Parenting Understood

Erin O'Connor and Michelle Tangeman
  • 4.9 (42)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Parenting Understood

Parenting Understood is a podcast aimed at helping parents become more confident and relaxed in their parenting. We explore the current research on different parenting and child development topics and break it down into an easy to understand, relatable content. We know there is an abundance of information out there which can make it feel overwhelming. Maybe trying to determine what’s fact vs opinion makes you want to bury your head in the sand. Let us help you find and understand the evidence based resources you need, to feel more confident in the choices you make as parents. Join us each week to get a breakdown of the current research and let us guide you to becoming a more confident and relaxed parent, able to provide the sensitive and responsive care your child needs.

  1. 23H AGO

    Ep. 152 - Dr. Ronald Mah: Parents with narcissistic tendencies

    Dr. Ronald Mah and Michelle discuss how a parent with narcissistic tendencies can impact a child and their development of self. He discusses entitlement, grandiosity, and righteousness, which create a mindset where rules don’t apply. Parenting styles are examined, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries with sensitivity for healthy child development. Problematic parenting styles include permissiveness (too sensitive, no boundaries) and neglect (no sensitivity, no boundaries). The discussion ties into attachment theory, highlighting secure attachment as fostering availability, attunement, and sensitivity.

    47 min

  2. FEB 26

    Ep. 29 [Revisited] - A Discussion of Self-Regulation with Dr. Clancy Blair

    This week we are re-airing a previous episode with Dr Clancy Blair on self-regulation  in honor of his life and legacy. Sadly Clancy passed away on Dec. 19th. Clancy was a groundbreaking professor of child development at New York University, died December 19, 2024 in Nashville, TN. He was 63. The author of over 200 scientific articles, Blair was one of the most influential developmental psychologists of his generation. His research fundamentally changed how scientists understand the ways that children are shaped by family, neighborhood, and schools; Professor Blair has had a lasting effect on both scientific research and public policy. Clancy was born December 27, 1960, in Birmingham, Alabama. He earned a BA from McGill University in 1983, and returned home to Birmingham to earn MA, MPH, and PhD degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.   From 1998 to 2022, Clancy was a professor of developmental psychology, first at Penn State University, and then at New York University. He was known as a brilliant, generous scholar and loving husband and father. With friends, colleagues and family, Blair shared his brilliant wit, his seemingly limitless embrace of life and his confidence in the world's goodness. He wore Converse high-tops and an irrepressible smile. His students remember him as kind and supportive, a mentor as excited by their ideas as his own.   Shortly after moving to Nashville in 2021 with his wife, Cybele, Clancy was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia. He retired from NYU in 2022. Clancy continued to give back to his community in vibrant, creative ways including through advocacy for people living with dementia, songwriting, ceramics, and volunteering at Nashville's Room in the Inn until a few weeks before he died.

    18 min

  3. FEB 13

    Ep. 151 - Learning more about the new parenting app Riley, with founder and CEO Amanda DeLuca

    In this episode, we chat with Amanda DeLuca, founder and CEO of Riley, a platform designed to support new parents with evidence-based information and technology. Amanda shares her journey from a career in technology to becoming a parent and the challenges she faced, including postpartum depression and anxiety. Despite meticulous planning, she and her husband found themselves unprepared for the realities of parenthood. This experience led them to create Riley, an app that provides parents with access to reliable data and personalized advice, alleviating the overwhelming cognitive load. The app personalizes user experiences by integrating data, such as family demographics and calendar events, to provide relevant advice and support. With features like developmental milestone tracking and practical tips, Riley seeks to empower parents, helping them focus on what truly matters: loving and supporting their children. To learn more about Riley and sign up for the beta program, visit https://rileyapp.com/ or follow along on LinkedIn and Instagram. Also for a free 30 day subscription to Riley use code RILEYUNDERSTOOD30 at checkout.

    25 min

  4. JAN 29

    Ep. 150 - Exploring Perinatal Mood Disorders and Supports for Parents

    In this episode, we are joined by my colleague, Dr. Robin Neuhaus, to discuss recent research of ours on Perinatal Mood Disorders (PMADs) and parenting supports. We highlight the stigma associated with PMADs, leading to underreporting and inadequate support. We emphasize the need for improved screening methods, increased awareness among healthcare providers, and accessible resources for parents. The conversation also touches on the impact of parental leave policies and the importance of support networks. We conclude by advocating for greater inclusivity in research and resources, recognizing the diverse experiences of caregivers.   For information on the study featured and this episode please visit Nested and @nested.institute on instagram.

