Dealing with Toddler Behaviors? In this episode I share three questions to ask yourself before you leap into crisis management mode , before you think your child is choosing to be bad. I reminds parents that kids inherently want to do good and to succeed. Looking for a parenting transformation? I invite you to look at my Transforming the Toddler Years course . Let's turn the daily tantrums into teachable moments that align with your core values as you raise whole kids. July 8, 2...
Jul 08, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 261
Worried if your toddler is ready for preschool? I welcome Zeba McGibbons, teacher, curriculum creator, and children’s book author. In this episode, we discuss kindergarten readiness , and it's not actually about academic readiness like parents think, but rather social-emotional skills, such as independence, self-regulation, and problem-solving. Through her curriculum creation company, Kindergarten Cafe, Zeba supports early childhood educators from arrival to dismissal with classroom-tested strat...
Jul 03, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 260
Apologizing for your child's social interaction? Here's how to avoid that and what to do instead. In this episode, I emphasize how you talk to your kids matters. I explain how describing character builds our kids identities and creates a belief system about themselves. I also share language you can use that will help your child feel seen, heard, understood, and permission to feel without defining their identity for them. Looking for some support on your parenting journey? Book a compli...
Jul 01, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 259
Feeling overwhelmed with the current racial tension around us? In this special re-release guest episode, I welcome Temi Adamolekun to discuss anti-racist parenting . Originally from Nigeria, Temi grew up in England, and now lives in San Francisco with her husband and son, running her own communications agency. She has written essays on topics such as anti-racist parenting and the importance of Black protagonists in children’s books. Get your copy of Temi’s book “Your Special Voice”, a book to in...
Jun 26, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 258
Want to praise your kids with a purpose? In this episode, I discuss praising our kids intentionally so that we do not eat away at our children's identities or define their effort based on what we want to see . I also share my actionable 3 step plan and language scripts you can use! Looking for a parenting transformation? I invite you to look at my Transforming the Toddler Years course . Let's turn the daily tantrums into teachable moments that align with your core values as you ...
Jun 24, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 257
Want to yell less and be more a mindful parent? Hunter Clarke-Fields joins me to talk about how to be less reactive aka stop yelling . We discuss the 3 Rs: Recognize your feelings, Remove yourself (if possible), Use Your Resources to calm the nervous system. We also discuss reducing your overall stress may be the #1 best thing you can do to yell less. Hunter Clarke-Fields is the #1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” (over 500k sold in 17 languages) and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” h...
Jun 19, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 256
Does your older toddler suddenly have stranger danger? In this episode, I share a personal example of a toddler who experienced stranger danger a little late. I discuss the ripple effect unexpected change can have in their life and also how to scaffold transitions to help our littles adjust. Subscribe to the Core4 Connector weekly newsletter to get more tips, tricks and strategies to help you win the toddler years! Sign up here! June 17, 2025 Episode 255 Late Onset Stranger Dange...
Jun 17, 2025•14 min
Struggling through the toddler years? Dr. Alissa Jerud joins me to talk about how Emotion-Savvy Parenting can help us relate more skillfully to challenging emotions, connect more deeply with our kids, and even enjoy parenting more . Plus we discuss practical tools that can help us better accept, regulate, and tolerate unwanted emotions (ours and those of our kids). Dr. Alissa Jerud, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist, a Clinical Assistant at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of Emo...
Jun 12, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 254
Does your toddler struggle when something unexpected happens? In this episode I get into how kids process when something goes wrong. I talk about how long it takes when you give kids news or information that they're not going to like that will cause a real emotion, a real intensity, a real reaction and how long it takes for them to fully process what you've said . I emphasize the need to show up for toddlers in that moment when you thought you weren't going to have to. Looking for a parenting tr...
Jun 10, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 253
Have you experienced the unimaginable? Michelle Valiukenas joins me to share her personal story of infertility, navigating the NICU and parenting after the loss of a infant. She emphasizes that loss never leaves you and there are so many ways to keep memories alive, it may just take having the courage to let the path lead you where you need/want to be. Content Warning: this episode speaks about infant loss Michelle Valiukenas is the founder and executive director of The Colette Louise Tisdahl Fo...
