✨ Want the full step-by-step system for stopping repeated hitting? Register for the free workshop → https://www.drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop

If your toddler keeps hitting other kids — not a single tap, but real, repeated hitting — you've probably already heard "check in with the hurt child first." That advice is right, but it's incomplete. It doesn't tell you what to actually do about the hitting itself, especially when it keeps happening.

In this episode, I'm walking through the CATCH Method — the exact 5-step sequence I use in my practice for repeated physical aggression in toddlers, including close supervision, physical interruption, and consistent consequences that actually decrease the behavior over time. Physical aggression is developmentally normal and rises through age 2 to 3 before declining through the preschool years — the real task isn't eliminating the impulse, it's teaching a child to control it (Tremblay et al., 2004).

In this episode: → The CATCH Method for repeated hitting, step by step → Why checking in with the hurt child first isn't the whole answer → The exact one-sentence consequence to state — and how to follow through → What to do when your child hits back → How to rebuild trust with other kids and parents once the hitting stops

💬 Comment CATCH below if repeated hitting is something you're dealing with right now.

#ToddlerHitting #ToddlerAggression #ToddlerDiscipline #ParentingWithPsychology #GentleParenting

New to my podcast? I'm Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a clinical psychologist and Mom of 4, and I help parents find that sweet spot between support and structure that psychology research tells us is best for families now and best for our kids in the future.

------------------------------------------- Let's connect! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayemmerson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlindsayemmerson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@drlindsayemmerson -------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The advice provided on my channel is different from therapy and does not substitute for professional psychological treatment or other types of professional advice or intervention. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or postpone seeking professional medical advice related to anything you hear on this channel.

If you or your child have concerns or need further parenting or personal support, please contact a physician or other qualified local health professional.

00:00 – 00:52 | Intro 00:52 – 02:01 | Why "Check In With the Hurt Child" Isn't the Whole Answer 02:01 – 02:17 | The CATCH Method 02:17 – 03:01 | Getting Close Enough to Catch It 03:01 – 03:56 | Catching It Early 03:56 – 05:31 | The One Sentence That Makes This Effective 05:31 – 07:03 | Actually Removing Them From The Play 07:03 – 08:12 | What To Do Instead of Hitting 08:12 – 11:13 | What This Builds Toward

✨ Want a proven way to handle every parenting conflict with confidence? Register for the free workshop → https://www.drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop

Your toddler grabs a toy from another child, and suddenly you're not just managing your kid — you're managing your own embarrassment in front of the other parent. This episode walks through exactly what to say to your child, and how to handle the other adult without over-apologizing.

Toddlers are only just beginning to understand ownership as a concept at all between 24 and 30 months, and that understanding is directly linked to whether they share in the first place.

In this episode: → The 3 A's Method for the moment your child takes someone else's toy → What to say instead of just "give it back" → How to handle the other parent without over-apologizing → Whether your child taking a toy means something is wrong → The exact phrase that turns "give it back" into an actual lesson

💬 Comment GIVEBACK below if this is a moment you've navigated recently.

#ToddlerTakingToys #ToddlerDiscipline #GentleParenting #ParentingWithPsychology #ToddlerSocialSkills

New to my podcast? I'm Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a clinical psychologist and Mom of 4, and I help parents find that sweet spot between support and structure that psychology research tells us is best for families now and best for our kids in the future.

------------------------------------------- Let's connect! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayemmerson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlindsayemmerson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@drlindsayemmerson -------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The advice provided on my channel is different from therapy and does not substitute for professional psychological treatment or other types of professional advice or intervention. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or postpone seeking professional medical advice related to anything you hear on this channel.

If you or your child have concerns or need further parenting or personal support, please contact a physician or other qualified local health professional.

00:00 – 00:14 | Why Toddlers Grab Toys 00:14 – 00:36 | The Science Behind Sharing 00:36 – 01:04 | The 3 A's That Teach Sharing 01:04 – 01:18 | What To Say To The Other Parent 01:18 – 01:56 | Why Consistency Beats Perfection 01:56 – 02:23 | The Mindset That Helps Parents Stay Calm

✨ 🔗 Want proven strategies for how to talk to teenagers from a child psychologist? Register for the free workshop → https://www.drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop Every month you spend in the wrong dynamic with your teenager is a month they practice keeping you out. And once that becomes a habit, it's very hard to reverse. This episode breaks down the 3 most critical things that keep the relationship strong enough that your teenager will still come to you when it matters most. In this episode: → Why doubling down on authority during the teen years is the exact wrong move → The safe landing place — and why your teenager may not know you are one → Rupture and repair — what almost no parent does, and why it's the most powerful relationship tool you have → The specific shift that changes your role from authority figure to the consultant your teenager actually wants to hear from → How to hand them the wheel gradually before the stakes get high 💬 Comment OPEN below if you want to be the parent your teenager actually talks to. #parentingteenagers #howtotalkteenagers #teenagerparenting #parentingteens #teencommunication

New to my podcast? I'm Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a clinical psychologist and Mom of 4, and I help parents find that sweet spot between support and structure that psychology research tells us is best for families now and best for our kids in the future.

