Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn

Latest Episodes:

Am I Expecting Too Much Of My Toddler? Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

Unrealistic expectations start early. Would you believe that most moms magnify what their toddlers can manage?

Having unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and frustration and cause unnecessary stress and conflict between parents and children. Parents with unreasonable expectations could even result in children having a sense of failure for not pleasing their parents.

A national survey of parents of young children by the ZERO TO THREE Organization found that most parents overestimate their toddler's abilities. The survey also showed that most parents wished they could stop losing their cool with their toddlers.

Today, I focus on what is known as the expectation gap and dive into the results of the survey. Stay tuned to learn about a toddler’s milestones and how to guide them kindly and effectively!

Show highlights:

Why toddlers won’t sit still.
Where to start with assessing your expectations.
Some potential outcomes of having unrealistic expectations.
The results of the study done by ZERO TO THREE Organization.
At what age do children start developing self-control?
Some common areas of misunderstanding.
How to cope with a toddler’s desire to do forbidden things.
Understanding a toddler's milestones and how to guide them with kindness.
How to strengthen your relationship with your toddler and build trust.

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.

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.

Happy Tushies: How to Manage Poop Problems During Potty Training Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

Would it surprise you to learn that pooping problems often prevail during the potty training process?

Toddlers love routines and rituals, so changing them could upset your child and cause problems. When a child who pooped perfectly well in a diaper starts experiencing problems while being potty trained, something about the process is likely upsetting them. It could be due to fear or anxiety. It may be a need for privacy or better support. Or your toddler may be holding their bowel movements to maintain some semblance of control over their life.

Today, I answer a question from Gillian, whose almost three-year-old son refuses to poop on the potty, and dive into the confusing and sometimes overwhelming pooping problems that may happen during potty training.

Poop problems can be stressful and challenging! Stay tuned to learn how to assume a no-pressure approach to potty training and help your child feel more comfortable about pooping on the potty.

Show highlights:

The most common reason for children refusing to poop.
How to teach your kids about poop and pooping.
Terms to avoid using during potty training.
What to feed your child to help keep their stools soft.
How my upcoming Potty Training made Easy online course will help you.
How to assume a no-pressure approach to potty training.
Recognizing when your child is not yet emotionally ready for potty training.
Coping with constipation.
When to see your healthcare provider.

Constipation Smoothie Recipes:
yummytoddlerfood

Kids.eat.in.color

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.

How To Set Boundaries Without Feeling Guilty Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

Did you know that setting limits for your little ones will let them know they are looked after and loved?

Most parents find it easy to love their kids and ensure they are happy and self-confident. Yet many struggle with setting and holding boundaries.

Toddlers need boundaries to keep them safe and healthy and allow them to feel protected and secure in their world. Even though they are desperate for power, getting too much of it feels uncomfortable for toddlers. That’s why they often cannot cope when they get what they want.

Parents need to understand that when their toddler cries for something, they are actually crying for help. Today, I look into why so many parents struggle with setting boundaries and explain why kids must have limits.

Stay tuned to learn how to set boundaries in ways that will not leave you feeling guilty!

Show highlights:

Why toddlers often cannot handle it when they get their own way.
How limits help children deal with difficult feelings.
Why do we need to allow kids to feel uncomfortable feelings?
How will setting limits empower children, improve their self-esteem, and free them to explore and enjoy their world?
Why is setting boundaries so hard for parents?
How to set limits for your children without feeling guilty.
How toddlers show that they are getting too much freedom.
How to talk to your child when setting limits or correcting their behavior.
How to apply the EASY game plan strategy to help with setting boundaries.
How to cope with pushback when setting boundaries.
What happens when you give in?
Why it is essential to set personal boundaries.

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.

How To Encourage Independent Play & No, You Don't Need To Feel Guilty Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

Did you know that encouraging toddlers to entertain themselves independently is essential for their evolution?

I have often heard parents commenting that they cannot get anything done because their children will not play without them. Yet, it is essential to understand that playing on their own helps children develop confidence, build resilience, and increase their problem-solving abilities.

It is not hard to create a simple set-up for your toddler to play independently. But understand that if you have always involved yourself with their play, there will likely be some initial pushback.

In this episode, I explain how to create an environment that reflects your child’s interest and how to encourage them to play there. I also dive into how long you can realistically expect your child to remain content playing on their own and habits to avoid that might discourage independent play.

