The Parent Empowerance Podcast

This week on the podcast I welcomed Effie Pomaki, a pediatric Occupational Therapist and founder of Uplifted Parenting. We talk all things sensory integration and regulation for young children. This included discussing:
Effie’s passion for helping parents with their kids’ sensory, regulation, & big feelings
What sensory integration is, the 8 senses, what sensory seeking/avoidant/sensitive are
How sensory integration relates to being regulated/dysregulated in children
Most common issues Effie helps parents and children with
What sensory thresholds are & how and when to help your child meet them
The importance of using play for sensory & regulation (and other tools/props Effie recommends)
Effie’s top 3 tips for parents who want to support their kids’ sensory & regulatory system needs
Children’s book or resources Effie recommends to parents around sensory integration including:
“The Out of Sync Child” by Carol Stock Kranowitz
“Brain Body Parenting” by Mona Delahooke
“The Whole Brain Child” by Dan Siegel & Tina Payne-Bryson
“Sensitive Sam” by Marla Roth-Fisch
“A Kids Book About Neurodiversity” by Laura Petix
“Wonderfully Wired Brains” by Louise Gooding
Connect with Effie on Instagram: @upliftedparenting
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
If you want more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development:
Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession
Inquire about ongoing parent coaching support: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuUgpYqqBbQTM4TWXOI89Cw4p19k7JqUk8E3tXZNL4RyxCkg/viewform?usp=header
Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult
Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide

What looks like “bad behavior” in babies and toddlers is often just big feelings, big desires, and very little self-regulation colliding. The goal isn't simply to make the behavior stop—it’s to set boundaries while helping your child build the skills they’re still developing.This episode focused on what behaviors are normal around the first birthday and in early toddlerhood and what strategies you can use to address these behaviors. This included:
Reviewing research and providing examples on:
What behaviors are normal around 1 to 2 years of age
How coregulation, redirection, attention, boundary-setting, and other strategies address these behaviors
Why tantrums are expected at this age
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Prevent when you can and set up the environment for success
Set clear, simple limits and be consistent with them
Physically intervene when necessary - block as needed
Validate the feeling without changing the boundary
Redirect toward an acceptable behavior
Teach the skill later
Practice regulation when they're already calm
Suggesting books:
“What to Do When You Feel Like Hitting” by Cara Goodwin
“Hands Are Not for Hitting” by Martine Agassi
“The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions” by Anna Llenas
“Llama Llama Mad at Mama” by Anna Dewdney
“Little Monkey Calms Down” by Michael Dahl
“Grumpy Monkey” by Suzanne Lang
“When Sophie Gets Angry, Really Really Angry” by Molly Bang
“The Rabbit Listened” by Cori Doerrfeld
“No, David!” by David Shannon
“The Feelings Book” by Todd Parr
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
If you want more support with understanding your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development:
Join my FREE Parenting in Real Life group on Telegram: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/freetelegramgroup
Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession
Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult
Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide

You want to keep your child safe—but sometimes it’s hard to know when to step in and when to let them figure it out. This episode focused on why safe risky play matters and how you can support your child’s confidence and independence without hovering. This included:
Reviewing research and providing examples on:
The core developmental benefits
What this can look like in young children
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Remove hazards when possible
Allow manageable risks.
Stay available.
Pause before intervening.
Let children solve problems.
Use questions instead of constant warnings.
Give graduated challenges.
Let them experience small failures.
Follow their abilities and developmental level.
Notice when your discomfort—not actual danger—is driving the intervention.
Suggesting books:
“The Big Slide” by Daniel Kirk
“Jabari Jumps” by Gaia Cornwall
“The Thing Lou Couldn't Do” by Ashley Spires
“I Can Be Brave: Overcoming Fear, Finding Confidence, and Asserting Yourself” by Holde Kreul
“Confidence Is My Superpower: A Kid's Book about Believing in Yourself and Developing Self-Esteem” by Alicia Ortego
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
If you want more support with understanding your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development:
Join my FREE Parenting in Real Life group on Telegram: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/freetelegramgroup
Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession
Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult
Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide

Parents often describe the transition from one child to two as harder than becoming a parent in the first place. This transition can be difficult because your family system is changing, your demands are increasing, your sleep is getting disrupted, and your relationships are reorganizing - not because you’re doing it wrong. This episode focused on why and how to prepare your child and family for adding a new sibling. This included:
Reviewing research and providing examples on:
How the transition from 1 to 2 kids is a shift for the entire family
What to expect developmentally, behaviorally, and emotionally from your older child
How the transition affects your relationships with your older child and partner
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Prepare your child, but don’t oversell the baby
Protect the older child’s connection with you - even 10 to 15 minutes uninterrupted a day
Expect regression from your older child and don’t panic
Keep routines as consistent as possible and make big changes before or months after
Involve your child as much as they want but don’t parentify them
Validate your older child’s feelings (especially jealousy)
Avoid blaming the baby - tiny wording shifts make a big difference!
Let your older child stay little - give cuddles, support, etc. as much as you can
Don’t force sibling love - sibling relationships grow from thousands of interactions
Let your older child hear you tell the baby to “wait” too
Give yourself and your partner grace!
Suggesting books:
“I Am a Big Brother / I Am a Big Sister” by Caroline Jayne Church
“Julius, Baby of the World” by Kevin Henkes
“Hello in There!: A Big Sister’s Book of Waiting” by Jo Witek
“You Were the First” by Patricia MacLachlan
“The New Small Person” by Lauren Child
“Being the Biggest” by Molly Mead
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
If you want more support with understanding your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development:
Join my FREE Parenting in Real Life group on Telegram: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/freetelegramgroup
Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession
Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult
Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide

Back to school is here! And the best way to prepare your child isn't teaching them to be independent or making them excited about school. It's helping them build familiarity, predictability, and relationships with the new caregiver/environment while giving them space to have feelings about the change. This episode focused on why and how to prepare your child for starting or returning to preschool, daycare, having a nanny or babysitter. This included:
Reviewing research and providing examples on:
Why preparing your child for a new caregiver matters
How to prepare your child for the transition
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Familiarize, don't overwhelm - help them know what to expect
Practice the routine, not necessarily the separation
Build the relationship with the caregiver beforehand whenever possible
Talk about the transition—but don't constantly talk about it
Validate instead of trying to eliminate separation feelings
Keep goodbye routines short, predictable, and consistent
Bring something familiar when the program allows it
Use books and pretend play to talk about what to expect or act it out
Talk with the caregiver about your specific child
Suggesting books:
“The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn
“Llama Llama Meets the Babysitter” and “Llama Llama Misses Mama” by Anna Dewdney
“I Love You All Day Long” by Francesca Rusackas
“Maisy Goes to Preschool” by Lucy Cousins
“The Night Before Preschool” by Natasha Wing
“Froggy Goes to School” by Jonathan London
“ABC School’s for Me!” by Susan B. Katz
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
If you want more support with understanding your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development:
Join my FREE Parenting in Real Life group on Telegram: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/freetelegramgroup
Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession
Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult
Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide

This week on the podcast I welcomed Kathy O’Bryan, a pediatric Registered Dietitian, mom, and host of the Food for Tot podcast. We talk all things feeding your baby and toddler. This included discussing:
Most common issues for babies and toddlers that Kathy works on with families
What she prioritizes food-wise and meal routine-wise with your child
How children use/identify hunger/fullness cues and how we can trust toddlers a little bit more
How to prevent picky eating by making one meal for your whole family (and how Kathy prioritizes this herself)
Kathy’s top 3 tips for parents learning to/trying to feed babies and toddlers
How to work with Kathy and a few of her recommended resources for parents around eating/meal-time routines
Connect with Kathy on Instagram: @theminimedietitian
Listen to Kathy’s Food for Tot podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
If you want more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development:
Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession
Inquire about ongoing parent coaching support: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuUgpYqqBbQTM4TWXOI89Cw4p19k7JqUk8E3tXZNL4RyxCkg/viewform?usp=header
Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult
Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide

People talk about temperament all the time, but not everyone knows what it actually means for THEIR child. This episode focused on defining what temperament is and explaining the traits that make it up. This included:
Reviewing research and providing examples on:
What temperament is
What the old “types” were
The 5 main temperament traits
The difference between temperament and cholic
The importance of goodness of fit
Describing key takeaways:
Your child's temperament isn't something to fix—it's something to understand.
Different children need different parenting, even within the same family.
Your job isn't to change your child's temperament. It's to help them learn to work with it while building the skills they need to thrive.
Suggesting books:
“Raising Your Spirited Child” by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
“The Orchid and the Dandelion” by W. Thomas Boyce
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
If you want more support with understanding your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development:
Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession
Inquire about ongoing parent coaching support: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuUgpYqqBbQTM4TWXOI89Cw4p19k7JqUk8E3tXZNL4RyxCkg/viewform?usp=header
Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult
Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide

