Explaining death to a child and navigating the loss of a grandparent while parenting is one of the hardest emotional tightropes many of us will ever walk.

In this episode, I sit down with licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Liz Ross to talk about how to help a child grieve the loss of a grandparent, all while managing your own grief at the same time.

Whether you're dealing with an unexpected death or a long illness, this conversation is here to offer you real, compassionate guidance on explaining death to a child. We talk through the developmental stages of understanding death, how kids process loss at different ages, and what to expect emotionally, in your kids and in yourself.

Dr. Ross and I also share personal stories from our own lives and offer practical strategies for how to talk to kids about death in ways that are developmentally appropriate, emotionally supportive, and actually helpful.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why your child might seem "fine" after the loss of a grandparent at first—and what that really means (And why you might be surprised when questions about death show up weeks or months later.)
• How to talk to kids about death without overexplaining—or leaving them with scary gaps
• The developmental stages of understanding death—and what kind of questions are totally normal
• What helps when your child is grieving the loss of a grandparent
• Why taking care of your own grief is part of explaining death to a child

If you're wondering how to help a child grieve the loss of a grandparent, or you're struggling with how to talk to kids about death in a way that doesn’t scare or confuse them, this episode is for you.

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Does your morning routine with kids end in tears—yours or theirs?

If mornings feel more like survival mode than connection time, you’re not alone. That’s why in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real emotional chaos behind the morning routine with kids before school. Whether it’s you hiding tears in the carpool line or your child having a meltdown about missing shoes, I’ve been there—and I want to help.

As both a professional and a parent, I’ve seen firsthand how hard getting kids ready for school can be—especially when you’re committed to parenting without yelling but still find yourself shouting over toothbrushes and backpacks.

This episode will help you create a calmer, more connected morning routine with kids—even when things go sideways.

We’ll cover:

• What I learned from a terrible morning (and a brutally honest 5-year-old)
• The one thing I started doing that made the biggest difference in our morning routine with kids
• How your mood (yes, yours) shapes the entire vibe of getting kids ready for school
• Why reframing your child’s “uncooperative” behavior could be your secret weapon in parenting without yelling
• Three simple strategies you can start using tomorrow to shift your morning routine with kids before school

Because here’s the truth: chaotic mornings don’t mean you’re failing. They mean you’re human.

But with the right tools and mindset, you can trade power struggles for connection—and actually like the way your mornings feel.

Listen now to hear what finally helped me stop losing it before drop-off.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Calm and Connected Program

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Wondering if your child’s school is still the right fit? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not overreacting. 

In this episode, I’m sitting down with two of Houston’s top educational consultants to unpack the real, research-backed factors to consider when choosing a school for your child.

Whether you're dealing with daily meltdowns, academic frustrations, or just a gut feeling that something is off, we’ll help you figure out what’s going on—and what to do about it. 

We’ll walk through the emotional and academic signs to look for, how to evaluate your current school, and how to start the process of choosing a school for your child with confidence (not overwhelm).

I’m joined by Dee Dee Halpin and Julie Blumberg of Houston School Options, two seasoned experts who’ve helped countless families navigate the maze of choosing schools—from public and private to therapeutic and specialized programs. With decades of experience and deep roots in the Houston area, they’re also the go-to team for finding the best schools in Houston based on each child’s unique needs.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• The top three emotional and academic red flags that might mean it’s time to start choosing schools more intentionally
• What the process of choosing a school for your child really looks like—minus the online overwhelm and mom-guilt
• How to trust your gut and evaluate the most important factors to consider when choosing a school for your child
• Why the “right” school can change over time—and what that means for how to choose a school for your child at different ages
• A local expert’s inside look at the best schools in Houston—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer

If you’ve ever Googled “how to choose a school for your child” at 11 p.m. while spiraling about a bad teacher conference, this one’s for you.

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Is one of your kids always in the spotlight? 

Whether it’s sports, academics, or a lead role in the school play, these moments can create tension at home. In this episode, I’m joined by Becca Wallace, a fellow therapist and experienced mom of five, to unpack how to deal with sibling jealousy—with compassion, clarity, and practical steps that actually work.

We talk about what really happens when one child is constantly celebrated, how to support your other kids through it, and why confident parenting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being intentional. 

If you’ve ever found yourself caught in the push-pull of parenting siblings, this conversation is for you. We share actionable sibling rivalry solutions that help every child feel seen, valued, and supported.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why traditional advice falls short when you're navigating how to deal with sibling jealousy—and what works instead
• The one simple exercise that helps you identify and honor each child’s strengths when parenting siblings (even if they’re not the “star”)
• How a “family team” mindset can transform your approach to parenting siblings
• Why even the kid in the spotlight needs more than praise—and how to give it to them
• Real-world, therapist-backed sibling rivalry solutions to help your family stay emotionally connected

No one prepares you for what happens when one child’s success accidentally sidelines the others. But you’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. Tune in to learn how to deal with sibling jealousy in a way that strengthens your whole family.

Listen now for grounded insights, gentle humor, and confident parenting tools you can use tonight.

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CONNECT WITH BECCA WALLACE:

Learn more about Becca

Schedule a call here!

When your child walks in the door after school and says they had a bad day, do you know what to say next? 

If you’ve ever felt unsure, anxious, or like you fumbled the moment, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not failing. In this episode of Educated Parent, I’m sharing positive ways to talk to your child that help them feel heard, supported, and connected—even when emotions are running high.

I’m Dr. Leah Clionsky, licensed clinical psychologist, parenting expert, and real-life mom of two little kids. In this first full episode, I’ll introduce you to the mission of this podcast, how my professional training and real-world parenting collide, and why I believe every parent deserves parenting help that’s rooted in science—not social media opinions.

You’ll learn how to respond with calm and clarity when your child tells you about a hard day, using positive ways to talk to your child that work even if their story is messy, emotional, or confusing. I’ll walk you through exactly how to listen so your child will talk, why your timing matters more than your “fix,” and how to build the kind of relationship where your child wants to keep opening up.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why kids don’t always make sense when they’re upset—and how to help a child with big emotions
• The exact 4-step strategy I use for how to listen so your child will talk
• Why some “helpful” reactions can shut kids down (and what to do instead)
• How to use positive ways to talk to your child to build emotional safety and trust
• Simple, expert-backed parenting tips for parents to handle everyday challenges with confidence

Hit play to learn how to help a child with big emotions, discover parenting tips for parents that actually work, and finally feel confident in how to listen so your child will talk.

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If you’ve been overwhelmed by conflicting parenting advice and just want real, expert-backed parenting help, you’re in the right place. 

I’m Dr. Leah Clionsky—a licensed clinical psychologist, child behavior specialist, and mom of two—and I created Educated Parent to give you the evidence-based parenting support I wish every parent had.

Here’s the truth: It’s not fair that I can text a network of child psychologists, pediatricians, and therapists anytime I need parenting tips—and you’re left scrolling Instagram or asking Google. So, I’m bringing that expert network to you.

Today, I’m sharing the story behind the podcast and what you can expect each week: real evidence-based parenting strategies, practical parenting tips, and expert advice on parenting that actually works.

Whether you're dealing with tantrums, big emotions, or just want to raise thriving kids, Educated Parent is here to deliver the kind of parenting help you’ve been looking for.

If you’re ready for evidence-based parenting strategies and real-world advice on parenting, hit play and let’s get started. I’m so glad you’re here.

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