It’s very easy to get overwhelmed by parenting a high-needs child. Today I discuss my top recommendation for understanding and improving challenging behavior. The post SFP 78: How can we start enjoying our child more? appeared first on Simple Families.
Oct 19, 2017•7 min
Sometimes we get into the habit of saying certain things to our kids–but maybe we need to reassess our words. Today we are discussing the reference to being a “good girl” or a “good boy”. The post SPF 77: What are your thoughts on the term “good boy/good girl”? appeared first on Simple Families.
Oct 18, 2017•7 min
I don’t really recommend food sharing. In today’s episode, I discuss why. The post SFP 76: How do you handle food sharing? appeared first on Simple Families.
Oct 04, 2017•6 min
Today we are discussing how to manage hunger and weight in early childhood. The post SFP 75: Does my kid eat too much? appeared first on Simple Families.
Oct 03, 2017•9 min
In today’s episode we discuss collaborating with your child’s caregivers. I lay out some specific communication strategies that I use and give you an example of a personal situation I am facing right now. The post SPF 74: How can I find a middle ground with other caregivers? appeared first on Simple Families.
Sep 28, 2017•10 min
Parenting can be divisive when it comes to friendship. Today we discuss what happens when two friends parent differently, including what to do…and what not to do. The post SPF 73: How do you handle friends who have different parenting styles? appeared first on Simple Families.
Sep 27, 2017•7 min
In today’s episode we are talking about “when kids should just know better.” I explain why I don’t really like this phrase and a new way to look at these situations. The post SFP 72: When should my kid “know better”? appeared first on Simple Families.
Sep 21, 2017•8 min
Playing outside seems so simple and natural, but often it doesn’t happen that way for many families. In today’s episode we are discussing how to promote outdoor play in families. The post SFP 71: How can we play outside as a family? appeared first on Simple Families.
Sep 20, 2017•7 min
Many children go through a stage where they bite, hit, or otherwise use behaviors that are undesirable. In today’s episode we discuss how these behaviors typically aren’t aggressive, instead they are primitive forms of communication. The post SFP 70: What do you do when a kid bites? appeared first on Simple Families.
Sep 14, 2017•8 min
Do you have a kid who asks the same question repeatedly? Or how about one who constantly requests the same movie, book, or song? In today’s episode we are discussing why kids need this type of repetition. The post SFP 69: Why do kids repeatedly ask the same questions? appeared first on Simple Families.
Sep 13, 2017•9 min
In today’s episode I am sharing the best parenting advice I have ever heard along with my thoughts on keeping a small child in a bed. The post SFP 68: How can I get my kid to stay in bed? appeared first on Simple Families.
Sep 07, 2017•7 min
Masturbation and genital touching in your children is a natural and normal part of development. In today’s episode we discuss how to address this concern when necessary. The post SFP 67: How should I handle young children who masturbate? appeared first on Simple Families.
Sep 05, 2017•7 min
Even if we don’t buy toy guns for our children, they may decide to turn sticks and other devices into make-believe guns. In today’s episode we talk about this type of play and whether or not we should purchase toy guns for young children. The post SFP 66: Should kids play with toy guns? appeared first on Simple Families.
Aug 31, 2017•10 min
In today’s special episode we take a closer look at choosing a preschool/daycare for your children. I explain how I made the decision for my own children and important factors to keep in mind during the process. The post SFP 65: SPECIAL EPISODE: How to Choose a Preschool/Daycare appeared first on Simple Families.
Aug 30, 2017•16 min
It can be hard to listen to our kids compare themselves to others. Today, we are discussing “social graces” in young childhood and how to support children through this challenge. The post SFP 64: What to do about kids who compare themselves to others? appeared first on Simple Families.
Aug 24, 2017•10 min
In today’s episode we discuss hand-me-downs. It can be hard/awkward to refuse a generous offer from a family member or friend–so today we talk about doing it graciously. We also discuss best tips for keeping a kid’s wardrobe simple. The post SFP 63: How do you refuse hand-me-downs? appeared first on Simple Families.
Aug 24, 2017•11 min
Rowdy play can be scary for parents to watch, but this type of play has huge benefits for our kids. In today’s episode we are discussing the benefits of horseplay. The post SFP 62: What are your thoughts on rowdy play? appeared first on Simple Families.
