BratBusters Parenting Podcast

BratBusters Behaviour Board (Plus Toddler Basics) No-Cost Mini Course

Learn More:

Podcast Questions:

Have a question you'd like to submit for a chance to be featured in an upcoming podcast episode?

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Lisa Bunnage is a Parenting Coach, mom and grandmother. Lisa is not a licensed psychologist or counsellor. Her services do not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. For a full disclaimer, please visit bratbusters.com/disclaimer

The Secret to Raising Polite (But Confident) Children May 21, 2026

Show notes

#170 In this episode, Lisa discusses her thoughts on raising polite children. She covers what age she would start manners, balancing manners and confidence, building gratitude, and where to start with calm leadership parenting.
Lastly, Lisa addresses six listener questions, discussing her approach for teaching genuine manners, how to handle an 8-year-old who is possessive over toys, what to do when a 5-year-old says unkind things to mom, and how to respond to a 4-year-old saying yuck to meals. She then explores strategies for teaching a toddler to share toys at the park and how to manage a 4-year-old slamming their bedroom door.

Thank you for joining us!

Courses:

BratBusters Behaviour Board (Plus Toddler Basics) No-Cost Mini Course

Learn More:

Podcast Questions:

Have a question you'd like to submit for a chance to be featured in an upcoming podcast episode?

Disclaimer:

Discipline Errors Toddler Parents Make May 19, 2026

Show notes

#169 In this episode, Lisa discusses her thoughts on toddler discipline. She covers four things toddlers may do, three common discipline methods she doesn’t recommend for toddlers, consistent corrective actions, the importance of patience, and navigating the unknown of parenting.
Lastly, Lisa addresses four listener questions, strategies for managing a 17-month-old whining, approaching teeth brushing for a 20-month-old, the challenges of balancing a toddler and a baby and how to respond to a 22-month-old hitting others.

Thank you for joining us!

Courses:

BratBusters Behaviour Board (Plus Toddler Basics) No-Cost Mini Course

Learn More:

Podcast Questions:

Have a question you'd like to submit for a chance to be featured in an upcoming podcast episode?

Disclaimer:

Master the Mom Look (Use With Caution) May 14, 2026

Show notes

#168 In this episode, Lisa discusses her thoughts on mastering the mom look. She covers how she would go about using this and how it fits within her approach to calm leadership parenting.
Lastly, Lisa addresses nine listener questions, discussing if you are showing disappointment and using warnings with the "Mom Look," how to handle siblings annoying one another, what to do when parents can’t agree on a parenting style, and responding to a 3-year-old hitting a sibling. She then explores why siblings go between being best friends and enemies, how to manage 4-year-old whining, what to do about a 5-year-old bossing around a younger cousin, strategies for an 8-year-old yelling at a sibling, and a 12-year-old being rude to a hostess’ daughter.

Thank you for joining us!

Courses:

BratBusters Behaviour Board (Plus Toddler Basics) No-Cost Mini Course

Learn More:

Podcast Questions:

Have a question you'd like to submit for a chance to be featured in an upcoming podcast episode?

Disclaimer:

Defiance in 3-Year-Olds (A Mistake Parents Make) May 12, 2026

Show notes

#167 In this episode, Lisa discusses her thoughts on defiance from 3-year-olds. She covers how parenting shifts from toddlers to children, the mistakes she believes parents make for this age, passing over more control as children grow, and whether or not some children are naturally more defiant than others.
Lastly, Lisa addresses eight listener questions, discussing what to do when a 3-year-old is destructive when playing outside, how to handle defiance and not listening from a 3-year-old, and how to approach the fork in the road. She then explores how to manage a 3-year-old screaming, the process of getting a 3-year-old to share toys, how important routines are for children, what to do when a 3-year-old is pushing boundaries, and how to navigate struggles with daycare drop off with a 3-year-old.

Thank you for joining us!

Courses:

BratBusters Behaviour Board (Plus Toddler Basics) No-Cost Mini Course

Learn More:

Podcast Questions:

Have a question you'd like to submit for a chance to be featured in an upcoming podcast episode?

