Your Child is Normal: with Dr Jessica Hochman

Latest Episodes:

Ep 192: Why boredom is a good thing for kids! (Minisode) Jul 07, 2025

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In this solo episode of Your Child Is Normal, pediatrician and mom of three Dr. Jessica Hochman explores a summer parenting dilemma almost all families face: what to do when kids say, “I’m bored.”

Rather than seeing boredom as a problem to fix, in episode makes the case that it’s actually a gift. Drawing on developmental psychology and research, she explains how boredom helps children develop creativity, autonomy, and emotional regulation. You’ll hear stories about J.K. Rowling, Albert Einstein, and Thomas Edison—all of whom had major breakthroughs during moments of stillness—and learn why screens might be getting in the way of your child’s imagination.

Dr Jessica Hochman shares practical tips on how to reset your child’s attention, protect downtime, and welcome boredom into your family’s summer.

If you're feeling pressure to overschedule your child, or if you're hearing a lot of “I'm bored!” this summer, this episode will help you reframe those moments as opportunities for growth.

Credited Studies

Eastwood et al – The unengaged mind: Defining boredom in terms of attention. Journal: Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2012 https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691612456044
Mann & Cadman – Does being bored make us more creative? Creativity Research Journal, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2014.901073
Hunter, Dyer & Eastwood – Feeling Bored, Feeling Blue: Depression, boredom, and the default mode network. Emotion, 2016 https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000146
Dr. Teresa Belton – Interviews with Creative Professionals
- "Boredom is good for children – and adults", BBC News, 2013
- Book title: Happier People Healthier Planet

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.
Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube: Ask Dr Jessica

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If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.
To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA
The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals. If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.

Ep 191: Summer Q&A Minisode! Hydration, Constipation, Sunscreen Battles & Motion Sickness Jun 30, 2025

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In this special "minisode" of Your Child is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman answers four of the most common summer questions she hears from parents:
– Is it normal if my kid doesn’t drink much water?
– Why does my child get constipated when we travel?
– What if my child refuses sunscreen?
– How do I prevent motion sickness in the car?

The goal is to help parents learn practical tips of normal parent concerns to help you feel more prepared during the summer months.

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Ep 190: Bonding from birth: normalizing early parenting challenges, with neonatologist Dr Joanna Parga-Belinkie MD Jun 23, 2025

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Episode 190 with neonatologist, author and podcast host, Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie who talks about her new book, We talk about the challenges of parenting, particularly in the newborn phase. She emphasizes the importance of bonding with babies, the role of community support, and the impact of modern technology on parenting. Dr Joanna offers practical advice for navigating the early days of parenthood. The discussion highlights that while parenting can be overwhelming, focusing on relationships and being present can lead to fulfilling experiences.

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Ep 189: Catch Them When They’re Good: Behavioral Psychology for Better Parenting with Dr. Larry Waldman Jun 16, 2025

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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, I’m joined by Dr. Larry Waldman, a behavioral psychologist and author of Who's Raising Whom?, to unpack how behavioral psychology can make parenting easier — and more effective. We talk about how small, consistent changes in how we respond to our children can lead to big shifts in their behavior.

You’ll learn:

Why kids sometimes misbehave just to get attention — and how to turn that around
How to use praise and logical consequences that actually work
Why consistency matters more than perfection

Whether you’re dealing with whining, ignoring, or sibling chaos, this conversation is full of practical tools to help you parent with less stress and more confidence.

📘 Learn more about Dr. Waldman’s work at topphoenixpsychologist.com
📚 Books mentioned: Who's Raising Whom?, Coping with Your Adolescent, Love Your Child More Than You Hate Your Ex

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Ep 188: Why Bedwetting Happens—and What Really Helps: A Conversation with Pediatric Urologist Dr. Andrew Kirsch Jun 09, 2025

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Bedwetting is incredibly common—but it’s also often misunderstood, leaving families feeling frustrated, confused, or even ashamed. In this episode, pediatric urologist Dr. Andrew Kirsch joins Dr. Jessica Hochman to demystify nighttime wetting and offer real, evidence-based guidance for parents.

