Ep. 96: The Modern Dad: Balancing Ambition, Presence, & Playful Parenting with Jeff Hittner

Ep. 96: The Modern Dad: Balancing Ambition, Presence, & Playful Parenting with Jeff Hittner

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill welcomes her first dad guest, Jeff Hittner, executive coach, founder of Ambitious Dads, and father of two boys. Together, they explore what it means to redefine fatherhood, balance ambition with presence, and build meaningful connections through play. Jeff shares his personal journey to fatherhood, the lessons he's learned about leadership at home, and why showing up with intention matters more than striving for perfection. They discuss practical strategies for connecting with your child, even when play doesn't come naturally or your play style looks very different from theirs. Whether you're a mom, dad, or caregiver, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into raising connected, resilient kids and creating stronger family relationships. Learn more about Jeff's work and join the Ambitious Dads community: * Website: https://www.ambitiousdads.com [https://www.ambitiousdads.com] * Substack: https://ambitiousdads.substack.com [https://ambitiousdads.substack.com] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffhittner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffhittner] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousdads [https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousdads] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ambitiousdads [https://www.facebook.com/ambitiousdads] Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! [https://calendly.com/jillybeansnyc/discovery-call] The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! [https://jillybeansnyc.thrivecart.com/playful-parenting-membership/] Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age! [https://jillybeans-nyc.ck.page/0d7fab4ab9]

Ep. 95: Simple Summer Rhythms for Kids

Looking for simple summer play ideas that don't require hours of planning? In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores how to create flexible summer rhythms that help children feel calm, connected, and ready to play. Whether your kids are home for the summer or coming home from camp each day, you'll learn how to use play as a tool for regulation, discover easy low-prep play ideas, and build after-camp reset routines that support your child's nervous system. We also talk about the increased mental load parents carry during the summer, why the idea of "bringing back '90s summers'" isn't realistic for many families, and how to let go of the pressure to create a perfect summer. If you're looking for practical parenting tips, simple play inspiration, and realistic ways to make summer feel more manageable, this episode is for you. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! [https://calendly.com/jillybeansnyc/discovery-call] The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! [https://jillybeansnyc.thrivecart.com/playful-parenting-membership/] Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age! [https://jillybeans-nyc.ck.page/0d7fab4ab9]

Ep. 94: What to Do When You're Not at Your Best as a Parent

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores what it really looks like to parent when you are not at your best. She breaks down why so many parents feel pressure to show up fully resourced, and why real-life parenting often happens in moments of exhaustion, overwhelm, and depletion. Jill shares practical, low-lift strategies for those harder days, including how to lower the "activation energy" for play, simplify daily expectations, and use independent play as a valid and valuable part of the child's day rather than a fallback. Listeners will walk away with permission to lower the bar, trust the basics, and feel more supported on the days when parenting feels hardest. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! [https://calendly.com/jillybeansnyc/discovery-call] The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! [https://jillybeansnyc.thrivecart.com/playful-parenting-membership/] Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age! [https://jillybeans-nyc.ck.page/0d7fab4ab9]

Ep. 93: The Truth About Uneven Giftedness

In this episode, Jill explores what it means to be unevenly gifted and why some children can appear remarkably advanced in one area while struggling significantly in another. She breaks down the concept of asynchronous development, explains why giftedness often coexists with challenges in emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory processing, and social skills, and discusses why these developmental differences can be so confusing for parents and educators. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! [https://calendly.com/jillybeansnyc/discovery-call] The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! [https://jillybeansnyc.thrivecart.com/playful-parenting-membership/] Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age! [https://jillybeans-nyc.ck.page/0d7fab4ab9]

Ep. 92: Simplifying Playful Parenting with Beth Rosenbleeth from @DayswithGrey

In this episode, Jill welcomes Beth Rosenbleeth. Beth, creator of the popular blog and Instagram account Days with Grey, simplifies routines and promotes play-based learning for young children. She's a former teacher and a mom of three whose strategies and activity ideas resonate with her 275,000+ Instagram followers. Jill and Beth explore the connection between quality time and independent play, easy ways to encourage creativity using everyday materials, and the value of open-ended toys that grow with children. This episode was also motherhood at its finest. Jill's infant decided to boycott her nap, make a guest appearance during the recording, and even spit up on Jill mid-conversation. As a mom of three boys, Beth completely got it and rolled with it right alongside her! They also talk about sibling dynamics, sensory play, screen time, and why life skills are just as important as academics when preparing children for kindergarten. Filled with practical tips and realistic strategies, this conversation will leave you feeling empowered to bring more play into your home without adding more to your to-do list. Check out Beth's amazing resources, including activity cards and life skills cards, here [https://shop.dayswithgrey.com/]. Follow Beth on Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/dayswithgrey] Check out Beth's blog and website here [https://dayswithgrey.com/]. The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! [https://jillybeansnyc.thrivecart.com/playful-parenting-membership/] Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age! [https://jillybeans-nyc.ck.page/0d7fab4ab9]