Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn

Latest Episodes:

You're Not Raising A Problem, You're Raising A Person Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Why do little kids melt down over things that seem so small? In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares one mindset shift that can completely change the way you respond to tantrums, resistance, aggression, and emotional outbursts. When you stop seeing your child as “the problem” and start seeing the skills they’re still developing, parenting becomes calmer, clearer, and far more connected. This episode will help you hold boundaries without chipping away at your child’s confidence or dignity.

• Why toddlers can understand a rule and still completely fall apart trying to follow it

• How interpreting behavior differently helps you stay calmer during hard moments

• Why support, co-regulation, and connection often work better than punishment

RESOURCES

The Potty Without Pushback workshop

Finally, A Kinder, Calmer Way To Ditch Diapers For Good

YOU'LL WALK AWAY KNOWING HOW TO:

Potty train without tears, tantrums or tension
Avoid potty resistance altogether
Handle accidents or setbacks calmly
Teach your child, "I'm the boss of my body!"

Save Your FREE Seat Here

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 Making Tantrums Worse May 27, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares the biggest mistake parents make during tantrums and why trying to reason, explain, or “fix” the meltdown too quickly often makes things worse. Through a personal story from her years as a pediatrician and mom, she explains what’s really happening inside a child’s brain during a tantrum and how a calmer, big-hearted response helps children build emotional regulation over time, without chipping away at their dignity or self-esteem.

• Why tantrums often get bigger when parents talk too much during the peak of the meltdown

• What children actually need when the emotional part of the brain takes over

• How to stay calm, hold boundaries, and help your child through overwhelming feelings without becoming permissive

Planning on potty training soon? Dr. Cathryn also shares details about her free Potty Without Pushback workshop, where you’ll learn a calmer, big-hearted approach to potty training that encourages cooperation and better behavior without chipping away at your child’s self-esteem or dignity.

RESOUCES

The Potty Without Pushback workshop

Finally, A Kinder, Calmer Way To Ditch Diapers For Good

YOU'LL WALK AWAY KNOWING HOW TO:

Potty train without tears, tantrums or tension
Avoid potty resistance altogether
Handle accidents or setbacks calmly
Teach your child, "I'm the boss of my body!"

SAVE YOUR FREE SEAT HERE

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 Unbreakable Connection: Helping Kids Feel Close When You’re Apart May 20, 2026

Show notes

Your little one is missing you. Maybe it's daycare drop-off. Maybe it's 2 am. Maybe it's a sleepover at Nana's with a lot of very loud feelings.

This episode is about the simple things that make separation easier — not just in the hard moments, but all the time.

Dr. Cathryn shares the 10-second ritual she uses with her own granddaughter, plus four practical tools to help little kids carry the feeling of connection with them wherever they go.

You'll learn:

A simple breath-and-kiss ritual that calms the nervous system fast
Why family photos at eye level in the bedroom do more than you'd think
The recordable button that lets your child hear your voice whenever they need it
Why these tools only work if you're not saving them for emergencies

The goal isn't just getting through the hard moment. It's building a belief your child carries with them: I am loved. I am connected. The bond never breaks.

📖 Mentioned in this episode: The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

🚀 Potty training is one of the moments connection matters most. My Potty Training Made Easy program gets you from diapers to dry in 30 days — with no pressure, no shame, and no power struggles. Because how your little one feels during potty training matters just as much as whether they get there. Tap Here

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.

Help, My Kid Won't Poop on the Potty! (Here's Why — and What to Do) May 13, 2026

Show notes

Your little kid pees on the potty just fine — but when it comes to poop? Diaper only, thank you very much.

You haven't done anything wrong. This is one of the most common potty-training hiccups, affecting 20–25% of little kids.

In this episode, Dr. Cathryn breaks down exactly why it happens and what actually helps.

You'll learn:

The real reason most kids resist (hint: it's fear, not stubbornness)
What to say — and what not to say
Simple ways to make the potty feel safer and less overwhelming
How to move toward the potty in tiny, low-pressure steps
Why stool softness matters more than most parents realize

This isn't about saying enough is enough. It's about understanding what's driving the resistance — and meeting your child there.

🎓 Ready to go deeper? Mini-course: Help! My Child Will Only Poop in a Diaper →

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 Secret To Shorter, Fewer, and Less Intense Tantrums May 06, 2026

Show notes

Ever feel like your toddler’s tantrums come out of nowhere—and take forever to end? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, Dr. Cathryn shares a big-hearted, science-backed approach to handling tantrums that actually works.

