logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2023
12m 53s

How To Encourage Independent Play & No, ...

Dr. Cathryn
About this episode
Did you know that encouraging toddlers to entertain themselves independently is essential for their evolution? I have often heard parents commenting that they cannot get anything done because their children will not play without them. Yet, it is essential to understand that playing on their own helps children develop confidence, build resilience, and increas ... Show More
Up next
Oct 8
Help Your Child Bounce Back
Kids don’t need to be “tough.” They need simple tools that build an inner voice: I can handle this. I can try again. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares quick, doable ways to grow resilience in everyday moments—no shaming, no lectures. Why mistakes are teachers (and how to respon ... Show More
11m 11s
Oct 1
When Your Toddler Picks Favorites (and It Stings)
Does your toddler scream for only Mommy or refuse to let Daddy help at bedtime? You’re not alone—and it’s not a sign you’re doing something wrong. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explains why toddlers play favorites, what it really means (hint: it’s about control, not love), and how ... Show More
10m 29s
Sep 23
You're Not Raising a Problem, You're Raising a Person: The Big-Hearted Way to Handle Toddler Challenges
In this episode of Toddlers Made Easy, Dr. Cathryn dives into one of the most transformative shifts in parenting: seeing your child not as a problem to fix, but as a person to guide. Discover how a "Big-Hearted Interpretation" can help you reframe challenging toddler behaviors—fr ... Show More
11m 52s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2023
35. Raising Confident Kids
How do you find balance in raising confident and independent kids while still serving them? Teaching confidence and independence involves knowing when to step back and when to step in. It's about offering guidance and support while allowing them the space to try, fail, learn ... Show More
15m 44s
Jun 2024
2222: The Manipulative Child: How to Regain Control AND Summertime Madness: How to Manage Misbehavior by Adina Soclof of Parenting Simply
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2222:Adina Soclof's insights on managing a child's so-called manipulative behavior emphasize understanding their perspective ... Show More
9m 16s
Sep 2019
Mommy Do It!
The development of perseverance as a life-long skill starts when children are very, very little. By offering opportunities for independence and assistance only when necessary, we guide our children along this path. Child development, however, is never a linear process. Sometimes ... Show More
33m 9s
Apr 2024
My Toddler Won't Stop Kicking Me. What Do I Do?
April 30, 2024 Transforming the Toddler Years- Episode 137 My Toddler Won't Stop Kicking Me. What Do I Do? Join Cara in this episode, where she talks about toddlers testing boundaries to see what reactions they will get. She emphasizes that the priority is to keep everyone sa ... Show More
11m 44s
Jun 2024
My 3 Favorite Pieces of Advice
I’m back with a solo episode for the first time in a little while and I’m talking about the three pieces of parenting advice that I am loving right now. Parenting advice can be tricky because something might really resonate with you at one moment in time, but a year later you can ... Show More
18m 45s
Apr 2024
5 Common Child Behaviors Translated | 52
Our child's behaviors can often feel like a mystery and it’s hard to know how to respond when they do confusing things like break toys, get aggressive, not cooperate, or run around in circles all of a sudden. I'm I’m here to help with that! In this week's episode, I'll help demys ... Show More
7m 56s
Aug 2021
How to Help Build Your Kid’s Self-Esteem
Life’s full of challenges, and as parents, we want to send our children out into the world ready and self-assured so they can get through everything society throws at them. Self-esteem plays a huge role in that, and their time as kids and teens is a crucial time in building it.  ... Show More
10m 37s
Oct 2018
#112: Dealing with Toddler Hitting & Balancing Parenting Boundaries with Friendship
Hitting is a common problem in toddlerhood. Toddlers are still learning social skills and brain development that is necessary for self-control. Learn how to coach and teach toddlers better ways of sharing frustrations. Also, how should parents balance setting boundaries and build ... Show More
17m 57s
Mar 2021
How Can We Help Our Kids Through Difficult Moments Without Fixing with Guest Jenna
Sometimes when our child is having a hard time of course we want to fix things, help them see the bright side. But things might look arduous and difficult for our children and leaning into those upsets with empathy can help them feel seen, heard and understood. This way they are ... Show More
26m 35s
Apr 2021
Listening to Big Feelings Creates More Safety with Guest Cara
Aggression is the product of a child who isn’t doing so well. Be it from frustration they can’t communicate well, or other factors that we as parents cannot always understand. I always recommend daily time with our kids-- but for our guest Cara, daily time has turned into frustra ... Show More
31m 21s