Toddler Toolkit

How to Get Your Toddler to Cooperate Without Bribes or Threats!

"If you’re struggling with toddler tantrums and behaviors like hitting & not listening... I have a free guide for you! It’s called The Tantrum and Behavior Guide: 7 Toddler Struggles and How to Solve Them Fast—It's HERE!

Welcome to the Toddler Toolkit podcast! In this episode, we explore how to get your toddler to cooperate without using bribes or threats. 

Learn practical strategies for setting clear expectations and creating cooperation before conflict ever starts. I'll share my personal experiences with my own tod...

Celebrating 10k Downloads on Toddler Toolkit: Top Episodes, Advice and Mic Drop Moments!

Welcome to a special celebration episode of the Toddler Toolkit podcast! We've hit 10,000 downloads and we're diving into the most downloaded episodes of all time to help you navigate toddlerhood.
 
✨Join the Toddler Mom Community, and Share your Toddler Wins and Struggles!
✨Read the blog and get Notes from the Show!

 We'll also share the top six mic drop moments from our guests, filled with humor and insights to make your parenting journey smoother. Shout outs to our top li...

5 Strategies that are more Powerful than Time Out

The Toddler Toolkit Podcast, is so close to 10k downloads, please help support the podcast by downloading a helpful episode or sharing the podcast with a friend or family member in need- so these free resources can reach & support more families.

"If you’re struggling with toddler tantrums and behaviors like hitting & not listening... I have a free guide for you! It’s called The Tantrum and Behavior Guide: 7 Toddler Struggles and How to Solve Them Fast—It's HERE!

Join us on the Toddler Toolkit Podcas...

What “No!”, “Go Away!”, and Other Toddler Phrases Actually Mean

You wont want to miss out on my 'tug-of-war' metaphor that changes how you show up for your toddler during tough moments!

The Toddler Toolkit Podcast, is so close to 10k downloads, please help support the podcast by downloading a helpful episode or sharing the podcast with a friend or family member in need- so these free resources can reach & support more families.

"If you’re struggling with toddler tantrums and behaviors like hitting & not listening... I have a free guide for you! It’s calle...

In this heartwarming episode of The Toddler Toolkit, Heather sits down with Jonathan Martinez—dad of two, former special education teacher, registered nurse, and creator of Yawnimals, a soothing bedtime audiobook series helping families find calm at the end of the day.

🎧Listen to Yawnimals on Spotify

Jonathan shares how his unique path—from caring for patients on their hardest days to leading classrooms with compassion—inspired him to create stories that are more than bedtime entertainment. They’re a way for parents to be the emotional anchor, the steady mountain children can lean on.

T...

Navigating the Toddler Years: Ages 3-4

"If you’re struggling with toddler tantrums and behaviors like hitting & not listening... I have a free guide for you! It’s called The Tantrum and Behavior Guide: 7 Toddler Struggles and How to Solve Them Fast—It's HERE!

Hey parents! Welcome to Toddler Toolkit. Struggling with your three to four-year-old's listening skills? You're not alone. In this episode, we share real parent struggles and provide insights to help you navigate these challenging years. From cognitive development to handling big emotions, we cover the key skills your toddler is buildi...

How to Stay Calm When Your Child Loses It - Practical Tips for Parents

"If you’re struggling with toddler tantrums and behaviors like hitting & not listening... I have a free guide for you! It’s called The Tantrum and Behavior Guide: 7 Toddler Struggles and How to Solve Them Fast—It's HERE!

When your child is screaming, throwing toys, or melting down in public, it can feel impossible to stay calm. But what if you didn’t have to be the “perfect” parent to handle big emotions with steadiness?

In this episode, we’ll unpack what...

Toddler Car Battles: Why They Happen and What Helps

"If you’re struggling with toddler tantrums and behaviors like hitting & not listening... I have a free guide for you! It’s called The Tantrum and Behavior Guide: 7 Toddler Struggles and How to Solve Them Fast—It's HERE!

In this episode of the Toddler Toolkit podcast, we discuss common issues around car seat battles with toddlers, why they happen, and various strategies to manage them. Topics include potential causes like loss of control, transitions, sensory overload, and hunger, along with detailed solutions for different scenar...

Big Emotions as the Map: Guiding Your Child’s Lifelong Coping Skills Because....What You Do in Your Child's 'Big Emotional Moments' Changes Everything

"If you’re struggling with toddler tantrums and behaviors like hitting & not listening... I have a free guide for you! It’s called The Tantrum and Behavior Guide: 7 Toddler Struggles and How to Solve Them Fast—It's HERE!

In this episode of the Toddler Toolkit Podcast, we dive into why your toddler's big emotions matter and how to respond effectively. The discussion covers why these emotions are developmentally appropriate, the impact of dismi...

Kindergarten Readiness & Preschool Daycare Tips with Expert Amy Fieldman

"If you’re struggling with toddler tantrums and behaviors like hitting & not listening... I have a free guide for you! It’s called The Tantrum and Behavior Guide: 7 Toddler Struggles and How to Solve Them Fast—It's HERE!

Welcome to the Toddler Toolkit Podcast! In today's episode, we share a clip from the Happy Toddler Confident Parenting Cohort featuring guest expert Amy Fieldman. Amy talks about kindergarten readiness, preschool daycare support, and tackles common toddler struggles. Learn practical tips on scaffolding for independence, managing transitions, enhancing storyt...

Handling Toddler Meltdowns: What Pancakes Taught Me About Emotions

Heather Schalk shares insights and strategies on managing toddler meltdowns using a relatable pancake breakfast scenario that was a true story! She discusses the importance of modeling calm behavior, recognizing frustration tolerance, and teaching toddlers self-regulation techniques. Heather invites listeners to a free guide and class recording:  The Tantrum and Behavior Guide: 7 Toddler Struggles and How to Solve Them Fast

-Introduction and Overview
-Free Guide
-The Pancake Incident
-Modeling Frustration Management
-Conclusion and Free Guide

"If you’re struggling with tod...

There may just be a method to the madness after all!

Our toddlers are constantly learning about the world around them. And the main way in which they learn is through play and play schemas.

From throwing things and ripping pages out of books to tossing all their toys out of the bin and lining their cars up in a certain way, our toddlers are naturally moving through phases that help them better understand how the world works.

Though it can be frustrating for us as parents, our children aren't just trying to...

Two Secrets to Enjoying the Toddler Years

In this episode, we reveal the two key factors that can help parents actually enjoy the toddler years:
1. addressing shame and
2. letting go of perfectionism.

We discuss how these issues often go unnoticed but heavily impact our parenting experience.

There's also an exciting announcement about the upcoming Free Class and Guide: 'Calm, Kind, and Caring Toddler Workshop' on May 8th, which offers practical solutions for 7 common toddler struggles. You can get it here.

Learn about the Happy Toddler Confident Parent cohort starting...

Understanding Toddler Tantrums: Real Life Stories + What Helped

Welcome to the Toddler Toolkit podcast! In this episode, we delve deep into the world of toddler tantrums, exploring not just the outward emotional outbursts but the deeper unmet needs and expectations behind them.

Host Heather shares real-life tantrum stories from her own family to illustrate key parenting concepts such as the 'picture perfect mindset,'
and the importance of letting toddlers feel their emotions fully. From a pizza meltdown to a playground blowup, Heather offers valuable insights and strategies to help parents navigate these challenging...

Whether you're a brand new parent or a veteran, keeping track of a baby's feeding schedule is not easy!

Roxie Alsruhe discovered this first-hand while caring for her newborn son. When their baby started losing weight instead of gaining, Roxie and her wife did everything they could to help him get the nourishment he needed.

Through the many sleepless nights and tiring days, Roxie kept careful track of each and every feeding, bottle, and expiration date.

But when it started to feel overwhelming and downright impossible to do, Roxie began to wonder why...

The One Thing That Shapes Toddler Behavior and Self-Esteem

In this episode, we explore the key factor that shapes your toddler's behavior and self-esteem - your language and reactions. We'll discuss the concept of the toddler reactivity loop, how to set the stage for better behaviors, and why the attention you give is the attention you get back. Learn practical tips on redirecting rather than reacting and how to use positive praise to improve your toddler's behavior. Find out how your words and tone can shape your child's self-image and behavior over time. Plus, get a sneak...

The Toddler Discipline Script That Backfires & What to Do Instead

In this episode, we're diving into the shortcomings of widely shared toddler discipline advice, particularly the 'validation boundary method.'

 Learn why popular scripts like 'It's okay to be mad, but we don't hit' can backfire, reinforcing unwanted behaviors and leading to parental burnout.

We'll explore eight key reasons why this approach is ineffective and offer alternative strategies that focus on proactive, compassionate, and effective discipline techniques that are just a small tweak to change that could make a huge i...

How to Find the Perfect Babysitter for Your Toddler

In this episode, Heather shares valuable insights on finding a babysitter that suits your toddler's temperament and aligns with your parenting style. She discusses emotional fit, parenting style alignment, and offers tips on managing time duration and transitions. Heather shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of interview questions, setting expectations, and trusting your intuition.

She also introduces her upcoming co-authored book, 'The Perfectly Imperfect Family: Real Solutions for Mindful Parents Navigating Today’s Biggest Challenges,' which offers practical wisdom from experts on...

