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

    2D AGO

    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
  2. 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

    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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Why YOU Should Talk to Your Kids About Sex: PART 1 of Advice on Parenting and Age Appropriate Sex Talk With Melissa Goldberg Mintz

    MAR 10

    Why YOU Should Talk to Your Kids About Sex: PART 1 of Advice on Parenting and Age Appropriate Sex Talk With Melissa Goldberg Mintz

    Do you really have to talk to your kids about sex? In this episode, I sit down with psychologist Melissa Goldberg Mintz to talk about one of the parenting topics people avoid the most: having an age appropriate sex talk with your children. Melissa is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and assistant clinical professor at Baylor College of Medicine who specializes in helping parents navigate difficult conversations. Together, we discuss why sexual education for kids is so important and why choosing to talk to your kids about sex is one of the most important pieces of advice on parenting we can offer. In this episode, we discuss: • Why parents often feel uncomfortable starting an age appropriate sex talk • How sexual education for kids helps protect children and build healthy boundaries • Why choosing to talk to your kids about difficult topics builds trust and communication • The risks of children learning about sex from the internet, friends, or misinformation • Practical advice on parenting for creating a safe space where kids can ask tough questions If you've ever wondered whether you really need to talk to your kids about sex, this conversation will help you understand why an age appropriate sex talk and honest sexual education for kids are such important parts of modern advice on parenting. 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

    22 min
  6. What to Do When Your Kid Does Something "Naughty": Understanding Child Misbehavior and the Power of Curious Parenting

    MAR 3

    What to Do When Your Kid Does Something "Naughty": Understanding Child Misbehavior and the Power of Curious Parenting

    In this solo episode of the Educated Parent Podcast, I’m talking about what to do when your child does something that feels intentionally “naughty.” From peanut butter in the hair to Sharpie on the walls, moments of child misbehavior can feel personal, frustrating, and completely overwhelming. I know how easy it is to assume our kids are doing these things on purpose. In the moment, naughty behavior can feel like sabotage. But what if most child misbehavior is not defiance at all? In this episode, I walk through why kids misbehave from a developmental perspective and explain how our reactions can either escalate conflict or turn the situation into a teaching moment. I share how curious parenting has helped me respond more effectively and why regulating ourselves first is the most important step. In this episode, I cover: • Why kids misbehave even when they are not trying to cause problems • How developmentally appropriate behavior can look like naughty behavior • How I calm myself before responding to child misbehavior • How curious parenting helps prevent power struggles • How to turn frustrating moments into opportunities for growth If you have ever felt personally attacked by your child’s behavior or wondered why kids misbehave in ways that create chaos at the worst possible time, this episode will help you approach child misbehavior with more calm, clarity, and confidence. 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!

    24 min
  7. Supplements for Kids: How to Choose Safe Pediatric Supplements with Dr. Shetal Amin

    FEB 24

    Supplements for Kids: How to Choose Safe Pediatric Supplements with Dr. Shetal Amin

    When it comes to supplements for kids, most parents are left asking the same questions: Are they safe? Are they regulated? And how do I know what’s actually inside the bottle? In this episode of The Educated Parent Podcast, Dr. Leah Clionsky sits down with board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Shetal Amin to unpack what every parent needs to know about supplements for kids and pediatric supplements. With shelves full of gummies, powders, and capsules promising better sleep, improved focus, calmer behavior, and stronger immunity, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Many families turn to supplements for kids as a first step before considering prescription treatment. But are all pediatric supplements created equal? Dr. Shetal Amin explains: • Why supplements for kids are not regulated the same way as prescription medications are • How to evaluate the safety and quality of pediatric supplements • What third-party testing actually means • Why “natural” does not automatically mean safe • How marketing and social media influence decisions about supplements for kids • The red flags to watch for when evaluating pediatric wellness products You’ll also learn how to avoid common pitfalls, including proprietary blends and products that sound too good to be true. If you’ve ever felt uncertain about choosing pediatric supplements, this episode will help you approach the process with clarity and evidence in mind. Most importantly, this conversation is about confident parenting. Making informed decisions about supplements for kids requires asking good questions, understanding the science, and knowing when to involve your pediatrician. Dr. Shetal Amin shares practical guidance so you can practice confident parenting without fear, pressure, or guilt. Whether you’re considering a multivitamin, a sleep aid, or another type of pediatric supplements, this episode will give you the tools you need to make thoughtful, informed choices. Tune in to learn how to navigate supplements for kids safely and confidently. 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 DR. SHETAL AMIN: Website

    28 min
  8. How to Stay Calm and Confident When Your Child Is Angry With You

    FEB 17

    How to Stay Calm and Confident When Your Child Is Angry With You

    When your child is angry, it can trigger something deep inside of you. You might want to defend yourself, shut it down, or react quickly. In this episode, I walk you through how to respond in those heated moments using evidence-based parenting strategies that protect your relationship instead of escalating the conflict. I also explain how to calm a child down when angry while staying calm and confident, even when the words coming at you feel sharp. In this episode, I cover: • Why it is developmentally normal when your child is angry, and what anger is actually communicating • Exactly how to respond when your child is angry without invalidating their emotions • The difference between allowing anger and allowing disrespect • Practical steps for how to calm a child down when angry without losing your authority • How to stay calm and confident so you can model emotional regulation • How these strategies reflect true evidence-based parenting and build long-term emotional skills Learning how to respond when your child is angry is one of the most powerful shifts you can make. When you approach these moments with evidence-based parenting, and practice staying calm and confident, you teach your child exactly how to calm a child down when angry in healthy ways for the rest of their life. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 37: Teaching Kids Emotions and Identifying Feelings for Fewer Blow Ups 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!

    25 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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