256: Toddlers, Tantrums & Boundaries with Devon Kuntzman
This week I sat down with Devon Kuntzman, founder of Transforming Toddlerhood and author of the brand-new book by the same name, to talk all things toddlers—the good, the messy, and the meltdown-y. We dug into why parents tie their worth to behavior, how “gentle parenting” often slips into permissiveness, and why connection isn’t a checklist, it’s a feeling. Devon shared her “recipe for effective discipline” (connection, limits, follow-through, teaching skills), plus we got real about decoding behavior, calling out the elephant in the room, and saying the obvious things our kids actually need to hear. This one’s a must-listen for anyone in the toddler trenches.Timstamps:(00:05:30) Understanding Toddler Communication through Behavior(00:06:05) Decoding Toddler Behavior for Parental Connection(00:06:42) Decoding Children's Actions for Emotional Understanding(00:20:10) Emotional Connection in Effective Parenting Strategies(00:20:50) Emphasizing Effective Discipline through Connection and Limits(00:23:10) Verbal Communication for Children's Emotional Expression(00:35:49) Flexible Potty Training Timelines Based on Child's Development(00:37:56) Decoding Children's Behavior in ParentingDevon's InstagramJamie's InstagramOh Crap! Cafe Parenting CommunityOh Crap! Potty TrainingOh Crap! I Have a ToddlerPaleovalley Protein SticksTherapee
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255: Is Your Child Withholding Poop? Signs, Causes & What to Do
In this episode, I’m diving deep into one of the most common—and misunderstood—potty training struggles: poop withholding. This isn’t your kid being stubborn or “doing it on purpose.” Withholding is a muscular reaction to anxiety, and right now, it’s the majority of the work I do with families. I’ll break down the signs to watch for (from smearing to requesting a diaper), why so many specialists and pediatricians get this wrong, and how withholding connects to constipation, pee accidents, and even nervous system overload. If your child is holding poop, asking for a diaper, or flat-out terrified of the potty, this episode is for you. Let’s get clear on what’s really happening—and how to fix it.Timestamps:(00:07:16) Behavioral Signs of Poop Withholding in Children(00:09:29) Anxiety-Driven Poop Withholding in Children(00:13:13) Significance of Poop Withholding Misunderstanding(00:15:49) Miralax Treatment for Pediatric Poop WithholdingJamie's InstagramOh Crap! Cafe Parenting CommunityOh Crap! Potty TrainingOh Crap! I Have a ToddlerPaleovalley Protein SticksTherapee
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254: Stop Over-Processing Your Child’s Emotions
In this episode, I’m tackling one of the biggest mistakes I see parents making right now: over-processing our kids’ emotions. Somewhere along the line, “validate their feelings” turned into full-on therapy sessions every time your toddler cried about the blue cup. And guys, that’s not helping them—it’s drowning everyone. I’ll break down the difference between validating and over-processing, why saying “you make me…” is so damaging, and how dumping our emotional baggage on our kids leads to anxious, people-pleasing teens. This one is a mix of tough love and practical advice so you can stop spiraling in the quicksand of feelings and get back to leading with clarity.Timestamps:(00:02:30) Empowering Children to Manage their Emotions(00:04:50) Balancing Toddler Emotions for Healthy Development(00:07:45) Emotional Resilience in Parenting Approach(00:12:34) Parental Model of Emotional Language in Children(00:17:58) Emotional Burden on Children: Impact and PreventionPrevious Episode Mentioned: EP 174: Tiny dictators Jamie's InstagramOh Crap! Cafe Parenting CommunityOh Crap! Potty TrainingOh Crap! I Have a ToddlerPaleovalley Protein SticksTherapee
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253: Stop "Trying" To Potty Train (Bite Size Nugget)
In this bite-sized nugget, I’m tackling one of the biggest potty training mistakes I see right now: “trying” to potty train. And by trying, I don’t mean giving it an honest go—I mean sampling it here and there, doing it only on weekends, or half-committing and hoping your kid magically figures it out. Spoiler: that just sends mixed messages and sets everyone up for frustration. Potty training, like learning to read, takes consistency and commitment. In this episode, I’m breaking down why “there is no try” (yep, straight out of Yoda’s playbook), what happens when you wait until you’re up against a deadline, and why you’re better off not starting at all than dabbling. If you’ve been dipping a toe into potty training instead of diving in, this one’s your loving reality check.Timestamps:(00:04:27) Immersive Approach to Potty Training Success(00:05:52) Consistent Support for Successful Potty Training(00:10:07) Committed and Consistent Potty Training ApproachJamie's InstagramOh Crap! Cafe Parenting CommunityOh Crap! Potty TrainingOh Crap! I Have a ToddlerPaleovalley Protein SticksTherapee
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252: Screens, Autism, and the Toddler TV Trap with Andreina Rosales
This week, I sat down with Andreina Diaz, mom of two, PhD student, and researcher behind Toddler TV Trap, to talk about one of the hottest (and most controversial) topics in parenting right now: screen time and autism. Andreina’s work looks at how highly stimulating shows like Cocomelon and Ms. Rachel may be impacting kids’ brains, what new research is showing about subtypes of autism, and why reducing or removing screens has led to jaw-dropping changes for some families. We dive into the difference between passive vs. active screen time, what counts as “healthy” screen use, and how to rethink the way we’re using devices in our homes. This one is equal parts eye-opening, challenging, and also full of hope. I promise, it’s a conversation worth listening to.Timestamps:(00:13:08) "Toddler TV Trap: Impact on Social Development"(00:18:41) Overstimulation Prevention through Alternative Activities for Children(00:19:11) Debate on Screen Time Impact on Autism(00:24:52) Link Between Screen Time and Autism Symptoms(00:29:36) Interactive vs. Passive Screen Time Effects(00:32:35) Active Creation for Holistic Child Development(00:42:12) Enhancing Child Development Through Active Screen Time(00:42:34) Optimizing Screen Time for Child Development(00:46:44) Interactive Alternatives to Reduce Screen TimeConnect with Andreina:https://www.instagram.com/toddlertvtrap/Jamie's InstagramOh Crap! Cafe Parenting CommunityOh Crap! Potty TrainingOh Crap! I Have a ToddlerPaleovalley Protein SticksTherapee
A podcast for conscious parents who drop the f-bomb. A lot. We are the overthinkers, the dreamers, and the doers. We are parenting in a radically different way than those before us. But our divine vision gets blurry cause...OMG...kids can be such a pain in the ass. Let's work from the inside out, in a whole brain, whole body way to mitigate the crappy behavior. Not just with our kids but with ourselves. So you can be the parent you envision.
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