Jun 05, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 250
Does your toddler struggle with time management? They all do. In this episode, I share simple and effective tools and language tips to help teach your toddler time management skills . With practice, kids feel safe and confident because they know what's coming throughout the day. Teachers and ECE Professionals - what type of professional development would you benefit most from? I do early childhood education trainings, pre-service, in-service and everything in between and would lov...
Jun 03, 2025•13 min•Season 1Ep. 251
Curious how you can build a strong, loving relationship with your child? Unconditional positive regard may be your answer. In this episode, Nicole Greene joins me to discuss her guiding beliefs that all people are worthy, all people deserve respect and all people deserve to be cared for. Nicole Greene is a National Board Certified Special Education Teacher. She is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Diversity Committee, a Board of Directors member for the CEC’s New York Chapter, a...
May 29, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 250
Want an easy way to help expand your toddler's language skills? In this episode I talk about using mirror neurons to help expand your little one's language using intentional language and creating conversational dialogue. Check out my Baby Sign course to turn crying into communicating and expand language skills even more! Have questions about mirror neurons or your parenting journey in general? Book your complimentary connection call now. Please remember to rate and review the show too. Let's get...
May 27, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 249
Curious about a holistic approach to autism? Dr. Vladimir Barayev joins me to talk about cherishing the gifts of autism . At the heart of Dr. Vladimir Barayev's practice is a deep commitment to the six pillars of health: sleep, nutrition, physical activity, family and community relationships, coping skills, and managing environmental exposures. He emphasizes nobody has all the answers but keep searching until you find the right solution for your child. Dr. Vladimir Barayev is a board-certified p...
May 22, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 248
What do you say to your toddler when they try hard things? In this episode, I share a story about a toddler trying something new and difficult and how I supported him . I share what I said (and didn't say) and how I handled the situation to build his confidence. Looking for a parenting transformation? I invite you to look at my Transforming the Toddler Years course . Let's turn the daily tantrums into teachable moments that align with your core values as you raise whole kids. May 20, 202...
May 20, 2025•11 min•Season 1Ep. 248
Ever judge your child for their "bad" behavior? Kyira Wackett joins me to talk about allowing your toddler to have hard experiences in the world and leaning into how it supports their identity and emotional development . She shares a personal story about her daughter navigating tough situations and succeeding. Kyira Wackett is a licensed mental health therapist, facilitator and creator and has been speaking on topics related to mental health for over 10 years. She is the owner of Adversity Risin...
May 15, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 246
Ever felt that holiday disappointment? Like it didn't really like up to what you imagined in your mind? In this episode, I share recent story where I had memorialized a holiday event before it even happened . I share that we as adults often create expectations for a moment and that can lead to disappointment. Lastly, I remind caregivers that we are never really in full control with a toddler. Looking for intentional language scripts you can use with your toddler? Check out my newest free gift to...
May 13, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 245
Feel like you're losing your mind and yourself, mama? Dena Farash joins me to share her story about how motherhood uprooted her unhealed trauma and forced her to deal with it, in the midst of parenting young kids. We discuss motherhood as the beautiful relationship you get to create with your kids and caregiving as the day in day out stressors that make parenting hard! Dena also shares tips and tricks of how to heal while embracing the daily grind of caregiving. Dena is the founder of Dena Does ...
May 08, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 244
Feel like you're always worried about your child? You're not alone. In this episode I discuss the common fear we all share in parenting. I emphasize that as difficult as it is, at times we need to step back as parents, let our kids practice resilient action and give them opportunities to practice resilient thinking. Need some support letting go of some of the fear? DM me on Instagram and we'll chat. Looking for a parenting transformation? I invite you to look at my Transforming the Toddler Ye...
May 06, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 243
How powerful is positive self talk for kids? Lauren Chaitoff joins me to talk about Yogi Bean’s playful approach. She highlights that yoga is more than just a physical practice—it promotes positive self-talk with “I Am” statements that result in stress reduction, mental and emotional regulation. Lauren Chaitoff, founder and chief visionary officer of Yogi Beans , author, and pioneer in children’s yoga. Yogi Beans is a renowned children’s yoga and wellness organization that offers kids’ yoga clas...