Do you feel as though you've read every parenting book out there and tried all the advice without seeing any of the results?

When we're looking for help for battling difficult behaviors, it seems that every parent "expert" out there has the solution to our struggles.

But when we try to implement their advice, it either doesn't quite work out like we hoped or we burnout before we see results.

Taylor Greenberg was experiencing this exact same thing. As a burnt-out mama of two under two, Taylor struggled to put all the pieces...

Overcoming Toddler Separation Anxiety: Tips and Strategies

In this episode of the Toddler Toolkit Podcast, Heather tackles the challenging issue of separation anxiety in toddlers. Drawing from her personal experiences as a mother of twins, she provides practical advice on how to help toddlers feel secure when parents leave. You'll discover why separation anxiety happens, the importance of predictable routines, and how to foster positive interactions with other caregivers and the non-preferred parent. Heather also emphasizes the role of dad in easing separation anxiety and shares strategies to make transitions smoother. Don't miss her free tantrum and...

We hear from all the parenting advice how important it is to set boundaries and limits with our children to keep them from doing the things we don't want them to do.

But what if they don't work?

Boundaries are a great tool to have in your parenting toolkit, and you should use them when appropriate, but they aren't the only parenting tool or strategy we can use to be effective in our parenting.

When used alone, boundaries can actually have the opposite effect with our children as they teach what NOT to...

Are you ready to set new parenting goals for the new year that don't cause more tension, burnout, and frustration for your family?!

Make 2025 the year of calmer parenting, fewer tantrums, and a happier home with a simple strategy that actually works!

Listen in to learn the KEY to parenting your toddler with less stress this year, and join Heather in doing a quick activity that will help you map out your goals with ease.

More than just New Year's resolutions, these goals will not only be your goals for the rest of...

Feeling stressed about navigating the holidays with your toddler?

From new routines (or lack thereof), family gatherings, fun outings, travel, and, of course, all the fun new gadgets and toys, the holidays can be a major meltdown generator for your toddler.

However, you don't have to figure it all out on your own or convince yourself that you just have to push through the tantrums.

Join Heather in this episode as she shares 7 tips for navigating the holidays with ease, tackling toddler tantrums, and creating a season full of joy and connection!

Does your child have food allergies or sensitivities and you're worried about keeping them safe, especially during the holiday season?

The holidays usually mean lots of gatherings, which usually means lots of food, and it can be a major source of anxiety and overwhelm for parents when their little ones can't have certain foods.

Instead of skipping the holiday get-togethers all-together or pulling your hair out from the stress of making sure nothing off-limits is within your toddler's reach, listen in to this insightful discussion with Heather and Corinna!

Corinna Meckelborg is a...

Check out the brand new mini-course, Transform Tantrums: A Listening Toddler in 7 Days! If you're ready to stop the meltdowns and finally enjoy more peaceful days with your toddler, then this is a course you don't want to miss! Take advantage of the pre-sale price now before it's gone and the price goes up!

Do you feel like you're going to lose your cool if you hear your toddler shout, "NO!" at you one more time?

The "no" phase is a frustrating one! Our toddlers seem to fight us at every turn and can make...

You may think you know the cause behind your toddler's meltdowns, but do you really?

In this episode, Heather discusses the real reasons behind your toddler's tantrums and they may not be what you think!

Is your toddler really upset that he got the blue cup instead of the green one or is he frustrated that he just can't seem to communicate what he wants?

Is your toddler really upset with her toy or does she just not know how to wait patiently to go to the park?

Most of the...

You might be surprised to find that there are some pretty common misconceptions about what it means to help toddlers listen more and tantrum less.

Even though we may all want our toddlers to be better listeners and throw fewer tantrums, our beliefs around how to do that and why affect our approach and the methods we use.

Whether you believe that kids will be kids or that they should know better, your perception will determine how you guide your toddler through difficult emotions.

Join Heather in this episode as she discusses 4 common...

No matter how old your baby is, it's never too late to heal your postpartum body.

Through the many physical and hormonal changes that occur throughout pregnancy, our bodies can easily become depleted and distressed during the postpartum period.

Even years later, our bodies can still feel the effects of pregnancy and the stress it creates.

Join Heather in this enlightening and encouraging episode as she sits down with Clare Samol and Heather Thompson to discuss the many ways our bodies can become depleted post-pregnancy and how we can start healing and caring...

Competing for attention and affection is not uncommon among twin toddlers or even toddlers that are just close in age.

When one toddler wants hugs and kisses from mom, the other one is usually not too far behind.

And when one toddler gets hurt during playtime or even when bickering with their sibling, you have to manage comforting one while navigating conflict resolution with the other.

