Every October, families find themselves in the same struggle: what happens when your child just can’t pick a Halloween costume? 

If you’ve ever had a kid switch from Elsa to Batman to Paw Patrol in the same week, you know how exhausting kids' Halloween costumes can be for the whole household.

In this episode, I share how parents on Halloween can handle the indecision without losing patience, overspending, or giving in to every last-minute whim. Together, we’ll look at why costumes feel so important to kids and how you can meet their needs while still setting boundaries with kids that protect your sanity.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

• Why it’s so hard for kids to finally pick a Halloween costume
• How much pressure kids Halloween costumes carry socially and emotionally
• What happens when parents on Halloween feel judged by other parents
• A framework for setting boundaries with kids while still allowing creativity
• How to keep your child’s joy alive without buying ten costumes

If you’ve been wondering how to help your child finally pick a Halloween costume (and stick with it), this episode will give you strategies you can actually use. You’ll feel less stressed about kids Halloween costumes and more confident about what matters most for parents on Halloween.

Press play now and learn how to balance connection and fun while setting boundaries with kids this Halloween season.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Episode 16: How to Stop Meltdowns Before They Start by Managing Expectations and Parenting Without Power Struggles

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Getting kids to brush their teeth can feel like one of those nightly battles that drains everyone. If you’ve ever wondered how to get your kids to brush their teeth without endless fights, you’re not alone. 

I sat down with Dr. Robert Geiman-orthodontist, dad, and author of The Tooth Bible - to talk through the real struggles parents face and toothbrushing tips that actually work.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why toothbrushing for toddlers is so tough and how to make it less of a battle
• The surprising truth about at what age should a child brush their own teeth
• Real-life toothbrushing tips that parents can try tonight (without fancy tools or gimmicks)
• How to make brushing fun with silly toothpaste flavors, colorful toothbrushes, and family games
• What happens when even dentists have to figure out how to get your kids to brush their teeth in real life

If you’ve been stressing about at what age should a child brush their own teeth, or just looking for simple toothbrushing tips that actually work, you’ll find both clarity and encouragement here.

This episode will help you rethink the nightly struggle, bring some ease back into toothbrushing for toddlers, and give you confidence in how to get your kids to brush their teeth in a way that sticks.

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CONNECT WITH DR ROBERT GEIMAN:

The Tooth Bible Website

Child and Adult Orthodontics Website

Have you ever wondered if there are simple child reward system ideas that actually work when your kids are melting down? 

As a psychologist - and a mom who’s been right there in the chaos - I’ll walk you through how to use positive reinforcement parenting in real life to turn things around quickly.

When kids are screaming, refusing to listen, and pushing every boundary, you don’t need more yelling - you need child reward system ideas and a system that helps you reinforce positive behaviors in a way that’s simple, fast, and actually effective. 

This episode will give you the exact steps I use in my own home to get kids back on track.

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

• Why positive reinforcement parenting isn’t “dog training” - and why kids thrive when you clearly show them what they’re doing right.
• The one shift that makes all the difference in how to get your child to listen better (hint: it’s not about being stricter).
• My favorite child reward system ideas that require nothing more than a piece of paper and a pen.
• How to use this system to reinforce positive behaviors so your kids naturally want to repeat them.
• The secret to how to get kids to do chores without constant nagging or power struggles.

Whether you’re in a tough parenting season, juggling work stress with tantrums at home, or just wondering how to get your child to listen better, this episode will give you a clear way forward. 

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Does the question, “what age should a child get a cell phone?” keep you up at night? You’re not alone - and you’re not overthinking it. 

In this episode, I sit down with child psychologist Dr. Rupa Robbins, founder of Tech Positive Parenting, to cut through the chaos around phones for kids. Together we unpack the research, the realities, and the practical phone rules that help busy families decide not just when to say yes, but how to do it well. 

If you’ve wondered “should kids have smartphones?”, wrestled with all of the reason’s why not to give your child a phone yet, or need a script for setting phone rules, this conversation is your roadmap.

We’ll help you decide: what age should a child get a cell phone, when to delay, and how to scaffold access. We talk about alternatives to full internet devices (yes, there’s a middle path for phones for kids), and the exact phone rules that keep your child safer while protecting family culture. 

In this episode, we cover:

• The age question, answered: what the research says about what age should a child get a cell phone - and why each year of delay matters more than you think!
• Smart alternatives before smartphones: how to meet safety needs with kid-safe devices and watches, so you can say “yes” to phones for kids without saying “yes” to the internet
• Your family’s “driver’s ed” plan: the core phone rules that make first phones feel manageable
• Capacity and timing: a quick gut-check for parents - because sometimes the right answer to should kids have smartphones is “not until we have bandwidth,” and that’s a valid reason for why not to give your child a phone yet.

