MomDocTalk with Kristen Cook, MD

Kristen Cook, MD
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Welcome to MomDoc Talk, where real-life parenting meets medical expertise! Hosted by Dr. Kristen Cook, a seasoned pediatrician and mom, this podcast is your go-to resource for evidence-based insights on child development, health, and raising well-rounded, compassionate kids. As both a mother and a pediatrician with over a decade of experience, Dr. Cook understands the challenges parents face today and knows what truly works. Each episode dives into relatable parenting stories, expert advice, and science-backed tips, blending warmth, wisdom, and practicality to support you in guiding your child’s growth in today’s ever-evolving world. Join Dr. Cook and her guests as they tackle everything from behavior management to health basics, all while keeping the focus on raising good humans. DisclaimerThe information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided.

  1. 4d ago

    AI Safety for Kids: 6 Rules Every Parent Should Teach

    Send us Fan Mail Artificial intelligence is already part of childhood. Kids encounter it through search engines, schoolwork, social media, games, recommendation algorithms, image generators, and conversational chatbots. The question for parents is no longer whether children will use AI. It is whether they will know how to use it wisely. In this episode of Mom Doc Talk, board-certified pediatrician, parenting advisor, and mom Dr. Kristen Cook shares six AI rules she believes every family should teach. She explains how parents can help children use AI as a learning tool without allowing it to replace thinking, how to approach homework and academic integrity, and why kids need to understand that a confident AI answer can still be wrong. Kristen also covers privacy, personal information, misinformation, fake citations, deepfakes, emotionally relying on chatbots, and the importance of bringing a trusted human into the conversation when a child is lonely, scared, overwhelmed, or facing something serious. Rather than teaching children to fear artificial intelligence, Kristen encourages parents to build AI literacy. The goal is to raise kids who can ask better questions, protect their privacy, verify information, follow school rules, recognize when technology is crossing a line, and use AI without surrendering their judgment. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR Why AI literacy matters even if your child does not actively use ChatGPTHow to tell whether AI is helping a child learn or helping them avoid learningWhen AI use for homework can cross into cheating or plagiarismWhy AI should function as an assistant rather than the author of a child's educationThe stop-check-confirm rule for verifying AI-generated informationWhy kids should never treat AI like a private diaryWhat personal information children should avoid sharing with AI toolsWhy AI should not replace a doctor, therapist, trusted adult, or real friendshipWarning signs that a child may be relying too heavily on an AI companionHow to talk with children about deepfakes, deceptive images, and AI-generated contentHow AI safety conversations should change from early childhood through the teen yearsThe six family AI rules Kristen wants parents to teach Order Dr. Kristen Cook's Book Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them Thrive If you enjoy Mom Doc Talk and want practical, evidence-based parenting guidance with compassion, science-backed strategies, and real-world parenting support, grab your copy here: Parenting Redefined on Amazon If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, subscribe to Mom Doc Talk, and leave a review to help more parents find these conversations. Podcast Disclaimer The information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Get a copy of Kristen's Upcoming Book: Parenting Redefined HERE Follow Dr. Cook at: https://www.facebook.com/MomDocTalk/ Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/ https://twitter.com/momdoctalk https://www.tiktok.com/@momdoctalk_kcmd?lang=en