Everyone says “terrible twos” but as a parent, age 3 can actually be much harder. One of the biggest shifts between 2 and 3 is that children become much more capable without becoming much more regulated. That’s often why parenting can feel more difficult. This episode focused on the developmental differences between age 2 and age 3 and how to best support this as a parent. This included:
Reviewing research on:
Executive function and self-regulation development at 3
The role of language and cognition development
Three-year olds’ NEED for independence
Why whining, screaming, and negotiating increase
The difference between knowing and doing for behavior
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Staying neutral and calm in your reactions
Validate your child’s feelings
Hold boundaries warmly and calmly (see Episode 3 for more on boundaries)
Talk less during meltdowns - save teaching for later
Look for WHY the behavior is happening (hunger, tired, overstimulation, etc.)
Expect repetition and be consistent
Practice self-regulation with games (red light/green light, freeze dance) or pretend play
Suggesting books:
“The Rabbit Listened” by Cori Doerrfeld
“When Sophie Gets Angry - Really Really Angry” by Molly Bang
“Little Monkey Calms Down” by Michael Dahl
“Llama Llama Mad at Mama” by Anne Dewdney
“I Can Do It Myself!” by Diane Adams
“The Pout Pout Fish and the Mad, Mad Day” by Deborah Diesen
“The Whole Brain Child” by Dan Siegel & Tina Payne-Bryson
“How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen” by Joanna Faber & Julie King
“Raising a Secure Child” by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, and Bert Powell
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
If you want more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development:
Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession
Inquire about ongoing parent coaching support: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuUgpYqqBbQTM4TWXOI89Cw4p19k7JqUk8E3tXZNL4RyxCkg/viewform?usp=header
Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult
Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide

This week on the podcast I welcomed my next guest - Tori Helfrich, a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist and Lactation Consultant. We talk all things lactation/weaning and supporting your child’s language. This included discussing:
Common issues Tori sees working with families as a lactation consultant
What it means to be a pediatric SLP and lactation consultant
The difference between receptive and expressive language
The importance of the quality of interaction between parent and child for speech
Most common issues Tori works on with children and families for speech
Tori’s top 3 tips for families to boost language development in babies and toddlers
The importance of connection and play for language development
Connect with Tori on Instagram @tori.slp.ibclc
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show.
Connect with me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!
If you want more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development:
Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession
Inquire about ongoing parent coaching support: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuUgpYqqBbQTM4TWXOI89Cw4p19k7JqUk8E3tXZNL4RyxCkg/viewform?usp=header
Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult
Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide

The prenatal environment is SO important not only for the main reasons most people are aware of - physical growth and health of the baby - but it is one of the earliest developmental environments children experience. It has long-term impacts on your child’s birth outcomes and development, especially their behavior, stress response, nervous system, health, and cognitive ability.
This episode focused on the importance and impact of the prenatal environment, specifically experiences of stress, on children’s behavior and regulatory systems. This included:
Reviewing research on:
The grandmother-mother-child connection
The impacts of stress during pregnancy
Acute stress vs. chronic stress effects
How the prenatal environment affects later development
The benefits of mirrors/art/photos at child level
Ways to organize your space/toys in a way to support development
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Focus on reducing chronic stress, not every stressful moment
Prioritize social support
Take mental health seriously - Talk with healthcare provider, seek counseling, try treatments or practices that help reduce anxiety/depression
Build small daily regulation practices - Think less about eliminating stress and more about creating opportunities for recovery
walking
prenatal yoga
mindfulness practices
breathing exercises
spending time outdoors
engaging in enjoyable hobbies
Protect sleep when possible
Nourish relationships
Suggesting resources:
“The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk
“Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers” by Robert M. Sapolsky
“The Whole-Brain Child” by Daniel Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson
The Child Psych Podcast
The Huberman Lab Podcast
Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!
If you need more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide
Connect with us on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!