Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn

Latest Episodes:

Sibling Rivalry Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

Did you know that treating siblings as equals fuels friction and fighting?

Sibling relationships are complex. Observational studies have shown that

some siblings fight as often as eight times an hour! Yet those relationships are essential for shaping children, and from a developmental standpoint, sibling rivalry helps kids figure out their distinctive qualities.

Siblings support one another and learn from each other. But they also compete for their parent's love and attention. So when we strive for equality with our children, they will always tally up and try to figure out who got more than the others.

The more a child is validated and seen, the more secure they feel. In this episode, I focus on why children should be treated as individuals rather than equals and explain how treating kids as individuals improves sibling relationships.

Stay tuned for more!

Show highlights:

What happens when we strive for equality with our kids?
What happens when we treat our children as individuals?
What sibling rivalry is all about from the child's perspective.
The benefits of not trying to make everything fair, and focusing instead on treating each child as unique.
Why it is a good idea to make individuality a priority when giving your children gifts.
Should mealtime portions be the same for each child?
What sibling fights may be saying about what a child is feeling.
Why it is essential to spend some special-focus time daily with each child.

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.

Separation Anxiety in Toddlers Dec 07, 2022

Show notes

Do you dread the despair of difficult daily drop-offs?

The woeful look on a toddler’s face when parting makes it hard for parents to walk away without feeling heartbroken and guilty.

Most children become clingy between eighteen months and three years of age, and all kids experience anxiety at some point in their early years. So it’s normal and expected for toddlers to feel sad and stressed when saying goodbye. Every child is different, and they all develop at their own pace, so we never know when those painful partings will appear or fade away. Still, it is encouraging to know that children do outgrow separation anxiety.

Parents need to help their children handle separation in a healthy way. In today’s episode, I dive into how to do that. I also explain why you should never sneak out after dropping your toddler off and share something I discovered that made a massive difference after many weeks of difficult drop-offs.

Stay tuned for more!

Show highlights:

Why must you avoid waiting around to see if your child has settled down?
How to make your child feel seen and understood.
Why you should never sneak out.
The benefits of developing a goodbye ritual.
How to prepare your child for daily drop-offs.
How I solved my daughter’s drop-off problems.
The importance of staying on the same team and asking your child how you can help.
How reading books helps with separation anxiety.
A way to stay connected after you leave.
Some coping skills you can teach your child to practice.
An E.A.S.Y. strategy for keeping calm in those tricky toddler moments.

Links and resources:

Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby

Check out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy Course

Sign up for our FREE parenting insights and strategies. You'll get clear and solid parenting advice that will CALM your nerves, SAVE you frustration, and UP your confidence.

Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop

Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️

If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made

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.

Don't Force Sharing Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

Did you know that toddlers cannot comprehend the concept of sharing?

Snatching toys and shouting “mine” is not a sign of selfishness in toddlers. It only happens because they have no idea what sharing is. Issues around sharing- or not sharing can cause a lot of uncertainty and embarrassment and may even lead parents to doubt themselves. That’s why we need to understand that toddlers are not being selfish when they fail to share. They are simply finding ways to understand the world around them.

Sharing is challenging for toddlers because they don't understand that separate individuals exist. That means they cannot see things from someone else’s point of view, which is necessary to know what sharing is. They also cannot fathom that some things belong to others, and their toddler's brains are still growing, so their impulse areas are not yet fully developed.

In this episode, I answer a question from a lovely mom and offer some helpful parenting tools to teach toddlers to stand up for themselves while also being kind and open-hearted.

Stay tuned for more!

Show highlights:

At what age do kids start understanding the concept of sharing?
What toddlers experience when they get forced to share early on.
The first step to giving a toddler some direction around sharing.
How to respond when your toddler grabs a toy from another child.
The benefits of using sportscasting to help your child resolve their problems.
What you can do when your toddler cries because they are not allowed to grab a toy from a friend.
How to prepare your child at home before taking them to the park.
What could happen when a child gets forced to share before they are ready?
Some powerful lessons to guide your child.

