Be A Better Parent | For Every Child It Takes A Village... The Same Goes For Every Parent!

Celia Kibler
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Semimonthly

Being a parent is hard—in fact, it’s quite the adventure! For every child it takes a village, the same goes for every parent! We all need questions answered, and we need to know stuff we don’t even know we need to know. Welcome to the Be A Better Parent Podcast, your essential resource for valuable advice and information that relates to you and your kids. Join Celia Kibler, Family & Relationship Empowerment Coach & Author of RAISING HAPPY TODDLERS, with over 40 years of mom & professional experience. Celia offers the best advice that NO ONE ELSE GIVES YOU about raising kids in today's world.

  1. 5d ago

    S9E24 (EP 202): Navigating Autism with Confidence: What Every Parent Should Know to Help Their Child Thrive

    Because every autistic child deserves to be understood, supported, and celebrated for who they are. Receiving an autism diagnosis or even wondering whether your child may be autistic can bring a mix of emotions. You may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or worried about what comes next. You're not alone. The good news is that autism isn't something to fear. With understanding, support, and the right tools, autistic children can thrive in their own unique ways. In this episode of the Be A Better Parent Podcast, Celia Kibler welcomes a special guest to explore what every parent should know about raising and supporting a child on the autism spectrum. Together, they offer practical guidance, encouragement, and evidence-based insights to help parents move forward with greater confidence and compassion. Because every child deserves to feel seen, accepted, and empowered to reach their full potential. In this thoughtful conversation, you'll learn how to better understand your child's unique strengths and challenges, build stronger communication, and create an environment where they can flourish at home, at school, and in everyday life. In this episode, you'll learn: What autism really is and what it isn'tEarly signs parents should be aware of and why early support mattersHow to better understand your child's unique strengths, sensory needs, and communication stylePractical strategies for supporting emotional regulation and everyday routinesWays to advocate confidently for your child at school and in the communityHow to foster independence while meeting your child where they areWhy celebrating your child's differences is one of the greatest gifts you can give them One of the biggest reminders in this episode: Your child's diagnosis does not define their future. It doesn't limit who they can become. And it certainly doesn't change how deeply they deserve to be loved, respected, and understood. Every child develops at their own pace. Every child has unique gifts. And with patience, support, and the right resources, your child can build confidence, meaningful relationships, and a life filled with possibility. If you've recently received an autism diagnosis, are looking for practical parenting guidance, or simply want to better understand how to support an autistic child, this episode offers compassionate advice, expert insights, and real hope for the journey ahead. Take a listen, and discover how small shifts in understanding can make a lifelong difference for your child and your family. To learn more about Celia Kibler's parenting resources, visit BeABetterParent.com, explore the Be A Better Parent App, and join a supportive community of parents committed to raising confident, connected, and resilient children. To learn more from our guest and discover additional autism resources, visit Navigating Autism at navigatingautism.com, where you'll find guidance, support, and practical tools to help your child thrive.

    S9E24 (EP 202): Navigating Autism with Confidence: What Every Parent Should Know to Help Their Child Thrive

  2. Jul 9

    S9E23 (EP 201): When Your Partner Stops Speaking: The Hidden Harm of the Silent Treatment