Stay tuned to learn what to do to encourage your child to play independently!

Show highlights:

How to create the right environment for independent play.
How to encourage your child to spend some time playing on their own.
How long can parents expect their children to remain content playing on their own?
Some common mistakes we make that cause our children to want to play with us.
Some things you should avoid saying because they might make your child think you are indispensable to their play.
Tips to make things easier for you as a parent while encouraging your child to play happily and independently.
Some guidelines for preparing a safe and creative play space and encouraging independent play.
Where to start with the process of encouraging independent play.

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.

How To Stop Your Toddler From Hitting Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

Did you know toddlers do not typically try to hurt the person they hit?

Your toddler is not a bad kid if they smack someone. Nor does it mean you are no good as a parent or indicate that there may be problems down the road. They are simply acting their age.

Toddlers hit to express their feelings. Their brains are still developing. So they have poor impulse control. They struggle to articulate their feelings and tend to behave however they feel. They are also still learning about cause and effect. So when they hit someone, they fail to understand how it impacts them.

In this episode, I dive into the reasons toddlers hit. I share some helpful strategies to cope with hitting and explain how to teach toddlers better ways to manage their strong feelings.

Stay tuned to learn how to manage hitting in a way that protects your toddler's self-esteem while also allowing you to stay calm.

Show highlights:

Some of the reasons toddlers tend to hit.
Looking at hitting from a toddler’s perspective.
Situations in which toddlers are more likely to hit someone.
Using the EASY game plan as an effective way to manage your toddler's hitting.
Some ways to ground yourself, calm down, and avoid losing your temper.
Why is it good to connect with your child before correcting their behavior?
How to acknowledge your toddler's feelings, set limits, correct, and help them learn.
Some tools and strategies to encourage good behavior and avoid hitting. (See Episode 4.)

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.

When Kids Laugh With Reprimands and What To Do About It Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

Did you know that smiling, smirking, or sniggering is a common way for toddlers to cope with the stress of being scolded?

It can be challenging for parents to deal with what looks like sassy behavior. But toddlers are not being purposefully rude if they laugh, cover their ears, stick out their tongue, or get angry and run away when they get criticized or pulled up. They tend to do that because they don't know what to do with their intense feelings. They are still learning about social norms, so they might not understand what others expect of them. They realize they have done something wrong and may feel confused, shameful, uneasy, or uncomfortable.

Today, I respond to a question from a frustrated and confused mom from Ohio. I dive into what is truly happening when kids laugh when they get corrected or reprimanded and explain what to do about it.

Stay tuned to learn how to recognize it when your toddler feels overwhelmed or uncertain and avoid having knee-jerk reactions.

Show highlights:

Some other reasons why kids tend to laugh when being corrected.
Laughing when reprimanded often reflects that a child is sensitive and empathetic.
Why you must remain calm if your toddler laughs when getting scolded.
What is the best way to respond?
I go over the steps of the EASY Method.
Should you force your child to apologize?
How to model an apology and teach your child to respond to correction without laughing or smirking.
How to inspire good behavior without any punishment or shame.

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.

How To Stop Your Toddler From Spitting Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

Did you know that spitting might simply be your toddler’s way of showing their singularity?

Spitting is a pretty common toddler problem. It may seem gross to us as parents, but toddlers find it funny and love to watch their parents freaking out! That does not make them bad kids. They just enjoy feeling powerful.

Developmentally, toddlers are starting to realize themselves as separate people, and seeing their parents get upset emphasizes their sense of individuality. An effective way to stop them from spitting is to help them find new ways of exploring their uniqueness and power.

Today, I answer a question from Rebecca, a lovely mom in Canada struggling to stop her two-year-old from spitting. I get into why toddlers tend to spit, discuss ways to empower your child as they evolve as individuals, and share some strategies to help you get through those challenging moments without having knee-jerk reactions you may later regret.

Stay tuned for more!

Show highlights:

How to remove the incentive for spitting while showing your toddler you are on the same team.
Giving your toddler choices to allow them to feel independent.
The benefits of creating a child-friendly room or space where toddlers can feel 100% safe and confident.
How to deal with your toddler when they hit you.
The benefits of staying on the same team when dealing with a difficult situation.
What does it mean if your child laughs when reprimanded?
What you will gain from using new ways to deal with tricky toddler 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.