Disclaimer:

Enforcing Rules Without Yelling (Or Nagging) May 07, 2026

Show notes

#166 In this episode, Lisa discusses her thoughts on when children break rules. She covers methods she doesn’t recommend like yelling, repeating yourself as a parent, and using threats and warnings. She also provides her reasoning for having two consequences on the BratBusters Behaviour Board and how she may approach it if calm leadership parenting feels not attainable.
Lastly, Lisa addresses five listener questions, discussing the specific choices for parent’s consequences on the BratBusters Behaviour Board, consequences for children breaking rules constantly should be, how to handle a 5-year-old who will break lots of rules, an alternative to the 24-hour media blackout, and when to resort to a second consequence.

Thank you for joining us!

Courses:

BratBusters Behaviour Board (Plus Toddler Basics) No-Cost Mini Course

Learn More:

Podcast Questions:

Have a question you'd like to submit for a chance to be featured in an upcoming podcast episode?

Disclaimer:

How Your Reaction Can Make Loud Tantrums Worse May 05, 2026

Show notes

#165 In this episode, Lisa discusses her thoughts on loud tantrums. She covers loud tantrums when you’re in an environment where you need to be quiet, what age she has found tantrums start and end, her thoughts on discussing tantrums with children, and tantrums over wants compared to needs.
Lastly, Lisa addresses four listener questions, discussing how to respond when a 4-year-old is stomping feet loudly during a tantrum, what to do about toddler tantrums due to sibling jealousy, her approach when a 30-month-old needs to always be doing something, and how to effectively navigate connection after a tantrum.

Thank you for joining us!

Courses:

BratBusters Behaviour Board (Plus Toddler Basics) No-Cost Mini Course

Learn More:

Podcast Questions:

Have a question you'd like to submit for a chance to be featured in an upcoming podcast episode?

Disclaimer:

How to Connect With Your Child (Try This) Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

#164 In this episode, Lisa discusses her thoughts on connection with children. She covers the transition from parenting toddlers to children, children choosing different interests from you, ways to connect with younger and older children, not wanting your children to grow up, and not using connection as leverage.

Thank you for joining us!

Courses:

BratBusters Behaviour Board (Plus Toddler Basics) No-Cost Mini Course

Learn More:

Podcast Questions:

Have a question you'd like to submit for a chance to be featured in an upcoming podcast episode?

Disclaimer:

Stop Demanding Respect From Your Teenager Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

#163 In this episode, Lisa discusses her thoughts on parenting teenagers. She covers the difference between respect and fear as a parent, transitioning into the teenage years, her top five tips for parenting teenagers, allowing teens to make mistakes, expecting your children to make less mistakes than you did, the impact of banning things, and approaching attitude,.
Lastly, Lisa addresses four listener questions, discussing the best approach for a 13-year-old stealing, strategies for getting a 15-year-old to open up to you, how to go about navigating the BratBusters Behaviour Board with a teenager and a blended family, and how to effectively connect with a 13-year-old.

Thank you for joining us!

Courses:

BratBusters Behaviour Board (Plus Toddler Basics) No-Cost Mini Course

Learn More:

Podcast Questions:

Have a question you'd like to submit for a chance to be featured in an upcoming podcast episode?

Disclaimer:

The Real Reason Children Need to Hear No Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

#162 In this episode, Lisa discusses her thoughts on saying no to children. She covers parents avoiding this word, teaching children about the real world, why she believes children should have control over their lives, whether or not children should see their parents making mistakes, the fear of a tantrum, and being careful with what you say as a parent.
Lastly, Lisa addresses seven listener questions, discussing how to manage saying no to 3-year-old twins, the best way to handle toddler tantrums when told no, how to respond when an 18-month-old won’t listen when auntie is over, and what to do when a toddler doesn’t want dad to help. She then explores how to navigate a 2-year-old who hates the shower, how to handle a toddler who claims everything is his, and how to effectively manage a 19-month-old hitting others.

Thank you for joining us!

Courses:

BratBusters Behaviour Board (Plus Toddler Basics) No-Cost Mini Course

Learn More:

Podcast Questions:

Have a question you'd like to submit for a chance to be featured in an upcoming podcast episode?