Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn

Latest Episodes:

End Overnight Toddler Wake Ups Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Is your toddler waking multiple times a night and ending up in your bed? You're not alone — and more importantly, it's fixable.

In this episode, Dr. Cathryn breaks down the real reason most toddlers wake at night (hint: it's not to drive you crazy), and what you can do to help them sleep through — gently and without the tears.

You'll learn:

The sleep cycle science that explains why toddlers wake — and why how they fall asleep matters so much
The "pillow and blanket" analogy that finally makes it click
3 common mistakes that make night wakings worse
Why sleep deprivation is more serious than most parents realize
Other causes of night wakings — from new siblings to medical issues worth discussing with your pediatrician

Mentioned in this episode:

Why Won't My Child Go to Sleep Without Me? Part 1
Why Won't My Child Go to Sleep Without Me? Part 2
Sleep Masterclass: → Tap Here

Have a question or story to share?

DM Dr. Cathryn on Instagram or email us at drcathryn@healthiest-baby.com.

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.

Kids Want to Help. Here’s Why You Should Let Them. Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Do toddlers really need chores?

In this episode, I share why young children want to help — and why letting them contribute builds confidence, responsibility, and a deep sense of belonging.

You’ll hear:

Why toddlers are naturally wired to help
How tiny tasks build big confidence
Why you don’t need chore charts at this age
How early participation shapes responsible teens later on

Chores at this stage aren’t about productivity. They’re about connection, competence, and feeling valued in the family.

If this resonates, explore my Toddlers Made Easy course for more big-hearted, practical strategies that make parenting life easier.

RESOURCES:

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Toddlers Made Easy online course

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox

Sponsor:

Laundry Sauce

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.

Aggressive Toddler Tantrums: Why Kids Hit, Bite, and Kick (And What To Do) Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we talk about what to do when toddler tantrums turn physical—hitting, kicking, or throwing things.

When you understand what’s happening inside your child’s brain, it becomes much easier to stay calm and respond in a way that protects both safety and self-esteem.

You'll learn:

Why aggressive tantrums happen: Toddlers feel big emotions but don’t yet have the impulse control or problem-solving skills to manage them.
What to do in the moment: Focus on safety first, stay close and calm, and avoid lectures while your child is overwhelmed.
How to help long-term: After the storm passes, teach simple skills—like asking for a turn or using words—to handle big feelings next time.

This episode is made possible by our partner, Laundry Sauce.

RESOURCES

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Tantrum Crash Course mini-class

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: ⁠newsletter

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.

Q&A: 3-Year-Old Fighting Bedtime and Toddler Throwing Explained Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Bedtime was easy… until it wasn’t.
And suddenly your 3-year-old is fighting sleep, stalling, crying — and maybe even climbing out of the crib.

In this Q&A episode, I answer two common parent questions:

#1. Why a great sleeper suddenly starts resisting bedtime at age 3
#2. Why toddlers throw things — and how to respond calmly and effectively

We’ll talk about sleep changes, dropping naps, big transitions (like a new sibling or starting school), and what throwing really means and how to stop it.

RESOURCES:

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Help Your Child Fall Asleep Without You mini-class

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: ⁠newsletter

SPONSORS:

Laundry Sauce:

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 Helper Trap: How to raise a caring child who doesn’t feel responsible for everything Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

When a child is naturally kind and eager to help—especially with a new sibling—it can look beautiful on the outside… and still raise quiet worries on the inside.

In this episode, we talk about how to nurture empathy without teaching a child to disappear herself—and how to keep helping a choice, not a role.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The difference between helping as a choice and helping as a responsibility
Why constant praise for being “helpful” can unintentionally teach self-sacrifice
What to say (out loud) so your child knows caregiving is not her job
How to praise self-advocacy—not just kindness
Simple shifts that keep your child developmentally centered on herself

This episode is especially meaningful for parents of eldest children and those raising deeply empathetic kids.

🎧 If this big-hearted approach resonates with you, explore Toddlers Made Easy—my practical, developmentally informed course for everyday toddler challenges, in under five minutes a day.

RESOURCES:

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox

Sponsor:

Laundry Sauce

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.