    21 min

  5. JAN 9

    Ep. 148 - Routines, Validation, & Confidence: Keys to School Success

    In this episode, we catch up after a short break, and chat about strategies for easing school transitions, particularly for children experiencing separation anxiety. We discuss the special importance of parental support through acceptance, validation, and confidence-building. We also emphasize establishing routines to provide children with a sense of security and familiarity. We finish up by discussing our personal and professional goals for 2025.

    13 min

  6. 12/11/2024

    Ep. 147 - Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle, Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be

    This episode of Parenting Understood features Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, author of the upcoming book "Post Traumatic Parenting". Dr. Koslowitz, an expert in child development and trauma, discusses the often-overlooked impact of past trauma on parenting. Robyn explains how common coping mechanisms developed in childhood, like people-pleasing, dissociation, and perfectionism, can become obstacles in parenting. These ingrained responses, once helpful, can lead to stress, anger, and disengagement when raising children. Dr. Koslowitz identifies five distinct "post traumatic parenting types". She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and recognizing these patterns. By acknowledging their trauma and its influence, parents can begin to heal and break the cycle. Dr. Koslowitz shares practical strategies like journaling, inner child work, and personifying emotions to manage triggers and respond more effectively to challenging situations. The conversation highlights the potential for parenting to be a catalyst for personal growth and healing. By confronting their own past traumas, parents can develop healthier coping mechanisms and create a more positive environment for their children. Find Dr. Koslowitz: Book: "Post Traumatic Parenting" (available for pre-order) Podcast & YouTube: Post Traumatic Parenting Instagram: @doctorKoslowitzpsychology

    37 min

  7. 11/28/2024

    Ep. 146 - Emotional Regulation: It's Not Just for Kids Anymore!

    This episode of Parenting Understood explores the crucial topic of emotional regulation for both parents and children. Dr. Cindy Hovington, a neuroscientist and parenting expert, explains that emotional regulation is about responding thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively. She emphasizes that parents' emotional states deeply impact their children, highlighting the importance of modeling healthy emotional responses. The discussion delves into the difference between suppression and true calm, advocating for cognitive reappraisal as a tool to manage emotions effectively. Practical advice includes daily reflection to identify emotional patterns and revisiting challenging situations with children to foster their understanding and growth. Hovington also encourages parents to embrace their own emotional journeys and create a supportive environment for their children to develop essential emotional regulation skills.

    39 min

  8. 11/13/2024

    Ep. 145 - Concepts of attachment and self-regulation

    In episode 145, Erin and Michelle delve into the concepts of attachment and self-regulation, highlighting their significance in parenting and child development. The hosts discuss how attachment forms a secure base, allowing children to regulate stress and explore their environment. Attachment theory categorizes relationships as either secure, which supports effective self-regulation, or insecure, where stress regulation can be more challenging. Brain research reveals that secure attachments foster more integrated neural activity between the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for emotional regulation. The conversation touches on the potential effects of having mixed attachment styles with different caregivers and how secure attachments can mitigate the impact of insecure ones. As children grow, they develop social referencing skills, using their caregivers to navigate and interpret social and emotional contexts. Co-regulation—where caregivers model emotional regulation and validate children’s emotions—is emphasized as a key supportive strategy. Emotional awareness and using natural, age-appropriate language to describe emotions help children understand and articulate their feelings. Practical techniques like deep breathing are also explored as essential tools to support self-regulation, even if results take time and consistency.

    30 min
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    4.9
    out of 5
    42 Ratings

    About

    Parenting Understood is a podcast aimed at helping parents become more confident and relaxed in their parenting. We explore the current research on different parenting and child development topics and break it down into an easy to understand, relatable content. We know there is an abundance of information out there which can make it feel overwhelming. Maybe trying to determine what’s fact vs opinion makes you want to bury your head in the sand. Let us help you find and understand the evidence based resources you need, to feel more confident in the choices you make as parents. Join us each week to get a breakdown of the current research and let us guide you to becoming a more confident and relaxed parent, able to provide the sensitive and responsive care your child needs.

    Information

    • Creator
      Erin O'Connor and Michelle Tangeman
    • Years Active
      2021 - 2025
    • Episodes
      99
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Copyright 2021 Parenting Understood All rights reserved.
    • Show Website
      Parenting Understood

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