The Art of Playful Parenting

Jill Lerman
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Ever wish you had access to a play and parenting coach who could help you feel less overwhelmed and burnt out and more empowered as a parent? That's what you experience once a week by listening to The Art of Playful Parenting Podcast hosted by Jill Lerman. With 15 years of experience working with young children and their families, Jill brings an informed perspective and wealth of simple strategies and ideas to support you on your parenting journey. You'll leave listening to each episode inspired to keep it simple, while feeling empowered to become the parent you always wanted to be.

  1. 1d ago

    Ep. 95: Simple Summer Rhythms for Kids

    Looking for simple summer play ideas that don't require hours of planning? In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores how to create flexible summer rhythms that help children feel calm, connected, and ready to play. Whether your kids are home for the summer or coming home from camp each day, you'll learn how to use play as a tool for regulation, discover easy low-prep play ideas, and build after-camp reset routines that support your child's nervous system. We also talk about the increased mental load parents carry during the summer, why the idea of "bringing back '90s summers'" isn't realistic for many families, and how to let go of the pressure to create a perfect summer. If you're looking for practical parenting tips, simple play inspiration, and realistic ways to make summer feel more manageable, this episode is for you. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

    27 min

  2. Jun 26

    Ep. 94: What to Do When You're Not at Your Best as a Parent

    In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores what it really looks like to parent when you are not at your best. She breaks down why so many parents feel pressure to show up fully resourced, and why real-life parenting often happens in moments of exhaustion, overwhelm, and depletion. Jill shares practical, low-lift strategies for those harder days, including how to lower the "activation energy" for play, simplify daily expectations, and use independent play as a valid and valuable part of the child's day rather than a fallback. Listeners will walk away with permission to lower the bar, trust the basics, and feel more supported on the days when parenting feels hardest. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

    25 min

  3. Jun 19

    Ep. 93: The Truth About Uneven Giftedness

    In this episode, Jill explores what it means to be unevenly gifted and why some children can appear remarkably advanced in one area while struggling significantly in another. She breaks down the concept of asynchronous development, explains why giftedness often coexists with challenges in emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory processing, and social skills, and discusses why these developmental differences can be so confusing for parents and educators. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

    27 min

  4. Jun 12

    Ep. 92: Simplifying Playful Parenting with Beth Rosenbleeth from @DayswithGrey

    In this episode, Jill welcomes Beth Rosenbleeth. Beth, creator of the popular blog and Instagram account Days with Grey, simplifies routines and promotes play-based learning for young children. She's a former teacher and a mom of three whose strategies and activity ideas resonate with her 275,000+ Instagram followers. Jill and Beth explore the connection between quality time and independent play, easy ways to encourage creativity using everyday materials, and the value of open-ended toys that grow with children. This episode was also motherhood at its finest. Jill's infant decided to boycott her nap, make a guest appearance during the recording, and even spit up on Jill mid-conversation. As a mom of three boys, Beth completely got it and rolled with it right alongside her! They also talk about sibling dynamics, sensory play, screen time, and why life skills are just as important as academics when preparing children for kindergarten. Filled with practical tips and realistic strategies, this conversation will leave you feeling empowered to bring more play into your home without adding more to your to-do list. Check out Beth's amazing resources, including activity cards and life skills cards, here. Follow Beth on Instagram Check out Beth's blog and website here. The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join!  Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

    52 min

  5. Jun 5

    Ep. 91: "Because I Said So" and Other Parenting Advice I Ignore

    In this episode, Jill takes a look at some of the parenting advice many of us grew up hearing and why it may not hold up when viewed through a modern understanding of child development. She unpacks the assumptions behind these common phrases and offers a more nuanced, connection-based perspective. This conversation invites parents to move beyond rigid rules and toward curiosity, helping them better understand what may be driving their child's behavior and respond with greater confidence and compassion. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

    26 min

  6. May 29

    Ep. 90: When Your Child Feels Like Too Much for You

    In this episode, Jill explores the deeply tender question many parents quietly carry: "Am I really cut out for this?" She unpacks a conversation with a client whose highly energetic, sensory-seeking son feels like the opposite of her own nervous system, and how that mismatch can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure of themselves. This episode is a must-listen for parents navigating similar dynamics, reminding listeners that difference is not dysfunction, and that connection is built through understanding, not sameness. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

    23 min

  7. May 22

    Ep. 89: Struggling With the Kindergarten Transition: A Parent's Honest Reflection

    In this episode, Jill shares a personal reflection on her daughter's upcoming transition into kindergarten and the complex emotions that come with it. She explores what it feels like to navigate modern public school systems as a parent today, including the shifting landscape of early education, the role of play, and the quiet tension many parents feel between excitement and grief during this milestone. It's an honest conversation about what childhood looks like now and what we hope to preserve as our children grow. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

    26 min

  8. May 15

    Ep. 88: The Truth About Picky Eating with Jenny Friedman of @feedingpickyeaters

    On today's episode, Jill is joined by Jenny Friedman, a pediatric nutrition expert and mom of three boys to discuss a topic that so many parents struggle with: extreme picky eating and feeding challenges. They discuss how picky eating can be both normal developmental behavior and potentially indicate underlying issues. Jenny shares strategies Jenny emphasized the importance of parents trusting their instincts and seeking help when needed, while also sharing practical tips about managing snacks versus meals and the challenges of balancing work and parenting responsibilities. The conversation covers specific red flags to watch for in children and how to approach mealtime struggles with patience and perspective, and simple and effective strategies to help with picky eaters, emphasizing that parents are not alone in facing these challenges. Grab your free guide from Jenny: Three Steps to Eating here Learn more about Jenny and her courses and resources here Buy Jenny's book here Follow @FeedingPickyEaters on Instagram Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

    55 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Ever wish you had access to a play and parenting coach who could help you feel less overwhelmed and burnt out and more empowered as a parent? That's what you experience once a week by listening to The Art of Playful Parenting Podcast hosted by Jill Lerman. With 15 years of experience working with young children and their families, Jill brings an informed perspective and wealth of simple strategies and ideas to support you on your parenting journey. You'll leave listening to each episode inspired to keep it simple, while feeling empowered to become the parent you always wanted to be.

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