Discerning Parenting

When we think of what a two-year-old should know, many parents worry about whether or not their kids have memorized the alphabet, or whether they can count up to 20. 

If this is stressing you out, I have good news for you. Academic skills like letters and numbers are not a priority for this age! 

In this episode, we talk about what 2-year-olds should be learning. We based this on the list of developmental milestones updated in 2022.

Be sure to grab hold of these too:

• our FREE Discerning Parenting Resource Library
• my book "Toddler Talking: Boost Your Child's Language and Brain Development in Three Easy Steps"

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! 

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Is my child's development on track?
My 18-month-old can't say any words yet, not even mama. Is this normal?

These are among the most common questions I get. If you have an 18-month-old, you may be wondering about this too. 

In this episode, we talk about what 18-month-old toddlers should be able to do. We based this on the 2022 updated developmental milestones.

Be sure to grab hold of these too:

• our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library that includes a FREE guide to a week of language boosting activities for toddlers (that you can use over and over again for unlimited fun and learning)!
• my book "Toddler Talking: Boost Your Child's Language and Brain Development in Three Easy Steps"

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! 

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Adverse childhood experiences include experiences such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, or violence.

Children who experience ACEs may struggle with their emotions, cognitive development, behavior, and physical health. These effects can be long-lasting, and it's essential to recognize the impact of ACEs on us as parents and our children.

To learn more about adverse childhood experiences, head over to https://discerningparenting.com/ace/ and access our free video about this.

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! 

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

"I'm exhausted. I feel completely burned out."

"I haven't had a break in so long. I'm doing everything for my family. And with all that I'm doing, I still get criticized and it's never enough."

"I am very, very tired. I don't know what to do or whom to talk to."

I hear statements like these all the time from moms. That's why in this episode, we hear from Dr. Missy Wolfman, a clinical psychologist from Auckland, New Zealand,  founder of Empowermums, and mom of twins, to share with us about mom burnout.

If you've felt exhausted, burned out, or resentful of all the work you have to do as a mom, you're not alone. Feeling tired or burned out also does NOT make you "weak", and it certainly does NOT make you any less of a parent. It does NOT mean you love your kids any less.

Here's just some of what you'll discover in this powerful episode:

• The ONE thing moms had in the past, that we don't have anymore - that's contributing to mom burnout
• A new definition of self-care, different from what we usually hear from the internet (it's not about spas and pedicures!)
• What to do if you're feeling signs of mom burnout
• and more!

While mom burnout is common, it doesn't have to be. Listen to this episode and let's get started in relieving parenting stress and burnout.

That's why part of our mission in Discerning Parenting is to remove the misinformation that leads to mom guilt and stress, and adds to mom burnout by making parents believe they need to do all these things that aren't even founded on parenting science and child development!

Links with resources to help you fight mom burnout:

• Empowermums by Dr. Missy Wolfman. Head over to her website, where you can get her FREE "Get Me More Time" 7-day challenge
• It's time to get rid of all the parenting misinformation out there that's adding to your burnout. Instead, get our FREE Discerning Parenting Resource Library.

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! 

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

How can I get my child ready for kindergarten?
Should I be doing flash cards with my two-year-old?
My three-year-old and I end up fighting when I try to get her to do worksheets!

As a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, these are just some of the questions I often get. Many parents are worried that their kids might not have the skills they need to keep up in school.

I talk about preschool readiness a lot. But before, I've always talked about this from the viewpoint of a developmental pediatrician.

But in the end, who are the ones in the classrooms with the kids? It's the teachers! That's why today I'm thrilled to feature our special guest.

Elizabeth Manly is a mom and a licensed teacher who's had years of experience teaching preschool to second grade. She's the founder of Discovery Play with Littles.

Here's just some of what we talk about in this much-requested-for episode:

• How we're now expecting so much more from our kids as early as kindergarten, how this is affecting kids, and how to cope as parents
• TWO common things that many people believe are good for kids, but are actually not helpful (and are stressing kids and parents out!)
• The ONE thing kids really need to learn before kindergarten - and it's not the alphabet!
• and more!

Links mentioned in the episode and other helpful links:

• Discovery Play With Littles
• Super Kid Adventures - Mission: Perseverance by Elizabeth Manly
• The Discerning Parenting Resource Library, which includes a guide on preparing your child to learn to read
• Toddler Talking: Boost Your Child's Language and Brain Development in Three Easy Steps by Dr. Victoria Ang-Nolasco
• Learning Through Play by Dr. Victoria Ang-Nolasco

Don't forget to FOLLOW the show, so you don't miss any of our coming episodes!

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! 

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

As busy moms, we really Don't. Have. Time. for an exercise routine! But at the back of our minds, we know that we need to stay healthy.

This episode's guest is Dr. Rachel Pope, a doctor of physical therapy, runner, and mom of three. She specializes in helping moms get back into shape after having a baby. And this doesn't just mean in the first few months after giving birth! Even if your child is older, if you want to be fitter and healthier, you'll pick up great tips from this interview.

