Learn 3 simple ways to help your toddler feel valued—and watch kindness, confidence, and cooperation grow.

When toddlers feel valued—not just loved, but truly valued—they naturally grow into kind, generous, and helpful kids. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares three simple strategies to help your child feel like an important part of the family:

Small moments of genuine attention

Real jobs that let them contribute

Honoring big feelings, even when they’re messy

You’ll walk away with practical tools to build your toddler’s confidence and resilience in the everyday chaos of family life.

RESOURCES:

• Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: ⁠@healthiest_baby⁠

• Join Dr. Cathryn's workshop, Help! My Child Will Only Poop in a Diaper, and get a proven, pediatrician-backed plan to finally move past the diaper-to-potty standoff—for good.

Sponsors for this episode:

Acorns Early

OSEA

Why does “no” stop working with toddlers—and what should you say instead?

In this episode, Dr. Cathryn breaks down why “no” becomes background noise, what to say that actually works, and how small language shifts can transform power struggles into cooperation.

You’ll learn:

Why toddlers tune out “no”

Simple swaps that get better results

Real-life examples you can use today

Ready to go deeper? Check out the Big-Hearted School of Parenting for practical, loving strategies that make parenting easier.

RESOURCES:

Sponsors for this episode:

Acorns Early

OSEA

When you were learning to drive a car, did you just show up on the day of the exam?

No, you practiced and prepared for it in stages.

Turns out the same approach works with potty training too.

We know that prepping a child for changes or events can significantly reduce stress and increase coping skills. But we ignore or forget about this concept when it comes to potty training, which is probably one of the most significant events in a child's early life!

Typically we tell our kids, “Okay today we are going to start potty training!” Or maybe we prep them a day or two before. But there is so much more to be done to make potty training easier for your child, and for you!

Pre-potty training creates a smoother, easier, and really less stressful experience. If you are approaching the potty training stage, then grab a notebook pen, and let’s dive in! 

Links and Resources:

Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: ⁠@healthiest_baby⁠

The best-selling ⁠Potty Training Made Easy⁠ course is here!⁠

Does potty training terrify you? Discover ⁠5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training.⁠ Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success!

Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️

If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you.

Drop-offs don’t have to be tearful goodbyes! In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares 5 proven strategies to ease separation anxiety and make goodbyes smoother for both you and your toddler.

You’ll learn:

Plus, hear a personal story about how a simple question transformed Dr. Cathryn’s own drop-off struggles with her youngest child.

If you’re ready to feel more confident during drop-offs and help your child thrive, this episode is for you!

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Dr. Cathryn:

Let’s make parenting easier, together!

Join Dr. Cathryn in this episode as she guides you through handling tough toddler moments with calmness and empathy.

Learn to see past the surface behavior and understand your child's emotions. For example, if your toddler says, "I hate the baby", instead of ignoring these feelings, acknowledge and understand them. Think about how you feel when someone dismisses your bad day; your child needs to feel heard just like you do. And teach them to express big emotions with words, not actions.

Keep in mind, it's completely natural for toddlers to go through a wide spectrum of emotions. The key is in how they convey these feelings.

In today’s discussion, we’re zeroing in on addressing the emotional side of handling challenging behaviors.

Links and Resources:

Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby

Check out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy Course

Our hugely popular Potty Training Made Easy course is here!

FREE: Does potty training terrify you? Discover 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success!

E-mail: [email protected]

Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️

If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you.

Sponsors:

Acorns Early

OSEA

In this episode of "Toddlers Made Easy," we're diving into the EASY method—a transformative technique to help you navigate toddler tantrums with grace and effectiveness. Inspired by my own experiences as a pediatrician and a mom, EASY is all about creating a calm and connected approach to those challenging moments.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

MEMBERSHIP

Big-Hearted School of Parenting

ONLINE COURSES

Toddlers Made Easy Course

Potty Training Made Easy 

FREEBIES:

eBook: 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success!

SPONSORS:

OSEA

ACORNS EARLY

In this sweet and surprising episode, Dr. Cathryn shares a playful, science-backed way to boost your toddler’s confidence and cooperation — all by whispering to their teddy bear. Learn why toddlers respond better to overheard praise, how to highlight the behavior you want more of, and how this simple shift can bring more calm, connection, and “yes!” moments to your day.

🎧 How to Stay Calm When Your Toddler Isn’t: 3 Powerful Mindset Shifts

Welcome back to Toddlers Made Easy—the no-fluff podcast for parents in the thick of toddlerhood. I’m Dr. Cathryn—pediatrician (just recently retired), mom of four, and your guide to big-hearted parenting that actually works.

Ever feel like you’re one meltdown away from losing it yourself?

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 3 mindset shifts that will help you stay calm even when your toddler isn’t. These small but mighty shifts will help you:

💭 You’ll learn:

Why thinking long-term helps you respond more lovingly in the moment

How your toddler’s brain development explains their wild behavior

Why “bad behavior” is often just a lack of skills—not defiance

💛 This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up with compassion—for your child and yourself.

Want more support?

In this episode, I’m answering your top potty training concerns:

💩 What to do if your toddler asks for a diaper to poop

This is big-hearted, no-pressure potty support. I call my approach 'Unapologetically Lazy'—because it’s low-stress, yet high in success. ✨

👉 Ready for a step-by-step plan? Check out my course Potty Training Made Easy:

In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares 3 powerful, big-hearted ways to raise a toddler who keeps trying — even when things get tough.

You’ll learn why frustration isn’t the enemy, how letting kids help (and mess up!) builds true confidence, and how to give praise that fuels perseverance instead of fear of failure.

These tiny shifts create kids who say, “I can do hard things,” even when the zipper won’t budge.

RESOURCES