Rebecca and Belann dive into the complexities of sibling dynamics, especially the everyday challenges parents face around bedtime routines, discipline, and perceived fairness. Drawing on real-life examples and practical strategies, they explore how parents can respond with consistency, calmness, and clarity while strengthening sibling relationships. Throughout the episode, they emphasize the impact of parental presence, preparation, and communication on children’s behavior and emotional security.

Covered in this episode:

Bedtime has been a total circus lately! One will be going to brush his teeth and then the younger one will decide to do a nudy run and then the older who was originally on task, will follow. They are starting to figure out they can team up against us!  

My younger sibling weaponizes being the youngest! She screams, gets away with things and I am often at a loss of how to discipline.

You never get Rosie in trouble, she’s your favorite-if I did that I would have been in so much trouble-why doesn’t she have a consequence?

This episode offers thoughtful insights and actionable tools for parents navigating the emotional and logistical challenges of raising siblings.

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Website: earlychildhoodmatters.com/podcast

Instagram: @EarlyChildhoodMattersSF
Facebook facebook.com/ecmsf

Got a question for a future episode? List it in the comments, comment on our web site, or email [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

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Short Overview:

Rebecca explores the beautiful (and sometimes jarring) contrast between Thanksgiving gratitude and the consumer rush of Black Friday and the holiday season. She reflects on how to nurture a spirit of thankfulness in young children, shares her family’s long-loved gratitude traditions, and offers gentle ways to shift the holiday focus from buying to truly being together.

If you’re looking for a heart-forward, calmer holiday season and a thoughtful gift guide, this episode will leave you inspired, grounded, and ready to create magic that lasts far beyond Christmas morning.

Rebecca also breaks down her early childhood teacher approved approach to gift giving — including the play-based curriculum framework she uses to choose toys that last, spark creativity, and discourage materialism. From blocks and dramatic play to arts, outdoor toys, sensory materials, books, music, and experiences, she highlights meaningful gift ideas that grow with children rather than overwhelm them.

Check out our 'ECM Approved' holiday gift guide here.

Full transcript here. 

 Connect with us:

Website: earlychildhoodmatters.com/podcast

Instagram: @EarlyChildhoodMattersSF
Facebook facebook.com/ecmsf

Got a question for a future episode? List it in the comments, comment on our web site, or email [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

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Share this episode with a friend or parent group! It’s by word of mouth that our small business grows best!

Episode 10: Sibling Rivalry — Rethinking Fairness at Home

In this episode, Rebecca and Belann unpack the roots of sibling rivalry and explore why striving for perfect fairness can sometimes make things worse. Learn how to help your kids navigate feelings of unfairness, celebrate their differences, and build stronger, more understanding relationships with each other.

They answer the questions:

What is the role of the concept of fairness in sibling rivalry and how does it impact children? 

Why might striving for fairness (in the sense of equality) actually exacerbate conflict between siblings? 

How can parents help children understand and accept differences between siblings, instead of consistently treating everything as “fair”?

How can parents support children in navigating feelings of unfairness—rather than simply trying to make everything equal?

To view the equity/equality image Rebeca mentions, please visit our site: https://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/podcast

Connect with us:

Website: earlychildhoodmatters.com/podcast

Instagram: @EarlyChildhoodMattersSF
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Got a question for a future episode? List it in the comments, comment on our web site, or email [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this episode:

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Connect with us: Website: earlychildhoodmatters.com/podcast Instagram: @EarlyChildhoodMattersSF Facebook facebook.com/ecmsf

Got a question for a future episode? List it in the comments, comment on our web site, or email [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you! If you enjoyed this episode: Please follow or subscribe wherever you listen.

Leave us a rating or review—it really helps other parents find the show Share this episode with a friend or parent group! It’s by word of mouth that our small business grows best!

In this episode of Parenting Matters, Rebecca Walsh discusses the complexities of parenting during the middle school years, focusing on the emotional and physical changes children experience. The conversation covers topics such as shifting friendships, hormonal changes, and the importance of community support for both children and parents. Walsh emphasizes the need for understanding and compassion as children navigate these transitions, encouraging parents to embrace their child's individuality and foster connections with others.

Takeaways

Connect with us:

Website: earlychildhoodmatters.com/podcast

Instagram: @EarlyChildhoodMattersSF
Facebook facebook.com/ecmsf

Got a question for a future episode? List it in the comments, comment on our web site, or email [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this episode:

Rebecca discusses the importance of open communication about puberty and body literacy with children with Konika Wong of Girl Power Science. They emphasize starting these conversations early (preschool!), using correct anatomical terms, and creating a positive narrative around menstruation. The discussion also covers how to navigate children's questions, the role of parents in body education, and the significance of empowering children with knowledge about their bodies and boundaries in order to avoid stigma and shame and to keep themselves safe. The conversation aims to shift the narrative from negative to positive, encouraging a healthier understanding of puberty and body changes.

More About Girl Power Science and Konika Wong:

Konika co-founded GPS (Girl Power Science) with her daughter to empower girls to navigate growing up with confidence. She is an author, body literacy specialist, and mom on a mission to reframe pubertal changes as superpowers. Based in San Francisco, she has been a puberty educator for 23 years. Her popular children’s books, One in a Million – A First Book About Periods and How to Tame a Tickle Monster – A First Book About Body Safety, are designed for kids ages 4 and up. Konika is passionate about starting these conversations early and breaking cycles of shame by celebrating growth.

