If you find yourself constantly saying, "we don't hit!" only to have it happen again five minutes later, this episode is for you! Hitting is a form of communication, and if we only focus on stopping the physical act, we are missing the most important part: why it’s happening in the first place.

In this episode, we explore the four functions of behavior and how they apply to physical aggression. Of course there are the traditional consequences like lectures and time-outs, which often fail, so in this episode, Mandy breaks down how we can shift our focus toward teaching "replacement behaviors" that actually stick. Whether you are dealing with a toddler who swats when they are over-excited or children struggling with sibling conflict, this edition of the podcast has a blueprint to move from reactionary parenting to consistent, skill-based coaching!

Tools & Resources

⁠The Family Behaviorist Club: Access the January resource—a customizable, printable visual schedule.⁠

Website:⁠ thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠

Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠ Instagram⁠ and⁠ TikTok⁠.

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Are your mornings more chaotic than routine? You aren’t alone. In this episode, we dive deep into why routines need regular maintenance and how to use tools like visual schedules, behavioral momentum, and Alexa reminders to take the mental load off parents. Mandy even gets real, revealing her own household’s recent "routine regression" and shares the exact behavioral strategies she used to get seven kids out the door and back on track!

Whether you are dealing with a surly teenager who won’t wake up or a four-year-old who refuses to put on socks, this episode provides a step-by-step guide to resetting your morning with empathy, consistency, and maybe even some chocolate milk!

Tools & Resources

The Family Behaviorist Club: Access the January resource—a customizable, printable visual schedule.

Skylight Calendar: Using visual lists and emojis to boost independence in younger children.

Use the promo code: MandyG

Visual Countdown Timer App: A free tool to help kids develop a concrete sense of time.

Website: thefamilybehaviorist.com

Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on Instagram and TikTok.

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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If you want to shape your child’s behavior instead of constantly reacting to it, you have to understand why it is happening.

In this first episode of The Behavior Blueprint, board-certified behavior analyst and parent coach Mandy Grass introduces the framework that drives real behavior change by helping parents understand the function behind behavior.

You will learn the four functions of behavior and how recognizing what a behavior is doing for a child helps you respond more intentionally, with fewer power struggles, less frustration, and a lot less guesswork.

You will also get to know Mandy, her background in behavior analysis, and her life as a parent navigating a blended family of up to seven kids, where theory meets real life on a daily basis and humor is often required to survive.

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The Behavior Blueprint: Real Talk for Real Families is a parenting podcast hosted by Mandy Grass, a board-certified behavior analyst and mom of 3, blended mom of 7. Through a mix of solo episodes and unscripted conversations with real parents and influencers, Mandy breaks down the why behind kids’ behavior and shares practical, science-backed strategies families can actually use, without judgment, gimmicks, or overwhelm.

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