict between your children. This included: Reviewing research on: * The importance of sibling relationships for child development * Why and how to support the bond and navigate conflict between siblings Providing examples on: * My own experiences navigating my children’s sibling relationships Describing strategies to use in your own parenting: * Encourage taking turns - don’t focus on sharing in early childhood * Try “I’m here to help keep you both safe” * Sit and play with your kids when you can * Encourage empathy by asking “How can you help them feel better?” * Encourage and model repairing after conflict * Build an emotionally safe home environment * Intentionally create opportunities for: cooperative play, shared routines, family teamwork, joint problem-solving, positive shared memories * Protect and encourage opportunities for positive interaction Suggesting books: * “Julius, the Baby of the World” by Kevin Henkes * “The New Small Person” by Lauren Child * “The Pain and the Great One” by Judy Blume * “Big Red Lollipop” by Rukhsana Khan * “That’s My Truck!” by Dr. Becky Kennedy Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! If you need more support, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide [https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide] Connect with us on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

Episode 14: The importance of empathy in young children: How to support it without just telling them to “say sorry”

Parents are usually quick to say “say sorry” or “give them a hug” when their kid hits/bites/throws/doesn’t share with another child, but these often become ingenuine actions for your child to get out of trouble. This is where empathy comes in! In order to encourage your child’s empathy development, you want to get them thinking! This episode focuses on the importance of empathy for young children and how to support your child’s development of it. This included: Reviewing research on: * The components of empathy * The importance of empathy in young children * How empathy develops in early childhood Providing examples on: * How to support empathy in the moment with young children Describing strategies to use in your own parenting: * Focusing on warm, responsive caregiving * Modeling empathy as an adult * Labeling any and all emotions and validating your child’s emotions * Asking perspective-taking questions * Storytelling and books that support empathy/compassion * Practicing with pretend play and cooperative play * Coregulation! * Encouraging and modeling repair * Specific encouragement around empathy/compassion Suggesting books: * “Today I Feel Silly” by Jamie Lee Curtis * “The Feelings Book” by Todd Parr * “My Many Colored Days” by Dr. Seuss * “The Rabbit Listened” by Cori Doerrfeld * “I am Human” by Susan Verde * “Be Kind” by Pat Zietlow Miller * “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña * “How to Raise an Antiracist” by Ibram X Kendi Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! If you need more support, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide [https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide] Connect with us on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

Episode 13: Getting out the door: Understanding and combatting power struggles during transitions and daily routines with young children

Getting your young children (especially toddlers) out of the house can feel like a monumental task some days. Frustration and impatience are completely normal with the frequent delay tactics or power struggles that come with getting your kids dressed (and getting them to keep their clothes on), doing their hair, eating breakfast, getting shoes on, all the daily tasks. This episode focuses on understanding why power struggles and difficulties during transitions are a normal part of development, as well as on how to prevent or combat them in the moment. This included: Reviewing research on: * Why power struggles are a normal part of development in early childhood * How parents can exacerbate transition struggles * When transitions may be more difficult Providing examples on: * How to prevent power struggles Describing strategies to use in your own parenting: * Give advanced warnings * Have predictable routines * Make it visual as much as you can * Try to give yourself extra time when you can * Make it fun or playful as much as you can * Provide options during your morning routine and make sure they are acceptable to you either way * Connect first! Get on their level, talk calmly and connect with them first before directing them * Practice/act out transitions during calm moments * Talk to your preschoolers and older toddlers about expectations and what it tells you when they don’t get ready * Stay as calm and regulated as YOU can Suggesting books: * “No, David!” by David Shannon * “I do it!” by Brian Biggs * “Mine!” by Candace Fleming * “When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry” by Molly Bang * “Froggy Gets Dressed” by Frank Remkiewicz * “Time to Go, Maisy!” by Lucy Cousins Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! Connect with us on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

Episode 12: Kindergarten readiness and the decision to home school with former kindergarten teacher and home school Mama of 2, LE Wolfram

This week on the podcast I welcomed my first guest - LE Wolfram, a former kindergarten teacher of 7 years and home school mama of 2. We talk all things kindergarten readiness and the decision to home school. This included: Kindergarten readiness: * Why this is important * How behavior/regulation plays a role * The importance of soft skills and social-emotional learning * Realistic expectations from a kindergarten teacher * Expectations for kindergarteners in our society (the good and bad) Home school decision: * Why LE chose to homeschool her son * Why parents make this choice in general * The pros and cons of homeschooling How to prepare your preschooler for kindergarten * LE’s top 5 things for parents to work on with their child Follow LE on Instagram @wildandhoneyb Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! Connect with us on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

Episode 11: Being a secure base: What attachment is and how to form a secure one with your child

You are your child’s safe place, you’re their home and their comfort. This attachment you form with your child plays one of the biggest roles not only in your relationship with them, but in their development and future relationships as well. This episode focuses on what attachment is and how it influences your child’s development. This included: Reviewing research on: * What attachment is * The four types: * Secure * Insecure - avoidant * Insecure - ambivalent * Insecure - disorganized * Why it’s important for parenting * How attachment influences your child’s development and future outcomes Providing examples on: * What attachment is and isn’t Describing strategies to use in your own parenting: * Respond consistently with sensitivity and warmth * Respond to your baby asap when they cry or make a bid for your attention * Respond to your toddler/preschooler as much as you can * Co-regulation is key! * Engage with your child - sing songs, read books, PLAY * Read their signs of overstimulation, overwhelm, distress, etc. and meet their needs * REPAIR as soon as you are calm enough to and do it often * Promote exploration by being your child’s secure base - don’t push them away if they get clingy in a new place or around new people Suggesting books: * “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn * “Monkey Puzzle” by Julia Donaldson * “In my heart: A book of feelings” by Jo Witek * “Raising Securely Attached Kids” by Eli Harwood * “Parenting from the Inside Out” by Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzell Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! Connect with us on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!