If you’ve been Googling what age should a child get a cell phone, debating should kids have smartphones, and trying to write phone rules that actually work, this episode is for you. 

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Sapien Labs study: Age of First Smartphone/Tablet and Mental Wellbeing Outcomes

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center

PCIT Experts

Calm and Connected Program

Instagram

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CONNECT WITH DR. RUPA ROBBINS:

Tech Positive Parenting Website

Instagram @techpositiveparenting

Tech Positive Parenting Substack

Join the interested list for the upcoming course: So, You're Ready for a Phone?

Do you feel a wave of mom guilt any time you even think about taking a trip without your kids? You’re not alone. 

If you’re like many of the parents I work with, planning time away can bring a heavy dose of mom guilt - even when you know it’s something you need.

In this episode, I walk you through exactly why moms need me time, and what I do - as a clinical psychologist and mom - when I’m planning a trip without my kids. Together, we’ll unpack the emotional weight of mom guilt, why it shows up so strongly, and how to reframe it in a way that honors your needs and your family’s wellbeing.

We’ll talk honestly about how to deal with mom guilt, why moms need me time, and why taking intentional time away isn’t selfish - it’s a gift to your kids, your relationships, and your mental health.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why taking a trip without your kids is a powerful reminder that moms need a break, too
• The real reason mom guilt sticks around - and how to stop letting it control your decisions
• What I tell my kids before I travel, and how it helps me navigate how to deal with mom guilt in the moment
• Practical ways to plan ahead, care for yourself while you’re gone, and reconnect when you return
• Why embracing the truth that moms need me time can actually deepen your connection with your kids

Whether you're planning a girls' weekend, a work conference, or even just dreaming of time away, this episode gives you the grounded, psychologist-backed support you need so both you and your child feel more secure and connected, even while apart. 

And remember: moms need a break, and learning how to deal with mom guilt is part of becoming the parent - and person - you’re meant to be.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

EP 4: Tired of Losing It Before Drop-Off? How to Create a Peaceful Morning Routine with Kids Before School

EP 12: Involved Dads Raise Thriving Kids: Here’s How to Connect With Your Child Without Overthinking It with Dr. John Paul Abner

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Ever found yourself arguing in front of kids - and then spiraling about whether you’ve just done irreversible damage? You're not alone. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Laura Spiller, clinical psychologist and expert in emotionally focused therapy, to unpack what to do after arguing in front of kids, how to repair with your child, and why your response after the conflict matters just as much - if not more - than the argument itself.

We get into the research, the long term effects of parents fighting, and how you can use these tough moments as teachable ones - without oversharing or sweeping it under the rug.

We also talk about what happens when parents arguing in front of child repeatedly, and the subtle but serious effects of yelling at spouse in front of child - something that happens more often than we’d like to admit.

In this episode, we cover:

• What actually happens to a child emotionally and psychologically when they witness arguing in front of kids - and what to do about it
• Why “just move on” isn’t the best strategy, and how it can intensify the long term effects of parents fighting
• A step-by-step breakdown of how to talk to your kids after parents are arguing in front of kids, including what to say and what not to say
• What makes yelling at spouse in front of child so distressing - and how to help your child feel secure again
• The surprising way these difficult moments can actually build emotional resilience in your child (when handled the right way)

Listen now to learn what to say, when to say it, and how to parent well even after arguing in front of kids.

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Thriving Child Center

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CONNECT WITH DR. LAURA SPILLER:

Website

Instagram

Ever wonder how to reconnect after a fight with your child - without the guilt, second-guessing, or endless explaining?

In today’s episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite go-to strategies as a psychologist and a mom for how to reconnect with your child after conflict. It’s evidence-based. And it’s so simple you’ll wish someone taught it to you sooner.

This approach isn’t just about repairing the moment - it’s a powerful tool for teaching emotional regulation and modeling empathy, even when your child is spiraling. I’ll walk you through how to calm a child down when angry, and how to actually talk about what happened... without anyone shutting down.

• The reason your child resists talking about the conflict - and the story-based strategy that bypasses that wall.
• Why direct logic fails with little kids (and what to do instead for teaching emotional regulation)
• How to use storytelling as a tool for how to reconnect after a fight - without making your child feel blamed or shamed
• The key mindset shift for how to calm a child down when angry and still hold your boundary
• How to reconnect with your child - while still balancing connection and limits.