    Because silence isn't always peaceful and sometimes the deepest wounds come from the words left unsaid. Have you ever found yourself in a disagreement with your partner, only to be met with complete silence? No conversation. No explanation. Just distance. Whether you've experienced the silent treatment or caught yourself using it, this episode shines a light on a relationship pattern that can quietly erode trust, communication, and emotional safety. In this episode of the Be A Better Parent Podcast, Celia Kibler explores the hidden impact of the silent treatment why it happens, what it communicates to the people we love, and how it can affect not only our relationships with our partners but also the emotional environment our children grow up in. Because healthy relationships aren't built by avoiding conflict. They're built by learning how to move through conflict with honesty, respect, and connection. In this thoughtful and compassionate episode, Celia explains the difference between taking a healthy pause to regulate your emotions and using silence as a form of punishment or control. She also shares practical ways to rebuild communication, repair emotional disconnection, and model healthier conflict resolution for your family. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the silent treatment can feel so painful and emotionally damagingThe difference between taking space to calm down and shutting someone outHow emotional withdrawal impacts trust, connection, and relationship securityWhy unresolved conflict affects the entire family—including your childrenHealthy ways to communicate when emotions are running highPractical steps for reconnecting after disagreements with empathy and respectHow modeling healthy conflict resolution teaches children emotional resilience and stronger relationships One of the most important reminders in this episode: Healthy relationships aren't conflict-free they're built on repair, communication, and emotional safety. That doesn't mean every disagreement will be easy. It doesn't mean you'll always say the perfect thing. And it definitely doesn't mean you have to ignore difficult emotions. It means learning to stay connected, even when conversations are hard. Because children aren't just listening to what we say. They're watching how we treat one another. And the way we handle conflict today helps shape how they'll approach relationships tomorrow. If you've ever struggled with communication in your relationship, felt hurt by emotional withdrawal, or wanted healthier ways to navigate conflict without damaging connection, this episode offers practical guidance, compassionate insight, and encouragement for moving forward. Take a listen, and discover how small changes in the way we communicate can strengthen our relationships, deepen trust, and create a more peaceful home for everyone. To learn more about Celia Kibler's parenting and relationship resources, visit BeABetterParent.com, explore the Be A Better Parent App, and join a supportive community of parents committed to creating calmer, more connected families.

    S9E23 (EP 201): When Your Partner Stops Speaking: The Hidden Harm of the Silent Treatment

  3. Jun 21

    S9E22 (Mini-Series EP 10): Conditional Love: Humanity’s Favorite Parenting Mistake

    How shame, withdrawal, and approval-based parenting quietly affect self-worth. Have you ever found yourself saying things like, "I'm disappointed in you," giving your child the silent treatment after a difficult moment, or withholding affection until they apologized or behaved differently? Most parents have. Not because we don't love our children. But because many of us were raised with the belief that approval, affection, and connection should be earned. And without realizing it, we can sometimes pass those same messages on to our own kids. In this episode of the Raising Eyebrows Miniseries, Celia Kibler and Dr. Kailey Buller explore one of the most common and often unintentional parenting mistakes: conditional love. Because every child needs guidance, accountability, and boundaries. But they also need to know that their worth is never tied to their behavior, achievements, mistakes, or ability to meet our expectations. In this honest and thought-provoking conversation, Celia and Dr. Kailey unpack how shame, withdrawal, criticism, and approval-based parenting can quietly shape a child's sense of self. They also discuss what it looks like to hold children accountable while still communicating unconditional love, safety, and belonging. In this episode, you'll hear: What conditional love looks like in everyday parenting momentsHow shame differs from healthy accountability and disciplineWhy children need to feel loved even when their behavior needs correctingThe lasting impact of approval-based parenting on confidence and self-worthHow withdrawal, criticism, and emotional distance can affect parent-child relationshipsWhy mistakes are opportunities for learning—not evidence of a child's valuePractical ways to set boundaries without using shame or guiltHow to build stronger emotional safety and connection within your familyOne of the most powerful reminders in this episode: A child's behavior may need correction, but their worth never does. That doesn't mean there should be no consequences. It doesn't mean lowering expectations. And it definitely doesn't mean letting children do whatever they want. It means separating who your child is from what your child does. Because children who know they are loved even when they struggle, fail, or make mistakes develop the confidence to learn, grow, and take responsibility for their actions. And children who feel emotionally safe are far more likely to come to us when they need support the most. If you've ever wondered whether your discipline approach is building connection or creating distance, or if you're trying to break parenting patterns you experienced growing up, this episode offers practical insights and compassionate reminders that can help you parent with greater clarity and confidence. Tune in to this episode of Raising Eyebrows your weekly dose of sanity in a world full of parenting noise. We're so glad you're here. To stay connected with Celia Kibler, follow @beabetterparentdotcom and explore more support through the Be A Better Parent Skool community at skool.com/beabetterparent. You can also connect with Dr. Kailey Buller at @vitalswithdrbuller for thoughtful, evidence-based support around motherhood, family health, and raising children with confidence. And if you want parenting support right when real life is happening, be sure to download the Be A Better Parent app. It offers on-demand guidance, practical tools, and real-time support to help you respond with more calm, clarity, and confidence right when you need it most.