Links and resources:

Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby
Check out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy Course
Sign up for our FREE Toddler Talks. I'll send you a short weekly e-mail with a clear and solid parenting insight that will CALM your nerves, SAVE you frustration, and UP your confidence.
Watch our FREE

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 Nov 23, 2022

Show notes

Are your toddler’s picky eating patterns perturbing you?

Fussy eating habits and mealtime conflicts can be very frustrating! Food battles can cause a great deal of stress and may even lead us to encourage habitual behavior we later regret.

It is way easier to learn a good habit than it is to break a bad one! So, today, I would like to help you avoid the pain of picky eating issues by discussing ways to prevent those problems before the behavior becomes entrenched.

When we understand what is normal and expected, it becomes easier to avoid potential problems. In this episode, I focus on how to help picky eaters change their habits by explaining how to approach mealtimes in a relaxed manner that encourages a healthy and easy relationship with food.

Stay tuned for more!

Show highlights:

How often do toddlers need to eat?
Why toddlers may refuse to eat certain foods.
What parents can do to side-step unnecessary power struggles.
A better approach to picky eating.
Three strategies to avoid food battles and picky eating habits.
Why you should never pressure your child to eat.
The benefits of putting your child in charge of what they eat.
How to ensure your child gets what they need nutritionally, while allowing them to be in charge of what they eat.
Why make happy and relaxed mealtimes your goal?
Ways to get your child to try new foods.
How do kids benefit from structured mealtimes?

Links and resources:

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.

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.

Do Time-Outs Work? Nov 16, 2022

Show notes

Are time-outs truly the best way to tackle your toddlers’ tantrums?

Time-outs have been the go-to method for dealing with children’s undesirable behavior since the 1950s.

From the age of two, most parents start considering what works and what does not. Many parents tend to worry about being too hard or too soft on their children, getting them to listen, or even messing them up.

In this episode, I’m combining my years of first-hand experience with scientific research to discuss whether or not time-outs work, and if they do, at what cost. Stay tuned for more!

Show highlights:

Considering time-outs from a toddler’s perspective.
How time-outs may influence children’s future behavior.
How I dealt with my three-year-old son after he swept all his food to the floor at a restaurant.
A problem sometimes associated with permissive parenting.
What children are likely to learn from time-outs.
Why toddlers tend to misbehave.
The problem with time-outs.
How to use time-outs effectively.

Links and resources:

Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby
Check out our bestselling online course: Toddlers Made Easy Course
Sign up for our FREE parenting insights and strategies. You'll get clear and solid parenting advice that will CALM your nerves, SAVE you frustration, and UP your confidence.
Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop
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.

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.

What To Do When Toddlers Lie Nov 09, 2022

Show notes

Has your toddler been telling tall tales?

If so, don’t panic! All kids stretch the truth at times, and lying is a perfectly normal part of a toddler’s development.

Even though it can be perplexing to hear your toddler tell unlikely stories, it is neither a reflection of bad character nor a sign of moral weakness! Lying is a complex skill. So, when two-year-olds do it, it is considered a sign of advanced cognitive capabilities and shows that they have an active imagination.

Despite that, we still need to teach our kids that lying is not an acceptable way to overcome problems. In this episode, we explain how to teach kids right from wrong, confidently and calmly rather than punitively, and deal with toddlers’ lies effectively, to ensure that they diminish over time! Stay tuned for more!

What you will hear:

Why do kids under the age of three tell lies?
What is going on in your toddler’s mind when they tell tall tales?
Why toddlers act without thinking about consequences.
How to consider your toddler’s behavior when they lie.
Practical ways to promote honesty rather than punish your toddler for lying.
Why you should focus on the solution, not the problem.
How to help your kids become more inclined to admit their mistakes.

Links and Resources:
Get the free cheat sheet: TEACH KIDS ABOUT HONESTY
INSTAGRAM
Follow Dr Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby

TODDLERS MADE EASY course
Check out our course: Toddlers Made Easy Course
FREE TAME TANTRUMS workshop
Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and manage tantrums without losing your cool.
BECOME THE PARENT EVERY KID WANTS
Sign up for our FREE parenting strategies: Get Toddler Smart You'll get clear and solid parenting insights that will CALM your nerves, SAVE you frustration, and UP your confidence.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts ❤️❤️❤️

If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This he

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.

