Phases - A Parenting podcast with Dr Courtney

Ready, Set, Summer! Creating Your Best Family Summer Yet

Dr. Courtney and her husband, Scott, discuss how to create a summer that is both intentional and fun for your family. They discuss: * Why summer can be so disregulating for families.  * How to structure your summer to provide a sense of balance and joy.  * The reason why siblings fight more during the summer and what to do about it.  * Juggling work and having kids at home.  * Becoming intentional about your needs and how you want to show up as a parent this summer.  Questions for Dr. Courtney? Head over to Phases.fm to submit your question for the podcast!

What Kids Really Learn During Family Game Night

Dr. Courtney Tolinski and her husband, Scott, talk all things family game night. They discuss: * How games are legitimate learning tools to foster cognitive, academic, executive functioning and social skills.  * The sense of structure and routine for your family that game nights provide, all while building connection.  * Game ideas for all different phases of development - preschool through adolescence.  * What to do when game nights go wrong (meltdowns, cheating and more).  * How to make game nights stick in your routine.  Links to Games Preschool * Zingo [https://amzn.to/3Rnj4eX] * Sequence for Kids [https://amzn.to/4wHBDuo] * Candy Land [https://amzn.to/4nFBPWU] * Chutes and Ladders [https://amzn.to/4nD9vEK] Early Elementary (K-2nd Grade) * Uno [https://amzn.to/4tMmsxw] * Sleeping Queens [https://amzn.to/49YPdQi] * Pokemon Labyrinth  [https://amzn.to/4nD9GzU] * Monopoly Junior [https://amzn.to/4nCvn2Z] * Connect 4 [https://amzn.to/4eSUGf0] * Guess Who [https://amzn.to/4nHYS3y] * Rat a Tat Cat [https://amzn.to/42Q8dwC] * Clue Jr [https://amzn.to/4v0KdTy] * Charades for Kids [https://amzn.to/49FAREs] * Guess in 10 [https://amzn.to/4dnUQtL] * Math Island [https://amzn.to/3RxC9uX] * My First Carcassonne  [https://amzn.to/4365Eqx] * Ticket to Ride First Journey [https://amzn.to/3Pu42Ue] * Catan Jr [https://amzn.to/4wMmRmu] Late Elementary (3-5th Grade) * Cascadia [https://amzn.to/4uZhj66] * Ticket to Ride [https://amzn.to/4ugGL7g] * Rummikub  [https://amzn.to/4vkNxcv] * Scrabble [https://amzn.to/4dvEgZ3] * Sequence [https://amzn.to/4wVUEcW] * Settlers of Catan [https://amzn.to/49YQE18] Middle School+  * Codenames [https://amzn.to/3PeeBuz] * Scattergories [https://amzn.to/4dBzqYT]  * Monopoly [https://amzn.to/4nIhyjB] * Yahtzee [https://amzn.to/4dvIYEI]  * Exploding Kittens [https://amzn.to/43k1efz]  * Playing Cards [https://amzn.to/4dvGpCE] * Euchre [https://amzn.to/4dBzYOr] Cooperative * Hoot Owl Hoot [https://amzn.to/4dTa5Lk] * Outfoxed [https://amzn.to/4uSfEzo] Questions for Dr. Courtney? Head over to Phases.fm to submit your question for the podcast!

Do Deeply Feeling Kids Exist or Is It Neurodiversity?

We're discussing the October 2025 article by The Cut, titled "Do Deeply Feeling Kids Really Exist?" This article challenges Dr. Becky Kennedy's concept of a 'Deeply Feeling Kid,' citing that many parents who subscribed to this community ended up missing that their child was neurodivergent. We get into: * What is a Deeply Feeling Kid?  * The concept of a Highly Sensitive Child, which was first introduced in the late 1990's.  * The article's criticisms of the Deeply Feeling concept and how it says it failed many parents.  * What are key signs of neurodiversity that you need to look out for if you have a deeply feeling child.  * How neurodiversity and deeply feeling/highly sensitive kids often overlap.  * What to do if you suspect your child may be deeply feeling/highly sensitive but also neurodivergent.  Questions for Dr. Courtney? Head over to Phases.fm to submit your question for the podcast!

The Secret to Raising Confident Kids

In this episode, Dr. Courtney Tolinski and her husband, Scott Tolinski, talk about the secret to raising confident kids. Topics covered include: * The research on confidence among kids and teens. * What is confidence and where does it come from. * Red flags to look out for as a parent that might indicate low self-confidence.  * How your can help as a parent to improve your child's confidence. Have a question for Dr. Courtney? Submit it at: phases.fm/questions

Why “Good Enough” Parenting Is Actually Enough

In today's episode, Dr. Courtney Tolinski and her husband Scott tackle what it means to be a 'Good Enough' parent. Topics covered include: * Why many parents are feeling so drained right now. * Research on 'Good Enough' parenting from Donald Winnicott.  * What Good Enough parenting actually looks like.  * 15-Minute parenting resets for the busy season of the end of the school year. * Effective parenting hacks that are 'Good Enough'. Have a question for Dr. Courtney? Submit it at: phases.fm/questions