    S9E22 (Mini-Series EP 10): Conditional Love: Humanity’s Favorite Parenting Mistake

  4. Jun 14

    S9E21 (Mini-Series EP 09): The Radical Idea of Letting Kids Be Kids

    Mud puddles, imagination, movement, messes… and why it all matters. Have you ever watched your child jump into a mud puddle, build an elaborate imaginary world, climb higher than you expected, or spend hours creating games out of things that weren't even toys? If so, you've witnessed something powerful. Because what looks like "just play" is actually some of the most important work of childhood. In a world filled with packed schedules, screens, structured activities, and pressure to constantly achieve, it can be easy to forget something simple: Kids need space to be kids. In this episode of the Raising Eyebrows Miniseries, Celia Kibler and Dr. Kailey Buller explore why play, imagination, movement, exploration, and even a little messiness are essential parts of healthy child development. Because play isn't a distraction from learning. It's learning. It's how children develop creativity, confidence, resilience, problem-solving skills, and trust in their own abilities. In this thoughtful and encouraging conversation, Celia and Dr. Kailey unpack why modern parenting culture often makes us feel like we need to supervise, structure, and optimize every moment and why giving children more opportunities for unstructured play may actually be one of the greatest gifts we can offer them. In this episode, you'll hear: Why play is one of the most important tools for healthy childhood developmentHow imagination, creativity, and pretend play help children make sense of the worldWhy movement, exploration, and hands-on experiences are critical for learningWhat "risky play" really means—and why it isn't the same as unsafe playHow children build confidence by testing limits and solving problems on their ownWhy boredom can actually spark creativity and independenceThe difference between protecting children and overprotecting themSimple ways to create more opportunities for free play in everyday lifeOne of the most powerful reminders in this episode: Children don't need every moment planned, managed, or optimized. They need room to explore, imagine, create, and discover who they are. That doesn't mean ignoring safety. It doesn't mean letting chaos take over. And it definitely doesn't mean stepping away from your role as a parent. It means trusting that childhood itself has value. Because mud puddles teach lessons. Imagination builds skills. Movement strengthens minds and bodies. And sometimes the moments that look the least productive are the ones helping our children grow the most. If you've ever worried about giving your child enough freedom, struggled to balance safety with independence, or wondered whether unstructured play really matters, this episode offers practical insights and reassuring reminders that can help you approach parenting with greater confidence. Tune in to this episode of Raising Eyebrows your weekly dose of sanity in a world full of parenting noise. We're so glad you're here. To stay connected with Celia Kibler, follow @beabetterparentdotcom and explore more support through the Be A Better Parent Skool community at skool.com/beabetterparent. You can also connect with Dr. Kailey Buller at @vitalswithdrbuller for thoughtful, evidence-based support around motherhood, family health, and raising children with confidence. And if you want parenting support right when real life is happening, be sure to download the Be A Better Parent app. It offers on-demand guidance, practical tools, and real-time support to help you respond with more calm, clarity, and confidence right when you need it most.

    S9E21 (Mini-Series EP 09): The Radical Idea of Letting Kids Be Kids

  5. Jun 7

    S9E20 (Mini-Series EP 08): Are We Feeding Our Kids… or Their Future Therapy Sessions?

