The Parent Empowerance Podcast https://parentempowerance.podbean.com Welcome to the Parent Empowerance Podcast, where we make early childhood research relatable and actionable for parents. Your host, Amara Bradetich of Parent Empowerance, has her Master’s and PhD in human development and family science (specializing in child development and behavior), is a former preschool teacher and early childhood intervention specialist, and, most importantly, mom to two littles (a 2 and a half year old daughter Natalie and an 8 month old son Liam).

Our mission at Parent Empowerance is to help parents of young children, specifically birth to five, feel informed, empowered, and deeply supported. We do this by translating early childhood research into real-life tools for parents of little ones, while grounding our suggestions, action steps, and advice in both relatable lived experience and proven science.

Each episode of this podcast will focus on a different topic within child development and most will have 3 main aspects:

  • Summarizing what research says about that topic,
  • Providing real-life examples, experiences, or applications, and
  • Suggesting action steps you can take to apply the research with your own kids.

I center my strategies around the idea that parents are the experts of their own children, and I keep the episodes short (15-20 minutes) so you can actually fit listening to them into your week! I know what it’s like to only have a few precious moments to yourself, and I’m glad to be a part of that.

]]> Wed, 20 May 2026 00:05:01 -0700 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Kids & Family:Parenting 1440 episodic Amara Bradetich Amara Bradetich No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/22107636/Parent_Empowerance_Podcast_bigger6pnbk.png The Parent Empowerance Podcast https://parentempowerance.podbean.com 144 144 Episode 12: Kindergarten readiness and the decision to home school with former kindergarten teacher and home school Mama of 2, LE Wolfram Episode 12: Kindergarten readiness and the decision to home school with former kindergarten teacher and home school Mama of 2, LE Wolfram https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-12-kindergarten-readiness-and-the-decision-to-home-school-with-former-kindergarten-teacher-and-home-school-mama-of-2-le-wolfram/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-12-kindergarten-readiness-and-the-decision-to-home-school-with-former-kindergarten-teacher-and-home-school-mama-of-2-le-wolfram/#comments Wed, 20 May 2026 00:05:01 -0700 parentempowerance.podbean.com/7916a3a1-0648-3a26-868b-7affafb1ae90 This week on the podcast I welcomed my first guest - LE Wolfram, a former kindergarten teacher of 7 years and home school mama of 2. We talk all things kindergarten readiness and the decision to home school. This included:

Kindergarten readiness:

  • Why this is important
  • How behavior/regulation plays a role
  • The importance of soft skills and social-emotional learning
  • Realistic expectations from a kindergarten teacher
  • Expectations for kindergarteners in our society (the good and bad)

Home school decision:

  • Why LE chose to homeschool her son
  • Why parents make this choice in general
  • The pros and cons of homeschooling

How to prepare your preschooler for kindergarten

  • LE’s top 5 things for parents to work on with their child

Follow LE on Instagram @wildandhoneyb

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> This week on the podcast I welcomed my first guest - LE Wolfram, a former kindergarten teacher of 7 years and home school mama of 2. We talk all things kindergarten readiness and the decision to home school. This included:

Kindergarten readiness:

  • Why this is important
  • How behavior/regulation plays a role
  • The importance of soft skills and social-emotional learning
  • Realistic expectations from a kindergarten teacher
  • Expectations for kindergarteners in our society (the good and bad)

Home school decision:

  • Why LE chose to homeschool her son
  • Why parents make this choice in general
  • The pros and cons of homeschooling

How to prepare your preschooler for kindergarten

  • LE’s top 5 things for parents to work on with their child

Follow LE on Instagram @wildandhoneyb

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 4172 12 full Episode 11: Being a secure base: What attachment is and how to form a secure one with your child Episode 11: Being a secure base: What attachment is and how to form a secure one with your child https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-11-being-a-secure-base-what-attachment-is-and-how-to-form-a-secure-one-with-your-child/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-11-being-a-secure-base-what-attachment-is-and-how-to-form-a-secure-one-with-your-child/#comments Tue, 12 May 2026 22:06:02 -0700 parentempowerance.podbean.com/5eb76145-675d-393c-866c-1c3bcdbcfec5 You are your child’s safe place, you’re their home and their comfort. This attachment you form with your child plays one of the biggest roles not only in your relationship with them, but in their development and future relationships as well. This episode focuses on what attachment is and how it influences your child’s development. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • What attachment is
  • The four types:
    • Secure
    • Insecure - avoidant
    • Insecure - ambivalent
    • Insecure - disorganized
  • Why it’s important for parenting
  • How attachment influences your child’s development and future outcomes

