Listen to our podcast, Parenting in the First 3 Years
How does our internal dialogue influence our parenting journey, and what steps can we take to cultivate a more positive mindset? In this episode, we dive into a topic that affects parents on a profound level: negative self-talk. Joining us is Lenora Edwards, a TEDx...
In this episode, we explore the realities of parenting, including the myths surrounding maternal instinct, the importance of parent intuition, and how we can better understand and connect with our children through mind-mindedness. Our guest, Dr. Anya Dunham shares...
This is the story of a mom who is familiar with embracing challenges when it comes to parenting. Can you imagine being told at 25 weeks pregnant that your baby probably won't make it? And then choosing to discontinue the medication given that might help your baby (but...
How can parents effectively differentiate between positive and negative attention-seeking behaviors in their children, and what strategies can they employ to reinforce positive behaviors while addressing negative ones? What does positive parenting for toddlers look...
When do a child's gifts and passions begin to emerge? Year 2? Year 5? Year 10?? In this conversation with Andrea Ventim, we navigate the intricate dance between parenting styles and personal development. We talk about how one's approach to parenting can be profoundly...
How can parents effectively balance the inherent challenge of safeguarding their children while nurturing their autonomy, particularly in the context of risky play? In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Audrey Roland, the visionary founder of Green...
Have you ever paused to consider the conversations you have with yourself, and how those internal dialogues shape your mindset? In this episode we talk about how important it is to speak to yourself with positive words and how you can affirm your child in easy,...
In this episode, Christine, Catherine and I delve into a subject that is both timely and essential – the dynamics of interracial friendships and the impact of these relationships on the journey of parenting. As parents, how do you navigate the delicate balance between...
What's the one dream or goal that, if achieved, would bring you the greatest joy and fulfillment in the new year? As you think about the goals you'd like to set for the new year, remember that each step is a building block toward a more fulfilling life. Stay...
Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #95 Navigating Holiday Gatherings with Kids with Ann McKitrick Ever wondered how to transform holiday gatherings into a seamless experience when kids are in the mix? Let's unveil a treasure trove of tips and tricks...
Curious about the smart moves that can boost your family's finances as the year wraps up? As the year approaches its end, it's more than a season of festivities; it marks a pivotal moment to assess and plan family finances. Engaging in year-end financial planning is...
How does a good laugh become a powerful ally in the battle against postpartum stress? Motherhood is a mix of joy and stress. Embracing humor can ease postpartum stress, making the journey more enjoyable. Laughter not only relieves stress but also connects mothers...
In this week's episode, host Ann McKitrick sits down with guest Nate Feathers as they discuss modern parenting and the evolving role of dads. He brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the table. As we explore various aspects of parenting, from...
Ever thought about how the way we talk to our kids goes beyond just words? The tone we use, the pauses we make, and the inflection in our voice all weave together to create a nuanced backdrop for the messages we convey. Striking a balance between what feels natural...
Embarking on the incredible journey of breastfeeding brings a mix of complexities and wonders. Let's unravel the myths, delve into the fluid nature of breast milk, and uncover the ins and outs of pumping techniques. With each breastfeeding experience being unique,...
How can parents help their child transition from playing primarily with them to playing with other children or independently? As parents, understanding the stages of play and the importance of social interactions in early childhood development can greatly influence...
Have you ever experienced the mix of exhaustion and reward that comes with being a mom of a toddler? Being a mom of a toddler is an exhilarating journey, but it comes with its share of challenges, especially when it comes to keeping up our energy levels. In today's...
How can a mom entrepreneur overcome challenges and achieve empowerment in both their professional and parenting lives? Motherhood is a transformative journey, filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with our children. But for some moms, the call to pursue...
Have you ever experienced the mixed emotions of being both motivated and disheartened by what you see on social media? How do these contrasting feelings affect you? In today's digital age, social media has become a big part of our lives. We find ourselves scrolling...
Have you ever wondered what to do or how to set up your home when you have other children over to play? In this episode, Jeanne-Marie Paynel, M.Ed, shares practical insights and tips to support your child's development. Our conversation reveals the beauty of...
Our children go through developmental stages from the moment they are born, but how many of you know that parents also go through stages of development? In this episode, Ellen Galinsky, co-founder and President of Families and Work Institute discusses her book "The...
Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #68: What to Do When Your Toddler Hits Someone In this episode of "Parenting in the First Three Years," host Ann McKitrick discusses whether parents should insist that their child says sorry when their toddler hits...
Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #66: How to Find the Best Childcare Center In this episode, we explore the world of childcare and share practical tips for parents who are on the hunt for the best care for their children. We explore some important...
Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #43: Attachment Parenting Explained with Diane Goyette and Gabrielle Holt There's a lively conversation on social media about attachment parenting and sometimes it feels like just one more thing to get right, or...
Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #38: What to Expect in the Fourth Trimester with Meg & Carly of Fourth Trimester Foundations The "fourth trimester" is the term coined for the first 3 months after birth. Those first weeks are beautiful, memorable and...
Why should you get some puzzles for your toddler? Play is essential for toddlers - it's how they figure things out. They need opportunities to play with good toys and materials and use their imagination. Puzzles fit the bill! They provide lots of learning - from...
Can toddlers write? As soon as your little one becomes interested, you can give them some big paper and a marker to get them started. Learning to make a mark on the page is actually an important part of early literacy, which begins in the first three years of life....
