Simple Families Podcast: Parenting | Simple Living | Minimalism | Purposeful Life with Kids + Family

It seems like kids are starting school earlier and earlier. In today’s episode, I will be discussing how to decide on the best age for a child to start preschool. Highlights: * Preschool vs. Daycare–what’s the difference? * What type of curriculum and education does a baby/young toddler need? * What’s the best age to start school? Show Notes/Links: How to Choose a Preschool

The kids of today need minimalism. In this episode I am sharing with you some of the benefits of minimalism with kids and family. Highlights: * What is minimalism? * Four benefits for our children. Show Notes/Links Does your Kids Have Shiny Object Syndrome Why Kids Need Fewer Toys Research: Children learn better in simple, clean spaces Research: Clutter increases stress

Kids shouldn’t be playing with their food. That means making a mess should be the exception, not the expectation. In this episode I will discuss how to handle throwing and playing with food at mealtime. Highlights: * Understand the motive * Control of Error * The Food Time-Out Show Notes/Links: How to Get Kids to Stop Throwing and Playing at Meal Time One Simple Tip to Get Kids to Eat Better (Why we don’t talk likes/dislikes) Episode 05: How I Feed My Kids

It can be hard to get kids to go to bed. In today’s episode, I am answering a question about how to get a child to go to bed (and stay in bed). Highlights: * Bring the positive energy. * Pattern your days for success. * Get kids to stay in bed

Sharing is hard. In this episode, I am explaining why sharing can be such a struggle for young kids. I will also introduce the strategy that we use at home to handle sharing easily and effectively. Highlights * Why it’s so hard for kids to share * Walk a mile in their shoes * The Method: How do handle it at home Show Notes/Links Teach Your Kids to Share Without Losing Your Mind

Our kid’s behavior can be frustrating–particularly when they won’t “stop” when we ask them to stop. Today we are talking about why it’s so hard to get kids to “knock it off” and how we can handle these situations with success. Highlights * A new lens to view behavior * Inertia–and how it applies to kid behavior * An easy, effective strategy for improving behavior Show Notes/Links Why My Kid Doesn’t Listen to Me (Get the Mini Course on Cooperation)

I got rid of my oversized wardrobe in favor of creating a tiny collection of clothing articles that I really love. This has been an amazing change in my life. In this episode, I will share with you how I got started and some of my favorite things. The Highlights * Why I made the switch to a small wardrobe * How to get started * Favorite pieces that I am wearing right now Show Notes and Links Why I Got Rid of My Wardrobe (The story of how I got started) Pick a Wardrobe Color Palette The Perfect Sweater My favorite tunic (aff. link) My favorite chambray shirt (aff. link) Do you have a question for the show? Ask it here. 

Getting our kids to cooperate with everyday tasks can seem impossible. Brush your teeth, take a bath, put your shoes on…even the simple things can be a struggle with young children. In this episode I am going to explain why cooperation is so difficult. The best part–there is an easy trick to get immediate results with your kids. The Highlights * Why is cooperation such a struggle? * Why you can’t “threaten” a kid into cooperation (and why you are probably doing this–even if you don’t realize it) * A quick trick that works magic to get kids to cooperate Show Notes and Links How to Really Tick Off a Toddler Why My Kids Doesn’t Listen to Me SFP 08: Why Time-Out Isn’t Working Do you have a question for the show? Ask it here. 

Nearly all parents resort to using “time-out” with their kids at some point. But the problem is it rarely works. In this episode I explain how to use time-out correctly and why I don’t really use it much myself. The Highlights * What exactly is “time-out” * Why I don’t really like it or use it myself * If you are going to use it–how to do it correctly Show Notes and Links The Bad Behavior I am Ignoring (why ignoring behavior can be an effective way of giving “time-out”) How to Really Tick Off a Toddler Why My Kids Doesn’t Listen to Me Do you have a question for the show? Ask it here. 

The first year of feeding solid foods to babies is incredibly important. In this episode, I am giving you tips to get started the best way possible. The Highlights * How to introduce tastes * How to introduce textures * The importance of positive talk Show Notes and Links Getting Started With Baby-Led Weaning Mastering the Dinnertime Hustle One Simple Tip to Get Your Kids to Eat Better Do you have a question for the show? Ask it here. 

In this episode I am answering the question, “how much do you play with your kids?”. I don’t actually play with my kids very much and I am going to give you an explanation of why. The Highlights * What quality time looks like in our house. * How I facilitate play without playing myself. * When I am playing with my kids, what is my role? Show Notes and Links Catherine Wallace Quote From This Episode Why I Don’t Do Pinterest-Worthy Activities with My Kids Do you have a question for the show? Ask it here. 

My doctoral research was on raising good eaters–so it’s no surprise that my kids turned out to be just that–good eaters. In this episode I am going to share with you how I feed my kids. The Highlights * The cardinal rule of feeding babies and young children * Why there is no Plan B. * The details of our meal/snack schedule and why it is important  Show Notes and Links Mastering the Dinnertime Hustle One Simple Tip to Get Your Kids to Eat Better Are You Feeding Your Kids too Many Healthy Snacks? (Ellyn Satter) Division of Responsibilities Do you have a question for the show? Ask it here. 

The idea of “parenting with intention” is something that I talk about a lot on the blog and in the podcast. In this episode, I explain what this phrase means and how to start parenting more purposefully. The Highlights * Education * Reflection * Strategy Show Notes and Links The Best Books for Expectant Parents Why I Choose to Lean-in to Motherhood The Battle of the Inner-Helicopter Mom Do you have question to submit the for show? Ask it here. 

I am a huge advocate for kids having fewer toys–something I call toy minimalism. As we talked about in episode 2,  kids who have fewer toys play better and smarter. The key to having fewer toys is choosing the correct toys. In this episode we will talk about how to choose the best toys for your children. The Highlights * Why does it matter which toys I choose? * Examples of great toys. * How to display or arrange toys and why it matters. Show Notes and Links Why Your Kids Need Fewer Toys Why I Got Rid of The Toys (photos of our play space) Do you have a question for the show? Ask it here. 

Two years ago we got rid of the toys. As a result, my kids play more creatively and independently. In this episode, we are going to discuss how toy minimalism will benefit your kids. The Highlights * Why I got rid of the toys (my story) * Why not all toys are created equal * The psychological and educational benefits of toy minimalism Show Notes and Links Why Your Kids Need Fewer Toys Why I Got Rid of The Toys (photos of our play space) Do you have question to submit the for show? Ask it here.