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Screens are everywhere in childhood today. But what are they actually doing to kids’ brains, behavior, and emotional development?

In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with early childhood expert Amy Reyes-Hauff, a State Early Learning and Literacy Specialist who shares what she’s seeing in classrooms across the country. She also tells how parents can recognize early signs of digital dependency and how small daily habits can help families create a healthier relationship with technology.

If you’re wondering how screens may be affecting your child’s attention, emotional regulation, or creativity, this episode offers simple steps you can start today.

• Sure signs that screen use may be turning into digital dependency
• Why boredom is essential for creativity and emotional development
• How screen exposure can impact focus, emotional regulation, and behavior
and more!

Amy Reyes-Hauff is an early childhood expert with more than 26 years of experience in child development and education. She currently serves as the State Early Learning and Literacy Specialist for the Wyoming Department of Education. Amy has worked as a Head Start Director, Montessori Director, kindergarten teacher, and state administrator. She specializes in Social Emotional Learning, Digital Tech Wellness, Outdoor Learning, and Early Literacy. Through the Get Wild Wyoming Initiative, she has helped bring outdoor learning to more than 300 classrooms serving over 6,000 children, helping kids develop emotional regulation, curiosity, and healthy relationships with technology.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-reyes-hauff-a1b15844/
https://edu.wyoming.gov/parents/early-childhood-readiness/get-wild-wyoming/
Why Did They Do That? by Amy Reyes-Hauff
https://www.amazon.sg/they-that-behavior-problem-biological/dp/B0GN9355J5

Dori Durbin is a children's book illustrator, coach, and host of the That’s Good Parenting podcast.

She helps parents and family-focused professionals kid-size their expertise into children's books that kids can understand and use in everyday life.

Through her books, podcast, and coaching, Dori shares simple, practical tools to help families reduce parenting stress and raise confident, resilient kids.

https://www.doridurbin.com
https://www.instagram.com/dori_durbin

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club for behind-the-scenes access to upcoming children's book manuscripts, sneak peeks of new books, and exclusive offers:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

JOIN TODAY!

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Youth sports can look fun from the outside. But many kids are carrying heavy pressure that their parents cannot see.

In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with youth and family coach Kina Wilson-Feick, founder of Radiant Joy Coaching. Kina works with athletes to build identity, confidence, and emotional resilience both on and off the field.

They explore what is really happening behind the scenes for many athletes: pressure to perform, fear of disappointing parents or coaches, and the challenge of bouncing back after mistakes.

Kina shares simple ways that parents can support their kids without adding more pressure and how one small daily habit can help kids build a healthier mindset.

If you are raising a young athlete or supporting a child navigating pressure, competition, or confidence struggles, this episode offers practical steps you can use right away.

• Why pressure, not performance, is often the biggest challenge for young athletes
• How kids can approach coaches in a confident and respectful way
• The 24-hour rule that helps athletes process emotions after tough moments
• Why positive self-talk matters during high pressure situations
• How parents can help kids recover after mistakes or losses
• A simple nightly habit that builds resilience and confidence

Kina Wilson-Feick is a mom of six, a passionate lover of Jesus, a professional speaker, and the creator of the 3 Positives Journals. Currently earning her master’s in social work, she’s on a mission to help athletes become their healthiest selves so they can show up and perform at their very best.

Through coaching, speaking, and journaling resources, Kina helps athletes navigate pressure, leadership challenges, and confidence struggles both in sports and in life.

Instagram:
https://www.instragram.com/radiantjoycoaching

Website:
https://www.kinawilsonfeick.com

3 Positives Each Day Journals:
https://a.co/d/615WcaN  (Women)
https://a.co/d/h7FRLLf (Teen Girls)
https://a.co/d/7sZ3SMS (Kids)
https://a.co/d/cd9G73J (Teen Boys) 

Dori Durbin is a children's book illustrator, coach, and host of the That’s Good Parenting podcast.

