Does your toddler scream for only Mommy or refuse to let Daddy help at bedtime? You’re not alone—and it’s not a sign you’re doing something wrong. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explains why toddlers play favorites, what it really means (hint: it’s about control, not love), and how to handle it without taking it personally.
You’ll learn:
Why rejection actually shows trust
How to respond when your toddler insists on “just one parent”
Four practical strategies to manage parental preferences with confidence and calm
✨ Parenting doesn’t have to feel like a competition—listen in and find out how to navigate this tricky stage with empathy and ease.
💡 Want more step-by-step support? My Toddlers Made Easy course is packed with big-hearted scripts and strategies to help you handle tantrums, power struggles, and everyday challenges with calm and confidence. Check the show notes to get started today
RESOURCES:
Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthiest_baby/
Struggling with tantrums, picky eating, or bedtime battles? The Toddlers Made Easy online course gives you simple, 5-minute-a-day strategies to handle every tricky toddler moment with confidence and connection. Start transforming your parenting journey today!
Thank you to our sponsors Acorns Early, Osea, and Little Spoon
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10:29
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10:29
You're Not Raising a Problem, You're Raising a Person: The Big-Hearted Way to Handle Toddler Challenges
In this episode of Toddlers Made Easy, Dr. Cathryn dives into one of the most transformative shifts in parenting: seeing your child not as a problem to fix, but as a person to guide.
Discover how a "Big-Hearted Interpretation" can help you reframe challenging toddler behaviors—from tantrums to hitting—and respond with clarity, empathy, and confidence.
Dr. Cathryn shares real-life examples, like the sandbox meltdown and hitting at daycare, to show how understanding your child’s developmental stage can change everything.
Plus, she offers three practical principles to help you pause, support, and truly see the person behind the behavior.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated, overwhelmed, or unsure how to handle those big toddler emotions, this episode is for you.
What You’ll Learn:
Why toddlers’ behaviors aren’t defiance—they’re development.
How to avoid the “Expectation Trap” and respond with calm.
Three actionable strategies to handle meltdowns and misbehavior.
Resources Mentioned:
Toddlers Made Easy Course – Your guide to navigating tantrums, building connection, and holding boundaries with confidence.
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow parent who needs a little extra support today!
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11:52
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11:52
Raising Kids Who Feel Valued: The Secret to Kind, Generous Kids
Learn 3 simple ways to help your toddler feel valued—and watch kindness, confidence, and cooperation grow.
When toddlers feel valued—not just loved, but truly valued—they naturally grow into kind, generous, and helpful kids. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares three simple strategies to help your child feel like an important part of the family:
Small moments of genuine attention
Real jobs that let them contribute
Honoring big feelings, even when they’re messy
You’ll walk away with practical tools to build your toddler’s confidence and resilience in the everyday chaos of family life.
RESOURCES:
• Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby
• Join Dr. Cathryn's workshop, Help! My Child Will Only Poop in a Diaper, and get a proven, pediatrician-backed plan to finally move past the diaper-to-potty standoff—for good.
Sponsors for this episode:
Acorns Early
OSEA
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6:50
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6:50
🎙️ Why “No” Doesn’t Work—And What to Say That Actually Does
Why does “no” stop working with toddlers—and what should you say instead?
In this episode, Dr. Cathryn breaks down why “no” becomes background noise, what to say that actually works, and how small language shifts can transform power struggles into cooperation.
You’ll learn:
Why toddlers tune out “no”
Simple swaps that get better results
Real-life examples you can use today
Ready to go deeper? Check out the Big-Hearted School of Parenting for practical, loving strategies that make parenting easier.
RESOURCES:
Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby
Join Dr. Cathryn's live workshop, Help! My Child Will Only Poop in a Diaper, and get a proven, pediatrician-backed plan to finally move past the diaper-to-potty standoff—for good.
Sponsors for this episode:
Acorns Early
OSEA
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9:38
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9:38
7 Must-Do's Before Starting Potty Training
When you were learning to drive a car, did you just show up on the day of the exam?
No, you practiced and prepared for it in stages.
Turns out the same approach works with potty training too.
We know that prepping a child for changes or events can significantly reduce stress and increase coping skills. But we ignore or forget about this concept when it comes to potty training, which is probably one of the most significant events in a child's early life!
Typically we tell our kids, “Okay today we are going to start potty training!” Or maybe we prep them a day or two before. But there is so much more to be done to make potty training easier for your child, and for you!
Pre-potty training creates a smoother, easier, and really less stressful experience. If you are approaching the potty training stage, then grab a notebook pen, and let’s dive in!
Links and Resources:
Follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram: @healthiest_baby
The best-selling Potty Training Made Easy course is here!
Does potty training terrify you? Discover 5 Must-Do’s Before Starting Potty Training. Get our free guide and empower your child. Set the path for success!
Rate, Review, & Follow ❤️❤️❤️
If this sounds like you: "I love Toddlers Made Easy." <-- please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more parents -- just like you.
Toddlers Made Easy is a short, 10 minute, bite-sized podcast that gives you the insight, tools, and confidence you need to not only handle anything toddler-related thrown your way —but prevent problem behaviors before they start. Toddlers Made Easy is hosted by Dr. Cathryn, a nationally recognized pediatrician (retired) with more than 35 years of experience and a mother of 4.
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