Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting Problems

Dr. Leah Clionsky
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  • Parenting

You’re doing everything you can to be a great parent. You’ve read the books, followed the mommy bloggers, asked your friends—yet somehow, parenting still feels overwhelming. One person says one thing, another says the opposite, and now you’re wondering if you’re ruining your child. It’s not you. It’s the endless, conflicting advice that’s making parenting more stressful than it needs to be. I’m Dr. Leah Clionsky, a licensed parenting psychologist, child development expert, and real-life mom of two. As the owner of Thriving Child Center and PCIT Experts, I’ve spent over 15 years helping parents raise emotionally healthy children with evidence-based parenting strategies. And now, I’m bringing that expertise—and my network of trusted parenting experts—straight to you. Welcome to Educated Parent, the podcast that gives you real answers to everyday parenting dilemmas. No guilt. No guesswork. Just expert-backed parenting tips to help you feel confident in raising emotionally healthy, thriving kids. If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself and just want to know what actually works, you’re in the right place. It’s time to ditch the stress and step into confident parenting—together. LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center → https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/thrivingchildcenter PCIT Experts → https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/pcit-experts Instagram → https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/instagram Want more parenting tips? Join our newsletter for expert advice straight to your inbox! → https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/newsletter Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources! → https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/provider-newsletter

  1. 6 days ago

    How to Take Care of Yourself With a Baby at Home - The Counterintuitive Advice That Works with Elyse Traverse

    Bringing a new baby home can be joyful, exhausting, isolating, and completely overwhelming. Suddenly you're responsible for this tiny person while trying to figure out when you're supposed to sleep, shower, eat, or have a moment to yourself. And all that pressure to do everything "right" can create some serious mom guilt. In this episode, pediatric nurse practitioner and lactation counselor Elyse Traverse joins me to share practical advice for new moms that might sound counterintuitive but can make those early months a whole lot easier. We talk about why taking care of yourself doesn't mean neglecting your baby, how finding the right postpartum support can make new motherhood less isolating, and why you don't need to entertain your baby every second they're awake. From creating simple baby "stations" around your home to leaving a perfectly happy baby alone, these strategies can give overwhelmed parents permission to meet their own needs without feeling like they're doing something wrong. In this episode, we cover: Practical advice for new moms who aren't sure how to meet their own needs with a baby at homeWhy mom guilt makes parents feel like they should constantly entertain or stimulate their babyHow finding a community of parents in the same stage of life can provide valuable postpartum supportHow overwhelmed parents can take care of themselves while still giving their babies what they needMore advice for new moms about doing everyday activities while your baby is awake instead of waiting for napsHow letting go of mom guilt can benefit both you and your babyWhy community and postpartum support can make such a difference during an isolating season You don't need to spend every waking moment entertaining your baby to be a good parent. For overwhelmed parents, giving yourself permission to shower, get something done, or simply enjoy a few quiet minutes while your baby is happy can be good for everyone. Letting go of some mom guilt and building the right postpartum support around you can help you feel more like yourself while caring for your new baby. LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts Calm and Connected Program Instagram Love having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources! Have a parenting question or a topic you'd love to hear on the podcast? Submit your question here! CONNECT WITH ELYSE TRAVERSE: Email - elissetravers@gmail.com Mom’s Group Meeting - South Boston Community Health Center - Every Wednesday at 1pm in the Community Room on the 3rd floor

    How to Take Care of Yourself With a Baby at Home - The Counterintuitive Advice That Works with Elyse Traverse

  2. 18 Aug

    How to Help Your Child (and Yourself) With Back-to-School Anxiety

    One of the biggest transitions of the year is here: back to school. New teachers, new classrooms, new routines, and plenty of unknowns can create back-to-school anxiety for kids and parents alike. In this episode, I’m sharing what to say when your child starts worrying about the new school year, including how to validate feelings without accidentally reinforcing their fears. We’ll also talk about how confident parenting can help children face uncertainty instead of avoiding it. You’ll learn why repeatedly promising that "everything will be fine" isn’t always helpful, how to use logic and past experiences to work through worries, and why rescuing kids from uncomfortable situations can actually make anxiety stronger. We’ll also discuss the difference between typical school-year nerves and signs and symptoms of childhood anxiety that may mean your child needs additional support. In this episode, we cover: Why back-to-school anxiety is a normal response to change, uncertainty, and new situationsHow to validate feelings when your child tells you they’re worried about schoolHow confident parenting teaches kids that they can handle uncomfortable feelings and difficult situationsThe signs and symptoms of childhood anxiety that can help you recognize when worry is interfering with your child’s daily lifeHow parents can manage their own back-to-school anxiety while helping their kids navigate theirs The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety before the first day of school. It’s to help your child recognize that anxiety is a normal feeling, understand that they can handle hard things, and know that you’ll be there to support them if something doesn’t go according to plan. Learning how to validate feelings while resisting the urge to over-reassure is an important part of confident parenting. And recognizing the signs and symptoms of childhood anxiety can help you know when ordinary worries may require additional support. LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts Calm and Connected Program Instagram Love having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources!