So how do we manage this constant feeling of being pulled in a million different directions and give equal attention to multiple toddlers who have very different...

It's the Toddler Toolkit one-year celebration episode!

Come join in the fun and celebrate the podcast's first birthday with Heather as she dives into 7 key milestones to look out for between ages 2 1/2 and 3 1/2, and shares some fun toddler bloopers with her own twin boys from the past year.

Also, be entered in to win a fun prize for the podcast's birthday by leaving a review! Write a short, 5-star review for Toddler Toolkit Podcast and share a screenshot with us to be entered in to win Heather's brand new course! Winner will be chosen on...

October is pregnancy loss awareness month and we're here to spread light, love, and comfort to every parent who has experienced or is currently experiencing the grief of loss.

Join Heather as she discusses this sensitive topic with guest, Sabrina Fletcher, a pregnancy loss doula and companion. In this interview, Heather and Sabrina acknowledge and recognize the pain and hardship of losing a pregnancy, discuss ways to celebrate and remember your baby, and give tips on how to support someone you know who is going through pregnancy loss.

They also touch on the risks associated...

Parenting a complex, or neurodivergent, child is full of its own unique challenges and obstacles that add onto the many routine challenges we already face as parents everyday.

When we don't know how to support our children in the best way, or don't understand the why behind our children's behavior, we often get caught up in a cycle of stress, frustration, overwhelm, and anger.

The key to breaking the stress cycle is to gain a deeper understanding of why our children do what they do and gather the right tools for guiding them in a...

Are you making this mistake with your toddler?

This parenting tactic often becomes the biggest regret for many parents as their children grow into teens and then adults.

It often causes a rift in the parent-child relationship, creates shame-based beliefs for children, and stops them from developing their natural gifts and strengths.

Rather than playing against our children’s strengths to change their behavior, what if we leaned into their strengths and helped them develop those strengths the right way?

...

Cheering for your child sounds like such a simple thing. We all want what's best for our kids, right?

But sometimes, it can be difficult to know what words to say or actions to take to show our children the support they need in the way they need it.

And when we can learn and grow together as a family, we experience rich relationships that bring us and our children joy and fulfillment.

So how can we cheer our children on and grow together as a family?

Join Heather in this...

Is your strong-willed child making you want to rip your hair out and throw in the towel with this whole parenting thing?

A toddler who talks back, makes seemingly simple activities the most challenging, or who gets physically violent with themselves or others can cause any parent to want to give up.

Navigating your toddler's heightened emotions, tantrums, and violent tendencies is mentally and emotionally draining and disheartening.

We want our children to be happy, healthy, and thriving! So what do we do when we just don't know how to change this type...

Does your toddler love to throw their food and won't stop no matter how many different parenting hacks you try?

Well then, this is the episode for you!

Using her love of psychology, research, and child development education, Heather explores the different reasons why our toddlers throw food and how we, as parents, can determine what methods really work for our unique child.

Diving into proactive strategies, toddler personality, and some personal experiences, Heather guides us in mindful parenting practices that help us view our toddler's behavior from a different perspective and how...

Tantrums that we can see coming aren't easy to deal with, but at least we know how to prepare for them.

On the other hand, tantrums that we never saw coming can be incredibly difficult and upsetting for the whole family!

So how can we navigate those public tantrums that seem to come out of nowhere and what can we do to prepare ourselves ahead of time as much as possible?

Heather answers these questions plus more in this episode!

From sharing stories of her own toddlers' unanticipated tantrums to sharing...

Are you tired of feeling like you have to avoid public outings because your toddler seems to have a meltdown every time you go out?

Parent, you are not alone!

Join Heather in this episode as she dives into preparing for public tantrums and how to mitigate the behavior.

The key is to dig beneath the behavior and get to the root cause. When we more fully understand what's causing the meltdowns, we can be more proactive about avoiding triggers and prepare ourselves beforehand to handle the tantrums with grace.

If...

If you've been trying to get your toddler to quit hitting you, their siblings, or even themselves, but it feels like nothing ever works, then you're in good company!

In this episode, Heather opens up about how she could not get her twin toddler to stop hitting her, even when she tried many different strategies, and how frustrating it was.

But once she tried this one new strategy, it just seemed to click with her toddler's personality and the hitting finally stopped.

Now she's sharing this strategy with you in case it could...

Is it a struggle to get your toddler to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or doing some other kind of outdoor activity?

Whether your toddler has sensory challenges, you have a hard time finding a helmet that fits, or your toddler just simply refuses to wear one, it can be very frustrating when you can't get your toddler to wear their helmet.

Helmets are a must to keep our toddlers safe when doing any kind of precarious activity, so what do we do to get them to wear the helmet without a fight?<...