    Because the conversations we have around food today can shape the way our children think about themselves for years to come. Have you ever encouraged your child to clean their plate, offered dessert as a reward, or made a casual comment about your own weight without thinking much of it? Most parents have. The truth is, many of the messages we send about food are messages we inherited ourselves. We often repeat them with the best intentions—without realizing how deeply they can influence our children's relationship with food, their bodies, and even their self-worth. In this episode of the Raising Eyebrows Miniseries, Celia Kibler and Dr. Kailey Buller tackle a topic that affects every family: the powerful connection between food, emotions, body image, and the messages children absorb from the adults around them. Because children are always listening. They're listening when we talk about food. They're listening when we talk about our bodies. And they're learning from what we do just as much as what we say. In this thoughtful and eye-opening conversation, Celia and Dr. Kailey explore how parents can create a healthier, more positive environment around food without turning meals into battles, rewards, punishments, or sources of shame. Why children's bodies naturally change and grow in different ways throughout childhoodHow comments about weight, appearance, and food can impact a child's self-imageThe difference between encouraging healthy eating and creating unhealthy pressure around foodWhy parents decide what and when food is served, while children decide if and how much they eatPractical ways to introduce new foods without creating power strugglesHow curiosity and play can make mealtimes less stressful and more enjoyableWhy food should not become the primary reward for good behaviorSimple ways to help children build a positive relationship with food and their bodies One of the most important reminders in this episode: Food is not something children need to earn, fear, or feel guilty about. It's nourishment. It's connection. It's part of family life. And when we remove pressure, shame, and judgment, we create space for healthier habits and healthier relationships. That doesn't mean every meal will be perfect. It doesn't mean your child will suddenly love broccoli. And it definitely doesn't mean parenting around food becomes easy overnight. But it does mean you can approach these conversations with more confidence, more understanding, and a lot less stress. If you've ever worried about picky eating, body image, emotional eating, or the messages your child is receiving about food, this episode offers practical guidance and reassuring reminders that can help you move forward with greater clarity. Tune in to this episode of Raising Eyebrows your weekly dose of sanity in a world full of parenting noise. We're so glad you're here. To stay connected with Celia Kibler, follow @beabetterparentdotcom and explore more support through the Be A Better Parent Skool community at skool.com/beabetterparent. You can also connect with Dr. Kailey Buller at @vitalswithdrbuller for thoughtful, evidence-based support around motherhood, family health, and raising children with confidence. And if you want parenting support right when real life is happening, be sure to download the Be A Better Parent app. It offers on-demand guidance, practical tools, and real-time support to help you respond with more calm, clarity, and confidence right when you need it most.

    S9E20 (Mini-Series EP 08): Are We Feeding Our Kids… or Their Future Therapy Sessions?

  6. Jun 6

    S9E20 (EP 200): Can You Have a Good Divorce? What Every Parent Needs to Know to Protect Their Kids

    We've all seen the ugly version. The screaming. The lawyers. The kids stuck in the middle, learning to pack a bag every week and tiptoe between two worlds that can't stand each other. But what if I told you it doesn't have to look like that? In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Armstrong — author of The Mom's Guide to a Good Divorce: What to Think Through When Children Are Involved and The Art of the Juggling Act: Bite-Size Guides for Working Parents — for an honest, hopeful conversation about something most people don't believe is even possible: a good divorce. And here's the thing. Sarah and I both lived it. We're two parents who went through divorce, kept our kids out of the crossfire, and came out the other side with families that are still families. I've been divorced for over 30 years, remarried for 30, and we still hug at the holidays. So this isn't theory. This is two moms telling you it can be done. Sarah will be the first to say she's not an advocate for divorce. No one gets married planning to get divorced. But when a couple does land there — and half of them do — our children are the ones whose lives get turned upside down by a decision they never got to make. And we owe it to them not to let them become collateral damage. What You'll Hear in This Episode Why "a good divorce" isn't a fantasy — and the moment Sarah's seven-year-old daughter, Grace, defined it better than any expert ever couldThe "compartmentalization muscle" — how to feel your big emotions fully without letting your kids carry the weight of themWhy slamming your ex in front of your child is the same as slamming your child (because they're half that other person)The parent-teacher conference moment that revealed just how rare healthy co-parenting really isWhat it means to stand on the same side of the soccer field — and why that small choice tells your child everythingThe one question I ask every couple before they go down this path, and why it once brought a parent to tearsSarah's final reflection: how to embrace your new normal, look ahead, and stop dwelling in the negativesThis conversation is full of heart, honesty, and a good dose of humor, because even in a divorce, you should still be allowed to laugh. About Sarah ArmstrongSarah spent her career in the corporate global marketing world and never planned to become an author. Then her own divorce — and the friends who kept asking how she did it so well — turned into a book that now travels in the purses of women going through the hardest season of their lives, keeping them calm. Her work is built around one belief: a good divorce is a possible outcome if you stay focused on it and put in the effort. Resources for You The Mom's Guide to a Good Divorce and The Art of the Juggling Act by Sarah Armstrong — find everything at gooddivorce.guideRaising Happy Toddlers by Celia Kibler — available at beabetterparent.comBe A Better Parent App — download at beabetterparent.com for on-demand, real-time parenting support right when you need it most If you're walking through divorce right now, please hear me: it's scary, and it takes real courage. Ask for the help. You deserve it, and you're worthy of it. And if this episode gave you hope — or you know someone who needs it — share it, leave a review, and pass it along. There are so many parents out there feeling lost in this, and your share might be the thing that helps them give themselves some grace. As always, I wish you days filled with peace, love, and lots of laughter. Laughter really is the best medicine.

