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

Dr. Leah Clionsky
  • 5.0 (43)
  • 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. What to Do Tonight After You Snap at Your Kids (And Feel Guilty About It)

    3D AGO

    What to Do Tonight After You Snap at Your Kids (And Feel Guilty About It)

    If you’ve ever snapped at your kids and immediately felt that wave of guilt, you are not alone. That moment where you wish you could take it back is something every parent experiences, and it’s exactly where effective parenting skills really matter. The good news is that what you do after matters more than the mistake itself. In this episode, I walk you through exactly how to apologize to your child in a way that actually repairs the relationship. We’ll talk about what real accountability looks like in different parenting styles, how to use positive parenting techniques to reconnect, and how to move forward without staying stuck in guilt. If you’ve ever struggled with what to say after you lose your patience, this episode will give you a clear, practical path rooted in effective parenting skills. In this episode, we cover: Why snapping happens even when you’re using strong effective parenting skillsExactly how to apologize to your child in a way that builds trustWhat positive parenting techniques look like after you’ve yelledHow different parenting styles approach repair and accountabilityWhy learning how to apologize to your child is a critical life skill to modelHow effective parenting skills include taking responsibility without blaming your childWays positive parenting techniques help you reconnect quickly after conflictHow your parenting styles influence how your child experiences your apology If you’ve been stuck in parent guilt after yelling, this episode will help you strengthen your effective parenting skills, learn how to apologize to your child, use positive parenting techniques, and show up in a way that aligns with the kind of parenting styles you want to model. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Read the full show notes HERE! 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!

    14 min
  2. What to Say After Your Child Messes Up (Without Shaming Them)

    APR 28

    What to Say After Your Child Messes Up (Without Shaming Them)

    If your child does something wrong and you are not sure what to say next, you are not alone. These moments are where effective parenting really matters, but they are also the hardest to navigate. You want to teach, not shame. You want to correct behavior while still building strong parenting skills that support your child’s confidence. In this episode, I am breaking down how to respond after your child messes up using positive discipline strategies that actually work. We will talk about how to approach these conversations in a way that strengthens your parenting skills, helps you stay grounded in effective parenting, and supports how to get your child to listen without damaging your relationship. If you have ever struggled with what to say in the moment, this episode will give you a clear path forward. In this episode, we cover: Why effective parenting after mistakes is more about teaching than punishingHow to build strong parenting skills when emotions are running highWhat positive discipline strategies look like in real-life situationsHow your response impacts how to get your child to listen in the futureWhy effective parenting includes separating your child from their behaviorHow positive discipline strategies help your child learn without shameWays to strengthen parenting skills so conversations feel calmer and clearerHow to approach how to get your child to listen through connection, not fear If you have ever felt stuck after your child messes up, this episode will help you lean into effective parenting, strengthen your parenting skills, apply positive discipline strategies, and improve how to get your child to listen in a way that actually works. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 13: How to Help an Angry Child Calm Down Without Losing Your Cool: The Key to Connection Before Correction 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!

    14 min
  3. Why Kids Push Your Buttons (And Why Yelling Makes It Worse)

    APR 21

    Why Kids Push Your Buttons (And Why Yelling Makes It Worse)

    If your child seems to know exactly how to get a reaction out of you, you’re not imagining it. When kids engage in attention-seeking behavior in children, it can feel intentional, frustrating, and hard to ignore, especially when it looks like child testing boundaries in real time. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really going on underneath attention-seeking behavior in children and why kids rely on it to get positive attention. We’ll talk about how to respond when your child is child testing boundaries, what it looks like to stay grounded in confident parenting, and why your reaction matters more than you think. You’ll also learn how to shift your approach so that positive attention reinforces the behaviors you actually want to see. In this episode, we cover: Why attention-seeking behavior in children is normal and often tied to a need for positive attentionWhat’s happening when your child is testing boundaries and looking for a reactionHow confident parenting helps you respond without escalating the situationWhy giving positive attention at the right time reduces attention-seeking behavior in childrenHow to handle moments of child testing boundaries without reinforcing the behaviorWhat positive attention looks like when you feel triggered or frustratedHow increasing positive attention can decrease attention-seeking behavior in children over timeWhen frequent child testing boundaries might signal a deeper need for connection and positive attention If you’re stuck in a cycle where attention-seeking behavior in children and child testing boundaries lead to bigger reactions, this episode will help you shift into confident parenting and use positive attention in a way that actually works. 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!

