Does your child melt down when something new is on the horizon? Whether it's starting a new school year, a big birthday, or a shift in routine, transition anxiety is real. 

In this episode, I share why understanding the reality of transition anxiety  - and using the power of story - is one of the most effective tools for helping a child adjust to change.

We dive into the science and heart behind the importance of storytelling to child development, and I walk you through my favorite storytelling formula that’s easy, even if you’re not “a creative parent.” When you learn to use stories to make sense of what’s happening in your child’s world, you also create a space for how to encourage a child to express their feelings - even if they usually shut down.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• Why transition anxiety often shows up when we least expect it - and how to spot it before it becomes a meltdown
• How the importance of storytelling to child development shows up in everyday moments - and how to use that to your parenting advantage
• My go-to 3-step strategy for helping a child adjust to change with simple, emotionally attuned storytelling
• How to encourage a child to express their feelings - without forcing uncomfortable conversations
• A real-world example of how I used this exact strategy with a child facing three major life transitions - and how you can adapt it for your own family

This episode is designed to help you feel grounded and confident when your child is spiraling through transition anxiety. If you’re craving expert-backed, emotionally aware solutions for helping a child adjust to change, this is where you start. Plus, you’ll understand the real importance of storytelling to child development and how it can dramatically shift your child’s ability to cope, connect, and communicate.

You’ll also learn practical ways for how to encourage a child to express their feelings, especially during emotional storms - so that you can stop second-guessing and start leading with calm, clarity, and compassion.

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Does your child melt down before shots? Do you feel that pang of dread when the school nurse mentions back to school shots? You are so not alone - and the good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by world-renowned pediatric pain expert, and the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Meg Foundation, Dr. Jody Thomas to tackle a surprisingly common parenting challenge: managing your child’s fear of vaccinations and anxiety around back to school shots. If your child is scared of needles - or you are - this conversation will change the way you approach doctor’s visits forever.

Dr. Thomas brings decades of experience and actionable solutions that actually work. We talk about how to reduce fear of vaccinations, empower your child, and avoid trauma - while still getting those important vaccines. You’ll walk away with research-backed strategies that will help you confidently navigate how to make shots not hurt at all (yes, really!).

• Why the fear of vaccinations affects more kids (and adults!) than you think - and how it can shape lifelong healthcare decisions
• The real science behind how to make shots not hurt at all, and the tools you can use at your next visit
• What to do instead of holding your child down - because there’s a better way to handle back to school shots
• How your child’s emotions mirror yours - and how to model calm even if you’re scared of needles yourself
• The 3-step comfort plan to reduce anxiety, lower pain, and leave your child feeling proud and empowered during back to school shots

Listen now to learn exactly how to stop the struggle and fear of vaccinations for back to school shots - and what every parent needs to know about the long-term impact of ignoring pain and anxiety.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Buzzy®

ShotBlocker®

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CONNECT WITH DR. JODY THOMAS & MEG FOUNDATION FOR PAIN:

Dr. Jody Thomas Website

Meg Foundation Website

FB: @megfoundationforpain

IG: @megfoundationforpain

TikTok: @megfoundation

LinkedIn: @meg-foundation

Wondering how to stop meltdowns before they hijack your whole day? 

In this episode, I break down the real causes of temper tantrums - and how to prevent them by setting clear expectations with your child. You’ll learn exactly how to handle disappointment when your child’s big dreams crash into reality, and how to approach parenting without power struggles in a way that’s practical, compassionate, and grounded in real-life experience.

• Why unmet expectations are one of the most common causes of temper tantrum - and how to catch them early
• The 3-step method for how to stop meltdowns using simple conversations before the conflict
• What to do when your child’s plans are totally unrealistic - and still avoid disappointment
• How to frame hard moments as learning opportunities and practice parenting without power struggles
• A surprising way to reduce the causes of temper tantrum by listening differently

Whether you're facing birthday party drama or a meltdown in Target, you’ll walk away knowing how to handle disappointment with more ease - and how to practice parenting without power struggles in the moments that matter most. 

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Wondering how to stop meltdowns before they hijack your whole day? 

In this episode, I break down the real causes of temper tantrums - and how to prevent them by setting clear expectations with your child. You’ll learn exactly how to handle disappointment when your child’s big dreams crash into reality, and how to approach parenting without power struggles in a way that’s practical, compassionate, and grounded in real-life experience.

• Why unmet expectations are one of the most common causes of temper tantrum - and how to catch them early
• The 3-step method for how to stop meltdowns using simple conversations before the conflict
• What to do when your child’s plans are totally unrealistic - and still avoid disappointment
• How to frame hard moments as learning opportunities and practice parenting without power struggles
• A surprising way to reduce the causes of temper tantrum by listening differently

Whether you're facing birthday party drama or a meltdown in Target, you’ll walk away knowing how to handle disappointment with more ease - and how to practice parenting without power struggles in the moments that matter most. 

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center

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Ever wonder how to strike the right balance between pushing your child to succeed and respecting autonomy in children? 

Today’s episode tackles just that - because knowing whether to step in or take a step back can feel like a balancing act.

On this episode, I chat with therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Kristin Mervich about the tricky dilemma high-achieving parents face: when to keep pushing your child to succeed, when to trust autonomy in children, and how guiding a child sometimes means knowing when to back off. 

We dig into the effects of parental pressure on a child to succeed - for better or worse - and share a clear framework to help you make thoughtful choices that empower both you and your child.

• How to honor autonomy in children without dropping the ball on motivation by pushing your child to succeed - and when that’s okay.
• What the effects of parental pressure on a child to succeed really look like - mental health, confidence, and that inner spark. Tune in to hear Kristin’s real-life examples.
• Why guiding a child starts with understanding the “why” behind their resistance - and how that insight changes everything.
• A simple 4-question formula to decide: Should you push? Pause? Or pivot? It’s like having a parenting GPS.