Providing examples on:

  • What attachment is and isn’t

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Respond consistently with sensitivity and warmth
  • Respond to your baby asap when they cry or make a bid for your attention
  • Respond to your toddler/preschooler as much as you can
  • Co-regulation is key!
  • Engage with your child - sing songs, read books, PLAY
  • Read their signs of overstimulation, overwhelm, distress, etc. and meet their needs
  • REPAIR as soon as you are calm enough to and do it often
  • Promote exploration by being your child’s secure base - don’t push them away if they get clingy in a new place or around new people

Suggesting books:

  • “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn
  • “Monkey Puzzle” by Julia Donaldson
  • “In my heart: A book of feelings” by Jo Witek
  • “Raising Securely Attached Kids” by Eli Harwood
  • “Parenting from the Inside Out” by Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzell

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> You are your child’s safe place, you’re their home and their comfort. This attachment you form with your child plays one of the biggest roles not only in your relationship with them, but in their development and future relationships as well. This episode focuses on what attachment is and how it influences your child’s development. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • What attachment is
  • The four types:
    • Secure
    • Insecure - avoidant
    • Insecure - ambivalent
    • Insecure - disorganized
  • Why it’s important for parenting
  • How attachment influences your child’s development and future outcomes

Providing examples on:

  • What attachment is and isn’t

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Respond consistently with sensitivity and warmth
  • Respond to your baby asap when they cry or make a bid for your attention
  • Respond to your toddler/preschooler as much as you can
  • Co-regulation is key!
  • Engage with your child - sing songs, read books, PLAY
  • Read their signs of overstimulation, overwhelm, distress, etc. and meet their needs
  • REPAIR as soon as you are calm enough to and do it often
  • Promote exploration by being your child’s secure base - don’t push them away if they get clingy in a new place or around new people

Suggesting books:

  • “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn
  • “Monkey Puzzle” by Julia Donaldson
  • “In my heart: A book of feelings” by Jo Witek
  • “Raising Securely Attached Kids” by Eli Harwood
  • “Parenting from the Inside Out” by Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzell

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 1764 11 full Episode 10: The Daycare Dilemma: How to choose a place or person to care for your young child by age and care type Episode 10: The Daycare Dilemma: How to choose a place or person to care for your young child by age and care type https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-10-the-daycare-dilemma-how-to-choose-a-place-or-person-to-care-for-your-young-child-by-age-and-care-type/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-10-the-daycare-dilemma-how-to-choose-a-place-or-person-to-care-for-your-young-child-by-age-and-care-type/#comments Tue, 05 May 2026 22:37:35 -0700 parentempowerance.podbean.com/c1ea91da-6b22-350e-9e6d-908741b6d502 Leaving your child is never easy! And deciding where to take your child and who to leave them with is one of the biggest (and toughest) decisions parents make in early childhood. This episode focuses on strengths and limitations to each care type, as well as strategies for choosing one. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • Why the quality of care matters more than the type of care
  • The strengths and limitations for:
    • In-home daycare
    • Center daycare
    • Preschool
    • Nanny
  • What to look for by the age of your child

Providing examples on:

  • Experiences teaching in preschools, daycares, and working as a nanny
  • Choosing a care type for my own child

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Drop in!
  • Prioritize caregiver interaction, warmth, responsiveness
  • Want a focus on social-emotional learning and play
  • Look for low caregiver-child ratios
  • Want clean environment, toys available on shelves to play with, art and decorations at child level
  • Want good interaction quality, emotional safety, consistency
  • It helps to talk to other parents online, drop in more than once, read reviews
  • Bring your children with you to tour places or have them present when interviewing nannies

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Work with me! Find my parent coaching service guide at the link on my Instagram, fill out the Inquiry page, or DM me with questions or concerns! I include preschool/daycare vetting as a part of my coaching services.