Here's just some of what Dr. Rachel shares with us:

• 3 health problems many moms experience after having a baby, that the right kind of exercise can help with
• how even just a few minutes a day can help you feel better and healthier
• why there's no one-size fits all to getting back in shape (and why it may not be a good idea to simply follow any exercise video from Youtube!)

Here are the links mentioned in the episode:

• Dr. Rachel Pope's website, where you can check out her step-by-step system designed to strengthen and heal the pelvic floor after giving birth, so you can get fit quickly and safely
• Find joy and calm in parenting, with the resources at the Discerning Parenting site.

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! 

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

"I'm about to start solid food for my baby - what food should I give?"

There's a lot of stress and confusion about this.

"I'm trying to do baby-led weaning, but my baby kept gagging so I stopped. I fed my baby a puree. I feel so guilty. I'm a bad mom."

And then these guilt-ridden moms receive advice like,
"It's good if baby gags! Ignore your mom intuition!"
"You just didn't try hard enough!"

Are these really proven statements?

In this episode, I discuss with pediatrician (and mom of three!) Dr. Nadine Zambrano answers to questions like:

• How do we know baby is ready to start solids?
• How can we select foods that are right for baby?
• What's the single most important thing to remember when feeding baby? (that's not about the food you give!)
• Does baby really need to finish a set amount of food (like what many moms are told!)?

If you enjoyed this episode, let us guide you step by step as you start solids. Find out more about our course Feeding Baby Right.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• FREE guides in the Discerning Parenting Resource Library
• On-demand video course: Feeding Baby Right
• Baby's First Year Kit

And while you're here, be sure to FOLLOW the Discerning Parenting podcast, so you don't miss an episode!

Dr. Nadine Zambrano and Dr. Victoria Ang-Nolasco are co-founders of Hatch and Grow, Inc., which supports parents by taking the stress and guesswork out of parenting.

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! 

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Is your child ready to be potty trained? Do we even need to wait for readiness, or can anyone really potty train at any time and have it over and done with in 30 days or less?

Here, you’ll hear from trusted developmental pediatricians Dr. Janys Lim from Ontario, Canada, and Dr. Jack Herrin from Manila, Philippines. 

We'll tackle questions such as:

• Is there one right way to potty train (like many on the internet claim)?
• What influences when and how we potty train?
• What are the signs that your child is ready to be potty trained?
• What are signs that you may need to wait?

After listening to this episode, you'll be able to remove a lot of the stress, guilt, and pressure around potty training!

Want to potty train your child in a way that is relaxed and flexible, and does not induce guilt, frustration, or power struggles? Click here and check out our course Potty Training Playbook.

Don't forget to follow our show and leave us a review, so the show can reach and help more parents!

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! 

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Do your toddler’s kicks or hits have you questioning if it’s more than just the "terrible two's"?

One of the most common questions I get asked is “When should I worry about my toddler's aggressive behavior?”

And if that's your question, we've got you covered today because I've invited two trusted developmental and behavioral pediatricians to join us.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH: 

• The single most common reason behind a lot of what we call "toddler aggression" (and it has nothing to do with your toddler wanting to hurt others!)
• One vital thing parents can do to prevent and manage "aggressive behavior"
• If you've been told, "You need to spank your child!" by someone who's seen your child hit or kick - you'll know why this backfires

Find solutions to aggression, power struggles, and other challenging behaviors. Get our book, The Discerning Parent's Guide to Toddler Behavior.

If you’ve connected with this episode in some way, leave a review and share your biggest takeaway with me. And while you've got your phone out, make sure to follow me on Instagram @discerningparenting. I’d love to hear how Dr. Herrin and Dr. Lim’s advice has helped change your view of toddler aggression - send me a DM!

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! 

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

"You need to show who's boss!"

"You shouldn't say no to your child!"

"Ignore them!"

"Validate feelings!"

You've probably heard A LOT of tantrum advice. What's a stressed parent to do?!

Each time I ask moms what's their number one concern, it's always "tantrums" that come up. That’s why in this episode, we’ll talk about the ONE thing that’s missing from a lot of the tantrum advice that’s on the internet, and ONE question to ask when your child has a tantrum.

Answering this ONE question will help us discern whether all the advice we're hearing does make sense for us.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: 

• Why tantrum parenting is a lot more nuanced than a trendy Instagram Reel.
• Why “just keep calm” isn't working for you (and it's not your fault!).
• The ONE question that will change the way you look at tantrum parenting forever!

Need Some Support During Those Crazy Toddler Years? Click HERE!

If you’ve connected with this episode in some way, leave a review and share your biggest takeaway with me. And while you've got your phone out, make sure to follow me on Instagram @DiscerningParenting. I’d also love to hear how it goes - send me a DM on how asking yourself the one question changes your perspective as well as the way you approach tantrums. 

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! 

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.