    16 min
  4. Why Smart Kids Still Struggle With Studying: 4 Tips from Evan Weinberger on How to Help Your Child Study

    APR 14

    Why Smart Kids Still Struggle With Studying: 4 Tips from Evan Weinberger on How to Help Your Child Study

    If your child is bright but still struggling with studying, you’re not alone. I see this all the time in my practice, where kids have the ability but not the study skills for students or the time management for kids that actually help them succeed. And that can be incredibly frustrating for both parents and kids. In this episode, I sit down with Evan Weinberger to talk about why even smart kids struggle and what we can actually do about it through confident parenting. We break down what’s missing when it comes to study skills for students, how time management for kids plays a huge role in academic success, and how to support your child without turning studying into a constant battle. Evan Weinberger shares practical strategies you can use right away to help your child build independence, confidence, and stronger habits. In this episode, we cover: Why smart kids often lack study skills for students even when they understand the materialHow poor time management for kids leads to last-minute stress and inconsistent performanceWhat confident parenting looks like when your child resists studyingHow Evan Weinberger approaches building study skills for students in a way that actually sticksThe role of time management for kids in reducing homework battlesHow to shift into confident parenting instead of nagging or constant remindersSimple systems Evan Weinberger recommends to improve studying at homeWhy building study skills for students and improving time management for kids creates long-term success If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of reminders, frustration, and your child avoiding work, this episode will help you take a confident parenting approach while building the study skills for students and time management for kids your child actually needs, with guidance from Evan Weinberger. 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 EVAN WEINBERGER: SAOTG Client Challenge Facebook Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn Binder system for students Reach out (713-665-4263 or info@saotg.com) to discuss any additional support needs for academic tutoring and/or executive function coaching

    27 min
  5. Should I Be Concerned About My Child’s Reading? How To Know and What To Do with Dyanna Villesca

    APR 7

    Should I Be Concerned About My Child’s Reading? How To Know and What To Do with Dyanna Villesca

    If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is just learning at their own pace or truly a child struggling to read, this episode is for you. Questions about early reading can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure what’s typical and what might require support from a dyslexia psychologist. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dyanna Villesca, a dyslexia psychologist, to talk about what’s really going on when a child struggling to read isn’t making progress. We break down what to look for in early reading, how specialists think about how to diagnose dyslexia in a child, and when it might be time to seek guidance from a dyslexia psychologist. If you’ve been unsure about your child’s early reading development, this conversation will give you clarity and next steps. In this episode, we cover: What’s typical in early reading, and when to start paying closer attentionHow a dyslexia psychologist evaluates a child struggling to readEarly indicators that may point toward the need for how to diagnose dyslexia in a childWhat parents should understand about how to diagnose dyslexia in a child and the evaluation processWhy early reading struggles don’t always mean something serious, but shouldn’t be ignoredHow a dyslexia psychologist supports families through the assessment processThe emotional experience of a child struggling to read and how to support themWhen to take the next step toward how to diagnose dyslexia in a child If you’re concerned about a child struggling to read, this episode will help you better understand early reading, what a dyslexia psychologist looks for, and how to approach how to diagnose dyslexia in a child with confidence. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Read the full show notes HERE! 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 DYANNA VILLESCA: Website Instagram Facebook

