My New Life

Share the news of a baby brother or sister with a toddler, and it's likely to be met with enthusiasm. But at some point after the baby arrives, jealousy and resentment can get in the way, and that can manifest in all sorts of new behaviors.

Jessica Rolph welcomes Gabrielle Felman, an early childhood development specialist and clinical social worker. She shares loads of practical, real-life tips and insights for how to best prepare for and navigate this transition.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] What is the best way to prepare your toddler to be a big brother or sister?

[4:55] When is the right time to talk to a toddler about the birth of a sibling?

[5:46] When do you first tell your toddler that they're going to be a big brother or big sister?

[7:33] What about using a baby doll to prepare?

[9:32] Is there an optimal age for a child to become a sibling to a newborn?

[10:28] What behavior should parents be expecting from the older child when the new baby gets added to the mix? What's typical?

[15:38] Is there a way to derail the sense of rivalry or jealousy from the very beginning between siblings?

[19:34] Gabrielle shares her perspective about granting space to the older sibling and taking a laid-back approach to holding, cuddling, even being excited about the baby.

[20:56] What to do when the older sibling is smothering the baby sibling with love. How do you give that baby some space?

[22:54] How can parents involve the toddler in caring for the newborn?

[24:29] What if your toddler wants you to pick them up when you're holding the baby or feeding the baby?

[25:43] What to do when your older child isn't interested in the baby at all?

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Lovevery.com

Books recommended by Gabrielle:

The New Small Person, Lauren Child

King Baby, Kate Beaton

Little Miss, Big Sis, Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Snuggle the Baby, Sara Gillingham

So many parents find themselves flying through the day, constantly running through a mental to-do list. It seems there is always room to squeeze in more. To be focused on one moment in time feels next to impossible, but there are ways to get present, even with with all this mental clutter.

Jessica Rolph welcomes Hunter Clarke-Fields to today's episode. She's the Mindful Mama Mentor, author of Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids, parenting coach, and host of the podcast Mindful Mama.

Key Takeaways:

[1:51] How did Hunter become the Mindful Mama?

[4:28] Hunter shares two important steps that are backed by research to stop yelling.

[11:09] Why does taking breaths actually help? What is the science behind it?

[13:30] How can parents bring themselves back to the present moment?

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Lovevery.com

Mindful Mama Mentoring

Parenting is full of trying moments. One way that parents express their frustration is by yelling — we've all been there! Feeling overwhelmed is usually at the root of it, but being around a parent who regularly raises their voice isn't optimal for a child. Learning strategies to reduce yelling takes time, but it's worth the hard work.

Jessica Rolph, your host, welcomes Brandi Jordan to today's episode, she is the founder of The Cradle Company and host of the podcast Dear Doula. Brandi shares her strategies to bring more calm into the home.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] Why "calm is contagious" is a favorite phrase of Brandi's.

[3:22] What is Brandi's advice for us when baby needs our attention and we are far from calm?

[4:50] What about when a toddler is in meltdown mode? Can calm really prevail?

[7:10] What to do when your children aren't listening.

[10:39] Brandi speaks to the importance of being honest with ourselves about how we were parented.

[13:22] Brandi explains why she is a big advocate of asking for support.

[15:30] What are some silver linings emerging from the pandemic, according to Brandi?

[17:33] How does Brandi find calm when chaos erupts in her own home?

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Lovevery.com

Waldorf education has become increasingly popular in recent decades. Supporters champion the creativity and independent thinking that it fosters, but some critics say it fails to prepare children for the "real" world, where things like competition and technology cannot be avoided.

Jessica Rolph welcomes Dr. Natasha Beck to today's episode. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and has a Master's in Public Health. Mom to three children and pregnant with her fourth, Dr. Beck is known to her social following as Dr. Organic Mommy, and much of her parenting is built around the principles of Waldorf.

Key Takeaways:

[1:33] Why did Natasha choose a Waldorf school for her first child?

[2:18] Natasha shares some of her favorite Waldorf teaching methods.

[4:07] What are Waldorf children not doing, in contrast to other preschoolers?

[5:38] Natasha explains how writing and reading instruction works in Waldorf schools.

[8:16] Ways in which Waldorf teachers create a language-rich environment without defaulting to storybooks.

[10:34] How can we bring some of the Waldorf philosophy and creativity into our homes?

[12:26] In Waldorf, screen time is a huge no-no. So no movies, no devices, or any other screens are allowed at school or at home. What's the rationale behind that guideline?