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Leaving your child is never easy! And deciding where to take your child and who to leave them with is one of the biggest (and toughest) decisions parents make in early childhood. This episode focuses on strengths and limitations to each care type, as well as strategies for choosing one. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • Why the quality of care matters more than the type of care
  • The strengths and limitations for:
    • In-home daycare
    • Center daycare
    • Preschool
    • Nanny
  • What to look for by the age of your child

Providing examples on:

  • Experiences teaching in preschools, daycares, and working as a nanny
  • Choosing a care type for my own child

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Drop in!
  • Prioritize caregiver interaction, warmth, responsiveness
  • Want a focus on social-emotional learning and play
  • Look for low caregiver-child ratios
  • Want clean environment, toys available on shelves to play with, art and decorations at child level
  • Want good interaction quality, emotional safety, consistency
  • It helps to talk to other parents online, drop in more than once, read reviews
  • Bring your children with you to tour places or have them present when interviewing nannies

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Work with me! Find my parent coaching service guide at the link on my Instagram, fill out the Inquiry page, or DM me with questions or concerns! I include preschool/daycare vetting as a part of my coaching services.

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 1708 10 full Episode 9: Positive, age-appropriate “discipline” and behavior management for toddlers and preschoolers Episode 9: Positive, age-appropriate “discipline” and behavior management for toddlers and preschoolers https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-9-positive-age-appropriate-discipline-and-behavior-management-for-toddlers-and-preschoolers/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-9-positive-age-appropriate-discipline-and-behavior-management-for-toddlers-and-preschoolers/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:19:38 -0700 parentempowerance.podbean.com/281433fa-d1b5-3894-8e3a-8a9212e7c712 “Is this okay?” “I get impatient with my children and don’t know what to do.” “My child has been biting their sibling every day and I can’t get them to stop.” All of these are completely normal questions I’ve gotten from parents about handling their children’s behavior. It can be so difficult to know what to do in the moment or how to implement behavior management strategies. That’s where I come in! This episode focuses on what positive, age-appropriate discipline looks like in early childhood. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • The impacts of common discipline and behavior management strategies (time out, spanking, redirection, offering choices)
  • How biting/hitting/throwing is normal for young kids
  • The importance of repair and connection during conflict or “discipline”

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Do not focus on control, focus on guidance and connection!
  • During behaviors/conflict:
    • Connect first
    • Validate emotions and be their calm
    • Clear limits with redirection
    • Take a break and ask for help - keep your child safe
    • Especially for toddlers:
      • Ignore and redirect
      • Use your attention to reinforce behaviors
      • Remove or block and redirect
  • Repair asap
    • Model how you regulate and repair
    • Label your emotions and how they feel/look
    • Explain how parents also have meltdowns
    • It’s ALWAYS okay to start over (whether it’s because of you or your kids)
  • After
    • Use storytelling or pretend play to process experiences and emotions
    • Teach children tools to handle their behavior
  • Prevention
    • Use play, singing, changing location to change energy or end power struggles
    • Give yourself more time or change how you approach parts of your routine that often cause you impatience or frustration
    • Offer choices to give control
    • Maintain a routine and use visual schedule to help
    • Create boundaries/limits that prevent power struggles

Suggesting books:

  • It’s ok: Being Kind to yourself when things feel hard by Wendy O’Leary
  • Breathing makes it better by Christopher Willard and Wendy O’Leary
  • Roaring Mad Riley by Allison Szczecinski
  • That’s My Truck by Dr. Becky Kennedy
  • The whole brain child by Dan Siegel and Tine Payne-Bryson
  • Parenting from the Inside Out by Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzell

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> “Is this okay?” “I get impatient with my children and don’t know what to do.” “My child has been biting their sibling every day and I can’t get them to stop.” All of these are completely normal questions I’ve gotten from parents about handling their children’s behavior. It can be so difficult to know what to do in the moment or how to implement behavior management strategies. That’s where I come in! This episode focuses on what positive, age-appropriate discipline looks like in early childhood. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • The impacts of common discipline and behavior management strategies (time out, spanking, redirection, offering choices)
  • How biting/hitting/throwing is normal for young kids
  • The importance of repair and connection during conflict or “discipline”

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Do not focus on control, focus on guidance and connection!
  • During behaviors/conflict:
    • Connect first
    • Validate emotions and be their calm
    • Clear limits with redirection
    • Take a break and ask for help - keep your child safe
    • Especially for toddlers:
      • Ignore and redirect
      • Use your attention to reinforce behaviors
      • Remove or block and redirect
  • Repair asap
    • Model how you regulate and repair
    • Label your emotions and how they feel/look
    • Explain how parents also have meltdowns
    • It’s ALWAYS okay to start over (whether it’s because of you or your kids)
  • After
    • Use storytelling or pretend play to process experiences and emotions
    • Teach children tools to handle their behavior
  • Prevention
    • Use play, singing, changing location to change energy or end power struggles
    • Give yourself more time or change how you approach parts of your routine that often cause you impatience or frustration
    • Offer choices to give control
    • Maintain a routine and use visual schedule to help
    • Create boundaries/limits that prevent power struggles

Suggesting books:

  • It’s ok: Being Kind to yourself when things feel hard by Wendy O’Leary
  • Breathing makes it better by Christopher Willard and Wendy O’Leary
  • Roaring Mad Riley by Allison Szczecinski
  • That’s My Truck by Dr. Becky Kennedy
  • The whole brain child by Dan Siegel and Tine Payne-Bryson
  • Parenting from the Inside Out by Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzell

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 2454 9 full Episode 8: Balancing Bluey and Boredom: The impact of screens on young children and how to set boundaries around technology Episode 8: Balancing Bluey and Boredom: The impact of screens on young children and how to set boundaries around technology https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-8-balancing-bluey-and-boredom-the-impact-of-screens-on-young-children-and-how-to-set-boundaries-around-technology/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-8-balancing-bluey-and-boredom-the-impact-of-screens-on-young-children-and-how-to-set-boundaries-around-technology/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:30:00 -0700 parentempowerance.podbean.com/d275a7e2-48e5-384b-ae8e-9cc045210c9c Screens can be such a useful parenting tool, but they are frequently used too often, to the detriment of your child’s behavior and language development. This episode focuses on the impacts of screen time on children under the age of 5, the recommended screen time and how to implement this with your child, as well as how to set and maintain boundaries around screen time. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • How screen time impacts child development
  • Recommended limits and why they are important
  • How screens affect dopamine and why they are so addictive for children

Providing examples on:

  • How screen time leads to language delays in children
  • How I have set and maintained boundaries around screens with my own children

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Limit screen time to 45 minutes to 1 hour per day MOST days of the week after 2 years old - and none before 2!
  • Try to stick to educational programming or less addictive shows
  • Set up play during nap or bedtime to encourage independent play 
  • Pay it forward - sit and play for 5-10 minutes before you need time for something
  • Save screen time for when you need it most
  • Limit screens an hour before bed
  • Give multiple warnings before ending screen time and have a redirection planned
  • Don’t introduce screens outside of the home for as long as possible
  • Set boundaries, BE CONSISTENT and INTENTIONAL with screen use
  • Encourage creativity through boredom
  • Pay attention to background noise

Suggesting books:

  • Bearenstein Bears Too Much TV
  • Polly and Screentime Overload by Besty Childs Howard
  • Screen Time is Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick
  • The Couch Potato by Jory John

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Screens can be such a useful parenting tool, but they are frequently used too often, to the detriment of your child’s behavior and language development. This episode focuses on the impacts of screen time on children under the age of 5, the recommended screen time and how to implement this with your child, as well as how to set and maintain boundaries around screen time. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • How screen time impacts child development
  • Recommended limits and why they are important
  • How screens affect dopamine and why they are so addictive for children