    How to Help Your Child (and Yourself) With Back-to-School Anxiety

  3. 11 Aug

    What to Do When Your Young Child Tells You That Something Upsetting Happened (with Jenny Hughes)

    One of the most frightening moments as a parent is when your young child tells you that something upsetting happened. Your mind immediately jumps to the worst-case scenario, but reacting too quickly can make it harder to understand what actually happened. In this episode, I'm joined by child psychologist and trauma specialist Jenny Hughes to discuss how to respond in a way that helps your child feel safe, heard, and supported. You'll learn how to validate feelings without making assumptions, why calm communication with children matters so much in these moments, and how positive parenting techniques can help you navigate these difficult conversations with confidence. Jenny shares a simple three-step framework: validate your child's emotions, gather more information with open-ended questions, and wait until you're calm to make a plan if needed. We also discuss why young children may unintentionally embellish details, how to avoid asking leading questions, and why preserving trust is more important than immediately finding every answer. In this episode, we cover: Why how to validate feelings is the first step when your child shares something upsettingHow communication with children can help you gather information without leading themWhy open-ended questions are more effective than yes-or-no questionsHow positive parenting techniques strengthen trust during difficult conversationsPractical insights from trauma specialist Jenny Hughes on helping children feel safe and heard If you've ever wondered how to validate feelings, improve communication with children, and use positive parenting techniques when your child shares something upsetting, this episode with Jenny Hughes will give you a practical framework you can use the next time your child opens up to you. LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts Calm and Connected Program Instagram Love having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources! CONNECT WITH JENNY HUGHES: Website YouTube Instagram LinkedIn

    What to Do When Your Young Child Tells You That Something Upsetting Happened (with Jenny Hughes)

  4. 4 Aug

    How to Make Back-to-School Mornings Painless (with Whitney Fosco)

    Back-to-school mornings can quickly become the most stressful part of the day. If you're constantly reminding your child to get dressed, brush their teeth, pack their backpack, or put on their shoes, you're not alone. In this episode, I'm joined by child psychologist Dr. Whitney Fosco to share a simple system that helps kids become more independent while making mornings calmer for the whole family. If you're looking for parenting help before the school year begins, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can start using right away. We discuss why so many children struggle with morning routines, especially those with executive functioning challenges, and how a personalized visual schedule paired with effective rewards for kids can reduce conflict, increase independence, and make school mornings run more smoothly. You'll also walk away with actionable positive parenting tips that are easy to implement, even if you've tried similar systems before. In this episode, we cover: Why a consistent morning routine for kids can reduce stress for the whole familyHow to use rewards for kids to motivate without constant remindersCommon reasons visual schedules fail and how to troubleshoot themPositive parenting tips for encouraging independence instead of power strugglesPractical parenting help to make back-to-school mornings calmer and more successful If you're preparing for a new school year and want a morning routine for kids that actually works, this episode will give you practical parenting help, effective rewards for kids, and realistic positive parenting tips to help your family start each day with less chaos and more confidence. LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts Calm and Connected Program Instagram Love having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources! CONNECT WITH WHITNEY FOSCO: Website

    How to Make Back-to-School Mornings Painless (with Whitney Fosco)

  5. 28 Jul

    What to Do When Your Kid Says, "I Hate You!"

    One of the hardest moments in parenting is hearing your child say, "I hate you." Those words can feel deeply personal, but they're usually not saying what you think they are. In this episode, I explain what's really happening beneath those painful words and how to respond in a way that protects your relationship while teaching respectful communication. If you've ever wondered how to deal with an emotional child, this conversation will give you a practical framework you can use in the moment. You'll learn why kids often say hurtful things when they're overwhelmed, how to respond without making the conflict worse, and how to turn one of parenting's most painful moments into an opportunity for connection and growth. Whether you're navigating frequent child emotional outbursts or this has only happened once, these strategies can help you respond with confidence. In this episode, we cover: Why a child says I hate you when they're overwhelmed with emotionWhat your child is really trying to communicate beneath those hurtful wordsCommon mistakes parents make that can unintentionally escalate the conflictHow communication with children can strengthen trust, even during conflictTips for handling child emotional outbursts without damaging your relationship If you're looking for practical ways to improve communication with children, understand how to deal with an emotional child , and know exactly what to do the next time your child says I hate you, this episode will give you tools you can start using today. LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts Calm and Connected Program Instagram Love having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources!

    What to Do When Your Kid Says, "I Hate You!"