------------------------------------------- Let's connect! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayemmerson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlindsayemmerson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@drlindsayemmerson -------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The advice provided on my channel is different from therapy and does not substitute for professional psychological treatment or other types of professional advice or intervention. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or postpone seeking professional medical advice related to anything you hear on this channel.

If you or your child have concerns or need further parenting or personal support, please contact a physician or other qualified local health professional.

00:00 – 01:07 | Introduction 01:07 – 03:13 | Why Your Teenager May Not Know They Can Tell You Anything 03:13 – 05:01 | What To Do After You've Already Blown It 05:01 – 07:20 | The Shift That Changes How Your Teenager Sees You 07:20 – 08:44 | What This Builds Toward 08:44 – 09:44 | Next Steps

✨ 🔗 Want proven strategies for building confidence in kids from a child psychologist? Register for the free workshop → https://www.drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop If you've been praising your child's grades, celebrating their trophies, and telling them how proud you are every time they perform well — you may be accidentally building the kind of confidence that collapses the moment things go wrong. This video breaks down the 3 critical things that build genuinely confident, capable kids in the elementary years — grounded in developmental psychology, not motivational posters. In this video: → Why performance-based praise can quietly undermine real confidence → The micro-connection rituals that keep kids coming to you first — before they Google it or hide it → Why chores aren't just life skills — they're answering your child's most critical developmental question → The specific phrase that separates feedback that builds confidence from feedback that erodes it → What Unconditional Positive Regard actually looks like in everyday parenting 💬 Comment CAPABLE below if you want your child to know deep in their bones that they can handle hard things. #buildingconfidenceinkids #raisingaconfidentchild #schoolageparenting #childconfidence #parentingadvice

New to my podcast? I'm Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a clinical psychologist and Mom of 4, and I help parents find that sweet spot between support and structure that psychology research tells us is best for families now and best for our kids in the future.

------------------------------------------- Let's connect! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayemmerson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlindsayemmerson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@drlindsayemmerson -------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The advice provided on my channel is different from therapy and does not substitute for professional psychological treatment or other types of professional advice or intervention. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or postpone seeking professional medical advice related to anything you hear on this channel.

If you or your child have concerns or need further parenting or personal support, please contact a physician or other qualified local health professional.

00:00 – 01:10 | Introduction 01:10 – 03:13 | The Small Daily Habit That Keeps Kids Coming To You First 03:13 – 05:14 | Why Chores Matter More Than You Think 05:14 – 07:41 | The Phrase That Changes How Feedback Lands 07:41 – 09:05 | What This Builds Toward 09:05 – 09:59 | Next Steps

✨ 🔗 Want proven strategies beyond toddler behavior from a child psychologist? Register for the free workshop → https://www.drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop Most parenting advice about toddler behavior gets it completely backwards — and if you've been following it, you may be accidentally training your toddler to keep doing the exact thing you're trying to stop. This video breaks down the 3 most critical things that determine whether toddlerhood becomes a season of power struggles — or a foundation for cooperation that lasts well beyond these years. In this episode: → The uncomfortable truth about what your toddler is actually learning from watching you → Why "because I said so" is working against you — and the one-sentence fix → The specific type of choice that stops a power struggle before it starts → What "loving authority" actually looks like in practice → Why the work you do in years 1–4 becomes the relationship capital you spend in the teenage years 💬 Comment CALM below if you're ready to stop being held hostage by your toddler's emotions and yours. #toddlerbehavior #toddlertantrums #toddlerdiscipline #parentingtoddlers #toddlerparenting

*** New to my podcast? I'm Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a clinical psychologist and Mom of 4, and I help parents find that sweet spot between support and structure that psychology research tells us is best for families now and best for our kids in the future.

------------------------------------------- Let's connect! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayemmerson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlindsayemmerson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@drlindsayemmerson -------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The advice provided on my channel is different from therapy and does not substitute for professional psychological treatment or other types of professional advice or intervention. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or postpone seeking professional medical advice related to anything you hear on this channel.

If you or your child have concerns or need further parenting or personal support, please contact a physician or other qualified local health professional.

