Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn

Latest Episodes:

What You Need to Know About Over-Clingy Kids May 03, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we'll be talking about an issue that we know all too well: dealing with clingy toddlers. We like to call this the snuggle struggle! As both a pediatrician and a mom, I understand how frustrating and emotionally exhausting it can be when your little ones seem to be attached to you at all times. And guess what? You're not alone in this. In a recent Instagram poll, 70% of parents described their toddlers as super-clingy.

If you're tired of your little one pulling at your clothes every time you try to go to the washroom or if you're hoping to get some space during an arts and crafts project only to have your little one want to sit on your lap, then you already know how confusing and challenging it can be to have an overly-clingy toddler. Having a little one constantly attached to you can be emotionally draining.

We’re taking a look at a real-life example of mom Sophie’s story and how she managed her 3-year-old daughter Chelsea’s suffocating clinginess. Stay tuned to hear what you can do to help your little ones through this developmental phase!

Links and resources:

Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby
Check out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy Course
Our NEW Potty Training Made Easy course is here!
Get the Dynamic Duo: Toddler Tamining + Potty Training courses and save $20
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!
Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and stay calmer with tricky toddler moments.

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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.

Episode website

RESOURCES
Toddlers Made Easy online course

Potty Training Made Easy online course

Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class

Toddlers Made Easy book

200 Big-Hearted Scripts

FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training

And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

Why Toddlers Don't Need Toilet Training Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Today, we’re diving into a hot topic, potty training! More specifically, we're chatting about why traditional potty training is totally outdated, and your toddler doesn't need it. I mean, come on, who has the time and patience for that anyway? Traditional toilet training is all about control and punishment, which is not cool for our little munchkins' emotional health.

Let's give our toddlers the power they crave and let them learn to use the potty naturally. Just like when they learned to walk, we provided the right environment and let them try and try until they nailed it. And trust me, your little ones will feel so proud of themselves when they finally master peeing and pooping in the potty.

But before you start, I've got a new strategy for you called pre-potty training or toilet training warm-up. Think of it as a little warm-up before you hit the gym. And to make it even easier, I've created a mini e-book for you with the five must-dos before starting potty training. It's filled with strategies to make the process a breeze, even if your little one doesn't show any signs of readiness.

So, if you're ready to ditch the old ways and embrace the new, check out the link below for the 5 Must-Dos Before Potty Training E-Book.

Links and resources:

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.

Episode website

RESOURCES
Toddlers Made Easy online course

Potty Training Made Easy online course

Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class

Toddlers Made Easy book

200 Big-Hearted Scripts

FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training

And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

Why Kids Tattle and What to Do About It Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

Do you have a tattle tale? If so, today’s episode is for you. Let me paint a picture. Three-and-a-half-year-old Sam is a sweet kid, but he's in the habit of tattling on his older brother Eric, who is just six years old. Whenever Eric does something that Sam thinks isn't nice or fair, he runs to his parents and tells on him. For example, if Eric takes one of Sam's toys or accidentally drops something, Sam runs to his parents and says, Eric did it.

Tattling happens after a child has stopped managing problems in physical ways like hitting or biting, but he or she hasn't yet developed a more sophisticated way of solving things.
Children who tattle have enough social and emotional skills to stop the hitting, but not enough to solve problems without some help.
A toddler may tattle to exert their power and see if they can get a rise out of you.
Create a space or a moment between your child's behavior and your response to it. In other words, just pause for a moment before saying a word.

Ready to combat tattletales? Help your child feel seen. When they feel seen, their need to tattletale gradually diminishes. You can empower your child by equipping them with the tools to manage problems on their own. With time, tattletales will fizzle out. But in the meantime, also remember the power of exclusive time or special time or magic time, whatever you wanna call it, for just 10 minutes a day. Let your child choose what they want to do and then the two of you do that together. Playing with your toddler, just the two of you for 10 minutes a day is a research-based way to ease messy toddler behaviors.

Links and resources:

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.

Episode website

RESOURCES
Toddlers Made Easy online course

Potty Training Made Easy online course

Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class

Toddlers Made Easy book

200 Big-Hearted Scripts

FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training

And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

Overcoming Toddler Fears: Building Resilient Little Ones Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

Fears can be formidable for toddlers to face! Particularly so before they have formed the skills to express themselves fully.

Fear is a survival mechanism that protects us from danger. Yet it can be overwhelming and confusing for toddlers. Toddlers depend on structure and routine to feel safe, so when something unexpected happens, they may become fearful.

As adults, it is easy to forget how scary the world can seem from a toddler’s point of view. Fear is a perfectly normal part of any toddler's development. But even so, their fears can sometimes be exhausting, frustrating, or even inconvenient for us to cope with as parents.