Definition of Body Literacy:

Body literacy is the ability to understand and respond to your body's signals—starting with basic needs like thirst, hunger, tiredness, and bathroom cues, and growing into more advanced awareness around things like screen time, relationships, and intuitive eating.

As a body literacy specialist, Konika teaches classes that combine social emotional learning and science on a variety of topics including body safety, friendship skills, body image, and puberty.

Questions Answered in This Podcast:

When should I start conversations about puberty? My son has seen me in the bathroom when I was on my period and asked if I was hurt and I didn’t know how to respond-he is 3 yrs?

I heard that using correct anatomical names for penis, vagina, vulva etc can protect children against abuse but my husband is really uncomfortable with these terms-any advice?

In my family periods were a curse for women, there was so much talk about how awful pms was-how do I paint a more positive view for my daughter? 

How do we respond to How did the baby get inside your tummy in a developmentally appropriate way. I don’t want to show I’m uncomfortable with the topic but don’t want to give the detailed sex ed talk to my preschooler either.

Takeaways

Links:

girlpowerscience.com

Learn more about Girl Power Science’s children's books here.

Connect with Early Childhood Matters:

Website: earlychildhoodmatters.com/podcast

Instagram: @EarlyChildhoodMattersSF
Facebook facebook.com/ecmsf

Got a question for a future episode? List it in the comments, comment on our web site, or email [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this episode:

You know that gut-punch moment when your kid says, “Everyone in 7th grade was invited to the birthday party… except me”? Yeah — we’re going there.

In this week’s episode of Parenting Matters, Rebecca is joined by psychologist and mom of two, Dr. Nina Kaiser from Practice San Francisco to talk about the real stuff: middle school social dynamics, exclusion, and how we can support our kids when things feel rough.

We get into:
•What to say (and not say) when your kid feels left out
• What you can do to create buffers for your child: hint even just one friend, sometimes outside of school, can make all the difference
• When it’s time to seek help or get other adults involved and how to do it
• How social media or even just group text threads can add fuel to the fire

It’s an honest, practical conversation for anyone trying to help their kids build resilience — and feel a little less alone as a parent too.

Takeaways

Early intervention can prevent significant social challenges later on.

Children need tools to navigate social situations effectively.

Communication is key to understanding a child's social experiences.

For more info on Dr. Nina Kaiser and PracticeSF:

Practice San Francisco website: https://www.practicesanfrancisco.com

Other Mothers weekly newsletter on Substack:  https://othermothers.substack.com

Instagram: @practice.sf and @drninakaiser

Connect with us:

Website: earlychildhoodmatters.com/podcast

Instagram: @EarlyChildhoodMattersSF
Facebook facebook.com/ecmsf

Got a question for a future episode? List it in the comments, comment on our web site, or email [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this episode:

EPISODE 5: The Kids are Ready for Summer - Are You?

Middle School/HS Edition

With special guest host, Rebecca’s 15 year old son, Joey! Learn how to create balance with screens, IRL (In Real Life Activities) and how to use summer to level up (or discover) your passions and interests!

Links to other companies/podcasts mentioned in Ep 5:
Let Grow Project When Parents Step Back, Kids Step UP
Screen Sense IRL Summer Packet-Screen time alternatives, contracts, and positive creative uses of tech 

Pixel Parenting: What Parents need to now about video game research on Spotify or Apple

Pixel Parenting: Brains, Screens, and Connection with Rebecca Walsh on Spotify or Apple
Why Boredom is Good for Your Toddler (Pixel Parenting) - Listen on Spotify or Apple

Joey's Instagram Channel (we don't recommend kids have an Instagram account until high school) - jdubmusic_

GLIDE SF volunteer info: https://www.glide.org/

Early Childhood Matters' Camps

Connect with us:

Website: earlychildhoodmatters.com/podcast

Instagram: @EarlyChildhoodMattersSF
Facebook facebook.com/ecmsf

Got a question for a future episode? List it in the comments, comment on our web site, or email [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this episode:

Share this episode with a friend or parent group! It’s by word of mouth that our small business grows best!

You can make learning enjoyable, provide structure during Summer breaks, and empower your children to take charge of their experiences. Rebecca discusses tips for navigating transitions to Summer camps and balancing freedom with responsibility, along with strategies for engaging children in meaningful activities.

Links to other companies/podcasts mentioned in Ep 4:
Mighty Bambinis Evelyn Nichols Parent-Child Forest Class in Marin

Pixel Parenting: Brains, Screens, and Connection with Rebecca Walsh on Spotify or Apple
Why Boredom is Good for Your Toddler (Pixel Parenting) - Listen on Spotify or Apple

Early Childhood Matters’ Summer Camps

Summer Brain Quest

Connect with us:

Website: earlychildhoodmatters.com/podcast

Instagram: @EarlyChildhoodMattersSF
Facebook facebook.com/ecmsf

Got a question for a future episode? List it in the comments, comment on our web site, or email [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this episode: