Episode #26: 5 Things We’re Glad We Did When Our Kids Were Little (and 5 We Wish We Did More Of)
Parenting little ones is full of trial and error. Some choices you look back on and think, I’m so glad we did that. Others? You wish you’d done a little differently. In this episode, we’re reflecting on those early years now that we have school-aged kids and sharing: 5 simple habits we’re thankful we stuck with — like making room for open-ended play, encouraging a love of books, and keeping quiet time even after naps were long gone. The everyday choices that paid off more than we realized at the time 5 things we wish we had done more of (still kicking ourselves for not writing down all those funny kid quotes!) Why you don’t need to do everything perfectly for it to really matter As speech language pathologists and moms, we bring both our professional lens and the honest, behind-the-scenes perspective of real parenthood. Our hope? That you walk away with a new idea to try or the reassurance that what you’re already doing is enough. 👉 Don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who could use a little encouragement. Resources mentioned in this episode: Want to create a screen time plan for your family that you feel really good about? Listen to episode 13 to hear more about what we think about when it comes to screen time for toddlers and preschoolers. More about baby + toddler play plus our favorite toys to encourage talking at weetalkers.com/blog Try our intentional screen time for preschoolers + toddlers (for free) at weetalkers.com/trial Find the chew proof, rip proof books we mentioned in our Amazon or Bookshop store. More free resources and programs at weetalkers.com
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Episode #25: 18 Month Old Not Talking but Understands: Milestones, Tips, and When to Get Help
Is your 18-month-old not talking yet, but clearly understands so much of what you say? You’re not alone. And the fact they understand so much is a very encouraging sign! In this episode, Katie and Carly (speech-language pathologists and moms) break down: The difference between receptive (understanding) and expressive (talking) language What language milestones to expect around 18 months What actually counts as a word (hint: more than you think!) Three simple ways you can support your toddler’s talking right now When to seek extra support and why “wait and see” isn’t always the best plan If you’ve been feeling worried, this conversation will give you practical next steps and lots of reassurance. 👉 Download our free Toddler Communication Milestones checklist at weetalkers.com/toddler. 👉 Checkout our TalkToddler course--our course for parents who want to help their toddler talk and communciate more weetalkers.com/talktoddler.
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Episode #24: Starting Preschool: Tips for Making the Transition Smoother
Starting preschool or daycare? We’ve been there—more than six times between us! In this episode, we share our best tips for easing the preschool transition, from choosing books that prepare your child to creating goodbye routines that actually work. You’ll hear real stories from our own kids, easy role play ideas, a simple connection routines for drop-off, and a preschool playlist to help your preschooler start the day feeling brave and confident. Links & Resources: Shop our favorite books for starting school: Amazon | Bookshop.org Personalized Starting School Books from Pinhole Press Kind + Strong Playlist on Spotify & Apple Music Free 10-Day Songs+Stories Trial How to Support Social Skills in the Preschool Years
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Episode #23: Tonsils + Adenoids—When to Watch, When to Worry with Dr. Anjuli Gans
You’ve probably heard of kids having their tonsils or adenoids removed—but how do you know when it’s actually necessary? In this episode of Talk It Out, we’re joined by board-certified pediatrician Dr. Anjuli Gans to break down everything parents need to know about tonsils and adenoids in children. From their role in the body to the signs that they might be causing problems, Dr. Gans helps make sense of this often confusing part of pediatric health. Dr. Gans is an attending physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and the founder of Resilient Rascals. As a pediatrician and mom of two, she shares evidence-based, holistic advice to help parents make confident healthcare decisions. In this conversation, we talk about what tonsils and adenoids actually do, how to spot signs of enlargement, and when it might be time to seek a referral to an ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist). Dr. Gans also walks us through what to expect if your child needs a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy, how to prepare your child for surgery, and her best tips for a smooth recovery. Plus, Katie shares her personal experience having two of her children go through T&A surgery—and what she wishes she had known sooner. If you’re wondering whether your child’s snoring, mouth breathing, or frequent illness might be related to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, this episode offers clarity, expert insight, and plenty of reassurance. If your child snores, struggles with sleep, seems to get sick often, or has had tonsils and adenoids mentioned at a doctor’s visit—this episode will help you feel more informed and confident. Mentioned in this episode: 🎧 Missed our last episode with Dr. Gans? Check out Episode 21 on Ear Infections + Speech Development How to Prepare for a Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy from resilientrascals.com Connect with Dr. Gans: Visit Dr. Gan’s website: resilientrascals.com Follow Dr. Gans on Instagram: @resilientrascals Dr. Gans' guides – we love these! Connect with us: 🎧 More episodes of Talk It Out📱 Follow us on Instagram
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Episode #22: Is Your Toddler a Picky Eater? What’s Normal—and What Actually Helps with Jenny Friedman, RD
Picky eating is one of the most common concerns for parents of toddlers—but how do you know if it’s a normal phase or something more serious? In this episode of Talk It Out, we’re joined by Jenny Friedman, a pediatric dietitian, picky eating specialist, and mom of three. Together, we dive into what picky eating looks like in toddlers, how to reduce mealtime stress, and what actually works when your child refuses to eat. Whether your toddler is down to just a handful of foods or you’re dealing with a new wave of food refusals, this conversation is filled with practical, low-pressure strategies to help. Jenny breaks down what typical toddler picky eating looks like, common misconceptions parents have, and signs it might be time to seek extra support. She also shares simple ways to help your toddler try new foods without pressure, tips for creating a positive mealtime environment, and how to think about nutrition when your child is eating very little. We also talk about: The small signs of progress that often go unnoticed but really matter Mindset shifts for parents who feel stuck or overwhelmed Easy snack ideas that even selective eaters tend to accept Our experiences in our own homes when it comes to feeding kids If you’re looking for realistic picky eating tips for toddlers, or just want to feel less alone in the daily mealtime battles, this episode offers the support and expert insight you need. Resources from this episode: Jenny’s free masterclass: Peace Out Picky Eating jennyfriedmannutrition.com/peace Her book: Stories of Extreme Picky Eating Get it here Follow Jenny on Instagram: @feedingpickyeaters Jenny's picks for high chairs Jenny’s breakfast ideas for picky eaters Connect with us: 💛 www.weetalkers.com 🎧 More episodes of Talk It Out📱 Follow us on Instagram THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: Little Spoon: Use the code WEETALKERS to get 30% off your first order at littlespoon.com/weetalkers. Little Spoon offers delicious, nutritious meals and snacks for babies, toddlers, and big kids—delivered right to your door. The quality is so good! We think your family will love it.
Helping you nurture your child’s speech and language development with confidence! Hosted by Carly and Katie, pediatric speech therapists and moms, this podcast is packed with practical tips, expert insights, and encouragement to help your child thrive in speech and language development. Whether you're wondering about milestones, curious about how to best support your child, or choosing the best books and toys, we’re here to help—without the overwhelm. Tune in for answers to your biggest questions, relatable stories, and plenty of encouragement along the way!
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