Listen to the full episode to learn a practical tool you can use tonight (yes, even if your kid just screamed at you). Because how to reconnect after a fight, how to calm a child down when angry, and how to reconnect with your child don’t have to be mysteries - and teaching emotional regulation doesn’t require a PhD.

Hit play, take a breath, and let’s figure this out together.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Episode 18: Transition Anxiety Is Real: Helping a Child Adjust to Change with Storytelling

PCIT Experts

Calm and Connected Program

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Thriving Child Center

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Calm and Connected Program

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The start of a new school year can feel like chaos - earlier mornings, traffic, new routines, and the pressure to get everyone out the door on time.

In this quick five-minute pep talk, I share my own first-week-of-school struggle (spoiler: we were late every single day until Friday!) and the simple tweak that completely changed our mornings.

If you’ve got little ones who take their sweet time, especially at breakfast, this small shift might make a huge difference in your home too. I walk you through what wasn’t working, the change I made, and why it’s created calmer, happier mornings for both of us.

Even as a child psychologist and a mom, I still have to figure things out by trial and error—just like you. If your mornings have been rough lately, this is your reminder that you can make small changes and see a big impact. You’ve got this. I’m on your side.

What if the missing piece in your child’s ability to manage their big emotions... is you?

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most misunderstood (and overlooked) ways to help kids build emotional regulation for kids - and it’s not a new breathing app, another feelings chart, or a gentle parenting script.

It’s you. It’s your own ability to model emotional regulation in real time - teaching emotional regulation by letting your child in on what’s actually going on under your calm surface.

I’ll walk you through why teaching emotional regulation starts with your own internal world - and how to pull back the curtain to help your child actually learn from you.

We’ll talk about what’s missing in most conversations about emotional regulation for kids, how to model managing big emotions without over-sharing or emotionally leaning on your child, and what real-world regulation looks like during everyday parenting chaos.

In this episode, I’ll cover:

• The surprising reason your go-to scripts and strategies aren’t working - and what your child really needs to learn how to manage their big emotions
• Why modeling is the single most powerful tool in your parenting toolbox when it comes to teaching emotional regulation
• A step-by-step breakdown of how to narrate your own frustration (without losing your cool) to build your child’s emotional regulation for kids
• How to recognize the line between vulnerability and oversharing - and still show up as a strong, emotionally attuned parent
• Why your child may be ignoring the breathing exercises you suggest - and how showing, not telling, is the real path to how to help a child with big emotions

If you’ve ever wondered how to help a child with big emotions - this episode is for you.

Listen now to learn practical, evidence-based ways to support your child’s emotional development and feel more confident in your parenting choices - even when big emotions take over.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

EP 5: How to Talk to Kids About Death and the Loss of a Grandparent

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Is your child suddenly afraid to go to sleep - and now your whole household is exhausted and on edge? 

If bedtime has turned into a battle, this episode is your lifeline. I’m joined by sleep expert Dr. Jessica Meers to break down what really works when your child is struggling with child sleep anxiety and nighttime fears - especially after a nightmare.

Whether your child refuses to settle alone or ends up in your bed every night, we’ll guide you through proven, compassionate solutions rooted in psychology and real-life parenting. We cover exactly how to get your child to sleep in their own bed without guilt, chaos, or confusion - even if they’ve become deeply afraid to go to sleep on their own.

Dr. Meers, a nationally recognized sleep psychologist and mom of twins, shares practical advice for preventing nighttime fears, responding in the moment, and rebuilding healthy sleep habits with consistency and care.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why your child might suddenly be afraid to go to sleep - even if bedtime used to be smooth sailing
• The surprising science behind nighttime fears, and how our brains (and our kids' brains) process dreams
• The truth about child sleep anxiety, and why it shows up even in high-functioning, emotionally supported kids
• Expert-backed advice on how to get your child to sleep in their own bed - without making them feel abandoned or dismissed
• The #1 mistake parents make after a nightmare, and how it accidentally reinforces child sleep anxiety

If you’re feeling stuck, second-guessing your parenting, or just too tired to think straight - this episode is your reset button. You’ll learn exactly what to say and do when your child is afraid to go to sleep, how to soothe nighttime fears without caving to them, and real-life strategies for tackling child sleep anxiety with confidence.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

EP 14: How to Help an Angry Child Calm Down Without Losing Your Cool: The Key to Connection Before Correction

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PCIT Experts

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CONNECT WITH DR. JESSICA MEERS:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok