Everyday Parenting Podcast

Jay is frustrated that his three-year-old Ace is starting to hit when he’s upset. He doesn’t know how to help him and is losing his patience with Ace’s tantrums. Ace has showed that he craves physical interactions with his dad but Jay is hesitant to engage in play fighting as he does not want to encourage violent play or behavior outside the home. Maribeth helps Jay with tips on how to handle the hitting during tantrums. She also urges him to engage in physical play regularly.

Edwin gets frustrated with the way that his daughter spends her allowance while he finds value in his son’s spending choices.

Gus is a stay-at-home dad balancing three young kids. In this episode, he needs help with his middle child and only son, Ivan. Ivan seemingly ignores Gus and his wife when they ask him to do something he doesn’t want to do. They’ve tried threats, pleading, and punishment but nothing seems to work.

Maribeth answers this question from our Facebook Group: I am struggling with troublesome 3's. Like really struggling. My son is constantly ignoring us and/or doing the opposite of what we ask, getting distracted and taking forever to get ready to leave the house. Hitting and pushing his 11 month old brother. I find I am yelling far too much, but i just dont know what to do anymore.

Joe wants his daughter to be more open to trying new things. He exposes her to lots of experiences but doesn't know how to transition her to take the leap with trying something new. Maribeth tries to guide Joe through strategies to expose her to new activities depending on what type of learner she is. She also points out that his daughter is trying activities, mastering them, and making strides in her own way. 

James was always active and had trouble sitting still. This translated to a difficult time thriving in traditional schooling settings. Noelle and her husband had James tested and found solutions that worked for their family including medication and home schooling.

Alice struggled through her schooling and teachers never expected much from her. She was never diagnosed with a learning difference, and was simply overlooked until college. Alice used her hardworking grit and perserverence to complete college and earn a PhD. She wants things to be different with her kids. They each have different needs and learning challenges and she’s doing her best to find the paths and resources to build on their strengths instead of forcing them into the normative box.

John always felt like he was outside of the box and didn't fit the norms. He was diagnosed and medicated for OCD. But the medication dulled him, and still had trouble prioritizing and quieting his mind. He met Maribeth, took another look at himself, and discovered his ADHD.

Sebastian had problems sitting still and behaving like the rest of his classmates at school. So early on in his academic career in just first grade, he was diagnosed with ADHD and medicated. The medication made him focused but took away part of his ability to express himself. Sebastian looks back at his childhood, the path that his diagnosis and medication put him on, and uses that insight as a way to see his daughter who has many similar traits.

A six year old is going through dramatic and consistent night terrors. Maribeth helps walk through how to handle them and possibly prevent them.

Maribeth answers a question from the Facebook Group about a toddler who battles going to sleep.

Maribeth answers a question from the Everyday Parenting Facebook Group about a mother who worries her daughter is playing mind games with her.

In the season finale, Jane returns to the group session with three questions covering social media for a pre-teen, her daughter’s fears, and her youngest daughter’s relationship with her dad.

The group session continues with Marie who has questions about the reactions of her toddler son He seems to be uncomfortable in many situations and has extreme reactions to discomfort. Maribeth helps her explore sensory issues.

The group session continues, first with Sarah, and then with Reagan. Sarah returns from episode 3 and Reagan from episode 5. This time, Sarah asks Maribeth for advice about transitions away from screen time. Her son, Evan, has a tantrum every time he’s told that his time on the iPad is over. Reagan is struggling to keep her cool. She has three children under five, two dogs, and has been dealing with health issues. She’s finding that her patience is running thin.