Providing examples on:

  • How screen time leads to language delays in children
  • How I have set and maintained boundaries around screens with my own children

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Limit screen time to 45 minutes to 1 hour per day MOST days of the week after 2 years old - and none before 2!
  • Try to stick to educational programming or less addictive shows
  • Set up play during nap or bedtime to encourage independent play 
  • Pay it forward - sit and play for 5-10 minutes before you need time for something
  • Save screen time for when you need it most
  • Limit screens an hour before bed
  • Give multiple warnings before ending screen time and have a redirection planned
  • Don’t introduce screens outside of the home for as long as possible
  • Set boundaries, BE CONSISTENT and INTENTIONAL with screen use
  • Encourage creativity through boredom
  • Pay attention to background noise

Suggesting books:

  • Bearenstein Bears Too Much TV
  • Polly and Screentime Overload by Besty Childs Howard
  • Screen Time is Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick
  • The Couch Potato by Jory John

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 1437 8 full Episode 7: Intergenerational Trauma: How trauma experienced by one generation affects the ones after it Episode 7: Intergenerational Trauma: How trauma experienced by one generation affects the ones after it https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-7-intergenerational-trauma-how-trauma-experienced-by-one-generation-affects-the-ones-after-it/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-7-intergenerational-trauma-how-trauma-experienced-by-one-generation-affects-the-ones-after-it/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:12:41 -0700 parentempowerance.podbean.com/bc8e26c1-3533-373f-8c90-90298d22acb8 Not all of your reactions or responses to your child are you. Sometimes they stem from deeper rooted trauma or stress passed down from your parents or grandparents. Sometimes they pop up from a past experience you had. This episode focuses on what intergenerational trauma is, how it affects your parenting and your child, and what to do to buffer some of these effects. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • What intergenerational trauma is and how it affects people across generations
  • Defining adverse childhood experiences and how they affect children and parents
  • How attachment is transmitted across generations and the role it plays in your child’s development

Providing examples on:

  • Historical examples of collective experiences of intergenerational trauma
  • How past experiences influenced my emotional reaction to my toddler at nap time and what I did to fix this

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Reflect/journal/process how you need to about your own experiences with trauma/ACEs/parenting and how it has impacted you
  • Focus on improving one aspect of your parenting at a time - don’t put too much pressure on yourself
  • Educate yourself on ways trauma can impact yourself and your family and on strategies to help with this!
  • Teach your child empathy!
  • Teach your child about how hard things can happen and what to do in times of need (go to a trusted adult, find comfort from a caregiver, help others)
  • Learn how to repair and model that for your child - normalize taking a few minutes to regulate your nervous system/emotions and then reconnect and repair with your child/partner/pet

Suggesting books:

  • “We are Water Protectors” by Carole Lindstrom
  • “A Terrible Thing Happened” by Margaret Holmes
  • “Big Bear was Not the Same” by Joanna Rowland
  • “Parenting from the Inside Out” by Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzell
  • “It Didn’t Start with You” by Mark Wolynn
  • “The Deepest Well” by Nadine Burke Harris
  • “How to Raise an Antiracist” by Ibram X Kendi

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Not all of your reactions or responses to your child are you. Sometimes they stem from deeper rooted trauma or stress passed down from your parents or grandparents. Sometimes they pop up from a past experience you had. This episode focuses on what intergenerational trauma is, how it affects your parenting and your child, and what to do to buffer some of these effects. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • What intergenerational trauma is and how it affects people across generations
  • Defining adverse childhood experiences and how they affect children and parents
  • How attachment is transmitted across generations and the role it plays in your child’s development

Providing examples on:

  • Historical examples of collective experiences of intergenerational trauma
  • How past experiences influenced my emotional reaction to my toddler at nap time and what I did to fix this