If you’ve ever asked: “Am I overdoing it by pushing my kid? Or am I selling them short?” - this episode is for you.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Episode 10: Is Anxiety Good for You? 3 Steps for Building Confidence in Kids When They’re Trying New Things with Ivy Ruths, PhD

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CONNECT WITH KRISTIN MERVICH, LCSW:

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Kristin’s Instagram

In the wake of the heartbreaking tragedy at Camp Mystic this weekend, many parents are struggling to find the right words to comfort and guide their children.

I created this short, unedited episode to help you navigate those difficult conversations with your children, including the script I used with my 6-year-old at home. This is a raw version of what would typically be a full Educated Parent podcast episode that I recorded quickly to meet the moment, because I know many of you are searching for guidance right now.

Whether your child was directly affected or simply heard about the news, it's important to offer age-appropriate support, validate their emotions, and create a sense of safety. My heart is with everyone in Houston as we navigate this together.

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Ever wonder how to help an angry child calm down without turning into a volcano yourself? I’ve got you. 

In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what to do in those intense parenting moments - when emotions are high and your kid is spiraling. We’re talking how to deescalate a child, fast, using the power of connection before correction.

As a psychologist (and a mom of two who’s very familiar with meltdowns), I know that dealing with children’s anger can feel like walking through a minefield. But once you get how validation really works - and stop doing that thing we think is validating but actually isn’t - everything changes.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “You’re overreacting!” never works (and what to say instead)
• The sneaky mistake parents make when they think they’re validating
• How connection before correction helps you keep your cool
• A step-by-step way for how to deescalate a child without caving or yelling
• Real examples for how to help an angry child calm down in everyday chaos

Whether you're dealing with children’s anger over sprinkles, screen time, or stolen Legos, this episode gives you language and tools that actually work. Learn how to deescalate a child without the guilt spiral - and build real trust in the process.

Hit play now to hear how connection before correction can change everything.

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I get asked about this advice for dads all the time: “I want to be more intentional as a dad, but I don’t know where to start.” 

This episode is a masterclass in advice for dads who want tangible tips for how to connect with your child - no overthinking required.

I sit down with Dr. John Paul Abner to talk about why involved dads are a game-changer for child development and how to connect with your child with just a few simple shifts. 

Whether you’re craving more quality time, fun ideas, or just want to feel like you’re doing it “right,” this episode offers real-world guidance on how to connect with your child.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why so many dads feel uncertain about how to build relationships with their kids - and advice for dads to shift from doubt to confident connection
• Three specific activities for dads that build confidence and attachment
• The real reason rough-and-tumble play matters for dads and their kids
• Practical, low-pressure tips for how to connect with your child even when time is tight
• Expert-approved advice for dads to strengthen your presence at home, every day

Whether you’re just starting to look for dads-specific support or want advanced advice for dads, this episode delivers. 

Press play and walk away with three clear, doable activities for dads that build trust and connection. If you’ve ever wondered how to connect with your child in a way that truly sticks - this is your episode.

Listen now and take the first step toward becoming one of the involved dads your child will remember forever.

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CONNECT WITH DR. JOHN PAUL ABNER:

Milligan University Profile

Learning how to say no to your child can feel like walking a tightrope.

We want to hold boundaries in parenting firmly, but we also don’t want to break their spirit—or ours! 

In today’s episode, I’m tackling this essential skill head-on. As a psychologist and mom, I know that how to say no to your child can feel like an emotional minefield. But here’s the thing: setting boundaries in parenting is crucial. 

Together, we’ll explore strategies for parenting without yelling and how to manage temper tantrums without losing your mind and why validating feelings is your secret weapon for those meltdown moments.

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

• How to set boundaries in parenting without feeling like the villain-and why those “no” moments matter more than you think.
• The difference between a meltdown and a tantrum-so you know exactly when to hold the line and when to comfort.
• A step-by-step story of how I personally handled a dessert showdown in my own kitchen (spoiler: it was a masterclass in parenting without yelling).
• The biggest mistake parents make when they’re trying to manage temper tantrums-and what to do instead.
• Validating feelings in a way that actually calms your child (and maybe even you!).

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the spiral of second-guessing or people-pleasing when it comes to your kids, you’re not alone-and you’re not failing.

Tune in to this episode and learn how to say no to your child in a way that isn’t harsh-it’s about being honest, loving, and real.

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Is anxiety good for you? 

That’s the question at the heart of this week’s episode, where I sit down with Dr. Ivy Ruths, a licensed specialist in school psychology, specializing in treating anxiety, OCD-related disorders, and parenting challenges.

Ivy shares three concrete steps for helping your child try new things and dealing with childhood anxiety. She also shares the hidden benefits of anxiety and how these moments (even when challenging) can be crucial for building confidence in kids.

Dr. Ivy Ruths and I break down the idea that anxiety isn’t something to eliminate—it’s something to harness. And we’ll share exactly how to do it.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• “Is anxiety good for you?” isn’t just a question—it’s a mindset shift that can help you reframe scary moments with your child.
• The biggest mistake we make when dealing with childhood anxiety—and how to flip it to strengthen your child’s self-confidence.
• Building confidence in kids: the 3-step framework to help them try new things.
• How to stop accidentally sending the message that anxiety is something to avoid, and instead show your kids the benefits of anxiety.
• Why your role as a parent is more than just safety—it’s helping your child take small, brave steps forward, even when you’re feeling anxious too.

Listen to the full episode now and learn how to turn anxiety into your child’s superpower!

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CONNECT WITH IVY RUTHS AND HOUSTON ANXIETY & WELLNESS CENTER:

Website

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