Helping Little Kids Through Big Fears (And What They Actually Need From You)
Dr. Cathryn talks about why toddler fears are so common — and how to support your little one without minimizing their feelings or rushing them through fear. You’ll learn simple, big-hearted ways to help your child feel seen, safe, and supported, while also building the confidence they need to move through scary moments at their own pace.
We cover:
Why fears show up in toddlerhood
How to respond when fears feel inconvenient or confusing
What to say (and what to skip)
How naming and narrating emotions help kids process big feelings
Ways to empower your child without pushing them
RESOURCES:
Help! My Child Will Only Poop In A Diaper
Toddlers Made Easy course
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Sponsors:
Acorns Early
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8:19
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8:19
Wired or Tired? Why Your Child Loses It at Bedtime
Wired or Tired? Why Your Toddler Loses It at Bedtime
Learn the simple brain science behind overtiredness, the early signs that your child’s sleep window is opening, and why the “second wind” isn’t extra energy. It’s a stress response.
I’ll walk you through how to spot the subtle cues, how to shift bedtime earlier, and what to do when you’ve missed the window, and your child is bouncing off the walls.
You’ll also get a quick, big-hearted reset routine you can use anytime evenings go sideways.
This episode will help you understand your child’s behavior, calm the chaos, and make bedtime smoother for everyone.
RESOURCES:
Help Your Child Fall Asleep Without You!
Toddlers Made Easy course
Follow me on Insta
Get Dr. Cathryn's emails packed with big-hearted tools, developmentally-strategies, and practical tools straight to your Inbox.
Grab Dr. Cathryn's bestselling book, Toddlers Made Easy
Sponsors:
Acorns Early
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8:57
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8:57
When Toddlers Ask, "Mommy, Am I Fat?"
Body image doesn’t start in the teen years—it starts in the toddler years. And the words we use today become the beliefs our kids carry tomorrow.
In this week’s episode, I’m sharing how our language, reactions, and even the way we talk about our own bodies shape how little kids see themselves.
You’ll learn:
• Why kids as young as 3–6 already notice and compare bodies
• How to respond when your child asks, “Am I fat?”
• Simple phrases that build healthy body image (and what to avoid)
These strategies will help you raise a child who feels confident and comfortable in their body.
RESOURCES:
Toddlers Made Easy course
Follow me on Insta
Get Dr. Cathryn's emails packed with big-hearted tools, developmentally-strategies, and practical tools straight to your Inbox.
Grab Dr. Cathryn's bestselling book, Toddlers Made Easy
Sponsors:
Acorns Early
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10:17
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10:17
Help! My Toddler Will Only Poop in a Diaper
If your child will pee on the potty but absolutely must poop in a diaper, you’re not doing anything wrong — and your child isn’t being stubborn.
This is one of the most common (and most confusing) potty roadblocks for parents.
In this episode, I walk you through why kids get stuck in the “diaper-only” pattern, what’s really going on in their bodies and brains, and the simple steps that help them move forward without pressure or power struggles. You’ll learn how to reset, what to stop doing, and how to make pooping feel safe again.
If you’re tired of waiting for your child to “be ready,” you’ll leave this episode with a calm, clear plan — and a whole lot of relief.
RESOURCES:
Help! My Child Will Only Poop In A Diaper waitlist
Toddlers Made Easy course
Follow me on Insta
Get Dr. Cathryn's emails packed with big-hearted tools, developmentally-strategies, and practical tools straight to your Inbox.
Grab Dr. Cathryn's bestselling book, Toddlers Made Easy
Sponsors:
Acorns Early
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10:12
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10:12
End Bedtime Battles For Good
If bedtime feels like a nightly battle of endless requests — more water, more hugs, more everything — this episode is for you.
Dr. Cathryn breaks down what’s really happening in your child’s brain at bedtime and why those stall tactics aren’t defiance but biology. You’ll learn simple, science-backed ways to calm your child’s nervous system, fill their “connection cup,” and finally make bedtime smoother, happier, and shorter.
In this episode:
Why separation at bedtime triggers anxiety for toddlers
How connection, not control, helps kids settle
5 simple ways to fill your child’s connection cup
What to do when your toddler is wired and wild before sleep
How to co-regulate and end bedtime battles for good
Resources:
Toddlers Made Easy course
Follow me on Insta
Get Dr. Cathryn's emails packed with big-hearted tools, developmentally-strategies, and practical tools straight to your Inbox.
Get Dr. Cathryn's bestselling book, Toddlers Made Easy
Sponsors:
Acorns Early
Kidsy
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.