  2. Sep 24

    After-School Meltdowns: 5 Things Not to Do and What Helps Instead

    Send us Fan Mail Last week, Dr. Kristen Cook explained why some children hold it together all day at school and then completely fall apart once they get home. In this episode, she continues the conversation and gets practical about what parents can do next. Kristen shares five things to avoid immediately after school when a child consistently struggles with after-school restraint collapse. She explains why rapid-fire questions, overscheduling, immediate homework demands, matching a child's emotional intensity, and turning a meltdown into a character judgment can make an already depleted nervous system work even harder. She also introduces the Mom Doc Talk After School Reset, beginning with connection and basic physical needs, then moving into decompression, individualized regulation, and a strategic return to expectations once the child is calmer. The goal is not to eliminate boundaries. It is to choose the timing of those boundaries wisely. This episode also covers screens, sibling-directed aggression, repeated after-school outbursts, what to ask teachers when the pattern happens every day, and when parents should talk with a pediatrician or another qualified professional. This is the direct continuation of Episode 95. Episode 95 explains why after-school restraint collapse happens. Episode 96 focuses on what not to do, what to try instead, and how to respond when the behavior becomes difficult for the whole family. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR Five things Kristen recommends avoiding immediately after school when your child regularly struggles with meltdownsWhy too many questions can feel like demands to an already depleted brainWhy children may need downtime before homework, chores, activities, and conversationHow co-regulation helps parents avoid escalating a child who is already overwhelmedWhy phrases such as “What is wrong with you?” can turn a difficult moment into a judgment about the child's identityHow Kristen's After School Reset begins with connection, food, water, bathroom needs, and decompressionWhy regulation strategies should fit the individual child rather than a universal formulaHow to validate anger, disappointment, and exhaustion without validating aggressive or hurtful behaviorHow to decide whether screen time truly regulates your child or simply delays another battleWhat to do when a child directs after-school frustration toward a siblingWhy understanding behavior should make parents more effective at setting limits, not afraid to set themWhat questions to ask teachers when after-school meltdowns happen every dayWhen frequent or severe outbursts deserve a deeper conversation with a pediatrician or other qualified professionalHow to use five days of simple observation to identify patterns involving sleep, food, transitions, activities, and sensory loadWhy dysregulation is not the same thing as disrespect, bad character, or permissive parenting Order Dr. Kristen Cook's Book Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them Thrive If you enjoy Mom Doc Talk and want practical, evidence-based parenting guidance with compassion, science-backed strategies, and real-world parenting support, grab your copy here: Parenting Redefined on Amazon If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, subscribe to Mom Doc Talk, and leave a review to help more parents find these conversations. Podcast Disclaimer The information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Get a copy of Kristen's Upcoming Book: Parenting Redefined HERE Follow Dr. Cook at: https://www.facebook.com/MomDocTalk/ Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/ https://twitter.com/momdoctalk https://www.tiktok.com/@momdoctalk_kcmd?lang=en

  3. Sep 17

    Why Does My Child Melt Down After School? Understanding After-School Restraint Collapse

    Send us Fan Mail Your child's teacher says they were wonderful all day. Twenty minutes later, they are yelling about the wrong snack, fighting with a sibling, refusing every request, or completely falling apart at home. What happened? In this episode of Mom Doc Talk, board-certified pediatrician, parenting advisor, and mom Dr. Kristen Cook explains the pattern commonly called after-school restraint collapse. The term describes what can happen when a child uses enormous mental and emotional energy to regulate throughout the school day, then releases that stress once they reach the place where they feel safest. Kristen explains why school requires so much self-management, from sitting still and following directions to handling transitions, friendships, sensory input, academic pressure, frustration, and disappointment. By the time a child gets home, their emotional battery may be nearly empty. Parents will learn why this pattern is not a medical diagnosis, why understanding behavior is different from excusing hurtful behavior, and why trying to reason with a completely dysregulated child often fails. Kristen also discusses the regulate, relate, reason approach and why timing matters when parents want to teach better behavior. The episode also explores why children with ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing differences, and highly sensitive temperaments may be especially vulnerable. Kristen reminds parents not to overlook basic biological triggers such as hunger, dehydration, overstimulation, and inadequate sleep. This is the first half of a connected conversation. Kristen explicitly tells listeners that the discussion is not over and invites them back next week. Episode 96 will cover five things not to do immediately after school, what to do when aggression is directed toward a sibling, and how to respond effectively to problematic behavior. What You'll LearnWhat after-school restraint collapse means and why it is a descriptive term rather than a medical diagnosisWhy a child can appear regulated at school and completely unravel at homeHow school drains a child's mental and emotional regulation resourcesWhy home may be the place where children finally feel safe enough to stop holding everything togetherWhy understanding the reason for a meltdown does not mean allowing aggression, destruction, or hurtful behaviorHow stress and self-regulation demands affect a child's brain and body throughout the school dayWhy reasoning and problem solving are often ineffective during peak dysregulationHow to use the regulate, relate, reason sequenceWhy ADHD can make the school day especially taxing on executive functioningHow stimulant medication rebound can differ from restraint collapseWhy autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing differences can increase after-school overloadHow anxiety may create intense internal vigilance even when a child looks calm externallyWhy hunger, fatigue, dehydration, and overstimulation can magnify after-school meltdownsHow adequate sleep can influence behavior the following afternoonWhy a child's worst behavior at home is not automatically evidence that a parent is doing something wrong Order Dr. Kristen Cook's Book Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them Thrive If you enjoy Mom Doc Talk and want practical, evidence-based parenting guidance with compassion, science-backed strategies, and real-world parenting support, grab your copy here: Parenting Redefined on Amazon If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, subscribe to Mom Doc Talk, and leave a review to help more parents find these conversations. Podcast Disclaimer The information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Get a copy of Kristen's Upcoming Book: Parenting Redefined HERE Follow Dr. Cook at: https://www.facebook.com/MomDocTalk/ Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/ https://twitter.com/momdoctalk https://www.tiktok.com/@momdoctalk_kcmd?lang=en