  6. 21 Jul

    The Three Things I Do When My Own Kids Are Struggling

    If you've noticed your child having more meltdowns, becoming unusually clingy, fighting more with siblings, or reacting in ways that seem out of character, they may be trying to tell you something. Recognizing the signs of emotional distress in a child isn't always easy, but knowing what to do next can make all the difference. In this episode, I share the three simple steps I use when my own children are struggling, and how they've helped me build a stronger parent-child connection while responding with calm and confident parenting. We'll talk about why behavior changes are often the first clue that something is wrong, how daily "special time" can strengthen your relationship, and why checking in with yourself is just as important as checking in with your child. You'll also learn about practical parenting resources that can help you support your child through difficult seasons with confidence and consistency. In this episode, we cover: Common signs of emotional distress in children that parents often overlookHow daily special time strengthens parent-child connectionWhy curiosity is the first step toward confident parentingPractical parenting resources for supporting children through difficult seasonsHow changes in routine can affect your child's behaviorWhy strengthening parent-child connection often reduces challenging behaviorsThe importance of checking in with yourself as part of confident parentingHow to recognize the signs of emotional distress in children before behaviors escalate If you're noticing the signs of emotional distress in a child, looking for trusted parenting resources, hoping to strengthen your parent-child connection, and grow in confident parenting, this episode will give you a simple framework you can start using today. LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts Calm and Connected Program Instagram Love having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources!

    The Three Things I Do When My Own Kids Are Struggling

  7. 14 Jul

    How to Respond When Your Child Overreacts

    If your child melts down over the smallest inconveniences, you're not alone. Whether they're devastated that their sibling's cookie is slightly bigger, upset because the toothpaste ran out, or furious about something that seems insignificant, it can be hard to know how to respond. In this episode, we explore how to build emotional resilience without dismissing your child's feelings, why different children have different ways of expressing emotions, and the parenting skills that help kids learn to regulate without making every upset feel like an emergency. You'll learn how to validate feelings without reinforcing overreactions, why reasoning with an emotional child often backfires, and how to strike the balance between empathy and helping your child develop independence. These practical strategies will help you respond calmly, support your child's emotional growth, and reduce power struggles when big emotions show up over little things. In this episode, we cover: How to build emotional resilience when your child overreactsPractical parenting skills for responding to everyday emotional outburstsHow to validate feelings without treating every problem like an emergencyWhy children develop different ways of expressing emotionsWhy logic usually doesn't work in the middle of a meltdownThe balance between empathy and teaching emotional resilienceSimple parenting skills that encourage self-regulation over timeHow to validate feelings while giving your child the space to calm themselves If you're looking to strengthen your child's emotional resilience, better understand different ways of expressing emotions, learn how to validate feelings, and build practical parenting skills, this episode will give you strategies you can use the very next time your child overreacts. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Ep. 66: How to Co-Regulate With Your Toddler (So It Actually Works) with Emma Girard LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts Calm and Connected Program Instagram Love having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources!

    How to Respond When Your Child Overreacts

  8. 7 Jul

    Why Your Child Won't Take Responsibility (and What to Do About It)

    If your child hides mistakes, blames others, or insists they did nothing wrong, you're not alone. Many parents worry when their child seems to avoid responsibility, wondering if it reflects their character or values. In this episode, I explore why children often struggle with taking responsibility, what is really happening beneath the surface, and how effective parenting can create an environment where honesty feels safe instead of scary. We'll talk about the concept of psychological safety, why kids often hide mistakes to avoid discomfort rather than because they're dishonest, and the parenting tips that encourage accountability without shame. You'll also learn how modeling your own mistakes and responding with curiosity instead of lectures can help your child become someone who is willing to admit when they've messed up and make things right. In this episode, we cover: Why children often avoid responsibility after making a mistakeHow effective parenting creates psychological safety at homeThe connection between taking responsibility and lifelong relationshipsSimple parenting tips for encouraging honesty instead of defensivenessWhy curiosity works better than lectures when kids make mistakesHow modeling taking responsibility helps children develop accountabilityPractical effective parenting strategies that reduce shame and build trustWhy praising honesty is one of the most powerful parenting tips you can use If you're looking for practical parenting tips, want to help your child stop trying to avoid responsibility, and encourage taking responsibility through effective parenting, this episode will give you strategies you can start using today. LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts Calm and Connected Program Instagram Love having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week. Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources!

    Why Your Child Won't Take Responsibility (and What to Do About It)
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About

You’re doing everything you can to be a great parent. You’ve read the books, followed the mommy bloggers, asked your friends—yet somehow, parenting still feels overwhelming. One person says one thing, another says the opposite, and now you’re wondering if you’re ruining your child. It’s not you. It’s the endless, conflicting advice that’s making parenting more stressful than it needs to be. I’m Dr. Leah Clionsky, a licensed parenting psychologist, child development expert, and real-life mom of two. As the owner of Thriving Child Center and PCIT Experts, I’ve spent over 15 years helping parents raise emotionally healthy children with evidence-based parenting strategies. And now, I’m bringing that expertise—and my network of trusted parenting experts—straight to you. Welcome to Educated Parent, the podcast that gives you real answers to everyday parenting dilemmas. No guilt. No guesswork. Just expert-backed parenting tips to help you feel confident in raising emotionally healthy, thriving kids. If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself and just want to know what actually works, you’re in the right place. It’s time to ditch the stress and step into confident parenting—together. LET'S CONNECT: Thriving Child Center → https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/thrivingchildcenter PCIT Experts → https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/pcit-experts Instagram → https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/instagram Want more parenting tips? Join our newsletter for expert advice straight to your inbox! → https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/newsletter Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources! → https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/provider-newsletter

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