Am I Expecting Too Much Of My Child? Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

If you’ve ever wondered whether your toddler should be able to listen, wait, share, or calm down—and felt frustrated when they couldn’t—this episode is for you.

In today’s episode, Dr. Cathryn talks about how unrealistic expectations quietly create power struggles, tantrums, and exhaustion—and how small mindset shifts can make parenting feel much easier.

You’ll learn:

Why many common expectations don’t match toddler brain development
How adjusting expectations can prevent tantrums and power struggles
What to realistically expect from 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds
How a big-hearted lens helps you stay calm while holding boundaries

🎧 If this approach resonates with you, explore Toddlers Made Easy—my practical, big-hearted course designed for real-life toddler challenges, and it takes under five minutes a day.
👉 Learn more at Toddlers Made Easy, the online course

RESOURCES:

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox

SPONSORS:

Laundry Sauce

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 A Toddler's Tantrum Without Making It Worse Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

Tantrums aren’t misbehavior—they’re a sign your child’s system is overloaded. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn talks about how your calmness (not your words) is the key to helping tantrums pass without escalating.

You’ll learn:

Why reasoning and “calm down” don’t work in the middle of a tantrum
When to stay close and quiet—and when to step in for safety
How sharing your calm helps your child regain theirs

🎧 Want more big-hearted, practical tools for tantrums, bedtime, and everyday power struggles?
Explore Toddlers Made Easy online course.

RESOURCES:

👉 Join the Big-Hearted membership: ⁠The Big-Hearted School Of Parenting⁠

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox

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 Forcing Kids to Share Backfires (And What to Do Instead) Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Cathryn talks about why sharing is so hard early on, what toddlers are actually capable of, and how to handle toy struggles without forcing lessons their brains aren’t ready to learn.

You’ll learn how to support your toddler’s big feelings, keep everyone safe, and gently guide sharing skills as they develop—without pressure, shame, or power struggles.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why toddlers aren’t developmentally ready to share (and when that changes)
What to say and do when your child grabs toys or melts down at the park
How forcing sharing can backfire—and what works better instead

Want more big-hearted tools like this?
Check out Toddlers Made Easy, my online course with simple, practical strategies for tantrums, boundaries, sharing, sleep, and everyday toddler struggles—designed to make parenting calmer in just a few minutes a day.

👉 Learn more at Toddlers Made Easy

RESOURCES:

👉 Join the Big-Hearted membership: ⁠The Big-Hearted School Of Parenting⁠

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox

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.

Helping Kids Listen Better: The Big-Hearted Way Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

When kids ignore us, it can feel personal. Disrespectful. Triggering.
But what if “not listening” isn’t a behavior problem at all?

In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explains why toddlers and preschoolers struggle with cooperation, what’s really happening in their developing brains, and why yelling may work in the moment—but backfires long-term.

You’ll learn how to help your child cooperate without threats, bribes, or power struggles, using big-hearted strategies that help kids feel seen, safe, and more willing to listen.

Because when kids aren’t listening, they’re not being difficult—they’re developing.

RESOURCES:

👉 Join the Big-Hearted membership: ⁠The Big-Hearted School Of Parenting⁠

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: ⁠newsletter

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.

Make Potty Training Easier- Home Prep Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Dr Cathryn unpacks what to do before potty training starts—how to prepare your home, your child, and yourself— so the process feels calmer, easier, and more manageable.

Set up your space to reduce stress
Small home-prep steps—like easy cleanup, clear paths to the potty, and stable seating—lower frustration and support learning.
Warm up your child without pressure
Simple, playful practice helps kids connect body signals to the potty before anything feels urgent.
Focus on confidence, not control
A big-hearted approach builds body awareness, minimizes power struggles, and keeps you connected through the messy moments.

🎉 Free Potty Party coming in early February!
I’ll be hosting a free 3-day Potty Party to walk you through big-hearted potty training and help you feel ready and confident before you begin. More details coming soon—stay tuned.

RESOURCES:

👉 Join the big-hearted membership: The Big-Hearted School Of Parenting

👉 Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: newsletter

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.