  4. Sep 10

    How to Raise Independent Kids Without Making Them Feel Abandoned

    Send us Fan Mail This episode is the direct continuation of Episode 93. Kristen opens by telling listeners she is continuing last week's conversation about clinginess, separation, and emotional independence, then takes the topic deeper by focusing on the parenting patterns that can unintentionally strengthen anxiety and dependence. In this episode of Mom Doc Talk, board-certified pediatrician and mom Dr. Kristen Cook explains accommodation, overprotection, repeated reassurance, rescuing, and why helping children avoid every uncomfortable feeling can make anxiety stronger over time. Kristen shares seven practical strategies parents can use to help children build independence and resilience: create predictable separation routines, keep goodbyes loving and brief, practice separation when the stakes are low, validate without rescuing, stop answering endless reassurance questions, give children real responsibilities, and allow safe struggle. She also explores an important distinction for overwhelmed parents: independence does not mean refusing comfort or forcing a child away. Children often need us nearby while they practice doing something themselves. The question is not simply, "Does my child need me?" but "What kind of help does my child actually need right now?" Together, Episodes 93 and 94 form a cohesive two-part conversation: Episode 93 explains why children become clingy and how separation anxiety works, while Episode 94 focuses on exactly how parents can help children move toward confidence, resilience, and emotional independence. What You'll LearnWhat accommodation means in childhood anxietyWhy changing family life to prevent every anxious feeling can reinforce the problemHow overprotection can reduce resilience and confidenceWhy repeated reassurance can become part of an anxiety cycleHow to shift a child from dependence on reassurance toward coping skillsWhy confidence grows through manageable experiences, not just encouraging wordsSeven practical strategies for building independence and resilienceHow predictable separation routines reduce anxietyWhy goodbyes should be loving, brief, and confidentHow to practice separation before high-stakes momentsHow to validate a child's fear without rescuing themHow real responsibilities build competenceWhy safe struggle is an essential part of developmentHow to let 'good enough' be good enough when children complete tasks independentlyHow to ask whether a child needs you to do something or simply stay nearbyWhy parents are allowed to have physical and emotional boundaries tooHow connection and separateness can coexist in a healthy relationship Order Dr. Kristen Cook's Book Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them Thrive If you enjoy Mom Doc Talk and want practical, evidence-based parenting guidance with compassion, science-backed strategies, and real-world parenting support, grab your copy here: Parenting Redefined on Amazon If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, subscribe to Mom Doc Talk, and leave a review to help more parents find these conversations. Podcast Disclaimer The information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Get a copy of Kristen's Upcoming Book: Parenting Redefined HERE Follow Dr. Cook at: https://www.facebook.com/MomDocTalk/ Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/ https://twitter.com/momdoctalk https://www.tiktok.com/@momdoctalk_kcmd?lang=en