    20 min
  6. If Your Child Won’t Listen in Public, You’re Probably Missing This

    MAR 31

    If Your Child Won’t Listen in Public, You’re Probably Missing This

    Watch this episode on YouTube! Is your child not listening in public, making every outing feel stressful? You are not alone. So many parents struggle with this, especially when expectations aren’t clear, and behavior quickly unravels. Often, the issue isn’t your child being difficult; it’s a mismatch in child expectations from parents that hasn’t been clearly communicated. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to get your child to listen in public settings using simple, practical strategies that actually work. When you clearly communicate child expectations from parents ahead of time and consistently use positive reinforcement for kids, you’ll see a major shift in behavior. Instead of reacting to your child not listening, you’ll be setting your child up for success before you even walk into the store. In this episode, we cover: Why a child not listening often comes from unclear child expectations from parentsHow to get your child to listen by setting clear expectations before entering public spacesThe role of positive reinforcement for kids in improving cooperation and behaviorWhat to do in the moment when your child not listening starts to escalateHow clear child expectations from parents reduce confusion and prevent power strugglesHow to get your child to listen without yelling or threatening consequencesHow to consistently use positive reinforcement for kids to reinforce the behavior you wantWhy understanding a child not listening is key to long-term success If you’ve been frustrated with your child not listening, this episode will help you figure out how to get your child to listen by setting clear child expectations from parents and using positive reinforcement for kids in a way that feels calm, confident, and effective. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 29: Why Praising Children Matters More Than You Think with Julia Lair 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!

    18 min
  7. HOW to Talk to Your Kids About Sex: PART 2 of Advice on Parenting and Age Appropriate Sex Talk With Melissa Goldberg Mintz

    MAR 24

    HOW to Talk to Your Kids About Sex: PART 2 of Advice on Parenting and Age Appropriate Sex Talk With Melissa Goldberg Mintz

    If you’ve ever wondered how to talk to your kids about sex without feeling awkward, overwhelmed, or unsure what to say, you are not alone. This is one of the most common questions I get from parents, and it’s something every parent will eventually face. In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Goldberg Mintz, a clinical psychologist and parenting expert, to walk you through how to approach age appropriate sex talk in a way that feels natural, supportive, and aligned with your values. We break down what sexual education for kids can actually look like in real life and how to use this moment as powerful advice on parenting that strengthens your relationship with your child. Instead of avoiding the conversation, this episode will help you feel more confident about how to talk to your kids and make age appropriate sex talk an ongoing, comfortable dialogue. In this episode, we cover: How to talk to your kids about sex in a way that feels calm, confident, and aligned with your valuesWhat age appropriate sex talk actually looks like at different developmental stagesHow sexual education for kids can be guided by your child’s questions instead of a one-time “big talk”Practical advice on parenting to help you feel more comfortable having these conversationsWhy sexual education for kids should be ongoing and not just a single conversationHow to use age appropriate sex talk to build trust and open communication with your childWhy learning how to talk to your kids about hard topics sets the foundation for future conversationsInsights and strategies from Melissa Goldberg Mintz on making these conversations easier and more effective Learning how to talk to your kids about sex doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right approach, age appropriate sex talk becomes a natural part of parenting and a powerful way to connect. This kind of advice on parenting helps ensure that your child receives accurate sexual education for kids directly from you, in a way that supports both their understanding and your relationship. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Has Your Child Been Traumatized? How to Know and What to Do to Promote Healing and Recovery 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 MELISSA GOLDBERG MINTZ: Website Instagram

    26 min
  8. How to Get Your Kids to ACTUALLY Listen (Without Yelling)

    MAR 17

    How to Get Your Kids to ACTUALLY Listen (Without Yelling)

    If you’ve ever wondered how to get kids to listen, you’re not alone. Parents often feel like they are repeating themselves over and over, asking their child to put on shoes, clean up toys, or get ready for school. In this episode, I share simple strategies that can dramatically improve how to get kids to listen by making small changes to the way we communicate with our children. In my clinical work, I often see that the issue isn’t that kids refuse to cooperate. Instead, the problem is that our instructions for kids are unclear, indirect, or overwhelming. When parents focus on clearer instructions for kids and strengthen positive communication with your child, cooperation becomes much easier. These simple shifts can make a huge difference in how to get kids to listen during everyday routines. In this episode, I talk about: Why kids sometimes ignore directions and what parents misunderstand about how to get kids to listenHow clearer instructions for kids can increase cooperation and reduce frustrationThe role of positive communication with your child in helping kids respond the first timeWhy vague directions often fail, and how better instructions for kids solve the problemHow strengthening positive communication with your child can reduce yelling and power strugglesWhy are strategies like these frequently discussed on the best parenting podcasts focused on practical parenting toolsHow improving positive communication with your child helps children understand expectations more clearly If you enjoy learning practical strategies from the best parenting podcasts, this episode will give you simple tools you can use immediately to improve cooperation at home. Conversations about how to get kids to listen are common across the best parenting podcasts, because small communication changes can transform everyday parenting moments. 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!

    19 min
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5
out of 5
43 Ratings

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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