The Parenting Brief

Strong Families AZ
  • 5.0 (5)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Useful tips and advice for moms of children ages 0-5, delivered every other Wednesday by a mom who loves her job raising her own kids, Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez, an expert in early childhood development.

  1. Cavity Free Kids Start With Mom

    1D AGO

    Cavity Free Kids Start With Mom

    Find out how pregnancy hormones affect oral health, what to watch out for if your gums look unhealthy, and why taking care of your teeth while pregnant is important for your baby's future oral health. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Laurie Clark, a Registered Dental Hygienist with the Dignity Health Early Childhood Oral Health Program, to answer all your questions about oral health and going to the dentist while pregnant.  Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links:  Guest: Laurie Clark, BADH, RDH, AP Healthychildren.org Arizona Sliding Fee Scale Providers - Dental Reduced Fee and Community Dental Clinics in Arizona

    9 min
  2. Why Toddlers Hit, Bite, and Throw

    JAN 28

    Why Toddlers Hit, Bite, and Throw

    Toddlers have big feelings but haven't learned how to talk about them yet. Hitting, biting, and throwing are normal for their age and usually stop as they get older and better at communicating. Parents play a huge role in teaching their children how to handle their emotions.   Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Mirna Tomic, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a child therapist at Arizona Child Psychology, to discuss these behaviors, how working together (co-regulation) can teach kids to manage their own feelings (self-regulate), and more! Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links:  Strong Families AZ   Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez   Guest: Mirna Tomic, MAS-IFP, MSW, LCSW   Circle of Security International Blog and other parent resources   Birth to Five Helpline - resources, referrals   Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) - developmental screenings and evaluations   Book: “Emotional Life of the Toddler” by Alicia Lieberman   Book: "The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel Siegel    Book: "No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel Siegel    Book: “Parenting from the Inside Out: How A Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive” by Daniel Siegel (the title says it all)   Book: “Raising a Secure Child” (Circle of Security) by Hoffman, Cooper, & Powell

    10 min
  3. Understanding Primitive Reflexes

    12/17/2025

    Understanding Primitive Reflexes

    Primitive reflexes are involuntary responses that a newborn is born with to help them survive. These reflexes naturally disappear as your baby’s brain matures. In cases of injury, these reflexes can show back up and are a sign of a larger issue. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Karen Pryor, a physical therapist, to cover what parents need to know about primitive reflexes. Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links:  Strong Families AZ Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez   Guest: Dr. Karen Pryor   List of Primitive Reflexes

    6 min
  4. Do you know Group B Strep?

    11/12/2025

    Do you know Group B Strep?

    Strep is more than just a sore throat. Today we’re talking about Group B Strep (GBS), which usually isn’t serious for adults, but it can hurt newborns. Learn what it is, how to test for it, and the importance of treatment. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Sarah Sams, a family physician and American Academy of Family Physicians board member, for a comprehensive guide to prepare moms for the safest possible delivery. Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links: Strong Families AZ Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez Guest: Dr. Sarah Sams Familydoctor.org The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

    8 min
  5. Brain Injury: What Every Parent Needs to Know

    10/08/2025

    Brain Injury: What Every Parent Needs to Know

    Infants and children can experience brain injuries in many ways. What signs can parents keep an eye out for and what can you do to prevent traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)?  Tune in to hear Jessica talk about childhood brain injuries with Dr. Sue Wolf, an Educational Psychologist with Empowerment Research. Learn about causes, signs, prevention, and recovery.  Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links:  Strong Families AZ Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez Guest: Dr. Sue Wolf Empowerment Research Encircle Families Brain Injury Association of Arizona AZ Department of Education: TBI Training

    10 min
  6. How to Find Safe Child Care

    09/24/2025

    How to Find Safe Child Care

    What is child care licensing and why is it important for families? Today’s episode covers how licensing keeps kids safe, how to make sure your child care facility is licensed, and practical tips for parents like what to look for during a tour and how to report any concerns Jessica chats with Margaret Bernal, the Chief of the Bureau of Child Care Licensing for the Arizona Department of Health Services, about all this and more in this final episode of our childcare series. Don’t miss our previous episodes on transitioning back to work after having a baby and early childhood education, available now on our channel. Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links: Strong Families AZ Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez   Guest: Margaret Bernal AZDHS: Child Care Facilities Licensing   AZ Care Check   Licensing Services Online Complaint Forms   Bureau of Child Care Licensing Top Ten Citations – 2024   Transitioning Back to Work After Having A Baby   Early Childhood Education

    10 min
  7. Live from Home Visiting Conference: How To Be YOU

    09/17/2025

    Live from Home Visiting Conference: How To Be YOU

    What does it mean to show up as your true self? Listen to learn how to practice authenticity in every situation like the school pick ups, work, and more! Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 14th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Chris Molina, who is always looking to help others become better Professionals & better Leaders.  “Change is something that is always going to happen, so we should embrace it and understand [it].” Guest:  Chris Molina Resources: Strong Families AZ Book:  Anthony Jack: The Privileged Poor

    10 min
  8. Live from Home Visiting Conference: Pressures of Potty Training

    09/17/2025

    Live from Home Visiting Conference: Pressures of Potty Training

    There’s so much pressure on parents when it comes to potty training. Listen to learn what a “potty personality” is and how it can help you design a potty training approach that will work best for your child.  Live from the 14th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Dr. Heather Wittenberg, a Psychologist, Author, and Mom of Four. Guest:  Dr. Heather Wittenberg Psychologist Author: Let's Get This Potty Started! Mom of Four Resources: Strong Families AZ

    4 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Useful tips and advice for moms of children ages 0-5, delivered every other Wednesday by a mom who loves her job raising her own kids, Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez, an expert in early childhood development.

Information

  • Creator
    Strong Families AZ
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020 Strong Families AZ
  • Show Website
    The Parenting Brief