  5. Sep 3

    Why Is My Child So Clingy? Understanding Separation Anxiety

    Send us Fan Mail Why does your child follow you from room to room, cry when you leave, insist you stay until they fall asleep, or suddenly struggle with separation after months of seeming independent? In this episode of Mom Doc Talk, board-certified pediatrician and mom Dr. Kristen Cook explores clinginess, separation anxiety, secure attachment, and the gradual development of emotional independence. Kristen explains why young children are biologically wired to stay close to caregivers, how normal separation anxiety changes across infancy, toddlerhood, the school years, and adolescence, and why a child's need for reassurance can temporarily increase during illness, travel, transitions, family stress, sleep disruption, or developmental change. Kristen also explains the important difference between attachment and dependence. A secure relationship does not prevent independence. In healthy development, the caregiver becomes a secure base that gives the child confidence to explore, return for reassurance, and gradually move farther into the world. Parents will learn practical ways to handle drop-off tears, school-related stomach aches, repeated reassurance seeking, and older children who want parents to solve problems they are increasingly capable of handling. Kristen also discusses when separation anxiety may warrant professional support and why anxiety deserves compassion without always being allowed to make the family's decisions. This episode intentionally leads into Episode 94, where Kristen goes deeper into accommodation, reassurance, rescuing, and seven practical strategies for building independence and resilience. What You'll LearnWhy young children are biologically wired to stay close to trusted caregiversThe difference between secure attachment and unhealthy dependenceHow a secure base helps children become more independent over timeWhat normal separation anxiety can look like in babies and toddlersWhy separation anxiety can return after periods of improvementHow temperament affects a child's response to separationWhy predictable goodbye routines help children feel safeWhy sneaking away can make some children more vigilantHow to validate a child's distress without changing the boundaryHow separation anxiety may show up as stomach aches or school refusalWhy avoidance can strengthen anxiety over timeHow clinginess changes in school-age children and teenagersHow parents can shift from manager to consultant during adolescenceThe difference between supporting a child and rescuing a childWhen separation anxiety begins to interfere enough to seek professional help Order Dr. Kristen Cook's Book Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them Thrive If you enjoy Mom Doc Talk and want practical, evidence-based parenting guidance with compassion, science-backed strategies, and real-world parenting support, grab your copy here: Parenting Redefined on Amazon If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, subscribe to Mom Doc Talk, and leave a review to help more parents find these conversations. Podcast Disclaimer The information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Get a copy of Kristen's Upcoming Book: Parenting Redefined HERE Follow Dr. Cook at: https://www.facebook.com/MomDocTalk/ Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/ https://twitter.com/momdoctalk https://www.tiktok.com/@momdoctalk_kcmd?lang=en