Today, I explore toddlers’ fears and dive into what you can do to help your little one manage and overcome their fears. Stay tuned to learn strategies to empower your child to accept their fears and make space to overcome them.

Show highlights:

Why do toddlers have fears?
How thinking around parenting has changed since earlier generations.
Why it is essential for children to feel heard and understood.
Why children must be allowed to feel all their feelings, including those that make us uncomfortable.
Things we should avoid saying to kids when they are fearful.
How to let your child know you see them and care about their feelings and fears.
Why there is no need for parents to offer solutions or rescue their children.
What happens when you negate a child’s feelings?
How to diffuse a situation when strong feelings arise.
How sharing stories, narrating situations, and talking about feelings helps empower children to overcome their fears.

Links and resources:

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.

Episode website

RESOURCES
Toddlers Made Easy online course

Potty Training Made Easy online course

Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class

Toddlers Made Easy book

200 Big-Hearted Scripts

FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training

And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

Public Tantrums: How to Handle Them Like a Pro Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

It can really be tough to manage those times when your toddler throws tantrums in public places!

Raising a toddler is hard, and parents sometimes feel confused, overwhelmed, or embarrassed in certain situations. Public tantrums can be particularly challenging. However, tantrums are a natural and healthy part of a toddler's development. So it does not reflect poorly on your parenting skills if your child has a meltdown when you are out shopping or running errands.

Today, I explain how to manage those tricky tantrum moments like a pro when it feels like everyone is judging you. I dive into the innocence of tantrums and share some practical steps you can take to avoid public tantrums and keep your little one quiet and happy when you are out and about.

Stay tuned to learn how to remain cool, calm, and in control, even if your toddler has an angry outburst in a public place.

Show highlights:

Situations and places where tantrums are more likely to be triggered.
How to prepare your child for an outing and set their expectations for a play date.
How to involve your child when shopping for groceries.
How being mindful can help you avoid tantrums.
Use the acronym H.A.L.T. to remember common triggers.
How to prevent a tantrum when you sense one coming.
How to calm down and overcome embarrassment.
What you can do to ease the intensity of a tantrum.
Simple mantras you can use in challenging moments.

Links and resources:

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.

Episode website

RESOURCES
Toddlers Made Easy online course

Potty Training Made Easy online course

Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class

Toddlers Made Easy book

200 Big-Hearted Scripts

FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training

And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

Swearing: What to do When Your Toddler Says the F-word Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

All kids curse at some point! (Even though they most likely don’t understand what they are saying.)

Last week, Jillian wrote in asking for help. Her three-year-old daughter discovered the f-word, and Jillian has no idea where she learned it because they don’t swear at home. When it happened, everyone was shocked, so they burst out laughing. Now, Jillian wishes they had not responded that way because wherever they go, her daughter keeps using the f-word.

Toddlers love to feel powerful! They are still trying to understand how things work in the world and often experiment with language when learning how to express themselves. Swearing is one of the ways they do that while also trying to assert their independence.

In this episode, I dive into how to manage things when your toddler starts saying the f-word. I get into why kids swear and explain things from the bigger-picture perspective. Stay tuned to learn how to cope and what to do when your little one uses foul language.

Show highlights:

Why do kids swear?
How to consider the problem from the child’s perspective.
How toddlers test their boundaries by using curse words.
What should you do when your child uses the f-word?
The benefits of pausing before responding.
How to acknowledge your toddler’s feelings.
How to reshape your toddler’s language toward more positive, respectful, and appropriate words.
What you can do proactively to avoid your toddler using swear words.

Links and resources:

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.

Episode website

RESOURCES
Toddlers Made Easy online course

Potty Training Made Easy online course

Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class

Toddlers Made Easy book

200 Big-Hearted Scripts

FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training

And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

Toddler Not Listening? Do This! Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

Getting little ones to listen can drive parents to their wits' end! However, there are productive, practical, and pleasant ways of persuading kids to play along without bribing or bullying them.

Motivating your toddler to listen can be extremely frustrating, especially when you have an endless list of things to get done! It can leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed, and you may even find yourself ordering them around and expecting them to cooperate without question.

Today, I explain why kids fail to listen from a developmental perspective. I share some helpful strategies for improving your little one's listening skills and offer tips to encourage them to do as you ask.

Stay tuned to learn how to inspire your toddler to listen and cooperate without yelling or losing your cool.

Show highlights:

Why don't kids listen?
What toddlers realize about themselves as they begin to develop self-awareness and independence.
Some positive and acceptable ways toddlers can be allowed to exert their power.
What your toddler is telling you by not listening.
How to ask your little one to give up something they enjoy, to do something they consider no fun at all.
Why is it important to consider what it feels like when your kids do not listen to you?
A tip to help you manage your triggers.
Steps you can take to avoid feeling defeated or losing your temper when asking your child to do something.
Symptoms that may indicate your child needs to see a health care provider.
Strategies to foster a sense of autonomy and motivate your toddler to listen.

