Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn
Toddlers Made Easy is a short, 10 minute, bite-sized podcast that gives you the insight, tools, and confidence you need to not only handle anything toddler-related thrown your way —but prevent problem behaviors before they start. Toddlers Made Easy is hosted by Dr. Cathryn, a nationally recognized pediatrician (retired) with more than 35 years of experience and a mother of 4.
Episodes
July 2, 2025 • 13 mins
Still waiting for your toddler to want to use the potty? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong.
In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares why the traditional “wait for readiness” advice might be leading to more stress, not less.
You’ll learn:
🚽 Why your smart, capable toddler might be avoiding the potty
🧠 How readiness isn’t a fixed milestone—you can build it.
✨ 5 simple steps to set your child up for potty success...
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June 25, 2025 • 11 mins
Ever feel like your toddler’s tantrums come out of nowhere—and take forever to end? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, Dr. Cathryn shares a big-hearted, science-backed approach to handling tantrums that actually works.
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June 18, 2025 • 14 mins
Struggling to set boundaries without caving or feeling that familiar pang of guilt?
In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explores the art of big-hearted parenting—where firm boundaries meet empathy and understanding.
Discover how acknowledging your child’s feelings and using clear, compassionate communication can turn even the toughest moments into powerful opportunities for connection.
You’ll walk away with practical strategies to st...
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June 11, 2025 • 11 mins
In this episode of Toddlers Made Easy, Dr. Cathryn explores why children wake up at night and how to manage it. Drawing from personal experiences, including a notable sleep mistake with her daughter, Dr. Cathryn explains the impact of ineffective sleep associations, fears, and separation anxiety on night wakings. She also touches on medical causes like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and eczema. Learn about the recommended slee...
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June 4, 2025 • 11 mins
In today’s episode, Dr. Cathryn walks you through what to do — and what not to do — when your toddler hits, bites, or kicks.
Whether you’re managing a red fire truck turf war or a kick on the way to the car, this episode offers a big-hearted, research-backed roadmap to help you stay calm, confident, and connected — even in the trickiest moments.
💛 Big-Hearted School of Parenting is opening again soon! Learn to parent with more...
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May 28, 2025 • 12 mins
Is potty training turning into a power struggle? Let’s change that.
In this episode of Toddlers Made Easy, Dr. Cathryn introduces a game-changing method she calls Lazy Potty Training — a no-pressure, emotionally smart approach that helps toddlers transition out of diapers at their own pace.
Forget bootcamps, sticker charts, and rushed weekends. This method blends structure and freedom so kids feel confident, curious, and proud, ...
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May 21, 2025 • 10 mins
Tired of dinner turning into a battlefield? You’re not alone.
In this episode, I’m answering real questions from parents about toddler mealtime struggles — like food throwing, picky eating, dessert demands, and why kids eat better at daycare than at home.
You’ll learn:
✅ What to say when your toddler throws food
✅ Whether to serve dessert with dinner
✅ What to do if your child refuses dinner but wants a snack later
✅ How long to...
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May 14, 2025 • 14 mins
This week, Dr. Cathryn introduces you to a parenting game-changer: the Big-Hearted Interpretation (BHI).
Ever felt frustrated or overwhelmed by your toddler's tantrums, meltdowns, or seemingly impossible behavior? BHI is a simple but powerful mindset shift that helps you see your child’s toughest moments in a new light—leading to less stress for you and more cooperation from your child.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Exac...
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May 7, 2025 • 11 mins
Is your toddler waking up at 2AM (again)? Instead of repeating “Go back to bed,” try this big-hearted, research-backed approach that helps your child feel safe and stay in bed — without tears or power struggles.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why toddlers wake at night
✅ A comforting strategy that builds self-soothing skills
✅ How to introduce a “Midnight Helper” stuffed animal
✅ What to say (and not say) during wake-ups
It’s...
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April 30, 2025 • 9 mins
Think toddler tantrums are just chaos to survive? Think again.
In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares how the challenging moments—like cup battles and banana breakdowns—are actually brain-building opportunities.
You’ll learn:
• Why toddlers aren't terrible—they’re under construction
• What’s really happening in your child’s brain during tantrums
• How small mindset shifts can change everything
• The truth behind the phrase “Terri...