The Excitable Child, and How To Dial Down Their Energy Without Discouraging Their Joy Jan 04, 2023

Show notes

Does your toddler’s extra-enthusiastic, energetic, and excitable temperament ever exasperate you?

Some kids are just naturally more intense, passionate, and emotional than others. Two-year-olds have limited self-control. So even though toddlers with big, exuberant personalities are delightful, their extreme enthusiasm can sometimes cause problems. They cannot restrain their energy, so their hugs and physical interactions can often be too much for other children to bear.

Today, I dive into the topic of excitable kids and answer a question from a lovely mom in Florida, struggling to discipline her passionate and hyper-energetic two-year-old who tends to come on way too strong with other kids.

Stay tuned to learn how to regulate the energy of your excitable child without crushing their personality or enthusiasm.

Show highlights:

Meeting your toddler where they are at and having realistic expectations are essential.
Some games to help your excitable toddler learn how to regulate their energy.
Some strategies to help your excited child calm down.
How does deep breathing help excitable kids dial things down?
How to use play to model hugging appropriately and show your child how bear hugs can be confusing when too big.
How to think about consequences that will teach your toddler instead of ways to punish them.
Ways to cope with difficult situations in the present moment.

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.

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 Bedtime Fears Dec 28, 2022

Show notes

Is your toddler’s desire to delay dozing off driving you to distraction?

Bedtime fears usually start at around two years and may last several years. They happen very commonly because children spend their days in imaginative play, and it is tough for them to turn that off at bedtime.

Even though there are many valid reasons for your toddler to fight at bedtime, you still need a chance to get some rest. Your needs matter and you have less to give when you need to recharge. So there is no need to feel guilty about wanting your child to sleep so you can take some time for yourself.

In this episode, I talk about bedtime fears and how to overcome them. I go into why children have those fears and explain why they tend to happen from a developmental perspective.

Stay tuned to learn how to lovingly, respectfully, and effectively manage your toddler’s bedtime fears.

Five things likely to contribute to your toddler’s bedtime fears:

Young kids experience separation anxiety, so it makes sense that they fuss when you leave the room.

Toddlers tend to be defiant by nature because they want more control over their world.

A toddler’s brain is still developing. So they have so little control over their emotions.

Toddlers do not understand the concept of time. So when you tell them you will see them in the morning, it seems forever away.

The frontal lobe of a toddler’s brain is still developing. That is the part that allows us to reason, problem-solve, and make plans. So they are not able to talk themselves down.

Show highlights:

Five things likely to contribute to bedtime fears from a developmental perspective.
Why is an early bedtime best?
The benefits of creating a short bedtime routine.
Some effective ways to manage your toddler’s bedtime fears.
The importance of creating a responsible and healthy bedtime routine.
How to take charge of your child’s bedtime routine.
Some calming strategies that you can teach your child to develop.
How to use deep breathing in the present moment.
How to stay on the same team as your child.
Some easy steps to help you manage bedtimes without getting wound up.
I have a bite-size course coming up soon on managing bedtime like a pro. I’ll tell you more in a future episode.

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.

How to Calm Tantrums Dec 21, 2022

Show notes

Did you know that you can reduce troublesome tantrums by tapping into what’s causing them?

Toddlers’ tantrums can be wild, irrational, and confusing. So it helps to understand that tantrums are a normal part of a toddler’s development because their brains are still developing.

When a tantrum happens, the toddler’s right brain, which is the part that is emotional, impulsive, and tuned into non-verbal cues, overwhelms the left brain and takes control. Fortunately, your adult brain is balanced, and you can use it to calm your toddler down.

Children cannot process anything when they are all worked up. So in this episode, I discuss the three phases of a tantrum and share strategies for managing toddlers' tantrums without losing your cool. Tune in to learn how to deal with tantrums in the present moment, and find out how and when to intervene to calm a tantrum down.

Show highlights:

Why must we handle tantrums calmly?
Why tantrums are likely as hard on your child as they are for you.
When are toddlers more likely to have a tantrum?
Ways to reduce your toddler’s tantrums.
How to deal with tantrums in the moment.
How and when to intervene to calm a tantrum down.
The three phases of a tantrum.
Things that could prolong tantrums.
The benefits of pausing to allow your nervous system to calm down.
How to teach your kids limits and help them move on after a tantrum.
What to avoid doing or saying.

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.