Aug 17, 2017•11 min
Keeping kids on a schedule while traveling is difficult. In today’s episode, we discuss the importance of children getting good sleep–regardless of where they are lying their heads. The post SFP 61: How do you keep a routine when away from home? appeared first on Simple Families.
Aug 17, 2017•7 min
Today we are talking about Lego overload and how to contain it all. We also discuss great toys for older kids. LINKS: The Toy Detox The post SFP 60: What are your thoughts on managing Legos? appeared first on Simple Families.
Aug 10, 2017•7 min
In today’s episode, we discuss how to manage kids who don’t like to be contained: whether it be in the carseat, the shopping cart, or the stroller. Today’s sponsor: KIND snacks [more details here] The post SFP 59: How do you survive with a kid who can’t be contained? appeared first on Simple Families.
Aug 10, 2017•8 min
Today we are discussing options for first bikes. I explain my personal favorites and a little about my distaste for powerwheels. LINKS: Amish Bike (Valley Road Wood Works) Wishbone 3 in 1 Bike (affiliate) Ybike (for babies-affiliate) The post SFP 58: What is a good first bike? appeared first on Simple Families.
Aug 03, 2017•9 min
When you ask your kid to do something and they have their own agenda…it can be so frustrating. Today we are discussing how to move things along when a little one is filibustering the day. LINKS: More about my big move The Cooperation Mini-Course The post SFP 57: How do you handle a child changing the subject? appeared first on Simple Families.
Aug 02, 2017•10 min
Moving with kids is hard–we are currently in the midst of it in my family. In today’s episode I am sharing tips for moving with young children. The post SFP 56: What are your tips on moving with kids? appeared first on Simple Families.
Jun 29, 2017•9 min
In today’s episode we are talking about whether I give my children milk. I also discuss the transition from formula/breastmilk to cow’s milk after the first year of life. Show Notes/Links: How I Feed My Kids How I Feed My Kids (Your Questions Answered) Why My Toddler Doesn’t Drink Milk (original article) The post SFP 55: Do your kids drink milk? appeared first on Simple Families.
Jun 28, 2017•10 min
Gifts serve so many purposes. They excite the gift giver and receiver. They can make the gift giver feel like they are leaving a part of them when they aren’t present. But it’s deeply ingrained in our culture. In today’s episode we discuss how to handle receiving unwanted gifts. The post SFP 54: How do I handle unwanted gifts? appeared first on Simple Families.
Jun 22, 2017•8 min
The sibling relationship sets the stage for many relationships to come. We need to let our children use this dynamic to practice handling conflict. It will be anything but graceful in the early years, but this conflict serves a deeper purpose. The post SFP 53: How should I handle sibling disputes? appeared first on Simple Families.
Jun 21, 2017•10 min
In today’s episode we discuss how often a kid needs to go to school–we discuss how to find that magic window of time and how to shed the guilt around it. The post SFP 52: How much preschool does a kid need? appeared first on Simple Families.
Jun 15, 2017•7 min
Gifting at birthday parties can be tricky for those trying to be intentional. In today’s episode I discuss my personal favorite gifts to give at parties. LINKS: Seedling Craft Kits Back to the Roots Garden National Geographic Little Kids This post contains affiliate links The post SFP 51: What do you give as birthday gifts? appeared first on Simple Families.
Jun 14, 2017•6 min
I recently explained exactly how I feed my kids [read the post here]. I loved the enthusiastic response that I received from readers and members of the Simple Families community. Because of the overwhelming response, I decided to do a special podcast episode to answer all of your feeding questions. Without further ado, here are the questions–and tune in for my answers. LINKS MENTIONED: Exactly How I Feed My Kids Visual Timer (affiliate link) Getting Started with Baby-led Weaning
Jun 06, 2017•31 min
I have shared before that I have a daily laundry habit–and it’s amazing. In today’s episode I am answering a question about this and telling you how I make it happen at our house. LINKS: The Simple Families Facebook Group The post SFP 50: How do you handle laundry? appeared first on Simple Families.
Jun 06, 2017•6 min