They explore:

Why bedwetting happens (hint: it’s not your child’s fault)
When to worry and when to wait
The truth about bedwetting alarms and medications
A promising new non-drug device called Soluu that could reshape how we treat bedwetting

Whether you're in the thick of it with your child or just want to be prepared, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and plenty of practical tips.

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Ep 187: When is the digital world too much for kids? And what can realistically be done about it? With Julie Frumin, MFT Jun 02, 2025

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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with therapist and screen-time educator Julie Frumin about the digital world kids are growing up in—and how to push back. They explore the rise in anxiety, sleep deprivation, and attention issues linked to screens, and how we can respond as parents and communities. Julie shares her personal story, professional insights, and her work with Healthier Tech and MAMA (Mothers Against Media Addiction). From delaying smartphones to modeling unplugged behavior to creating phone-free spaces, this conversation is filled with realistic, empowering tools to help kids—and adults—reclaim their time and well-being.

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Ep 186: Between a Shot and a Hard Place: A Conversation with Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh May 26, 2025

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In this episode of Your Child is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman speaks with integrative pediatrician Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh about his brand-new book, Between a Shot and a Hard Place. They discuss vaccine decision-making in today’s polarized climate, the importance of listening to parents, and how to navigate thoughtful conversations rooted in care and trust.

Dr. Hochman also shares her own perspective as a pediatrician who strongly supports vaccines and believes in creating space for respectful questions and dialogue.

If you're a parent looking to make informed, confident choices about your child’s health—or simply curious about how to talk about vaccines with more nuance—this is a conversation for you.

🔗 Resources & Links:

📘 Between a Shot and a Hard Place by Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh:
https://www.amazon.com/Between-Shot-Hard-Place-Warsh/dp/1662959710
🌐 Dr. Warsh’s website:
https://integrativepediatricsandmedicine.com
📱 Follow Dr. Warsh on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drjoelgator/
🎧 Related Episodes:
Episode 180 & 181 of Your Child is Normal with Dr. Paul Offit – for a science-forward perspective on vaccines.

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Ep: 185 Healthy Kids, Real Life: A Pediatrician Mom’s Honest Approach with Dr. Padget Skogman May 19, 2025

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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with pediatric hospitalist and mom of three, Dr. Padget Skogman, for a refreshingly honest conversation about raising healthy kids in a very imperfect world. They dive into the real-life challenges of nutrition, screen time, and daily routines—offering practical, judgment-free advice for families who want to feel better without burning out.

Dr. Skogman shares how her experience as a physician and a mother shaped her views on food, wellness, and the importance of small, sustainable changes. The episode covers everything from lunchbox negotiations to decoding wellness trends, helping parents cut through the noise and focus on what really matters.

Whether you're overwhelmed by wellness culture or just trying to get your kids to eat a vegetable, this episode is full of relatable moments and empowering guidance.

Connect with Dr. Padget Skogman:
Instagram: @padgetskogmanmd
Substack: padgetskogmanmd.substack.com
Website: padgetskogmanmd.com

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Ep 184: Flat Feet, Smelly Feet, Ingrown Toenails, Toe-Walking and more--your common feet questions answered! with podiatrist Dr. Michael Zapf May 12, 2025

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In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Zapf, a podiatrist who’s been treating kids’ feet for nearly 40 years. We cover the most common foot concerns I hear from parents—how to tell what’s normal, when to worry, and what you can do to support healthy feet at home. In this episode you'll hear tips on ingrown toenails, shoes, feet hygiene, Severs disease, plantar warts, and more!

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Ep 183: Feeding Without Fear: A Guide to Starting Solids with Cinthia Scott May 05, 2025

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This week on Your Child Is Normal, I’m joined by pediatric dietitian Cinthia Scott, co-author of Baby Leads the Way, to talk about starting solids, baby-led weaning, early allergen introduction, picky eating, and how to reduce the pressure we put on ourselves as parents. We cover practical tips like the “smush test,” how to reframe gagging, the myth of “food before one is just for fun,” and how to raise adventurous eaters without mealtime battles.

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