    S9E20 (EP 200): Can You Have a Good Divorce? What Every Parent Needs to Know to Protect Their Kids

  7. Jun 1

    S9E19 (Mini-Series EP 07): Who’s Actually Running This House? (Because It Might Not Be You)

    Have you ever found yourself negotiating over shoes, brushing teeth, bedtime… and suddenly wondered how your child became the one calling the shots? You’re definitely not alone. And if parenting has felt like a constant tug-of-war between wanting to raise independent kids and trying to keep the peace at home, this conversation is for you. In this episode of the Raising Eyebrows Miniseries, Celia Kibler and Dr. Kailey Buller tackle one of parenting’s biggest questions: How do you give your kids independence and responsibility… without accidentally handing over leadership of the whole house? Because children absolutely need choices. They need chances to practice responsibility. They need room to grow, make mistakes, and build confidence. But they also need loving boundaries, clear direction, and parents who can lead with calm confidence. In this warm and practical conversation, Celia and Dr. Kailey share real-life examples and simple strategies to help parents create more cooperation at home without power struggles, constant repeating, or feeling like every little thing turns into a battle. How to give kids choices without turning every moment into a negotiationWhy clear boundaries actually help children feel safer and more securePractical ways to handle brushing teeth, cleanup, school mornings, and transitions with less resistanceWhy routines help children feel more confident and capableHow praise and encouragement build responsibility and independenceWhy not every parenting moment needs correcting and how to stop nitpickingEasy ways to bring more fun, connection, and cooperation into your everyday routines One of the most powerful reminders in this episode: Your child can absolutely have a voice in your home but you are still the team leader. That doesn’t mean parenting has to feel rigid. It doesn’t mean being harsh. And it definitely doesn’t mean getting everything perfect. It means creating a home where your child feels heard, respected, and empowered while still knowing they can count on you for leadership, consistency, and connection. And if parenting has felt overwhelming lately, this episode is also a reminder that you are allowed to learn as you go. No guilt. No perfection. Just practical tools, thoughtful conversations, and encouragement from two parents who understand how real parenting actually feels. Tune in to this episode of Raising Eyebrows your weekly dose of sanity in a world full of parenting noise. We’re so glad you’re here. To stay connected with Celia Kibler, follow @beabetterparentdotcom and explore more support through the Be A Better Parent Skool community at skool.com/beabetterparent. You can also connect with Dr. Kailey Buller at @vitalswithdrbuller for thoughtful, evidence-based support around motherhood, family health, and raising children with confidence. And if you want parenting support right when real life is happening, be sure to download the Be A Better Parent app. It offers on-demand guidance, practical tools, and real-time support to help you respond with more calm, clarity, and confidence right when you need it most.

