Parent Lab: Parenting Research, Explained

A 2026 study protocol investigating the generational impacts of parental infant institutionalization on offspring outcomes.

In this episode of Parent Lab, we critically examine "Ripples Across Generations: Do Institutionalized Babies Pass Wounds to Their Children?". We break down the study's methodology, sample composition, and effect sizes, then assess how the finding has been reported in popular media and what it actually means for parents.

Parent Lab is a podcast that critically analyzes child development and family sociology research for educated, skeptical parents. We cut through media hype to examine what the evidence really says.

A 2026 systematic review examining the relationships between household chaos, parenting practices, emotion reactivity, and externalizing behaviors in children and adolescents.

In this episode of Parent Lab, we critically examine "Home Chaos and Kids' Behavior: What the Evidence Really Says". We break down the study's methodology, sample composition, and effect sizes, then assess how the finding has been reported in popular media and what it actually means for parents.

Parent Lab is a podcast that critically analyzes child development and family sociology research for educated, skeptical parents. We cut through media hype to examine what the evidence really says.

A systematic review exploring how parents' own sensory processing patterns affect their parenting behaviors. Examines the relationship between parental sensory sensitivities and parenting outcomes.

In this episode of Parent Lab, we critically examine "Are Parents' Sensory Sensitivities Shaping How They Parent?". We break down the study's methodology, sample composition, and effect sizes, then assess how the finding has been reported in popular media and what it actually means for parents.

Parent Lab is a podcast that critically analyzes child development and family sociology research for educated, skeptical parents. We cut through media hype to examine what the evidence really says.

An umbrella review and meta-analysis synthesizing multiple datasets evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of screening tools used to identify developmental delay in young children.

In this episode of Parent Lab, we critically examine "Not All Developmental Screens Are Created Equal". We break down the study's methodology, sample composition, and effect sizes, then assess how the finding has been reported in popular media and what it actually means for parents.

Parent Lab is a podcast that critically analyzes child development and family sociology research for educated, skeptical parents. We cut through media hype to examine what the evidence really says.

A quasi-experimental analysis of Head Start program data demonstrates how site opt-out mechanisms and selection methods introduce external validity bias in estimates of program effects on child outcomes.

In this episode of Parent Lab, we critically examine "Site Selection Matters: Evaluating Head Start With Self-Selected Sites". We break down the study's methodology, sample composition, and effect sizes, then assess how the finding has been reported in popular media and what it actually means for parents.

Parent Lab is a podcast that critically analyzes child development and family sociology research for educated, skeptical parents. We cut through media hype to examine what the evidence really says.

The AAP's 2026 policy shifts from hour limits to content quality — but what does the research actually show about kids and screens?

In this episode of Parent Lab, we critically examine "Rethinking Screen Time: AAP's New Guidelines & What the Evidence Really Says". We break down the study's methodology, sample composition, and effect sizes, then assess how the finding has been reported in popular media and what it actually means for parents.

Parent Lab is a podcast that critically analyzes child development and family sociology research for educated, skeptical parents. We cut through media hype to examine what the evidence really says.

Revisiting the Marshmallow Test — a 2018 replication shows the famous willpower predictor was largely explained by socioeconomic status, not self-control.

In this episode of Parent Lab, we critically examine "Marshmallow Myths: How a Famed Self-Control Test Was Misunderstood". We break down the study's methodology, sample composition, and effect sizes, then assess how the finding has been reported in popular media and what it actually means for parents.

Parent Lab is a podcast that critically analyzes child development and family sociology research for educated, skeptical parents. We cut through media hype to examine what the evidence really says.

Your toddler's brain is changing and growing every day, and unfortunately, tantrums are a developmentally appropriate side effect. Sigh. Your child's brain is growing and forging new neural pathways that help it learn how to respond to all kinds of different situations, and those tantrums? Well, they're part and parcel of the process. But you can model behaviors and responses to your kiddo that will help their brains develop positive habits.

Communicating might be as natural and effortless as breathing for you, but for your toddler, it's a whole different ballgame. Their brains are busy processing all the sensory input they get — from hearing to taste to touch — and trying to find the words to communicate their experiences. It's no wonder that when they struggle to express themselves, tantrums become the language of choice; it's the most effective language they have.

You might feel singled out and frustrated if your child only throws tantrums with you, but it's not a bad thing. In fact, it's a sign that your child feels safe to let it all out when they're with you, which is a sign of secure attachment. The positives don't completely rule out that it's not much fun of, course, so listen for some tips for creating strong boundaries to go with that secure attachment.