She helps parents and family-focused professionals kid-size their expertise into children's books that kids can understand and use in everyday life.

Through her books, podcast, and coaching, Dori shares simple, practical tools to help families reduce parenting stress and raise confident, resilient kids.

Website:
https://www.doridurbin.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dori_durbin

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club for behind-the-scenes access to upcoming children's book manuscripts, new kids book sneak peeks, and insider only offers:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

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What if the behavior that frustrates you most is actually telling you about an important gap?

In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori talks with Karen Wagnon, human behavior specialist, parent coach, and creator of the Parenting Blueprint, about how understanding your child’s personality can reduce conflict and help you reconnect.

Karen shares how the DISC personality model transformed her own parenting and explains why so many parents get stuck trying to use the same approach with every child. Learn about what’s really underneath the defiance, shutdowns, emotional overwhelm, and parent-child tension.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why behavior is often communication, not just disobedience
• How unmet emotional needs shape a child’s reactions
• Why one-size-fits-all parenting often increases conflict
• How to parent with more curiosity, collaboration, and calm
• What it can look like to repair a strained relationship with your child

This episode is especially helpful for parents of tweens and teens, or for any parent who feels deeply connected to one child and completely puzzled by another.

About Karen Wagnon:

Karen Wagnon is a human behavior specialist, parent coach, and creator of the Parenting Blueprint. She helps parents of tweens and teens understand their child’s personality so they can communicate better, reduce conflict, and feel close again. Karen’s work is rooted in real-life parenting experience and personality-based behavior science.

Connect with Karen Wagnon:

 Website: www.teachingouryouth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwagnon/?hl=en

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pbdwithkaren

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-wagnon-35813732/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RealTalkwithTheCoaches

Dori Durbin is a children’s book illustrator, book coach, ghostwriter, and parenting podcast host who helps therapists, educators, and family-focused professionals transform their expertise into children’s books that support emotional regulation, shared language, and connection.

Website: https://www.doridurbin.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dori_durbin
Email: [email protected]

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club for behind-the-scenes access to upcoming manuscripts, early feedback opportunities, and community support:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

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Have you ever avoided a conversation with your child because you weren’t sure what to say?

In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin speaks with Nitza Jimenez, Parent and Family Connection Coach and founder of Kinected Coaching. Together they explore why conversations about topics like sex, relationships, identity, and mental health can feel so uncomfortable for parents . . . and why avoiding them often creates even more distance.

Drawing from her experience as an educator, community health educator, and family coach, Nitza shares practical ways parents can build trust, communicate their values, and create a safe environment where kids feel comfortable asking questions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why silence about difficult topics can leave kids searching for answers elsewhere
• How family values can guide conversations about sex, identity, and relationships
• Why emotional regulation from parents shapes how kids communicate
• How social media is influencing what kids believe about relationships
• One simple step parents can take to reconnect with their tween or teen

If you’ve ever felt unsure how to start conversations about uncomfortable topics—or if you want your child to come to you instead of the internet for answers—this conversation offers practical parenting insights you can apply immediately.

Nitza Jimenez is a Parent and Family Connection Coach and founder of Kinected Coaching. She supports families—especially multicultural and first- and second-generation households—in navigating values, identity, and conversations that are often considered taboo.

With a background as a teacher and community health educator, Nitza has worked with hundreds of families helping parents build stronger connections with their children through open communication, emotional awareness, and culturally responsive parenting strategies.

Through her coaching programs, workshops, and the Rooted Connection program, she equips parents with tools to navigate difficult conversations while strengthening family trust and connection.

Connect with Nitza:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitza-danielle

Dori Durbin is a children’s book illustrator, book coach, ghostwriter, and parenting podcast host who helps therapists, educators, and family-focused professionals transform their expertise into children’s books that support emotional regulation, shared language, and connection.

Website: https://www.doridurbin.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dori_durbin
Email: [email protected]

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club for behind-the-scenes access to upcoming manuscripts, early feedback opportunities, and community support:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

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Have you ever noticed how quickly your child can tell when you’re not fully present?