    S9E19 (Mini-Series EP 07): Who’s Actually Running This House? (Because It Might Not Be You)

  8. May 7

    S9E19 (EP 199): Raising Resilient Kids — What It Really Means (And What Most Parents Get Wrong)

    You've said it. I've said it. We've all said it: "Don't worry — kids are resilient." But what if that phrase, however well-meaning, is actually doing more harm than good? In this powerful episode, Celia Kibler sits down with Stacy Schaffer, MA, LPC — a dedicated children's and adolescent therapist with over 20 years of experience, Founder of Strong Hearts Counseling in Arvada, Colorado, and author of the brand-new book With Love from a Children's Therapist — for a conversation every parent needs to hear. Stacy brings her whole self to this episode: her clinical expertise, her deeply personal story, and the raw honesty that has made her one of the most trusted voices in children's mental health. Together, she and Celia dig into the real meaning of resilience, why kids' emotions don't just "go away," and what parents can do right now to raise children who are truly equipped for life — not just surviving it. What You'll Hear in This Episode Resilience is earned — not assumed.Stacy challenges the popular belief that kids automatically bounce back from trauma or loss. When we call children resilient without addressing their emotions, we may be unknowingly teaching them to suppress what they feel. Stacy shares her own heartbreaking experience of losing her mother and being praised for her "strength" — only to realize later that the praise made her afraid to actually grieve. Your child's brain isn't finished — and that changes everything.The human brain doesn't fully develop until age 25. That means your child literally does not have the neurological tools to process trauma, regulate impulse, or reason through emotion the way an adult can. Celia and Stacy explore what this means for everyday parenting — including why asking "Why did you do that?" is often one of the least effective questions you can ask. The hidden danger of "bedroom kids."Celia raises a crucial warning for parents of tweens and teens: when children disappear into their rooms and disengage from family life, parents lose visibility into their emotional world. One TikTok, one Snapchat moment of exclusion — and a child can spiral into isolation or depression without a parent even knowing it happened. Tech, social media, and the tracking trap.Snap Maps. Find My Friends. Being "left on red." Stacy and Celia get real about how digital tools designed for safety and connection are being used by kids to surveil, exclude, and hurt one another — and how parents can stay aware without turning their kids into expert secret-keepers. The question that changes everything.Stacy ends the episode with one simple, transformative question that every parent can start using today — a question that invites your child in, validates their experience, and builds the kind of trust that lasts a lifetime. Stacy Schaffer is a Licensed Professional Counselor, the Founder and Director of Strong Hearts Counseling in Arvada, Colorado, and the author of With Love from a Children's Therapist: #lessonsihavelearnedalongtheway (2025). With over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults ages 3–30, Stacy specializes in grief, trauma, and Synergetic Play Therapy. She is also a trauma survivor herself, and her book weaves together her personal story with the wisdom she's gathered on both sides of the therapy couch.📖 Get the book: authorstacyschaffer.com💻 Connect with Stacy: stacyschaffer.com RESOURCES FOR YOU! With Love from a Children's Therapist by Stacy Schaffer — available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible, and SpotifyRaising Happy Toddlers by Celia Kibler — available at beabetterparent.comBe A Better Parent App — download at beabetterparent.comIf this episode moved you, challenged you, or gave you even one tool to try today — please share it with another parent who needs to hear it. Leave a comment, leave a review, and help someone else find this conversation. Because the world gets better when parents get better.

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Being a parent is hard—in fact, it’s quite the adventure! For every child it takes a village, the same goes for every parent! We all need questions answered, and we need to know stuff we don’t even know we need to know. Welcome to the Be A Better Parent Podcast, your essential resource for valuable advice and information that relates to you and your kids. Join Celia Kibler, Family & Relationship Empowerment Coach & Author of RAISING HAPPY TODDLERS, with over 40 years of mom & professional experience. Celia offers the best advice that NO ONE ELSE GIVES YOU about raising kids in today's world.

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