The Parent Empowerance Podcast

Despite what we see online, rotating toys every 2 weeks is not actually as important as social media makes us think it is. BUT the physical environment in your home DOES matter for your child’s development. Research has consistently found that how a child’s physical environment is arranged influences attention, play quality, self-regulation, independence, language development, and physical activity. This episode focused on ways to shape your child’s physical home environment to support their development. This included:
Reviewing research on:
Why having fewer toys available is beneficial
What is actually known about rotating toys
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:
Limit the number of toys visible at one time (6-10 toys)
Prioritize open-ended toys over more toys
Create accessible, child-height storage and play areas
Ensure plenty of open space for movement and play
Rotate toys whenever your kids clearly lose interest
Add child-level mirrors, art, and family photographs
Suggesting books:
“Not a Box” and “Not a Stick” by Antoinette Portis
“The Listening Walk” by Paul Showers
“Outside In” by Cindy Derby
“Jabari Tries” by Gaia Cornwall
“Saturday” by Oge Mora
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 me on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

This week on the podcast I welcomed my next guest - Maddie Garcia, a pediatric Occupational Therapist. We talk all things sensory integration, pediatric OT, and how to support your child’s regulatory abilities and sensory needs. This included discussing:
What it means to be a pediatric OT (who, where, what, how)
The 8 senses and what sensory processing is
The differences between sensory seeking, under-responsive, and over-responsive
The overlap between sensory processing and self-regulation/behavior in young children (of course!)
Maddie’s top tips and resources for supporting your child’s sensory system
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!

Parents (and society!) often expect toddlers or preschoolers to share, but that’s actually not developmentally appropriate until closer to 5 or 6! And expecting them to do it too early can create bigger power struggles and tantrums because their brains just aren’t ready for sharing toys/snacks/activities yet. This episode focused on what IS developmentally appropriate, and how to build the skills that prepare young children to share. This included:
Reviewing research on:
When sharing actually becomes possible
What is developmentally appropriate by age
Why self-regulation matters so much for sharing
Providing examples on:
How to help your children practice turn taking or parallel play
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
First practice parallel play!
Respecting ownership ("You're using that right now.")
Teaching turn-taking
Providing duplicates when possible
Practice with PLAY
Narrating others' feelings
Help them process what happened when another child didn’t share or when they didn’t get a turn
Modeling generosity or turn taking
Supporting children in finding solutions
Stop telling your children they “need to share” - use language that supports the skills required to share
Suggesting books:
“That’s My Truck!” by Dr. Becky Kennedy
“Liama llama time to share” by Anna Dewdney
“Should I Share My Ice Cream?” by Mo Willems
“The Mine-O-Saur” by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
“The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister
“The Berenstain Bears Learn to Share” by Stan and Jan Berenstain
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!

Sibling relationships are the longest relationship your children will have across their lives. But these often come with a lot of conflict, especially in early childhood. This episode focuses on understanding the benefit (and risks) of sibling relationships for development, the importance of supporting the bond, and how to navigate conflict between your children. This included:
Reviewing research on:
The importance of sibling relationships for child development
Why and how to support the bond and navigate conflict between siblings
Providing examples on:
My own experiences navigating my children’s sibling relationships
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Encourage taking turns - don’t focus on sharing in early childhood
Try “I’m here to help keep you both safe”
Sit and play with your kids when you can
Encourage empathy by asking “How can you help them feel better?”
Encourage and model repairing after conflict
Build an emotionally safe home environment
Intentionally create opportunities for: cooperative play, shared routines, family teamwork, joint problem-solving, positive shared memories
Protect and encourage opportunities for positive interaction
Suggesting books:
“Julius, the Baby of the World” by Kevin Henkes
“The New Small Person” by Lauren Child
“The Pain and the Great One” by Judy Blume
“Big Red Lollipop” by Rukhsana Khan
“That’s My Truck!” by Dr. Becky Kennedy
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, 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!

Parents are usually quick to say “say sorry” or “give them a hug” when their kid hits/bites/throws/doesn’t share with another child, but these often become ingenuine actions for your child to get out of trouble. This is where empathy comes in! In order to encourage your child’s empathy development, you want to get them thinking! This episode focuses on the importance of empathy for young children and how to support your child’s development of it. This included:
Reviewing research on:
The components of empathy
The importance of empathy in young children
How empathy develops in early childhood
Providing examples on:
How to support empathy in the moment with young children
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Focusing on warm, responsive caregiving
Modeling empathy as an adult
Labeling any and all emotions and validating your child’s emotions
Asking perspective-taking questions
Storytelling and books that support empathy/compassion
Practicing with pretend play and cooperative play
Coregulation!
Encouraging and modeling repair
Specific encouragement around empathy/compassion
Suggesting books:
“Today I Feel Silly” by Jamie Lee Curtis
“The Feelings Book” by Todd Parr
“My Many Colored Days” by Dr. Seuss
“The Rabbit Listened” by Cori Doerrfeld
“I am Human” by Susan Verde
“Be Kind” by Pat Zietlow Miller
“Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña
“How to Raise an Antiracist” by Ibram X Kendi
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, 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!

