As parents, how can you tell if screen time is *actually* harmful for your child’s brain? And how can you even parent properly without a neuroscience degree?! Some days it feels impossible.

You’re not the only one wondering how much screen time is too much for your kids, or feeling shame for handing them a tablet while you make dinner—it’s something we’re all thinking about. In this episode, neuroscientist and mom Dr. Cindy Hovington joins Melissa and Esther to unpack what science actually says about screens and young brains.

Part brain scientist, part mom-in-the-trenches, Dr. Cindy Hovington translates neuroscience into everyday parenting wins. Through her science-based parenting platform, Curious Neuron, she gives families practical, evidence-based ways to nurture calm, confident kids.

Thank you to Dr. Cindy Hovington for being on our show!

Learn more about Dr. Hovington on her Curious Neuron website: https://curiousneuron.com/

Follow Dr. Hovington on Instagram to learn about parenting through the lens of neuroscience: https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/

Connect with Dr. Hovington on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyhovington/

Write in to us at [email protected]

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Pok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.

Learn more: https://playpokpok.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the "barometer" you use to measure a successful night of sleep actually just a social construct that is making you more stressed?

Sleep can feel overwhelming and deeply personal, especially when everyone seems to have an opinion about what you should be doing. In this episode, Melissa and Esther talk with Rachael Shepard-Ohta about why night wakings are normal, why crying isn’t automatically a problem to fix, how cultural expectations have shaped modern sleep pressure, and more.

Rachael Shepard-Ohta is the founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, a certified sleep consultant, podcast host, and mom of three who helps families navigate sleep with compassion, evidence, and realism.

Learn more about Rachael and Hey, Sleepy Baby: https://heysleepybaby.com/

Write in to us at [email protected]

Subscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:

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Pok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.

Learn more: https://playpokpok.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When deciding upon how to feed your baby, how can you trust your instincts when advice feels overwhelming?

Feeding a baby often becomes one of the most emotionally charged parts of early parenthood, especially when expectations collide with reality. In this episode with guest Mallory Whitmore, you’ll hear an honest, validating conversation about why formula feeding isn’t a failure, but one of many legitimate ways to nourish your child and yourself.

As a parent, educator, and founder of The Formula Mom, Mallory Whitmore is helping redefine infant feeding conversations with compassion and evidence-based guidance. Her book, "Bottle Service: Education and Encouragement for Guilt-Free and Successful Formula Feeding," is out in February.

Learn more about Mallory and The Formula Mom: https://www.instagram.com/theformulamom and https://www.tiktok.com/@theformulamom

Want more formula education, tips, and support? Visit www.bottleservicebook.com to purchase Mallory's new guidebook, BOTTLE SERVICE: Education and Encouragement for Guilt Free and Successful Formula Feeding.

Write in to us at [email protected]

Subscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:

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Pok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.

Learn more: https://playpokpok.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When parenting doesn’t go as expected, how do you move forward?

Parenting rarely goes according to plan, and this episode will remind you that unexpected turns don’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Beth Leipholtz shares how raising her son Coop reshaped her understanding of inclusion, communication, and letting go of control. You’ll walk away with reassurance, perspective, and practical insight for parenting with curiosity, compassion, and confidence.

Beth Leipholtz is a mom and storyteller who shares honest, joyful reflections on parenting, disability, and inclusion through her platform Beth & Coop. A passionate advocate for raising curious, empathetic kids while navigating life with humor and heart, she is also the author of The ABCs of Inclusion: A Disability Inclusion Book For Kids.

Thank you to Beth Leipholtz for being on our show!

Learn more about Beth Leipholtz, her platform Beth & Coop, and her book, The ABCs of Inclusion: A Disability Inclusion Book For Kids: https://bethandcoop.com/

Write in to us at [email protected]

Subscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:

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Pok Pok YouTube

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Pok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.

Learn more: https://playpokpok.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is actually happening in your child’s brain during a meltdown? And, what can you do during a meltdown when nothing seems to help?

When your child is melting down, it can feel personal, urgent, and overwhelming. In this episode, Laura Petix helps you reframe behavior as a nervous system response and shows how sensory strategies can support emotional regulation.

Laura Petix is a pediatric occupational therapist and neurodiversity expert. As the creator of The OT Butterfly, she helps parents decode behavior through a sensory lens.

Thank you to Laura Petix for being on our show!

Learn more about Laura and The OT Butterfly: https://theotbutterfly.com/

Follow Laura on Instagram: https://instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Check out Laura’s podcast, Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Podcast for Parents: https://theotbutterfly.com/the-sensory-w-i-s-e-solutions-podcast-for-parents/

Get Laura’s book, A Kid’s Book About Neurodiversity: https://amzn.to/4qfE97g

Write in to us at [email protected]

Subscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:

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Pok Pok YouTube

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Pok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.