00:00 – 01:08 | Intro 01:08 – 02:55 | The Habit Most Parents Don't Realize They're Teaching 02:55 – 05:01 | Why "Because I Said So" Backfires 05:01 – 07:04 | The Choice That Stops a Power Struggle 07:04 – 09:11 | What This Builds Toward

✨ 🔗 Want proven strategies to build secure attachment from a child psychologist? Register for the free workshop → https://www.drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop As a clinical psychologist who works with hundreds of families every day, I've seen one pattern clearly: the first year of your baby's life is the most critical window for building secure attachment baby — the foundation that shapes their brain, their relationships, and their resilience for decades. And most new parents are focused on entirely the wrong things. This episode breaks down the 3 most critical things every new parent should focus on in the first 12 months — not the apps, not the gear. The things that actually wire your baby's brain for a secure, confident, connected life. In this episode: → Why the first 12 months create a foundation that shapes everything that comes after → The difference between a schedule and a rhythm — and why it matters for your baby's nervous system → How reading cues is the direct pathway to secure attachment (not just a communication skill) → The one thing most parenting books skip entirely — and why it might be the most important of all → What "regulated enough" actually means — and why perfection isn't the standard 💬 Comment GROUNDED below if this gave you a sense of calm in the chaos of early parenting. #securebaby #newparenttips #secureattachment #babydevelopment #parentingadvice

New to my podcast? I'm Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a clinical psychologist and Mom of 4, and I help parents find that sweet spot between support and structure that psychology research tells us is best for families now and best for our kids in the future.

------------------------------------------- Let's connect! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayemmerson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlindsayemmerson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@drlindsayemmerson -------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The advice provided on my channel is different from therapy and does not substitute for professional psychological treatment or other types of professional advice or intervention. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or postpone seeking professional medical advice related to anything you hear on this channel.

If you or your child have concerns or need further parenting or personal support, please contact a physician or other qualified local health professional.

00:00 – 01:14 | Introduction 01:14 – 03:04 | The Difference Between A Schedule And What Your Baby Actually Needs 03:04 – 05:45 | The Skill That Builds Secure Attachment Without Being Perfect 05:45 – 07:57 | The Thing Most Parenting Books Leave Out 07:57 – 10:13 | What This Builds Toward

✨ Want proven strategies for child hitting and beyond from a child psychologist? Register for the free workshop → https://www.drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop

When your toddler hits another child — at a playdate, at preschool, with a sibling — the stakes feel completely different than when they hit you. Parents are managing three relationships at once: their child, the child who got hit, and the other parent watching it all unfold. The instincts most parents reach for in that moment are understandable — but most of them miss the teaching opportunity entirely.

Toddler aggression toward other children is one of the most socially pressured parenting moments you'll face. This video breaks down the five ways parents most commonly respond, which ones backfire, and the one response that actually teaches your toddler what to do instead.

Research confirms that children in the preoperational stage (ages 2–7) are still developing the impulse control and perspective-taking skills needed to navigate peer conflict — meaning they need specific, in-the-moment guidance, not just punishment (Piaget & Inhelder, 1969). In this video: → The 5 ways parents respond when their toddler hits another child — and which backfire → Why the response order matters more than most parents realize → The social repair step most parents skip — and why it's the most important teaching moment → What to say to the other parent without undermining your child → The one response that works with your child's developmental stage, not against it

💬 Comment SAME below if your toddler has gone through a hitting-other-kids phase.

#toddlerhitting #toddleraggression #toddlerbehavior #parentingtips #parentingwithpsychology

New to my podcast? I'm Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a clinical psychologist and Mom of 4, and I help parents find that sweet spot between support and structure that psychology research tells us is best for families now and best for our kids in the future.

------------------------------------------- Let's connect! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayemmerson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlindsayemmerson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@drlindsayemmerson -------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The advice provided on my channel is different from therapy and does not substitute for professional psychological treatment or other types of professional advice or intervention. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or postpone seeking professional medical advice related to anything you hear on this channel.

If you or your child have concerns or need further parenting or personal support, please contact a physician or other qualified local health professional.

00:00 – 01:43 | Introduction 01:43 – 02:35 | The Instinct Every Parent Has In Front Of Other Parents 02:35 – 03:31 | Why Removing Them From The Situation Isn't Enough 03:31 – 04:21 | The Apology That's Actually For The Other Parent 04:21 – 06:43 | Why "Let Them Work It Out" Doesn't Work Yet 06:43 – 10:14 | The Response That Actually Works 10:14 – 11:44 | What This Builds Toward

✨ Want proven strategies beyond toddler hitting from a child psychologist? Register for the free workshop → https://www.drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop

Why toddlers hit is one of the most common questions I get from parents — and the most common responses parents reach for are actually reinforcing the very behavior they're trying to stop. This video breaks down the five responses most parents use when their toddler hits, which ones are making things worse, and the one that actually works.

Toddler aggression is a normal part of development — but normal doesn't mean you ignore it. Understanding why toddlers hit is the first step. Responding in the right way is what determines whether it keeps happening.

Research on child development confirms that toddlers in the sensorimotor stage (birth through age 2) learn primarily through immediate physical cause and effect — not through reasoning or delayed consequences (Piaget, 1952). That changes everything about how you respond.