In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin speaks with Maria Gallucci. She's the author of Raised in Silence, a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), an ASL communicator, and advocate. They spokle about what growing up in a Deaf family taught Maria about listening, emotional safety, inclusion, and choosing connection over control.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between hearing and truly listening
• Why kids remember your tone longer than your words
• How presence builds emotional safety at home
• What Deaf culture teaches about awareness and empathy
• How to raise inclusive children who defend and empower others

If you’ve been feeling distracted, reactive, or stretched thin, or if you want to raise children who are emotionally intelligent and inclusive . . . Then this conversation offers practical parenting insights you can apply immediately.

About Maria Gallucci

Maria Gallucci is a multi-award-winning broker/owner, ASL-fluent communicator, and author of Raised in Silence. As a Child of Deaf Adults, she grew up navigating both the Deaf and hearing communities, interpreting for her parents from a young age. Her life experience shaped her passion for advocacy, inclusion, and bridging communication gaps. She now helps families and professionals understand the power of presence, emotional awareness, and connection.

Her book, Raised in Silence, is available on major book platforms.

Website: https://raisedinsilence.com
Contact: https://galluccihomes.com

About Dori Durbin

Dori Durbin is a children’s book illustrator, book coach, ghostwriter, and parenting podcast host who helps therapists, educators, and family-focused professionals transform their expertise into children’s books that support emotional regulation, shared language, and connection.

Website: https://www.doridurbin.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dori_durbin
Email: [email protected]

Are you considering getting a pet?
Listen to this episode with Amy Castro about Child Readiness for Pets:
https://www.petparenthotline.com/childready

Want to help shape future children’s books created by experts?

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club for behind-the-scenes access to upcoming manuscripts, early feedback opportunities, and community support:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

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Have you ever noticed how quickly your own stress spills into your child’s behavior?

In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin speaks with meditation teacher and author Kimberly Brown about mindful parenting, self-compassion, emotional regulation, and how a parent’s nervous system directly impacts a child’s nervous system.

Kimberly explains that parenting overwhelm, anxiety, control, and emotional reactivity are often signs that a parent is struggling internally — not signs of failure. When parents practice loving-kindness and become aware of their nervous system, they can calm themselves first and create connection through co-regulation instead of control.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why parental control often signals stress and anxiety
• How your nervous system shapes your child’s emotional regulation
• How welcoming anxiety reduces fight-or-flight responses
• Why mindfulness strengthens co-regulation and connection
• A simple 1-minute meditation for overwhelmed parents
• How gratitude and appreciation increase emotional resilience

If you’re experiencing parenting stress, snapping more than you’d like, struggling with anxiety, or feeling stuck in daily power struggles, this conversation offers practical calm parenting strategies you can use immediately.

About Kimberly Brown

Kimberly Brown is a meditation teacher rooted in the Buddhist tradition specializing in loving-kindness meditation, compassion practices, and emotional regulation. She works with parents and individuals navigating grief, anxiety, stress, and relationship challenges. Her work centers on helping families build resilience through mindfulness and self-compassion.

She is the author of: Happy Relationships, Navigating Grief and Loss, and Steady, Calm and Brave

Connect with Kimberly Brown

|Website: https://meditationwithheart.com

Private sessions and weekly guided meditation recordings available.

About Dori Durbin

Dori Durbin is a children’s book illustrator, book coach, ghostwriter, and parenting podcast host who helps therapists, educators, and family-focused professionals transform their expertise into children’s books that support emotional regulation, shared language, and connection.

Website: https://www.doridurbin.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dori_durbin
Email: [email protected]

Are you considering getting a pet?
Listen to this episode I recorded with Amy Castro about Child Readiness for Pets!
https://www.petparenthotline.com/childready

Want to help shape future children’s books created by experts?

