Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn

Dr. Cathryn
  • 4.7 (165)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 6d ago

    Potty Training Without Power Struggles: The big-hearted approach to helping kids use the potty

    Potty training doesn't have to involve battles, pressure, or regret. In this episode, Today, I'm sharing the Big-Hearted Approach to Potty Training, a method that helps children build body awareness, confidence, and independence without sacrificing their dignity. Learn why pressure often backfires and what to do instead. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why pushing harder often creates more resistance • How to build body awareness instead of relying on reminders • Why ownership helps children become independent potty users • The hidden link between potty-training pressure and constipation • How encouragement builds confidence and cooperation Ready for a calmer and kinder approach? Join my free workshop, Potty Without Pushback: You'll walk away with a plan on how to ditch diapers without chipping away at your child's self-esteem. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    10 min

  2. Jun 10

    Little Kid Night Wakings: A Kinder, Smarter Fix That Actually Works

    If your toddler is creeping into your room at 1am, 3am — or both — this episode is for you. Dr. Cathryn shares a simple, no-cry strategy that helped Katie sleep through the night in just one week, and gave Cecil's family a way into bedtime that finally felt collaborative instead of combative. Middle-of-the-night wake-ups are biologically normal — the goal isn't to stop your child from waking, it's to help them comfortably drift back to sleep without coming to find you.The Big-Hearted Ask works by turning your child from the scared one into the rescuer — giving them a stuffed animal that "needs their help" at night taps into their natural empathy and gives them a job to do at 2am.Four steps to set it up: introduce the animal during the day (not at bedtime), make tucking it in part of the wind-down routine, practice comforting it before lights out, and leave a simple reminder as you walk out the door.Whether your child is sneaking into your bed or battling bedtime from the very start, this strategy meets them where they are — and it's simpler than anything you've probably tried. RESOURCES How To Help Your Child Fall Asleep Without You (the smarter, kinder way) My Big-Hearted approach is a calm, step-by-step way to help your child fall asleep independently—without cry-it-out. Potty Without Pushback FREE workshop Learn a proven approach to ditch diapers that doesn’t chip away at a child’s dignity. The Potty Training Made Easy Program Finally ditch diapers without battles, pressure, or moments you wish you could take back. A pediatrician-designed approach trusted by 1M+ families to potty train with confidence instead of conflict. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    9 min

  3. Jun 3

    You're Not Raising A Problem, You're Raising A Person

    Why do little kids melt down over things that seem so small? In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares one mindset shift that can completely change the way you respond to tantrums, resistance, aggression, and emotional outbursts. When you stop seeing your child as “the problem” and start seeing the skills they’re still developing, parenting becomes calmer, clearer, and far more connected. This episode will help you hold boundaries without chipping away at your child’s confidence or dignity. • Why toddlers can understand a rule and still completely fall apart trying to follow it • How interpreting behavior differently helps you stay calmer during hard moments • Why support, co-regulation, and connection often work better than punishment RESOURCES The Potty Without Pushback workshop Finally, A Kinder, Calmer Way To Ditch Diapers For Good YOU'LL WALK AWAY KNOWING HOW TO: Potty train without tears, tantrums or tensionAvoid potty resistance altogetherHandle accidents or setbacks calmly Teach your child, "I'm the boss of my body!" Save Your FREE Seat Here * * See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    7 min

  4. May 27

    How To Stop Making Tantrums Worse

    In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares the biggest mistake parents make during tantrums and why trying to reason, explain, or “fix” the meltdown too quickly often makes things worse. Through a personal story from her years as a pediatrician and mom, she explains what’s really happening inside a child’s brain during a tantrum and how a calmer, big-hearted response helps children build emotional regulation over time, without chipping away at their dignity or self-esteem. • Why tantrums often get bigger when parents talk too much during the peak of the meltdown • What children actually need when the emotional part of the brain takes over • How to stay calm, hold boundaries, and help your child through overwhelming feelings without becoming permissive Planning on potty training soon? Dr. Cathryn also shares details about her free Potty Without Pushback workshop, where you’ll learn a calmer, big-hearted approach to potty training that encourages cooperation and better behavior without chipping away at your child’s self-esteem or dignity. RESOUCES The Potty Without Pushback workshop Finally, A Kinder, Calmer Way To Ditch Diapers For Good YOU'LL WALK AWAY KNOWING HOW TO: Potty train without tears, tantrums or tensionAvoid potty resistance altogetherHandle accidents or setbacks calmly Teach your child, "I'm the boss of my body!" SAVE YOUR FREE SEAT HERE See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    8 min