Thumb-Sucking: Do’s and Don'ts Nov 02, 2022

Show notes

Toddlers suck their thumb when bored, falling asleep, upset, and watching tv. It creates a yummy feeling, like a day at the spa. Over time, kids develop other calming skills and typically give the habit up.

But what if they don’t?

Most kids will stop sucking their thumbs around 2-4 years of age, or by the time the permanent teeth are ready to erupt. That is, as long as we don’t pester our kids about thumb-sucking. When we pressure our kids to stop, we may inadvertently cause more thumbsucking. So, today let’s talk about how you can help your toddler break the habit.
INSTAGRAM
Follow Dr Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby

TODDLERS MADE EASY course
Check out our course: Toddlers Made Easy Course

BECOME THE PARENT EVERY KID WANTS
Sign up for our FREE parenting strategies: Get Toddler Smart You'll get clear and solid parenting insights that will CALM your nerves, SAVE you frustration, and UP your confidence.

FREE TAME TANTRUMS workshop
Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums workshop and manage tantrums without losing your cool.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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 -- during the toddler years.

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 Throwing Things Oct 26, 2022

Show notes

No one wants their kids flinging toys/objects across the room. I’m not talking about a friendly game of catch. I’m talking about when the remote control goes flying because you said, “No, sweetheart, you can’t have cake for breakfast.” In this episode, Dr. Cathryn helps us understand why kids throw things and how to end this habit in ways that protect a child’s dignity, curiosity, and self-esteem.

FREE TAME TANTRUMS MASTERCLASS
Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums Masterclass and manage tantrums without losing your temper
INSTAGRAM
Follow Dr Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby

TODDLERS MADE EASY course
Check out our course: Toddlers Made Easy Course

WEEKLY PARENTING INSIGHTS
Sign up for our FREE weekly parenting tips: Get Toddler Smart I'll send you a short weekly e-mail with a clear and solid parenting insight that will CALM your nerves, SAVE you frustration, and UP your confidence.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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 -- during the toddler years.

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 Child's Whining Oct 19, 2022

Show notes

Kids whine for many reasons, but driving you crazy isn’t actually one of them. Toddlers lack sophistication… and moaning and groaning is their way of saying, “I need you. Please take care of me.” Instead of viewing whining as a toddler trying to manipulate you, remember that whining is a toddler's attempt at trying to be seen and heard. They just lack the tools to do this.

So, how can we help our kids communicate more effectively?
3 PRO-TIPS:
1. When you want to get through to a toddler, use playfulness. It works like magic because it speaks to them where they’re at developmentally and emotionally.
2. Try responding to whining in a whisper. For many kids, it works let a reset.
3. If your kids are whining because they’re tired, bored, hungry, or scared, you’ll need to take care of those needs first.
FREE *STOP THE WHINING* GUIDE

If you’re wondering, “What the heck REALLY does work?” Get The Guide Your toddler just got easier!

INSTAGRAM
Follow Dr Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby

TODDLERS MADE EASY course
Check out our course: Toddlers Made Easy Course

FREE TAME TANTRUMS MASTERCLASS
Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums Masterclass and manage tantrums without losing your temper

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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 -- during the toddler years.

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 Avoid Power Struggles Oct 12, 2022

Show notes

It’s so easy to get sucked into power struggles with toddlers. We get hung up thinking we need to teach our kids, “who’s the boss”.

So, what’s the best way to deal with power struggles?? Avoiding them altogether!

In today’s episode, we discuss simple, effective, strategies to avoid tug-of-wars. Less fighting means you’ll have more time and energy to enjoy your little superstar.

INSTAGRAM
Follow Dr Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby

TODDLERS MADE EASY course
Check out our course: Toddlers Made Easy Course
WEEKLY PARENTING INSIGHTS
Sign up for our FREE weekly parenting tips: Baby School In Bite-Sized Chunks I'll send you a short weekly e-mail with a clear and solid parenting insight that will CALM your nerves, SAVE you frustration, and UP your confidence. bit.ly/joinbabyschool
FREE TAME TANTRUMS MASTERCLASS
Watch our FREE Tame Tantrums Masterclass

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
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 -- thrive during the toddler years.

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.