[14:25] At what age does Natasha recommend introducing some media?

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Lovevery.com

Dr. Organic Mommy

Do you find yourself constantly having to nudge your toddler to stay on schedule and tick all the boxes? Let's get a move on, we'll be late! No seriously, it's bedtime! Little wonder that we parents lose sight of our playful side in all the hustling. Today's guest on the podcast has a remarkable knack for incorporating playfulness in the trickiest of situations. Even the dreaded tantrum feels slightly less scary with her guidance.

Dr. Becky Kennedy has earned the title of this generation's Dr. Spock for her ability to dispense no-nonsense advice as a clinical psychologist, Instagram influencer, and now through her podcast, Good Inside. Let's not overlook perhaps her greatest credential: She is a mother of three!

Key Takeaways:

[2:20] What do we do when our kids go in the opposite direction when we call them?

[5:36] Dr. Becky shares why being goofy humanizes parents in the eyes of a child.

[7:20] What's the best way to handle a tantrum?

[11:28] Dr. Becky's tips to help parents stay calm, even in the eye of the storm.

[16:24] Feelings don't scare kids, but being alone with their feelings may.

[19:31] Dr. Becky speaks about how to model emotional regulation through play.

[22:25] Guidance on patching things over after a meltdown.

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Lovevery.com

Visit GoodInside.com

Listen to Peaceful Parenting: Dealing with Tantrums an interview with Dr. Laura Markham

Language milestones are a hot topic. When should my baby be speaking? And how many words? So much is tied up in our ability to communicate with our little people. On today's episode of My New Life, we call in the experts to get your baby talking!

While the timeline for those treasured first words varies from child to child, there are some time-tested tricks to help the process along. Spoiler: Don't be afraid to sing to your child. Jessica Rolph, your host, is accompanied by speech language experts Bridget Hillsberg and Brooke Dwyer, aka The Speech Sisters.

Key Takeaways:

[1:54] How much is nature vs nurture when it comes to a child developing language?

[3:13] Bridget and Brooke talk about their babies' language development.

[4:47] The Speech Sisters' number one tip for parents: imitate.

[6:05] What's the difference between baby talk and imitating?

[8:01] Another tip for parents: Act it out.

[9:25] Listening, labeling, and demonstrating play an important role in encouraging language development.

[12:37] What constitutes saying the first word versus babbling? If you know what they mean when they say it, does that count as a word?

[13:23] How much should a child be talking? What's typical? And when should we worry?

[16:04] Bridget and Brooke share stories about children who received early intervention to assist in their language development.

[18:25] Can a child learn language through screens?

[21:17] How much of a child's language development stems from parent intervention versus screens or some other outside service?

[23:15] Parents have a tremendous impact on their children's language acquisition.

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Lovevery.com

Learn more about Bridget and Brooke on SpeechSisters.com

Speech Sisters on Instagram

Some children make a lot of noise as they move through their day. They tend to like big movements: bear hugs, wrestling, getting messy. Others are quieter. They can sometimes be bothered by subtle things: tags, temperature, too much light. These children might retreat if their senses get overloaded. Sensory preferences fall on a spectrum.

Jessica Rolph is accompanied by Dr. Allie Ticktin to talk about how to navigate these differences. Dr. Allie is an occupational therapist with a specialty in sensory integration and early childhood development. She is the author of Play to Progress, Lead Your Child to Success Using the Power of Sensory Play.

Key Takeaways:

[2:07] Allie talks about how sensory needs can vary from child to child.

[3:19] How do you know if a child's sensory needs are within the normal realm, versus when it's time to get extra support?

[4:07] Why is proprioception one of Allie's favorite senses to work on?

[5:32] Allie shares tools to provide more proprioceptive input to your child.

[9:25] What senses other than proprioceptive should be on a parent's radar?

[11:25] How do we respect our child's need to be clean?

[13:40] Why do parents need to engage these senses for children's learning?

[14:52] How can we have sensory-rich play that engages all of these senses?

[15:38] What are open-ended toys and why you should choose more of those?

[18:38] What is a sensory toolbox? Does it vary based on the child's needs?

[20:42] The first step is regulation; a child who is not regulated can't learn.

[21:04] How can you tell if a child is playing with something or if it's helping them regulate?

[22:15] What is in the calming toolkit?

[24:14] Allie's advice to parents: Allow your child the space to play and to explore.

