Feeling torn about letting your child join in on spooky events this October? You are not alone. In this episode, I unpack how Halloween pressure affects kids and teens, and how you can support confident, age-appropriate decision-making examples that build resilience instead of anxiety.

We talk about what really happens when Halloween pressure meets social expectations and how to spot early symptoms of teenage stress before they become overwhelming. You will leave this episode with clear strategies for how to deal with peer pressure and guide your child through scary situations without conflict or guilt.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to recognize when Halloween pressure is crossing the line into genuine anxiety and what to do about scary situations your child might face

• Practical age-appropriate decision-making examples that help your tween or teen build confidence in their own judgment

• Subtle symptoms of teenage stress that parents often overlook around social events

• How to model how to deal with peer pressure so your child learns self-trust through your example

• A realistic framework for saying “no” to activities that do not fit your family values without isolating your child socially

If Halloween pressure has your household feeling stretched, this episode will help you breathe easier and parent with calm confidence. Listen now to learn how to deal with peer pressure, support age-appropriate decision-making examples, navigate scary situations, and recognize symptoms of teenage stress before they take hold.

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center

PCIT Experts

Calm and Connected Program

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Have you ever wondered if you’re doing it right when it comes to how to praise your child?

So many parents second-guess the benefits of praising a child, but the truth is that the right kind of praise can completely change the tone of your home. In this episode, I talk with licensed clinical social worker and PCIT therapist Julia Lair about why praising children is one of the most powerful parenting tools we have and how to use it well.

We talk about the science-backed benefits of praising a child, practical examples of how to praise a child with words, and simple ways of promoting positive behaviour that you can start using today. Julia and I also discuss the fears many parents have about “too much praise” and how those worries often get in the way of connection and growth.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• Why the real benefits of praising a child go far beyond good manners, and how it shapes your child’s self-worth
• What makes praising children so effective, and how to avoid the common mistakes parents make when giving praise
• Simple strategies for how to praise a child with words that feel natural and genuine
• The most effective ways of promoting positive behaviour through everyday interactions
• How to praise your child in a way that builds confidence and connection

If you’ve ever hesitated about how to praise your child or wondered whether it really makes a difference, this episode will help you see why praising children is one of the best investments you can make in your relationship with your child.

Listen now to learn authentic, research-based ways of promoting positive behaviour and discover the lasting benefits of praising a child.

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Thriving Child Center

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CONNECT WITH JULIA LAIR:

Request an appointment with her HERE!

Every October, families find themselves in the same struggle: what happens when your child just can’t pick a Halloween costume?

If you’ve ever had a kid switch from Elsa to Batman to Paw Patrol in the same week, you know how exhausting kids' Halloween costumes can be for the whole household.

In this episode, I share how parents on Halloween can handle the indecision without losing patience, overspending, or giving in to every last-minute whim. Together, we’ll look at why costumes feel so important to kids and how you can meet their needs while still setting boundaries with kids that protect your sanity.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

• Why it’s so hard for kids to finally pick a Halloween costume
• How much pressure kids Halloween costumes carry socially and emotionally
• What happens when parents on Halloween feel judged by other parents
• A framework for setting boundaries with kids while still allowing creativity
• How to keep your child’s joy alive without buying ten costumes

If you’ve been wondering how to help your child finally pick a Halloween costume (and stick with it), this episode will give you strategies you can actually use. You’ll feel less stressed about kids Halloween costumes and more confident about what matters most for parents on Halloween.

Press play now and learn how to balance connection and fun while setting boundaries with kids this Halloween season.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Episode 16: How to Stop Meltdowns Before They Start by Managing Expectations and Parenting Without Power Struggles

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Thriving Child Center

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Getting kids to brush their teeth can feel like one of those nightly battles that drains everyone. If you’ve ever wondered how to get your kids to brush their teeth without endless fights, you’re not alone.

I sat down with Dr. Robert Geiman-orthodontist, dad, and author of The Tooth Bible - to talk through the real struggles parents face and toothbrushing tips that actually work.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why toothbrushing for toddlers is so tough and how to make it less of a battle
• The surprising truth about at what age should a child brush their own teeth
• Real-life toothbrushing tips that parents can try tonight (without fancy tools or gimmicks)
• How to make brushing fun with silly toothpaste flavors, colorful toothbrushes, and family games
• What happens when even dentists have to figure out how to get your kids to brush their teeth in real life

If you’ve been stressing about at what age should a child brush their own teeth, or just looking for simple toothbrushing tips that actually work, you’ll find both clarity and encouragement here.

This episode will help you rethink the nightly struggle, bring some ease back into toothbrushing for toddlers, and give you confidence in how to get your kids to brush their teeth in a way that sticks.

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center

PCIT Experts

Calm and Connected Program

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CONNECT WITH DR ROBERT GEIMAN:

The Tooth Bible Website

Child and Adult Orthodontics Website

Have you ever wondered if there are simple child reward system ideas that actually work when your kids are melting down?

As a psychologist - and a mom who’s been right there in the chaos - I’ll walk you through how to use positive reinforcement parenting in real life to turn things around quickly.

When kids are screaming, refusing to listen, and pushing every boundary, you don’t need more yelling - you need child reward system ideas and a system that helps you reinforce positive behaviors in a way that’s simple, fast, and actually effective.