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club for behind-the-scenes access to upcoming manuscripts, early feedback opportunities, and community support:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

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Have you ever stood at the door wondering why putting on shoes feels like the hardest part of your day?

In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin speaks with pediatric occupational therapist Stephanie Ford about why everyday tasks like getting dressed, riding the bus, going to school, or walking through a busy store can become overwhelming for children. Its all about how understanding the brain-body connection can completely shift how you respond.

Stephanie helps parents understand that what looks like stubbornness, defiance, or child behavior problems is often sensory overload, anxiety, trauma response, or difficulty with executive functioning skills.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why behavior is often driven by sensory processing challenges, not disobedience
• How sensory processing disorder and overwhelm can trigger fight-or-flight responses
• The difference between “won’t” and “can’t” in child behavior
• How executive functioning difficulties impact routines and transitions
• Practical tools to support emotional regulation in children
• Signs your child may benefit from occupational therapy
• How noticing patterns can reduce daily parenting stress

If your child struggles with transitions, meltdowns in busy environments, inconsistent reactions, school avoidance, or daily power struggles, this conversation will give you clarity — and simple strategies you can start using right away.

About Stephanie Ford

Stephanie Ford is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting children, teens, and families. Her work focuses on helping children improve daily functioning by understanding how the brain, body, sensory systems, emotions, and environment all work together. Stephanie specializes in sensory processing, emotional regulation, trauma-informed care, and practical strategies that reduce family stress.

Find and Follow Stephanie Ford

Website: https://actionforward.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actionforward

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actionforward

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieford

About Dori Durbin

Dori Durbin is a children’s book illustrator, book coach, ghostwriter, and podcast host who helps therapists, educators, and family-focused experts “kid-size” their work into children’s books that truly support kids and parents.

Her work centers on using stories as tools for emotional regulation, shared language, and connection — helping families navigate big feelings with clarity and care.

Connect with Dori

Website: https://www.doridurbin.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dori_durbin

Email: [email protected]

Are you considering getting a pet?
Listen to this episode I recorded with Amy Castro about Child Readiness for Pets!
https://www.petparenthotline.com/childready

Want to help shape future children’s books created by experts?

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club to get behind-the-scenes access to upcoming manuscripts, vote on book concepts, share feedback, and be part of the stories we’re putting into children’s hands:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

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Have you ever stood in your kitchen wondering why feeding your family feels so overwhelming?

In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin speaks with registered dietitian Aderet Dana Hoch, founder of Dining with Nature with the goal of breaking down why food becomes such a major source of stress for parents . . . and how make food fit real family life.

Aderet helps women nourish their bodies from fertility through pregnancy, postpartum, and family life using holistic, sustainable nutrition. She blends science-based guidance with a natural, relatable approach that supports families in building lifelong, positive relationships with food.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why feeding kids and adults doesn’t require separate meals
• How the plate method helps simplify nutrition without tracking or guilt
• How to support hunger and fullness cues in young children
• Why consistency reduces resistance and mealtime stress
• How to approach meal prep in a realistic, sustainable way
• What nutrition support looks like across fertility, pregnancy, and family life

Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, feeding picky eaters, or simply exhausted by daily food decisions, this conversation will help you rethink nutrition as a tool for support and not just stress.

About Aderet Hoch

Aderet Hoch is a Registered Dietitian and the founder of Dining with Nature. She helps women nourish their bodies from fertility through family life with holistic, sustainable nutrition. Aderet blends science-based guidance with a natural, relatable approach and supports families in building lifelong, positive relationships with food.

Find and Follow Aderet Hoch

Website: https://diningwithnature.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diningwithnature/
Free Bi-Monthly Newsletter: https://aderets-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Email: [email protected]

About Dori Durbin

Dori Durbin is a children’s book illustrator, book coach, ghostwriter, and podcast host who helps therapists, educators, and family-focused experts “kid-size” their work into children’s books that truly support kids and parents.