RESOURCES:

I’m running a short class for exhausted parents who want more sleep (without cry-it-out). Want the details? TAP HERE

Order my book ⁠⁠Toddlers Made Easy ⁠⁠

Follow me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

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.

Catch Them Being 'Good' The Big-Hearted Way to Encourage Positive Behavior Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

The 5:1 rule is one of the most practical tools a parent can have — and it's simpler than you think.

Originally researched by psychologist John Gottman in marriages, the principle maps directly onto parenting: for every correction, aim for five positive interactions first. Not a tally. Just an intention to tip the balance toward warmth.

In this episode, we cover:

Why your relationship with your child works like a bank account
How our negativity bias works against us as parents — and how to counteract it
What a positive interaction actually looks like (hint: it's not empty praise)
How the way you talk to your child becomes their inner voice

The goal isn't perfection. It's just tipping the balance.

🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a parent who needs to hear it.

👉 Join me live April 30th for Potty Without Pushback — my free workshop on how to go from diapers to dry without the power struggles, overwhelm, or feeling like you're doing it wrong.

Save your spot here

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.

Stuck in the Potty Training Start-Stop Loop? Here's What to Do Differently Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Are you stuck in the potty training start-stop loop? You try, it falls apart, you stop — and now you're dreading starting again. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explains why potty battles happen, why your first attempt wasn't a failure, and how one simple shift can change everything.

In this episode:

Why kids push back against potty training (it's not stubbornness)
The real reason accidents happen more than you think
Kyle's story — and the one change that made all the difference
How to reintroduce the potty without pressure or battles
The simple phrase that puts your child back in control

Ready to restart or start for the first time? Join Dr. Cathryn's free workshop, Potty Without Pushback — April 30th at 10am EST.

RESOURCES

Potty Without Pushback Workshop: TAP HERE TO SAVE YOUR SEAT APRIL 30th, 10 AM EST

YOU'LL WALK AWAY KNOWING:

A kinder, quicker way to ditch diapers for good
How to potty train without the power struggles
Why your child needs to know "I'm the boss of my body"
The big-hearted way to promote independence, body awareness, and boost your child's confidence.
What to do when things go sideways — accidents, setbacks, refusals

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.

(REPLAY) Why Toddlers Misbehave: Your Toddler Isn’t Bad — Their Brain Is Developing Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

Being a toddler is tough—and parenting one can feel just as hard.

In this episode, Dr. Cathryn breaks down why toddlers struggle with impulse control, what’s really behind their behavior, and how to respond in ways that actually work.

You’ll learn how to guide—not punish—using simple, developmentally-smart strategies that reduce chaos and build cooperation.

What You’ll Learn:

Why toddler impulsivity is normal (not “bad behavior”)
How to prevent challenges before they start
Why supervision beats discipline every time
Simple ways to handle transitions and big emotions
How noticing the good changes behavior fast

👩‍⚕️ Join me on Instagram

🧡 Toddlers Made Easy Course – Get expert guidance on handling tantrums, power struggles, and discipline.

🚽 Potty Training Made Easy – A stress-free approach to potty training.

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.

(REPLAY) Get Kids to Listen — No Yelling Required Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Every parent hits a breaking point. Here's how to stop before you get there.

In this episode of Toddlers Made Easy, Dr. Cathryn shares three simple steps to stay calm — even when your toddler is pushing every button you have.

What You'll Learn:

✔ Why toddlers don't listen (and how to work with their development, not against it)

✔ The real reason parents snap — and it's not just about your toddler's behavior

✔ 3 practical steps to keep your cool when you feel triggered

✔ A bonus tip that makes staying calm even easier

Join me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/healthiest_baby/

ONE thing you can do right away to get your kids to listen tap here

Toddlers Made Easy, our bestselling course

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 Your Toddler Refuses the Potty (And What Helps) Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Potty pushback doesn't mean you're doing it wrong — it means your toddler is doing exactly what toddlers do. In this episode, we dig into why resistance happens and what actually works to move through it.

Potty resistance is developmentally normal. Toddlers are hardwired to seek control, and the bathroom is one of the few places they have it — once you understand that, the pushback stops feeling personal.
More pressure almost always makes things worse. The stories of Chelsea and Eli show how escalating effort led to zero progress — and how easing up was the real turning point.
Four strategies that actually work: prompt less (every 2 hours max), offer two real choices, lead with play and silliness, and build a routine by pairing potty time with something your child already loves.

Whether you're in the thick of training or just getting started, these research-backed, kid-forward tools will help you stay out of the power struggle — and on your toddler's team.

Resources:

Potty Training Made Easy

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.