May 01, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 242
How do you feel when you hear the words " peer pressure "? In this episode, I talk about the negatives and positives of peer pressure . I discuss that the environment you choose and the people you choose to be around affects you and your children. Looking for a parenting transformation? I invite you to look at my Transforming the Toddler Years course . Let's turn the daily tantrums into teachable moments that align with your core values as you raise whole kids. April 29, 2025 Episode 241 The...
Apr 29, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 241
Do you think about what's happening inside your child's belly and with their gut health? Madeline Lauf joins me today to talk about children's gut health, improving children’s microbiomes and so much more! Madeline Lauf is the founder and CEO of Begin Health , a company focused on children’s digestive health through prebiotic supplements. Check out all of her products and use CORE4PARENTING to get a discount on your order! Toddlerhood doesn't have to be as hard as it feels. I invite you to look ...
Apr 24, 2025•34 min
What is the difference between a parent coach and a parent educator? In this episode, I discuss the difference between being a parent coach and a parent educator, and the roles I fulfill. I share how I can help you get to the root of who you are as a parent, meet you where you are, shine a light on where you want to be, and then guide you to get there . Want to see how I can help you on your parenting journey? Book a complimentary connection call with me and we can see how we...
Apr 22, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 239
Relationship different after having kids? Jen Lumanlan from Your Parenting Mojo joins me to talk about how our relationship with our partner shifts after baby . We talk about how we often feel frustration, anger and resentment towards our partner when our needs are not met, and how to resolve this. Jen Lumanlan MS, MEd hosts the Your Parenting Mojo podcast, is author of Parenting Beyond Power: How to Use Connection and Collaboration to Transform Your Family - and the World and mom of two. Check ...
Apr 17, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 238
We all make mistakes in this world and are challenged by the ability to stay true to our morals and values all the time. So, how do we talk to our children when they lie? In this episode, I share a story of child who lied to me and the need to use our words to help little humans start to build trust within themselves, a little self-forgiveness and a feeling that the next time they will make a different decision. I share that we need to teach them what is right, what is wrong, what impulse contro...
Apr 15, 2025•13 min•Season 1Ep. 238
Feeling fatigued and don't know what to do, mama? Diane Manser from Teaching is Emotional joins me in this episode to share her journey from emotional fatigue to personal empowerment. She shares mindset shifts and methods to empowerment we can all use . We also discuss the purpose of gratitude and joy in our lives and how these tools can shift our mindset to healing . Diane is a teacher of 19 years; author; founder: Teaching is Emotional, LLC.; and mother of 2 growing up children. Grab Diane's n...
Apr 10, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 236
How do you talk to your toddler when they meltdown? What can we say to hold space for our littles in the moment? In this episode, I share how to talk to kids during a tantrum . I talk about what to say and how to speak when your toddler is falling apart. Looking for some support on your parenting journey? Book a complimentary connection call with me and we can see how we can get to know each other and transform the toddler years, together. April 8, 2025 Episode 235 How To Talk ...
Apr 08, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 235
Have you ever thought, ' what is my child thinking '?! Wendy Gossett joins me to talk about brain wiring and what parts of children's brain light up and make them act the way they do. We talk about how knowing your child’s brain wiring will help give you new focus to see their strengths that may seem like weaknesses , a new framework for setting realistic expectations and a new way to forecast for their future development! Wendy has a Master’s Degree in education, is a certified Youth Mental Hea...
Apr 03, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 234
Toddler having trouble sharing? In this re-release, I'm talking about cycles of sharing toddlers go through, why toddlers have trouble sharing and my number one strategy to try to help them learn this skill! Ready to work and upgrade your parenting skillsets? Book a complimentary connection call with me and we can see how we can get to know each other and transform the toddler years, together. April 1, 2025 Episode 233 Re-Release: Toddlers Having Trouble Sharing? About Your Host:...
Apr 01, 2025•6 min•Season 1Ep. 233
Looking for fun ways to practice early language skills? Alaine Jacobs from Raising Deaf Kids joins me to talk about how to practice language skills in a fun, play based way . She shares that practicing language skills at home doesn't have to be complicated or take up a lot of time . She also emphasizes that there are a variety of language options and which option you decide on depends on what works for your child . Alaine is a parent of 2 deaf kids who wear cochlear implants and sign and Parent ...
Mar 27, 2025•25 min