Links and resources:

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.

Episode website

RESOURCES
Toddlers Made Easy online course

Potty Training Made Easy online course

Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class

Toddlers Made Easy book

200 Big-Hearted Scripts

FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training

And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

Avoid Picky Eating Habits Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

Pushing your child to eat more or specific foods may actually promote picky eating problems.

Dealing with fussy eating habits is one of the more challenging aspects of raising a toddler. It can be frustrating or sometimes stressful when your toddler refuses to eat the nourishing meal that you have lovingly spent time preparing.

Today, I dive into ways to avoid picky eating habits. I suggest a better approach to mealtimes, offer strategies to help your toddler expand their diet, and share a new and more enlightened way of helping your little one develop a healthy relationship with food.

Stay tuned to learn how to avoid unnecessary mealtime pressure!

Show highlights:

Adopting a no-pressure approach to toddler mealtimes.
How to avoid unnecessary pressure and resistance at mealtimes.
What are normal eating habits for toddlers?
Changes in eating habits tend to show up at around two years of age.
Ways to respond to changes in eating patterns without promoting picky eating habits. (I dive into Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding.)
Why should you think about your toddler’s food intake week-to-week instead of the day-to-day?
Some changes that you may need to make.
Strategies to encourage your toddler’s food comfort level.
A new and enlightened mindset around toddlers’ eating habits.
Some strategies for introducing new foods to toddlers.

Links and resources:

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.

Episode website

RESOURCES
Toddlers Made Easy online course

Potty Training Made Easy online course

Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class

Toddlers Made Easy book

200 Big-Hearted Scripts

FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training

And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

Navigating Potty Training Problems Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

As a parent, you will be pleased to learn that pooping issues are pretty common during potty training!

Toddlers have a short attention span and buzz quickly from one activity to the next. They tend to use the potty much the same, so they sometimes don't sit there as long as they should.

Today I answer some burning questions from parents about potty training. I explain why toddlers may resist pooping and what tends to happen when they don't stay long enough on the potty. I also discuss constipation, how to avoid it, and ways to empower your toddler to use the potty.

Stay tuned to learn how to encourage and prep your child for potty training!

Show highlights:

Toni would like to know how often her three-year-old should be pooping.
What happens when your toddler fails to sit on the potty long enough?
Why toddlers sometimes hold back on bowel movements.
The difference between organic and functional constipation.
When does functional constipation occur?
Using the Bristol Stool Chart to analyze your child’s poop.
Jillian wants to know how to encourage her three-year-old to sit on the potty.
Ways to help your child feel comfortable enough to start potty training.
Prepping your child for potty training.
How you will benefit from taking my new Potty Training Made Easier potty training course

Links and resources:

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.

Episode website

RESOURCES
Toddlers Made Easy online course

Potty Training Made Easy online course

Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class

Toddlers Made Easy book

200 Big-Hearted Scripts

FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training

And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

Preparing Your Toddler for a New Sibling Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

Does thinking of introducing your toddler to their new sibling stress you out? If so, the solution may be much simpler than you surmised.

No matter what you do to prepare your toddler beforehand, they will still be surprised when a new baby comes home and stays. All parents share similar fears and concerns about turning their toddlers' worlds upside down when having another baby. So cut yourself some slack. Take the time to make sense of the new relationships and figure out how to balance everyone’s needs.

Your assumptions and attitudes can influence the process of preparing your toddler for the arrival of a new baby. You may worry about giving too much attention to the baby in front of your firstborn. Perhaps you feel sad or guilty about not having the time to focus on your toddler as much as you did before. Or you may even feel you are not fully meeting the needs of anyone.

In this episode, I discuss ways to prepare your toddler for welcoming a new sibling, and I share some strategies to encourage positive sibling relationships. Stay tuned to learn how to help your toddler navigate the potentially difficult transition to becoming a big brother or sister.

Show highlights:

How to cope when your joy gets met with guilt and doubt.
How your toddler might feel when you bring the new baby home.
Some simple ways to prepare your toddler for becoming a big brother or sister.
How to help your toddler feel valued and important when they meet their new baby brother or sister for the first time.
Why toddlers must be allowed to express their feelings.
How to help your toddler to express and accept their emotions.
Some strategies to encourage positive sibling relationships.

Links and resources:

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.

Episode website

RESOURCES
Toddlers Made Easy online course

Potty Training Made Easy online course

Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class

Toddlers Made Easy book

200 Big-Hearted Scripts

FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training

And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.