Her work centers on using stories as tools for emotional regulation, shared language, and connection and helping families navigate big feelings with clarity and care.

Connect with Dori

Website: https://www.doridurbin.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dori_durbin

Email: [email protected]

Want to help shape future children’s books created by experts ?

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club to get behind-the-scenes access to upcoming manuscripts, vote on book concepts, share feedback, and be part of the stories we’re putting into children’s hands:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

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Have you ever returned from a family vacation more stressed than when you left?

In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin sits down with certified family travel coach Laura Rahn to unpack why so many family vacations end in frustration—and how to plan trips that actually bring families closer.

Laura introduces her Dream–Design–Depart approach to family travel and explains why involving kids before booking anything can prevent meltdowns, resentment, and disappointment—especially with tweens and teens.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why most family vacations go wrong before the trip even starts
• How to get kids off screens without constant battles
• What to do when everyone wants a different kind of vacation
• How to plan meaningful trips on a realistic budget
• Why family travel builds confidence, resilience, and lifelong connection

Whether you’re planning a big trip or just dreaming about one, this conversation will help you rethink vacations as a tool for connection—not stress.

About Laura Rahn

Laura Rahn is a certified family travel coach and a military BRAT who loves to involve her family in the vacation planning process, including her two “big kids.” As her family lives by their mantra, Seldom A Dull Moment, Laura has been dreaming, designing and departing on family vacations for close to 20 years. 

Find and Follow Laura

website: https://www.seldomadullmoment.com/
instagram handle: laurarahn_travelcoach
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552757152218
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-rahn/

 
About Dori Durbin

Dori Durbin is a children’s book illustrator, book coach, ghostwriter, and podcast host who helps therapists, educators, and family-focused experts "kid-size" their work into children’s books that truly support kids and parents.

Her work centers on using stories as tools for emotional regulation, shared language, and connection — helping families navigate big feelings with clarity and care.

Connect with Dori

website: https://www.doridurbin.com
email: [email protected]

Want to help shape future children’s books created by experts and educators?

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club to get behind-the-scenes access to upcoming manuscripts, vote on book concepts, share feedback, and be part of the stories we’re putting into children’s hands:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

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Are you wondering if you should really be this tired? In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with trauma informed coach, educator, and author Calvalyn Day about mom burnout and the invisible emotional labor that makes  momming feel so heavy.

This conversation explores why burnout is not just about doing too much, but about carrying the mental load, staying emotionally regulated, and being always available while your own nervous system never gets to rest.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why mom burnout shows up as exhaustion, irritability, and emotional shutdown
• A simple grounding question to guide burnout recovery: “What do you want to feel?”
• Practical ways to build real breaks into your day, including the Quiet Box idea
• How to set limits around activities and expectations without guilt
• Why supporting moms helps kids too, especially kids with anxiety

If you have ever thought, “I love my kids but this feels like too much,” this episode is for you.

About Calvalyn Day
Calvalyn Day is a coach, author, speaker, lifelong lover of pizza and recent lover of a chai tea latte with almond milk. She is the mother of 4 daughters and mimi of 4 grandsons. Known for straight talk, rooted in science and sprinkled with faith, you leave the conversation not just inspired but ready for action. 

Find and Follow Calvalyn
https://www.CalvalynDay.com
https://www.tiktok.com/@calvalynday
https://www.instagram.com/calvalyn

About Dori Durbin

Dori Durbin is a children’s book illustrator, book coach, ghostwriter, and podcast host who helps therapists, educators, and family-focused experts "kid-size" their work into children’s books that truly support kids and parents.

Her work centers on using stories as tools for emotional regulation, shared language, and connection — helping families navigate big feelings with clarity and care.

Connect with Dori

website: https://www.doridurbin.com
email: [email protected]

Want to help shape future children’s books created by experts and educators?

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club to get behind-the-scenes access to upcoming manuscripts, vote on book concepts, share feedback, and be part of the stories we’re putting into children’s hands:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

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