The Parent Empowerance Podcast

By Amara Bradetich

Welcome to the Parent Empowerance Podcast, where we make early childhood research relatable and actionable for parents. Your host, Amara Bradetich of Parent Empowerance,

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FAQs about The Parent Empowerance Podcast:

How many episodes does The Parent Empowerance Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 23 episodes available.

The Parent Empowerance Podcast episodes:

August 05, 2026Episode 22: An introduction to temperament: What it is & the different traits
People talk about temperament all the time, but not everyone knows what it actually means for THEIR child. This episode focused on defining what temperament is and explaining the traits that make it up. This included:
Reviewing research and providing examples on:
What temperament is
What the old “types” were
The 5 main temperament traits
The difference between temperament and cholic
The importance of goodness of fit
Describing key takeaways:
Your child's temperament isn't something to fix—it's something to understand.
Different children need different parenting, even within the same family.
Your job isn't to change your child's temperament. It's to help them learn to work with it while building the skills they need to thrive.
Suggesting books:
“Raising Your Spirited Child” by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
“The Orchid and the Dandelion” by W. Thomas Boyce
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
If you want more support with understanding your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development:
Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession
Inquire about ongoing parent coaching support: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuUgpYqqBbQTM4TWXOI89Cw4p19k7JqUk8E3tXZNL4RyxCkg/viewform?usp=header
Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult
Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide
...more
33min
July 29, 2026Episode 21: Parenting threenagers: The difference (and what to expect) between age 2 and 3 for child behavior
Everyone says “terrible twos” but as a parent, age 3 can actually be much harder. One of the biggest shifts between 2 and 3 is that children become much more capable without becoming much more regulated. That’s often why parenting can feel more difficult. This episode focused on the developmental differences between age 2 and age 3 and how to best support this as a parent. This included:
Reviewing research on:
Executive function and self-regulation development at 3
The role of language and cognition development
Three-year olds’ NEED for independence
Why whining, screaming, and negotiating increase
The difference between knowing and doing for behavior
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Staying neutral and calm in your reactions
Validate your child’s feelings
Hold boundaries warmly and calmly (see Episode 3 for more on boundaries)
Talk less during meltdowns - save teaching for later
Look for WHY the behavior is happening (hunger, tired, overstimulation, etc.)
Expect repetition and be consistent
Practice self-regulation with games (red light/green light, freeze dance) or pretend play
Suggesting books:
“The Rabbit Listened” by Cori Doerrfeld
“When Sophie Gets Angry - Really Really Angry” by Molly Bang
“Little Monkey Calms Down” by Michael Dahl
“Llama Llama Mad at Mama” by Anne Dewdney
“I Can Do It Myself!” by Diane Adams
“The Pout Pout Fish and the Mad, Mad Day” by Deborah Diesen
“The Whole Brain Child” by Dan Siegel & Tina Payne-Bryson
“How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen” by Joanna Faber & Julie King
“Raising a Secure Child” by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, and Bert Powell
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
If you want more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development:
Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession
Inquire about ongoing parent coaching support: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuUgpYqqBbQTM4TWXOI89Cw4p19k7JqUk8E3tXZNL4RyxCkg/viewform?usp=header
Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult
Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide
...more
35min
July 22, 2026Episode 20: Children’s early speech, feeding, and becoming a mother with Speech Pathologist and Lactation Consultant, Tori Helfrich, SLP, IBCLC
This week on the podcast I welcomed my next guest - Tori Helfrich, a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist and Lactation Consultant. We talk all things lactation/weaning and supporting your child’s language. This included discussing:
Common issues Tori sees working with families as a lactation consultant
What it means to be a pediatric SLP and lactation consultant
The difference between receptive and expressive language
The importance of the quality of interaction between parent and child for speech
Most common issues Tori works on with children and families for speech
Tori’s top 3 tips for families to boost language development in babies and toddlers
The importance of connection and play for language development
Connect with Tori on Instagram @tori.slp.ibclc
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
If you want more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development:
Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession
Inquire about ongoing parent coaching support: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuUgpYqqBbQTM4TWXOI89Cw4p19k7JqUk8E3tXZNL4RyxCkg/viewform?usp=header
Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult
Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide
...more
37min
July 15, 2026Episode 19: The importance (and impact) of the prenatal environment & prenatal stress for child development