  6. Aug 27

    Why Parenting Feels So Hard: How to Reduce Burnout and Mental Load

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever gone to bed completely exhausted, not because one major crisis happened, but because your brain had to make hundreds of small decisions all day? You remembered spirit week, signed the permission slip, scheduled appointments, ordered a birthday gift, checked homework, planned dinner, managed screen time, answered work emails, and still ended the day wondering whether you were patient enough, present enough, or doing enough. In this episode of Mom Doc Talk, board-certified pediatrician, parenting expert, and mom Dr. Kristen Cook explains why parenting today feels so much harder than many people expected. The problem is not that modern parents are weaker or less capable. Parents are navigating information overload, technology, intensive parenting expectations, social media comparison, decision fatigue, the invisible mental load, work demands, and often far less community support than previous generations had. Kristen offers practical strategies for simplifying family life without sacrificing what matters most. She discusses reducing daily decisions, creating flexible family rhythms, limiting parenting experts, sharing ownership of the mental load, protecting downtime, setting technology boundaries, building a village intentionally, and practicing self-compassion. The message is simple but powerful: children do not need perfect parents or perfectly optimized childhoods. They need love, safety, boundaries, connection, and caregivers who keep showing up and repair when things get messy. What You'll LearnWhy parenting feels harder even when children themselves have not dramatically changedHow modern parents became the CEO, scheduler, chauffeur, tutor, technology manager, and emotional support systemWhat decision fatigue is and how it affects patience, confidence, and emotional regulationWhy reducing small daily decisions can protect parental energyHow routines and family rhythms reduce stress for children and adultsWhy constant, conflicting parenting advice creates information overloadHow to choose a small number of trusted, evidence-based resourcesWhy social media comparison fuels guilt and steals joyWhat intensive parenting is and why it creates unrealistic expectationsWhy children need age-appropriate opportunities to struggle and solve problemsHow to intentionally build a village when family support is not nearbyWhy technology keeps parents feeling permanently on dutyHow family-wide tech-free times can improve connectionWhat the mental load includes beyond visible household choresWhy partners should divide ownership rather than simply help with tasksHow perfectionism keeps moving the parenting finish linePractical ways to lower the bar, protect downtime, share responsibility, and simplify Order Dr. Kristen Cook's Book Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them Thrive If you enjoy Mom Doc Talk and want practical, evidence-based parenting guidance with compassion, science-backed strategies, and real-world parenting support, grab your copy here: Parenting Redefined on Amazon If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, subscribe to Mom Doc Talk, and leave a review to help more parents find these conversations. Podcast Disclaimer The information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Get a copy of Kristen's Upcoming Book: Parenting Redefined HERE Follow Dr. Cook at: https://www.facebook.com/MomDocTalk/ Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/ https://twitter.com/momdoctalk https://www.tiktok.com/@momdoctalk_kcmd?lang=en

  7. Aug 20

    Why Is My Child So Disrespectful? What Talking Back Really Means

    Send us Fan Mail Eye-rolling. Door slamming. Arguing. Ignoring directions. The dreaded "whatever." When children speak or behave harshly, parents often wonder whether they are raising a disrespectful child or doing something wrong. In this episode of Mom Doc Talk, board-certified pediatrician, parenting educator, and mom Dr. Kristen Cook explains why behavior that looks disrespectful is often a sign of something happening beneath the surface. Depending on the child's age and circumstances, talking back may reflect immaturity, frustration, anxiety, exhaustion, sensory overload, ADHD-related impulsivity, a desire for autonomy, or an underdeveloped ability to communicate intense emotions. Kristen does not suggest ignoring rude or hurtful behavior. Instead, she shows parents how to address it in ways that build lasting communication skills. She explains why respect is broader than obedience, why emotional regulation develops gradually, and why yelling and power struggles frequently make the problem worse. The episode walks through what disrespectful behavior can look like in toddlers, school-age children, and teenagers. It also offers practical phrases, calm boundaries, age-appropriate expectations, and regulation tools parents can begin using immediately. The goal is not perfect behavior. It is helping children learn that every feeling is acceptable, but not every behavior is. What You'll LearnWhy parents often confuse respect with immediate obedienceWhat healthy respect includes beyond simple complianceWhy behavior is communication, especially in younger childrenHow the developing prefrontal cortex affects impulse control and emotional regulationWhy an overwhelmed child may temporarily lose access to respectful communicationWhat talking back and rude behavior commonly look like at different agesWhy toddlers and preschoolers are often testing independence rather than manipulating adultsHow to avoid power struggles with school-age childrenWhy teenage emotional distance does not always mean rejectionHow ADHD can make interrupting, blurting, and forgetting instructions look disrespectfulWhy anxiety may appear as irritability, refusal, arguing, or a freeze responseHow to teach regulation skills during calm momentsHow to use five-finger breathing with childrenWhy modeling sarcasm, yelling, and harsh communication undermines respectHow consistency and follow-through reduce repeated argumentsPractical phrases that validate emotions while maintaining firm boundaries Order Dr. Kristen Cook's Book Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them Thrive If you enjoy Mom Doc Talk and want practical, evidence-based parenting guidance with compassion, science-backed strategies, and real-world parenting support, grab your copy here: Parenting Redefined on Amazon If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, subscribe to Mom Doc Talk, and leave a review to help more parents find these conversations. Podcast Disclaimer The information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Get a copy of Kristen's Upcoming Book: Parenting Redefined HERE Follow Dr. Cook at: https://www.facebook.com/MomDocTalk/ Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/ https://twitter.com/momdoctalk https://www.tiktok.com/@momdoctalk_kcmd?lang=en

