Healthy Parenting Handbook with Katie Kimball

I always thought menopause was something “older” women dealt with. You know, once the kids are gone and you’ve got gray hair and bifocals.

But then... I hit 40.

And weird stuff started happening.

Was it perimenopause? Hormones? Stress? Just a fluke? Honestly, I didn’t know. I wasn’t even sure how to know—because no one really talks about this stuff in detail. 

This week on the Healthy Parenting Handbook podcast, I got to sit down with ...

I’ll be honest: I’ve never had a consistent bedtime routine.

I teach kids to cook real food, I help families get healthier... and yet when it comes to sleep? Total kryptonite. That’s why I knew I needed to bring in a real expert—someone who doesn’t just say, “You should get more sleep,” but actually shows us how.

Dr. Whitney Roban is a clinical psychologist turned sleep consultant who works with families, schools, and even corporatio...

Let’s be honest, teaching kids about money can feel intimidating.

This episode is packed with practical strategies and empowering encouragement.

Here’s what you’ll take away from our conversation:

• Why budgeting is essential for teens
• How emotional language can help kids process money stress
• One simple phrase that opens the door to healthier financial habits
• How to model smart financial decisions—even when you make mistakes
• A free tool...

"I don't like fish."

How many of us have a child, spouse, or self who says that?

My guest today says that's off course - no one can accurately say they "don't like" "fish" - and I love her reasons!

Whether you love fish or haven't learned to love it yet, this non-fishy interview all about the fish of the sea is a winner:

• Have you ever gotten to know your fisherman? Watch my surprise...

My oldest struggled with eczema from time to time, but when our house presented us with a toxic mold issue, he really flared up.

It was the worst we’d ever seen, and after 3 weeks of completely ditching gluten, dairy, and sugar (by his own choice and motivation), nothing had changed. It was heartbreaking!

I can only imagine how tough it is for parents of toddlers with eczema who can’t even communicate their pain.

My guest today digs D...

ADHD is not just an attention disorder; it's an executive functioning disorder.

The myths abound!

If you’ve always thought of kids with ADHD as those who struggle in school, think again.

If you expect ADHD kids to have trouble focusing, wrong again.

If you think kids with ADHD are destined to struggle more throughout life, Mike McLeod is here to tell you that ADHD is not a limitation, just a different path.

The ADHD brain is truly ...

Emily’s stories are going to get your head nodding in empathy and connection - we’ve all been there with the kid who just will NOT put their shoes on, brush their teeth, or do as we ask!

If you’ve ever felt the guilt after exploding all over your kids, those little beings you LOVE so much, you need this interview.

We talk all about emotional regulation, how moms need to work on their own big emotions so that they can better help thei...

If you’ve ever passed kefir in the grocery store and wondered, “Is that stuff actually good for you?”—you’re not alone. In this episode, I talk with Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Kefir, who shares how this tangy, probiotic-rich drink became a lifeline for her immigrant family—and a powerful tool for mental and physical wellness.

Julie dives into the science behind fermented foods, the gut-brain connection, and why kefir might be ...

We may all think and process information differently, but it’s true that some diagnoses make parenting feel a lot more difficult on a day-to-day basis.

You’ll receive a heavy dose of empathy and understanding from this interview, along with some very practical strategies to create an environment in which your children can thrive.

Ginny and I talked about:

• How ND kids struggle with executive function, big emotions, and emotional re...

We tend to think of "eyesight" as just needing glasses or not. But what if I told you that vision is actually a brain function, and if our kids are struggling visually, it could be impacting their learning, attention, and even behavior?

In our chat, Dr. B doesn’t just talk science — he gives us practical tips that any parent can use to support healthy vision for kids, especially in our screen-soaked world. He unpacks the s...

Raise your hand if you love money!

But…raise your hand if you DON’T love figuring out what to DO with your money, spending too much money, or not having enough money?

That’s Brad Nelson’s mission as Debt Free Dad - to help normal everyday people take control of their finances so they can live a happier less stressful life.

We dig into a lot of practical and philosophical tips, including:

• First steps to get out of debt
• How to STAY ou...

Today I'm doing something completely new! It's a podcast swap! Here is an episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast with Hunter Clarke-Fields.

It's the third of a three-part series so definitely go check that out when you're done with this one!

Find Hunter Online

Follow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube  

Get my favorite organic clothes and home goods at Pact here! Get 15% off your first order with co...

Raise your hand if you’ve ever yelled or lost your cool as a parent.

Keep that hand up if you thought you would never yell as a parent.

I know, right?

It’s the story of many who go on to be mindful or positive or grounded parenting experts. “I never thought I would…”

Me neither!

That means we need tools, and today’s guest will give you some powerful ones in the form of mindfulness for parents.

Resources We Mention for Parenting Without Y...

In today's Healthy Parenting Handbook episode, I'm going to take 5 different arguments against kids doing chores and learning life skills and counter them with facts, stories, research, and a big ol' dose of common sense.

These are real arguments I hear from both well-meaning parents AND keyboard warriors on social media, plus one from a well-established expert I heard on a podcast that I simply do not agree with!

If y...

Moms take care of everyone…but sometimes we forget ourselves.

If you’ve had those moments when you blow up at a kid or spouse and then realize, “Oh, I haven’t eaten in 4 hours,” you know what it’s like to feel ‘hangry.’

My guest today draws upon personal and professional experience with nutrition and blood sugar to give us a masterclass on how to think about the contents of our food and fueling ourselves (and our families) for the da...

When you yell at your kids, it always works to improve their behavior and your relationship, right?

Ha.

But what’s a parent at the end of their rope to do?

My guest today, Jennifer Kolari, has worked with some of the toughest, most challenging kids out there, and she has the answer: love them. Connect with them. Use the CALM technique so that your kids can truly learn better behavior in a safe environment.

Resources We Mention for CALM...

I love hearing about homeschoolers who have the space, time, and freedom to really find their passions, and that’s far from the only benefit of homeschooling. My guest today would have told you homeschooling was a crazy option when she first got married, and now she’s a passionate proponent.

What changed?

You’ll find out in the interview, and I have to say that the Swanson family genesis of homeschooling was a big surprise for me!

Res...

My guest today, Dr Morgan Cutlip, is a sought-after relationship expert, but she doesn’t talk down to moms - she’s right in it with us.

If you’ve ever had a disagreement with your spouse about who’s doing more than the other in the home, how full your brain is, or whether one of you is angry or just using your “go time” or “business” voice – you need this info.

We’ll dig deep into mental load with topics such as:

• what the mental l...

We will ALL encounter tough situations and hard times in our lives. We will ALL cope with them in some way. But sometimes coping looks like throwing a chair or eat a whole box of cookies.

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Janine Halloran joins us today to talk about the kind of coping that is safe and healthy and HOW we can teach those skills to our kids (while also modeling them ourselves).

In this super practical conversation, you’l...