The prenatal environment is SO important not only for the main reasons most people are aware of - physical growth and health of the baby - but it is one of the earliest developmental environments children experience. It has long-term impacts on your child’s birth outcomes and development, especially their behavior, stress response, nervous system, health, and cognitive ability.
This episode focused on the importance and impact of the prenatal environment, specifically experiences of stress, on children’s behavior and regulatory systems. This included:
Reviewing research on:
The grandmother-mother-child connection
The impacts of stress during pregnancy
Acute stress vs. chronic stress effects
How the prenatal environment affects later development
The benefits of mirrors/art/photos at child level
Ways to organize your space/toys in a way to support development
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Focus on reducing chronic stress, not every stressful moment
Prioritize social support
Take mental health seriously - Talk with healthcare provider, seek counseling, try treatments or practices that help reduce anxiety/depression
Build small daily regulation practices - Think less about eliminating stress and more about creating opportunities for recovery
walking
prenatal yoga
mindfulness practices
breathing exercises
spending time outdoors
engaging in enjoyable hobbies
Protect sleep when possible
Nourish relationships
Suggesting resources:
“The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk
“Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers” by Robert M. Sapolsky
“The Whole-Brain Child” by Daniel Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson
The Child Psych Podcast
The Huberman Lab Podcast
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!
If you need more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide
Connect with us on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
...more
28min
July 08, 2026Episode 18: The physical environment around young children at home: How to optimize your toys and play space
Despite what we see online, rotating toys every 2 weeks is not actually as important as social media makes us think it is. BUT the physical environment in your home DOES matter for your child’s development. Research has consistently found that how a child’s physical environment is arranged influences attention, play quality, self-regulation, independence, language development, and physical activity. This episode focused on ways to shape your child’s physical home environment to support their development. This included:
Reviewing research on:
Why having fewer toys available is beneficial
What is actually known about rotating toys
The benefits of mirrors/art/photos at child level
Ways to organize your space/toys in a way to support development
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Limit the number of toys visible at one time (6-10 toys)
Prioritize open-ended toys over more toys
Create accessible, child-height storage and play areas
Ensure plenty of open space for movement and play
Rotate toys whenever your kids clearly lose interest
Add child-level mirrors, art, and family photographs
Suggesting books:
“Not a Box” and “Not a Stick” by Antoinette Portis
“The Listening Walk” by Paul Showers
“Outside In” by Cindy Derby
“Jabari Tries” by Gaia Cornwall
“Saturday” by Oge Mora
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!
If you need more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
...more
22min
July 02, 2026Episode 17: Sensory integration in young children with Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Maddie Garcia, OT
This week on the podcast I welcomed my next guest - Maddie Garcia, a pediatric Occupational Therapist. We talk all things sensory integration, pediatric OT, and how to support your child’s regulatory abilities and sensory needs. This included discussing:
What it means to be a pediatric OT (who, where, what, how)
The 8 senses and what sensory processing is
The differences between sensory seeking, under-responsive, and over-responsive
The overlap between sensory processing and self-regulation/behavior in young children (of course!)
Maddie’s top tips and resources for supporting your child’s sensory system
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
...more
39min
June 24, 2026Episode 16: The reality of sharing in early childhood: Societal expectations vs. developmental ability
Parents (and society!) often expect toddlers or preschoolers to share, but that’s actually not developmentally appropriate until closer to 5 or 6! And expecting them to do it too early can create bigger power struggles and tantrums because their brains just aren’t ready for sharing toys/snacks/activities yet. This episode focused on what IS developmentally appropriate, and how to build the skills that prepare young children to share. This included:
Reviewing research on:
When sharing actually becomes possible
What is developmentally appropriate by age
Why self-regulation matters so much for sharing
Providing examples on:
How to help your children practice turn taking or parallel play
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
First practice parallel play!
Respecting ownership ("You're using that right now.")
Teaching turn-taking
Providing duplicates when possible
Practice with PLAY
Narrating others' feelings
Help them process what happened when another child didn’t share or when they didn’t get a turn
Modeling generosity or turn taking
Supporting children in finding solutions
Stop telling your children they “need to share” - use language that supports the skills required to share
Suggesting books:
“That’s My Truck!” by Dr. Becky Kennedy
“Liama llama time to share” by Anna Dewdney
“Should I Share My Ice Cream?” by Mo Willems
“The Mine-O-Saur” by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
“The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister
“The Berenstain Bears Learn to Share” by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!
If you need more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide
Connect with us on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
...more
20min
June 10, 2026Episode 15: Sibling relationships in early childhood: Navigating conflict and supporting the bond
Sibling relationships are the longest relationship your children will have across their lives. But these often come with a lot of conflict, especially in early childhood. This episode focuses on understanding the benefit (and risks) of sibling relationships for development, the importance of supporting the bond, and how to navigate conflict between your children. This included:
Reviewing research on:
The importance of sibling relationships for child development
Why and how to support the bond and navigate conflict between siblings
Providing examples on:
My own experiences navigating my children’s sibling relationships
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Encourage taking turns - don’t focus on sharing in early childhood
Try “I’m here to help keep you both safe”
Sit and play with your kids when you can
Encourage empathy by asking “How can you help them feel better?”
Encourage and model repairing after conflict
Build an emotionally safe home environment
Intentionally create opportunities for: cooperative play, shared routines, family teamwork, joint problem-solving, positive shared memories
Protect and encourage opportunities for positive interaction
Suggesting books:
“Julius, the Baby of the World” by Kevin Henkes
“The New Small Person” by Lauren Child
“The Pain and the Great One” by Judy Blume
“Big Red Lollipop” by Rukhsana Khan
“That’s My Truck!” by Dr. Becky Kennedy
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!
If you need more support, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide
Connect with us on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
...more
26min
June 03, 2026Episode 14: The importance of empathy in young children: How to support it without just telling them to “say sorry”
Parents are usually quick to say “say sorry” or “give them a hug” when their kid hits/bites/throws/doesn’t share with another child, but these often become ingenuine actions for your child to get out of trouble. This is where empathy comes in! In order to encourage your child’s empathy development, you want to get them thinking! This episode focuses on the importance of empathy for young children and how to support your child’s development of it. This included:
Reviewing research on:
The components of empathy
The importance of empathy in young children
How empathy develops in early childhood
Providing examples on:
How to support empathy in the moment with young children
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Focusing on warm, responsive caregiving
Modeling empathy as an adult
Labeling any and all emotions and validating your child’s emotions
Asking perspective-taking questions
Storytelling and books that support empathy/compassion
Practicing with pretend play and cooperative play
Coregulation!
Encouraging and modeling repair
Specific encouragement around empathy/compassion
Suggesting books:
“Today I Feel Silly” by Jamie Lee Curtis
“The Feelings Book” by Todd Parr
“My Many Colored Days” by Dr. Seuss
“The Rabbit Listened” by Cori Doerrfeld
“I am Human” by Susan Verde
“Be Kind” by Pat Zietlow Miller
“Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña
“How to Raise an Antiracist” by Ibram X Kendi
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!
If you need more support, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide
Connect with us on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
...more
28min
May 27, 2026Episode 13: Getting out the door: Understanding and combatting power struggles during transitions and daily routines with young children
Getting your young children (especially toddlers) out of the house can feel like a monumental task some days. Frustration and impatience are completely normal with the frequent delay tactics or power struggles that come with getting your kids dressed (and getting them to keep their clothes on), doing their hair, eating breakfast, getting shoes on, all the daily tasks.
This episode focuses on understanding why power struggles and difficulties during transitions are a normal part of development, as well as on how to prevent or combat them in the moment. This included:
Reviewing research on:
Why power struggles are a normal part of development in early childhood
How parents can exacerbate transition struggles
When transitions may be more difficult
Providing examples on:
How to prevent power struggles
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Give advanced warnings
Have predictable routines
Make it visual as much as you can
Try to give yourself extra time when you can
Make it fun or playful as much as you can
Provide options during your morning routine and make sure they are acceptable to you either way
Connect first! Get on their level, talk calmly and connect with them first before directing them
Practice/act out transitions during calm moments
Talk to your preschoolers and older toddlers about expectations and what it tells you when they don’t get ready
Stay as calm and regulated as YOU can
Suggesting books:
“No, David!” by David Shannon
“I do it!” by Brian Biggs
“Mine!” by Candace Fleming
“When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry” by Molly Bang
“Froggy Gets Dressed” by Frank Remkiewicz
“Time to Go, Maisy!” by Lucy Cousins
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!
Connect with us on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
...more
25min

FAQs about The Parent Empowerance Podcast:

How many episodes does The Parent Empowerance Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 23 episodes available.