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April 23, 2025 • 9 mins
Your toddler just hit their sibling—again—and your instinct is to react: “That’s not nice!” “Say sorry!” “Go to your room!”
Totally understandable.
But here’s what most parents don’t realize:
👉 Hitting is rarely about being “bad.” It’s a sign your child is overwhelmed and doesn’t yet have the skills to cope.
In this episode, we cover:
🧠 Why toddlers hit, push, or bite
🚫 What common responses can actually make things worse
🔁 ...
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April 16, 2025 • 12 mins
Ready But Resistant — What to Do When Your Child Won’t Sit on the Potty
Your toddler seems ready to potty train—but refuses to even sit on the potty? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, Dr. Cathryn breaks down why kids can be physically ready but emotionally resistant—and what to do about it.
You’ll learn:
The real reason toddlers say “no” to the potty
What not to do (hint: no pushing, no bribes)
Exactly what to say instead
...
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April 9, 2025 • 13 mins
🎙 Episode Title:
The Ultimate Toolbox for Big-Hearted Parenting:
Feel like you’re winging it every time your toddler melts down, refuses to listen, or pushes every limit? In this episode, I’m giving you the ultimate toolbox—real-life scripts, calming strategies, and mindset shifts you can lean on when things get hard. Whether it’s tantrums, power struggles, or just the everyday chaos of raising a toddler, these tools will help yo...
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April 2, 2025 • 9 mins
Toddlers can be very persistent—whether it’s demanding a cookie right now or refusing to leave the playground. But their behavior isn’t about being spoiled or manipulative—it’s about developing impulse control and emotional regulation.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✔️ Why toddlers seem so demanding (and why it’s not personal)
✔️ What not to say in the heat of the moment
✔️ How to use redos to teach better ways to ask for thing...
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March 26, 2025 • 9 mins
Ever feel like your toddler just doesn’t listen? In this episode, Dr. Cathryn breaks down simple, effective ways to talk with your toddler so they *actually* engage and listen—without power struggles or meltdowns.
What You’ll Learn:
✔️ Why short and simple sentences work best
✔️ How connection makes kids more likely to listen
✔️ The power of tone—what you say and how you say it
✔️ How giving choices can prevent battles
✔️ Why ...
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March 19, 2025 • 11 mins
Potty Training the Big-Hearted Way: A Stress-Free Approach to Ditching Diapers
Dr. Cathryn introduces "lazy potty training" - a balanced approach that avoids both strict parent-led timelines and completely child-led methods.
Key Points:
Focus on creating a supportive environment rather than rushing the process
Look for physical readiness signs (dry for 2+ hours, regular bowel movements . . .)
Pre-potty training steps include mod...
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March 12, 2025 • 12 mins
Being a toddler is tough—and parenting one? Also tough! In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares why toddlers struggle with impulse control, why their behavior isn’t “misbehavior,” and how to set them up for success with developmentally-smart discipline. Learn practical strategies like supervising with guidance, prepping kids for transitions, modeling behavior, and noticing the good—so you can reduce challenges and support your child’s ...
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March 5, 2025 • 12 mins
In this episode of Toddlers Made Easy, Dr. Cathryn shares three simple steps to stay calm even when your child pushes your buttons.
What You’ll Learn:
✔ Why toddlers don’t listen (and how to work with their development, not against it)
✔ The real reason parents snap (hint: it’s not just about your toddler’s behavior)
✔ 3 practical steps to keep your cool when you feel triggered
✔ A powerful bonus tip to make staying calm easier
LI...
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February 26, 2025 • 16 mins
In this episode of "Toddlers Made Easy," Dr. Cathryn shares insights from her own parenting journey, focusing on how to effectively handle toddler tantrums.
Discover why traditional methods like time-outs may not always work and learn about the natural stages of a tantrum, from anger to sadness.
Dr. Cathryn emphasizes the importance of understanding toddler behavior as a form of communication, not misbehavior.
She offers practic...
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February 19, 2025 • 8 mins
Why do I focus on toddlers when I'm experienced with kids of all ages? In this episode, Dr. Cathryn focuses on the vital role of the toddler years, challenging the notion of the 'Terrible Twos' and rebranding them as the 'Terribly Important Twos.' We discussed how toddlers still need as much emotional support as they did as infants, despite their growing independence. Key strategies for successful parenting include validating emoti...
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