  5. May 20

    The Unbreakable Connection: Helping Kids Feel Close When You’re Apart

    Your little one is missing you. Maybe it's daycare drop-off. Maybe it's 2 am. Maybe it's a sleepover at Nana's with a lot of very loud feelings. This episode is about the simple things that make separation easier — not just in the hard moments, but all the time. Dr. Cathryn shares the 10-second ritual she uses with her own granddaughter, plus four practical tools to help little kids carry the feeling of connection with them wherever they go. You'll learn: A simple breath-and-kiss ritual that calms the nervous system fastWhy family photos at eye level in the bedroom do more than you'd thinkThe recordable button that lets your child hear your voice whenever they need itWhy these tools only work if you're not saving them for emergencies The goal isn't just getting through the hard moment. It's building a belief your child carries with them: I am loved. I am connected. The bond never breaks. 📖 Mentioned in this episode: The Invisible String by Patrice Karst 🚀 Potty training is one of the moments connection matters most. My Potty Training Made Easy program gets you from diapers to dry in 30 days — with no pressure, no shame, and no power struggles. Because how your little one feels during potty training matters just as much as whether they get there. Tap Here See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    8 min

  6. May 13

    Help, My Kid Won't Poop on the Potty! (Here's Why — and What to Do)

    Your little kid pees on the potty just fine — but when it comes to poop? Diaper only, thank you very much. You haven't done anything wrong. This is one of the most common potty-training hiccups, affecting 20–25% of little kids. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn breaks down exactly why it happens and what actually helps. You'll learn: The real reason most kids resist (hint: it's fear, not stubbornness)What to say — and what not to say Simple ways to make the potty feel safer and less overwhelmingHow to move toward the potty in tiny, low-pressure stepsWhy stool softness matters more than most parents realize This isn't about saying enough is enough. It's about understanding what's driving the resistance — and meeting your child there. 🎓 Ready to go deeper? Mini-course: Help! My Child Will Only Poop in a Diaper → See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    12 min

  7. May 6

    The Secret To Shorter, Fewer, and Less Intense Tantrums

    Ever feel like your toddler’s tantrums come out of nowhere—and take forever to end? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, Dr. Cathryn shares a big-hearted, science-backed approach to handling tantrums that actually works. RESOURCES: I’m running a short class for exhausted parents who want more sleep (without cry-it-out). Want the details? TAP HERE Order my book ⁠⁠Toddlers Made Easy ⁠⁠ Follow me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    10 min

  8. Apr 29

    Catch Them Being 'Good' The Big-Hearted Way to Encourage Positive Behavior

    The 5:1 rule is one of the most practical tools a parent can have — and it's simpler than you think. Originally researched by psychologist John Gottman in marriages, the principle maps directly onto parenting: for every correction, aim for five positive interactions first. Not a tally. Just an intention to tip the balance toward warmth. In this episode, we cover: Why your relationship with your child works like a bank accountHow our negativity bias works against us as parents — and how to counteract itWhat a positive interaction actually looks like (hint: it's not empty praise)How the way you talk to your child becomes their inner voice The goal isn't perfection. It's just tipping the balance. 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a parent who needs to hear it. 👉 Join me live April 30th for Potty Without Pushback — my free workshop on how to go from diapers to dry without the power struggles, overwhelm, or feeling like you're doing it wrong. Save your spot here See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    6 min
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4.7
out of 5
165 Ratings

About

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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