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Practical Parenting

The podcast that helps empower parents in the trenches, find joy in the process and thrive through it all.

Latest Episodes
  • Sports and activities offer a slew of benefits for our kids, but can often come with burnout, battles, and blown budgets. We break down how to balance structured sports with free play and how to help your child discover what truly lights them up inside. And, once we are in the sports, reframing quitting, the sports scholarship myth, building resiliency, and more.
  • Vaccine information this fall has been confusing, to say the least. But recommendations from professional medical societies are clear and have not changed. Get the information you need to make the best decision for your family here.
  • Sleep is the secret weapon for learning, growth, and a strong immune system. We break down how much sleep kids really need, how to shift sleep schedules to get back on track (hello, 30–60-minute steps), and daytime habits that make nights easier . . . to make your life easier.
  • Back-to-school without the chaos. We answer all your burning back-to-school questions with practical tips for resetting sleep and morning routines, handling first-day jitters, making homework more manageable, and more. Quick wins, zero guilt, totally doable, a perfect recipe for that first week back!
  • Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. We have our first guest! Ameka, Executive Director, Early Childhood at the Y of Central Maryland is answering the question: “What is the one thing you believe parents need to know before sending their kids to school for the first time?”
  • From poison ivy and bug bites to eczema and heat rash, we dive into common summertime skin conditions every parent should know about. Find out what causes these rashes, how to prevent them, and practical tips for soothing your child’s discomfort.
  • Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. We have all been in this situation: We ask 14 times to put their shoes on because it’s time to go. We argue with our teen about practicing the piano they chose to play. It’s stressful for all parties involved, and the arguing gets us nowhere. How do we lay the groundwork for kids to develop good time management?
  • Unstructured play and boredom are not only okay, they're essential for your child’s development. In a world filled with scheduled activities and endless screens, allowing kids the time and space to engage in free play can help build creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience. This episode gives practical tips on balancing structured activities with creative, independent play and how to give your child the freedom they need to thrive.
  • Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. Accidental drowning is one of the most common causes of death and injury for young children as well as teenagers. As pools open and vacations begin, we want you to have water safety information top of mind.
  • The connection between your gut microbiome and mental health is fascinating. We explain how the gut and brain are intricately connected through physical and chemical pathways, and how the food we eat can influence mood, behavior, and mental wellbeing. Tune in to learn how you can use nutrition to enhance emotional wellness and mental clarity.