  8. Aug 13

    Why Is My Child Lying? A Pediatrician Explains What It Really Means

    Send us Fan Mail Why does your child lie, even when the truth seems obvious?Maybe your five-year-old insists they didn't eat the cookie while chocolate is still on their face. Maybe your eight-year-old swears they brushed their teeth when they clearly didn't. Or maybe your teenager tells you they were somewhere completely different from where you later discover they were. For parents, lying can trigger some big fears: Have I raised a dishonest child? Can I trust them? Should there be a bigger consequence? In this episode of Mom Doc Talk, board-certified pediatrician, parenting educator, and mom Dr. Kristen Cook explains why childhood lying is often much more complicated than simple dishonesty. Kristen walks through how lying changes from toddlerhood through adolescence and explains why imagination, fear, avoidance, executive functioning challenges, anxiety, trauma, and the growing desire for independence can all influence whether a child tells the truth. You'll also learn why some common parenting responses can unintentionally make lying worse, including yelling, labeling a child as a "liar," asking questions when you already know the answer, and creating an environment where admitting mistakes feels unsafe. Most importantly, Kristen explains how parents can build honesty through connection, accountability, emotional safety, and trust.Because the goal isn't simply to catch children lying.It's to raise children who feel safe enough to tell the truth, even when the truth is uncomfortable.What You'll Learn Why children lie at different developmental stagesWhy toddlers may say something untrue without intentionally lyingThe important difference between imagination and deceptionWhy preschool fantasy is a healthy part of developmentWhy school-age children often lie to avoid consequencesWhy teenage lying often involves independence and privacyHow fear and harsh punishment can make honesty feel unsafeWhy children with ADHD may appear dishonest when executive functioning is the real challengeHow anxiety can contribute to avoidance and lyingWhy significant trauma can make dishonesty a survival strategyWhat prosocial or "white lies" look like in older childrenWhy asking questions you already know the answer to can create a trapWhy parents should address dishonest behavior without labeling the childHow modeling honesty influences children's behaviorHow to praise truth-telling without removing appropriate consequencesWhy connection and emotional safety are essential to building trust Order Dr. Kristen Cook's Book Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them Thrive If you enjoy Mom Doc Talk and want practical, evidence-based parenting guidance with compassion, science-backed strategies, and real-world parenting support, grab your copy here: Amazon link If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, subscribe to Mom Doc Talk, and leave a review to help more parents find these conversations. Podcast Disclaimer The information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Get a copy of Kristen's Upcoming Book: Parenting Redefined HERE Follow Dr. Cook at: https://www.facebook.com/MomDocTalk/ Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/ https://twitter.com/momdoctalk https://www.tiktok.com/@momdoctalk_kcmd?lang=en

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About

Welcome to MomDoc Talk, where real-life parenting meets medical expertise! Hosted by Dr. Kristen Cook, a seasoned pediatrician and mom, this podcast is your go-to resource for evidence-based insights on child development, health, and raising well-rounded, compassionate kids. As both a mother and a pediatrician with over a decade of experience, Dr. Cook understands the challenges parents face today and knows what truly works. Each episode dives into relatable parenting stories, expert advice, and science-backed tips, blending warmth, wisdom, and practicality to support you in guiding your child’s growth in today’s ever-evolving world. Join Dr. Cook and her guests as they tackle everything from behavior management to health basics, all while keeping the focus on raising good humans. DisclaimerThe information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided.

Information

  • Creator
    Kristen Cook, MD
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 MomDocTalk with Kristen Cook, MD
  • Show Website
    MomDocTalk with Kristen Cook, MD

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