Making playdough with toddlers. We had a tray on the shelf with all the playdough ingredients and made a fresh batch about every 2 weeks. When I was a teacher, our class loved making playdough. We pull out the tray of ingredients and the kids would take turns dumping...
Tea parties. We started them early on at our house. I think it started that time I spotted Good Mood Tea at Whole Foods. I bought a box for the next time the crankies set in. Because um, that happened often with three kids under age four. I bought it for myself, then...
What's a lovey? It's a blanket, a teddy bear or some other object that children attached to. They use loveys to comfort themselves at bedtime and in other situations where they feel the need for something cozy and familiar. The psychological term for this is...
It’s one of those things that connects us all. We love to look at pictures of people we love! How about making some toddler books with pictures of familiar people and places?
What’s the difference between a pregnancy cookie and a regular cookie? Do labor cookies really make your labor begin?
Make reading a part of your daily routine. You’ve heard about the importance of social-emotional development in the first years. But what does that actually look like in the day to day? Social-emotional development includes your child’s experience, expression, and...
There's not much better than snuggling up with a good book. It's one of my favorite things, especially when I'm snuggling with a child. 🥰 If your brand new to parenting, you may feel unsure how to go about reading a book to a baby that's so young they can't talk yet....
When do you really need to start reading to your baby? Now's a good time! Early literacy begins early. Research shows that newborns are born equipped to respond to the language they've heard in the womb. They've been listening to you all this time and they love your...
It's one of the first things people ask, "Is he keeping you awake at night?" (Um, yes he's awake at night, he's a newborn) This week I sat down with Joanna Clark of Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching to talk about sleep patterns for newborns. I asked her what you should...
Talk about adulting. This is it. Likely one of the first big decisions you'll make when you become a parent. It's a decision that will deeply impact your family, especially your baby. The folks who care for your baby while you work will become your partners in...
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Oh my goodness... I don’t know about you but it feels to me like unknowns of COVID are lasting a lot longer than I expected. As this all unfolds, new parents are faced with questions that weren’t even in our grid 8 months ago! Pregnancy can be filled with a lot of...
We really can't help ourselves. Something inside us kind of melts. Have you ever noticed the feeling you get when you see little tiny puppies or kittens, or even a baby elephant at the zoo? Or had complete strangers stop to talk to you as you walk your puppy? We...
Recently I had the privilege of presenting a training to over 150 Head Start teachers in Houston. The topic was understanding autism and we covered lots of information about neurological development that happens in the first several years of life. One of the word...
That little person is very tuned in to you. From the moment they're born, babies are ready to listen, respond and try to figure out how to be in relationship with you. Research gives us really interesting insight into how equipped newborns are to do this. Let's take a...
I was surprised at the amount of downtime I had with a new baby. I remember the first few months of staying home with my first baby. I assumed I’d be swamped with my new tasks of parenthood: nursing around the clock, diaper changes, rocking baby to sleep, etc....
The all-important first two years Your child's early learning and development has far-reaching implications for the future of the economy, the political climate and international relations. Crazy to think that what you do each day as a parent has that kind of...
This year while my daughter goes to morning preschool, I’ve been looking forward to exercising for a bit at the gym. The only problem? My two year old. My darling, highly-attached, cries-if-I’m-gone-for-two-minutes two year old. I knew dropping off my kiddo at the gym...
I’ll never forget the stress I felt about miscarriage when I was pregnant. Every day I worried the pregnancy might end. I remember counting down the days to when I’d be past the first trimester, longing for it to come. I was sure once I made it past that date, my...
The moment a pregnancy test is positive or the foster/adoption approval comes through, you begin to wonder... What am I going to do? What does it feel like to be a parent? How will I be the same and how will I be different? Will I still be able to be spontaneous, do...
We all want to teach kids to be kind and compassionate with others. When does this begin? When they start playing with others? When they have the cognitive capacity to share? Does it happen naturally or do you have to 'teach' it? Recent research tells us that infants...
Odds are, someone else will care for your baby at some time in the first year. The average length of maternity/paternity leave in US is 12 weeks (often unpaid) with many moms returning to work when the baby is 6 weeks of age. In fact, of the 12 million infants and...
We had 3 babies in four years. Then when those 3 were teens, we started fostering babies. And while I may have thought I was ready to be a parent with that first pregnancy, I was not. No matter what you think you already know going in, the experience of being a parent...
All I ever really wanted to be when I grew up was a mom. Like many little girls, I played 'house' all the time as a kid, treating my baby dolls with love and care, teaching them and handing out discipline when they needed it. As a teenager, I did lots of...
Block Play! Last week we got to hang out with Megan, Josh, and the grandkids! We live far apart so when we spend time together, it’s really special. And of course, since I love all things child development, it’s fun to see how the kids have grown, what they like to...
Babies don’t cry to manipulate. They cry to communicate a physical condition or emotion. You won’t spoil your baby when you respond to crying. Rather, your response gives your baby a sense of security, that she knows she’s heard and understood and that you will keep her safe. It doesn’t teach her to cry more.
How to Choose a Childcare Center for My New Baby? It’s time to make one of the more important decisions that you’ll make as a parent – finding child care for your little one. You’ve done your due diligence. You’ve asked for recommendations from friends, checked state...
I’m a child development specialist, parent coach and teacher trainer. I’ve cared for countless babies in child development programs, plus 3 kids, 3 grand babies and 5 foster babies! I LOVE babies and would come hold yours if I could. ❤️