This episode will give you the exact steps I use in my own home to get kids back on track.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why positive reinforcement parenting isn’t “dog training” - and why kids thrive when you clearly show them what they’re doing right.
• The one shift that makes all the difference in how to get your child to listen better (hint: it’s not about being stricter).
• My favorite child reward system ideas that require nothing more than a piece of paper and a pen.
• How to use this system to reinforce positive behaviors so your kids naturally want to repeat them.
• The secret to how to get kids to do chores without constant nagging or power struggles.

Whether you’re in a tough parenting season, juggling work stress with tantrums at home, or just wondering how to get your child to listen better, this episode will give you a clear way forward.

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center

PCIT Experts

Calm and Connected Program

Instagram

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Does the question, “what age should a child get a cell phone?” keep you up at night? You’re not alone - and you’re not overthinking it.

In this episode, I sit down with child psychologist Dr. Rupa Robbins, founder of Tech Positive Parenting, to cut through the chaos around phones for kids. Together we unpack the research, the realities, and the practical phone rules that help busy families decide not just when to say yes, but how to do it well.

If you’ve wondered “should kids have smartphones?”, wrestled with all of the reason’s why not to give your child a phone yet, or need a script for setting phone rules, this conversation is your roadmap.

We’ll help you decide: what age should a child get a cell phone, when to delay, and how to scaffold access. We talk about alternatives to full internet devices (yes, there’s a middle path for phones for kids), and the exact phone rules that keep your child safer while protecting family culture.

In this episode, we cover:

• The age question, answered: what the research says about what age should a child get a cell phone - and why each year of delay matters more than you think!
• Smart alternatives before smartphones: how to meet safety needs with kid-safe devices and watches, so you can say “yes” to phones for kids without saying “yes” to the internet
• Your family’s “driver’s ed” plan: the core phone rules that make first phones feel manageable
• Capacity and timing: a quick gut-check for parents - because sometimes the right answer to should kids have smartphones is “not until we have bandwidth,” and that’s a valid reason for why not to give your child a phone yet.

If you’ve been Googling what age should a child get a cell phone, debating should kids have smartphones, and trying to write phone rules that actually work, this episode is for you.

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Sapien Labs study: Age of First Smartphone/Tablet and Mental Wellbeing Outcomes

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center

PCIT Experts

Calm and Connected Program

Instagram

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CONNECT WITH DR. RUPA ROBBINS:

Tech Positive Parenting Website

Instagram @techpositiveparenting

Tech Positive Parenting Substack

Do you feel a wave of mom guilt any time you even think about taking a trip without your kids? You’re not alone.

If you’re like many of the parents I work with, planning time away can bring a heavy dose of mom guilt - even when you know it’s something you need.

In this episode, I walk you through exactly why moms need me time, and what I do - as a clinical psychologist and mom - when I’m planning a trip without my kids. Together, we’ll unpack the emotional weight of mom guilt, why it shows up so strongly, and how to reframe it in a way that honors your needs and your family’s wellbeing.

We’ll talk honestly about how to deal with mom guilt, why moms need me time, and why taking intentional time away isn’t selfish - it’s a gift to your kids, your relationships, and your mental health.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why taking a trip without your kids is a powerful reminder that moms need a break, too
• The real reason mom guilt sticks around - and how to stop letting it control your decisions
• What I tell my kids before I travel, and how it helps me navigate how to deal with mom guilt in the moment
• Practical ways to plan ahead, care for yourself while you’re gone, and reconnect when you return
• Why embracing the truth that moms need me time can actually deepen your connection with your kids

Whether you're planning a girls' weekend, a work conference, or even just dreaming of time away, this episode gives you the grounded, psychologist-backed support you need so both you and your child feel more secure and connected, even while apart.

And remember: moms need a break, and learning how to deal with mom guilt is part of becoming the parent - and person - you’re meant to be.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

EP 4: Tired of Losing It Before Drop-Off? How to Create a Peaceful Morning Routine with Kids Before School

EP 12: Involved Dads Raise Thriving Kids: Here’s How to Connect With Your Child Without Overthinking It with Dr. John Paul Abner

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center

PCIT Experts

Calm and Connected Program

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Ever found yourself arguing in front of kids - and then spiraling about whether you’ve just done irreversible damage? You're not alone.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Laura Spiller, clinical psychologist and expert in emotionally focused therapy, to unpack what to do after arguing in front of kids, how to repair with your child, and why your response after the conflict matters just as much - if not more - than the argument itself.

We get into the research, the long term effects of parents fighting, and how you can use these tough moments as teachable ones - without oversharing or sweeping it under the rug.

We also talk about what happens when parents arguing in front of child repeatedly, and the subtle but serious effects of yelling at spouse in front of child - something that happens more often than we’d like to admit.

In this episode, we cover:

• What actually happens to a child emotionally and psychologically when they witness arguing in front of kids - and what to do about it
• Why “just move on” isn’t the best strategy, and how it can intensify the long term effects of parents fighting
• A step-by-step breakdown of how to talk to your kids after parents are arguing in front of kids, including what to say and what not to say
• What makes yelling at spouse in front of child so distressing - and how to help your child feel secure again
• The surprising way these difficult moments can actually build emotional resilience in your child (when handled the right way)

Listen now to learn what to say, when to say it, and how to parent well even after arguing in front of kids.

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center

PCIT Experts

Calm and Connected Program

Instagram

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CONNECT WITH DR. LAURA SPILLER:

Website

Instagram