Getting your young children (especially toddlers) out of the house can feel like a monumental task some days. Frustration and impatience are completely normal with the frequent delay tactics or power struggles that come with getting your kids dressed (and getting them to keep their clothes on), doing their hair, eating breakfast, getting shoes on, all the daily tasks.
This episode focuses on understanding why power struggles and difficulties during transitions are a normal part of development, as well as on how to prevent or combat them in the moment. This included:
Reviewing research on:
Why power struggles are a normal part of development in early childhood
How parents can exacerbate transition struggles
When transitions may be more difficult
Providing examples on:
How to prevent power struggles
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Give advanced warnings
Have predictable routines
Make it visual as much as you can
Try to give yourself extra time when you can
Make it fun or playful as much as you can
Provide options during your morning routine and make sure they are acceptable to you either way
Connect first! Get on their level, talk calmly and connect with them first before directing them
Practice/act out transitions during calm moments
Talk to your preschoolers and older toddlers about expectations and what it tells you when they don’t get ready
Stay as calm and regulated as YOU can
Suggesting books:
“No, David!” by David Shannon
“I do it!” by Brian Biggs
“Mine!” by Candace Fleming
“When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry” by Molly Bang
“Froggy Gets Dressed” by Frank Remkiewicz
“Time to Go, Maisy!” by Lucy Cousins
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!
Connect with us on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

This week on the podcast I welcomed my first guest - LE Wolfram, a former kindergarten teacher of 7 years and home school mama of 2. We talk all things kindergarten readiness and the decision to home school. This included:
Kindergarten readiness:
Why this is important
How behavior/regulation plays a role
The importance of soft skills and social-emotional learning
Realistic expectations from a kindergarten teacher
Expectations for kindergarteners in our society (the good and bad)
Home school decision:
Why LE chose to homeschool her son
Why parents make this choice in general
The pros and cons of homeschooling
How to prepare your preschooler for kindergarten
LE’s top 5 things for parents to work on with their child
Follow LE on Instagram @wildandhoneyb
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!
Connect with us on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

You are your child’s safe place, you’re their home and their comfort. This attachment you form with your child plays one of the biggest roles not only in your relationship with them, but in their development and future relationships as well. This episode focuses on what attachment is and how it influences your child’s development. This included:
Reviewing research on:
What attachment is
The four types:
Secure
Insecure - avoidant
Insecure - ambivalent
Insecure - disorganized
Why it’s important for parenting
How attachment influences your child’s development and future outcomes
Providing examples on:
What attachment is and isn’t
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Respond consistently with sensitivity and warmth
Respond to your baby asap when they cry or make a bid for your attention
Respond to your toddler/preschooler as much as you can
Co-regulation is key!
Engage with your child - sing songs, read books, PLAY
Read their signs of overstimulation, overwhelm, distress, etc. and meet their needs
REPAIR as soon as you are calm enough to and do it often
Promote exploration by being your child’s secure base - don’t push them away if they get clingy in a new place or around new people
Suggesting books:
“The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn
“Monkey Puzzle” by Julia Donaldson
“In my heart: A book of feelings” by Jo Witek
“Raising Securely Attached Kids” by Eli Harwood
“Parenting from the Inside Out” by Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzell
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!
Connect with us on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

Leaving your child is never easy! And deciding where to take your child and who to leave them with is one of the biggest (and toughest) decisions parents make in early childhood. This episode focuses on strengths and limitations to each care type, as well as strategies for choosing one. This included:
Reviewing research on:
Why the quality of care matters more than the type of care
The strengths and limitations for:
In-home daycare
Center daycare
Preschool
Nanny
What to look for by the age of your child
Providing examples on:
Experiences teaching in preschools, daycares, and working as a nanny
Choosing a care type for my own child
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Drop in!
Prioritize caregiver interaction, warmth, responsiveness
Want a focus on social-emotional learning and play
Look for low caregiver-child ratios
Want clean environment, toys available on shelves to play with, art and decorations at child level
Want good interaction quality, emotional safety, consistency
It helps to talk to other parents online, drop in more than once, read reviews
Bring your children with you to tour places or have them present when interviewing nannies
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!
Work with me! Find my parent coaching service guide at the link on my Instagram, fill out the Inquiry page, or DM me with questions or concerns! I include preschool/daycare vetting as a part of my coaching services.
Connect with us on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

“Is this okay?” “I get impatient with my children and don’t know what to do.” “My child has been biting their sibling every day and I can’t get them to stop.” All of these are completely normal questions I’ve gotten from parents about handling their children’s behavior. It can be so difficult to know what to do in the moment or how to implement behavior management strategies. That’s where I come in! This episode focuses on what positive, age-appropriate discipline looks like in early childhood. This included:
Reviewing research on:
The impacts of common discipline and behavior management strategies (time out, spanking, redirection, offering choices)
How biting/hitting/throwing is normal for young kids
The importance of repair and connection during conflict or “discipline”
Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:
Do not focus on control, focus on guidance and connection!
During behaviors/conflict:
Connect first
Validate emotions and be their calm
Clear limits with redirection
Take a break and ask for help - keep your child safe
Especially for toddlers:
Ignore and redirect
Use your attention to reinforce behaviors
Remove or block and redirect
Repair asap
Model how you regulate and repair
Label your emotions and how they feel/look
Explain how parents also have meltdowns
It’s ALWAYS okay to start over (whether it’s because of you or your kids)
After
Use storytelling or pretend play to process experiences and emotions
Teach children tools to handle their behavior
Prevention
Use play, singing, changing location to change energy or end power struggles
Give yourself more time or change how you approach parts of your routine that often cause you impatience or frustration
Offer choices to give control
Maintain a routine and use visual schedule to help
Create boundaries/limits that prevent power struggles
Suggesting books:
It’s ok: Being Kind to yourself when things feel hard by Wendy O’Leary
Breathing makes it better by Christopher Willard and Wendy O’Leary
Roaring Mad Riley by Allison Szczecinski
That’s My Truck by Dr. Becky Kennedy
The whole brain child by Dan Siegel and Tine Payne-Bryson
Parenting from the Inside Out by Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzell
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!
Connect with us on Instagram:
@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting
@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!