In this episode: → The 5 ways parents respond when their toddler hits — and which ones backfire → Why your toddler may be hitting more after you try to stop it → The developmental reason behind toddler hitting that most parents don't know → The one response that works with your toddler's brain, not against it → Exactly what to say in the 3 seconds after the hit lands

💬 Comment SAME below if your toddler is going through a hitting phase right now.

#toddlerhitting #toddleraggression #toddlerbehavior #parentingtips #parentingwithpsychology

New to my podcast? I'm Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a clinical psychologist and Mom of 4, and I help parents find that sweet spot between support and structure that psychology research tells us is best for families now and best for our kids in the future.

------------------------------------------- Let's connect! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayemmerson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlindsayemmerson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@drlindsayemmerson -------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The advice provided on my channel is different from therapy and does not substitute for professional psychological treatment or other types of professional advice or intervention. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or postpone seeking professional medical advice related to anything you hear on this channel.

If you or your child have concerns or need further parenting or personal support, please contact a physician or other qualified local health professional.

✨ Stop toddler tantrums before they start. Learn the complete system: drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop

Stop toddler tantrums before they start by catching the Pivot Window — the specific period before a child fully dysregulates where three strategies can redirect the escalation entirely. Dr. Lindsay Emmerson explains why the instinctive parental responses in this window make meltdowns more likely, and what to do instead.

In this episode: → • What the Pivot Window is and how to recognize it in children ages 1–7 • Why reasoning, explaining, and waiting all make things worse in this specific window • Option 1: Redirection — how to shift attention before escalation becomes self-sustaining • Option 2: Humor — feigned drama, commentator mode, and the deliberate error technique • Option 3: Tension break — change of subject and change the tone • Two scripted before-and-after examples (ages 3 and 6) • A realistic results timeline: what to expect in days 1–3, days 4–7, and week 2+ 🎓 Go deeper on staying calm in challenging parenting moments: 👉 drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop 💬 Comment TRY below if you're going to use one of these this week. I read every single one. 💛

#StopToddlerTantrums #ToddlerMeltdowns #PositiveParenting #ParentingToddlers #ToddlerBehavior #ChildDevelopment #DrLindsayEmmerson #ParentingWithPsychology #CalmParenting #Toddler

New to my podcast? I'm Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a clinical psychologist and Mom of 4, and I help parents find that sweet spot between support and structure that psychology research tells us is best for families now and best for our kids in the future.

------------------------------------------- Let's connect! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayemmerson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlindsayemmerson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@drlindsayemmerson -------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The advice provided on my channel is different from therapy and does not substitute for professional psychological treatment or other types of professional advice or intervention. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or postpone seeking professional medical advice related to anything you hear on this channel.

If you or your child have concerns or need further parenting or personal support, please contact a physician or other qualified local health professional.

✨ Ready to move beyond what to do during a toddler tantrum — and what to stop doing? → drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop

Knowing what to do during a toddler tantrum is one of the most common questions parents search — and most of the instinctive answers make tantrums last longer. In this video, Dr. Lindsay Emmerson explains why the Escalation Loop runs on parental engagement, and gives parents the three-step approach that actually breaks it. Most toddler tantrum advice focuses on what to say. This video focuses on what to stop doing — and why the absence of engagement, paired with a regulated parental presence, is the most effective response available.

In this video: → • Why explaining, validating, negotiating, and getting firmer all make tantrums worse — not better • The neurological reason toddlers can't hear you during peak emotional flooding • What the Escalation Loop is and why parental engagement keeps it running • The three-step approach: stop engaging, regulate yourself, wait for the arc to complete • Two scripted before-and-after examples (ages 2 and 4, including a public tantrum) • The extinction burst: why tantrums get worse before they get better — and why that's a sign it's working 🎓 Go deeper on parent self-regulation in the free workshop: 👉 drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop 💬 Comment CALM below if this is what you're working toward. I read every single one. 💛

#ToddlerTantrums #ToddlerMeltdowns #PositiveParenting #ParentingToddlers #ToddlerBehavior #ChildDevelopment #DrLindsayEmmerson #ParentingWithPsychology #CalmParenting #ToddlerDiscipline

New to my podcast? I'm Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a clinical psychologist and Mom of 4, and I help parents find that sweet spot between support and structure that psychology research tells us is best for families now and best for our kids in the future.

------------------------------------------- Let's connect! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayemmerson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlindsayemmerson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@drlindsayemmerson -------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The advice provided on my channel is different from therapy and does not substitute for professional psychological treatment or other types of professional advice or intervention. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or postpone seeking professional medical advice related to anything you hear on this channel.

If you or your child have concerns or need further parenting or personal support, please contact a physician or other qualified local health professional.