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Lovevery.com

Play2Progress

The human brain has about 100 billion nerve cells, all of which are present at birth, but have few links between them. Those links are formed by experiences children have. The idea that the right inputs can strengthen a brain's architecture informs much of the product design at Lovevery. But there's lots of debate around how early we should start laying the foundation for academic learning.

Jessica Rolph, your host, welcomes Sarah Chesworth to today's episode of The Perspective Series, to help us navigate Kindergarten prep in the baby and toddler years. Sarah is a former Kindergarten teacher and early childhood educator.

Key Takeaways:

[1:43] How does Sarah explain the debate between academic and play-based learning for 2 and 3 year olds?

[2:46] Should we be exposing our 2, 3, or 4 year olds to any academic skills?

[3:25] What are some categories of concepts that Sarah feels like children need to have to be ready for Kindergarten?

[4:48] What are some ways that math and spatial understanding can show up in play?

[6:29] Sarah talks about the distinction between healthy brain development in early childhood and the role that academics play.

[9:23] What early number skills might Sarah look for in children entering Kindergarten?

[10:48] What are some ways that parents can build empathy skills?

[12:04] Sarah speaks about the development of fine motor skills.

[13:00 ] Sarah describes the space she created for her daughter and the ways that she's incorporated play and academics.

[15:01] Sarah extends her advice to parents: Listen, read, play, sing, and snuggle.

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Lovevery.com

Learn more about Sarah Chesworth

We all have big dreams for our little people, and there are so many ways to define success: finding purpose in life and work, reaching goals (whatever those might be), surrounding yourself with loved ones, to name just a few. Psychologists have pointed to a variety of practices that can help our kids achieve these things. Spending time with your child is a major one; others include letting your child make decisions and prioritizing kindness.

Jessica Rolph welcomes Esther Wojcicki to today's episode to talk about raising successful children, her area of expertise. Her daughters, Susan, Janet, and Anne, are some of the most powerful women in Silicon Valley. They are respectively, the CEO of YouTube, a professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, and the Founder and CEO of the genetic testing company 23andMe. Esther, also known as the Godmother of Silicon Valley, is the author of How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results.

Key Takeaways:

[2:17] Did Esther set out to raise CEOs?

[3:24] Esther explains the acronym TRICK: Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness.

[5:19] What does trust look like in our modern-day society?

[8:00] Perhaps we shouldn't be so worried all the time.

[8:50] Esther explains why allowing babies to self-soothe can be a demonstration of trust.

[12:02] How can parents of toddlers show respect? Just listen!

[14:15] Don't do anything for your children that they can do for themselves.

[15:12] Esther speaks about collaboration in the home.

[17:30] The profound impact of kindness.

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Lovevery.com

Visit Raise Successful People

Many new parents struggle with decisions around learning outside of the home. When is the right age? Is daycare or preschool the answer? If extended family isn't available or other help isn't affordable, should parents keep their children at home while also juggling work or all the many other responsibilities? Then there's the decision regarding what learning philosophy to follow.

Jessica Rolph, your host, welcomes Nikki Johnson to today's episode. Nikki struggled with these decisions and landed on a homeschooling arrangement that aligns with Montessori. In addition to homeschooling her four year old, Marley, Nikki is an attorney and entrepreneur; she is also behind the Instagram account cultured_montessorian. Nikki and Jessica examine Montessori through a modern lens, from screen time to clutter.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] What went into Nikki's decision to start homeschooling her child?

[2:40] What made Montessori a good fit for Nikki's daughter?

[3:48] Has Nikki seen any evidence of greater equity and inclusivity moving forward in the Montessori community?

[5:08] Nikki talks about the ways Montessori benefits children of color specifically.

[6:54] How does Nikki carve out time from her clearly very busy schedule as an entrepreneur, lawyer, and teacher to her daughter?

[10:27] Where does Nikki come down on screen time for Marley and how does this fit in or not fit in with Montessori?

[12:51] Are there any other ways that Nikki has interpreted Montessori through this more modern lens?

[14:59] Nikki's daughter has a sensory processing disorder; she shares how she has tailored her learning to support that difference.

[17:10] Nikki shares how she approached decluttering and keeping her home environment more minimalist.

[19:01] What is the rhythm of a typical day for Nikki?

[21:35] Nikki spent time living in a homeless shelter as a child. How does that experience inform the home life that she has created for Marley?

[23:28] Nikki encourages families to do Montessori in whatever way works for them.

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Lovevery.com

Check out Nikki's Instagram @cultured_montessorian