Learn more: https://playpokpok.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’re navigating parenting in a world where screens are unavoidable, and this episode will help you release the guilt that often comes with that reality. In this episode, Melissa, Esther, and their guest, Ash Brandin, explore why leisure and downtime are essential for both you and your children, and how to model a healthy relationship with technology.

Today’s guest is Ash Brandin. They are an educator, author of Power On, and are known online as The Gamer Educator. They help families rethink screen time without fear or shame.

Thank you to Ash Brandin for being on our show!

Learn more about Ash, aka The Gamer Educator at https://www.instagram.com/thegamereducator/

Get Ash’s book, Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family: https://www.thegamereducator.com/book

Write in to us at [email protected]

Subscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:

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Pok Pok YouTube

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Pok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.

Learn more: https://playpokpok.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Which hygiene routines actually matter for preventing illness in your home?

In this episode, Melissa and Esther chat with beloved pediatrician Dr. Mona about what parents really need to know about kids getting sick. This conversation explores practical, pediatrician-approved strategies for hygiene, symptom monitoring, and knowing exactly when to seek extra help.

Dr. Mona Amin is a board-certified pediatrician and the creator of PedsDocTalk, a global parenting education platform offering evidence-based guidance with zero guilt and tons of warmth.

Thank you to Dr. Mona Amin for being on our show!

Learn more about Dr. Mona and PedsDocTalk: https://pedsdoctalk.com and https://www.instagram.com/pedsdoctalk/

Write in to us at [email protected]

Subscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:

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Pok Pok YouTube

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Pok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.

Learn more: https://playpokpok.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can you tell if your child’s struggles are normal or a sign of ADHD? And, how do you decide whether to pursue a formal ADHD diagnosis?

In this episode, hosts Melissa Cash and Esther Huybreghts talk with psychologist Dr. Carrie Jackson to unpack the truth about ADHD in children. Together they explore early signs, gender differences, and how parents can support their kids without shame or stigma.

Dr. Carrie Jackson is a licensed psychologist who specializes in ADHD in children—and she has ADHD herself, so she gets it. She’s on a mission to help parents understand their kids’ unique brains and build calmer, happier homes along the way.

Visit https://www.drcarriejackson.com to learn more about Dr. Carrie Jackson’s ADHD resources, expert advice, and supportive parenting tools. Be sure to connect with Dr. Carrie on social media to ask questions and learn more about ADHD in kids:

* Dr. Carrie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carriejackson/

* Dr. Carrie’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drcarriejackson

* ADHD Parenting Course: https://www.drcarriejackson.com/connectedandpracticalparenting

* Free ADHD Parenting Guide: https://www.drcarriejackson.com/free-parent-guide

* Dr. Carrie’s Private Practice: https://www.socalchildpsych.com/

Here’s the timer clock discussed in this episode: Yunbaoit Visual Timer: https://amzn.to/4ipWzj9

Write in to us at [email protected]

Subscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:

YouTube

Pok Pok YouTube

Instagram

Pok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.

Learn more: https://playpokpok.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What changes when you stop performing “good parenting” for others and focus on what works for your family?

In this episode, Melissa and Esther talk with prolific content creator Shawna Lander about the messy, funny, and deeply human realities of becoming a mom. Get ready to unpack how becoming a mother transformed Shawna’s identity and career, leading her to write hilarious and honest skits about the real-life struggles no one prepares you for.

Shawna Lander is the hilarious mind behind the “Shawnaverse,” where her sharp, heartfelt mom-skits help parents feel seen in all their messy glory. She’s an actor, writer, mom, and cancer survivor.

Thank you to Shawna Lander for being on our show!

Follow Shawna: https://www.instagram.com/shawnathemom and https://www.tiktok.com/@shawnathemom and https://www.youtube.com/@shawnathemom.

Write in to us at [email protected]

Subscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:

YouTube

Pok Pok YouTube

Instagram

Pok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.

Learn more: https://playpokpok.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a parent, how can you build real in-person connections when you feel overwhelmed or isolated? 

In this episode, you’ll dive into why raising kids today often feels so lonely—and what you as a parent can actually do to change that. Peanut CEO Michelle Kennedy joins Melissa and Esther to open up about the realities of modern parenthood and gives practical, compassionate steps for finding real connection again.

Michelle is also the author of It Takes a Village, a book filled with real stories of modern motherhood.

Peanut is kind of like Bumble for moms—a wildly popular social networking app helping millions of women navigating fertility, pregnancy, motherhood or menopause find connection and support. 

Thank you to Michelle Kennedy for being on our show! 

Learn more about Michelle: https://michellekennedy.co

Follow Michelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellekennedylon/

Follow Peanut to get connected with other mothers and find your village: https://www.instagram.com/peanut 

Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellekennedy2/

Get Michelle’s new book, It Takes A Village, from Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0241709989 

Or from Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0241709989 

Write in to us at [email protected]

Subscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:

YouTube

Pok Pok YouTube

Instagram

Pok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.

Learn more: https://playpokpok.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.