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Reflect/journal/process how you need to about your own experiences with trauma/ACEs/parenting and how it has impacted you
  • Focus on improving one aspect of your parenting at a time - don’t put too much pressure on yourself
  • Educate yourself on ways trauma can impact yourself and your family and on strategies to help with this!
  • Teach your child empathy!
  • Teach your child about how hard things can happen and what to do in times of need (go to a trusted adult, find comfort from a caregiver, help others)
  • Learn how to repair and model that for your child - normalize taking a few minutes to regulate your nervous system/emotions and then reconnect and repair with your child/partner/pet

Suggesting books:

  • “We are Water Protectors” by Carole Lindstrom
  • “A Terrible Thing Happened” by Margaret Holmes
  • “Big Bear was Not the Same” by Joanna Rowland
  • “Parenting from the Inside Out” by Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzell
  • “It Didn’t Start with You” by Mark Wolynn
  • “The Deepest Well” by Nadine Burke Harris
  • “How to Raise an Antiracist” by Ibram X Kendi

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 2470 7 full Episode 6: The need to TALK: How to support your child's language development and speech Episode 6: The need to TALK: How to support your child's language development and speech https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-6-the-need-to-talk-how-to-support-your-childs-language-development-and-speech/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-6-the-need-to-talk-how-to-support-your-childs-language-development-and-speech/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2026 20:07:54 -0700 parentempowerance.podbean.com/3bf93d02-a417-31d5-b459-2be6a5562353 Worrying about your child being able to talk is one of the biggest concerns parents have for their young children. This episode focuses on how to support your child’s language development, specifically by talking and reading to them early and often. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • When language development starts and how it progresses from birth to early and later toddlerhood to preschool age
  • Why talking and reading to your child are so important

Providing examples on:

  • How to create the NEED for your child to talk (and how I did this with families in Early Childhood Intervention)
  • How to get your child to engage more with books - especially for those who don’t want to sit still

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Talk to your child and baby early and often!
  • Check background noise - limit tv/screens
  • Leave space for them to talk and respond to them - practice conversations
  • Motivate them to sign or talk - use food, bubbles, sensory play
  • Read every day - even for just 5-10 minutes
  • Sign up for the Imagination Library, go to a local library, find books at Goodwill or Thriftbooks

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Worrying about your child being able to talk is one of the biggest concerns parents have for their young children. This episode focuses on how to support your child’s language development, specifically by talking and reading to them early and often. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • When language development starts and how it progresses from birth to early and later toddlerhood to preschool age
  • Why talking and reading to your child are so important

Providing examples on:

  • How to create the NEED for your child to talk (and how I did this with families in Early Childhood Intervention)
  • How to get your child to engage more with books - especially for those who don’t want to sit still

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Talk to your child and baby early and often!
  • Check background noise - limit tv/screens
  • Leave space for them to talk and respond to them - practice conversations
  • Motivate them to sign or talk - use food, bubbles, sensory play
  • Read every day - even for just 5-10 minutes
  • Sign up for the Imagination Library, go to a local library, find books at Goodwill or Thriftbooks

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 1882 6 full Episode 5: Becoming parents: How the transition to parenthood affects your relationships with your partner and yourself Episode 5: Becoming parents: How the transition to parenthood affects your relationships with your partner and yourself https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-5-becoming-parents-how-the-transition-to-parenthood-affects-your-relationships-with-your-partner-and-yourself/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-5-becoming-parents-how-the-transition-to-parenthood-affects-your-relationships-with-your-partner-and-yourself/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:27:36 -0700 parentempowerance.podbean.com/2dd3c2f0-af21-36b9-bb2b-36db242d4651 The transition to parenthood is seen as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences that people go through. This episode focuses on how becoming a parent affects your relationships with your partner and yourself. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • The changes that often occur to your relationship with your partner while becoming parents
  • The way parenthood affects your identity, sleep, self-regulation, hormones, and physical self

Providing examples on:

  • My own personal experience becoming a parent and navigating postpartum

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Discuss non-negotiables with your partner and how you’ll make time for each other to do them
  • Communication! - Make sure to find ways to communicate positively and with empathy
  • Find other forms of intimacy/connection (cuddles, talking, etc.)
  • Verbalize appreciation and acknowledge what your partner is doing
  • Find ways to put back into yourself and your partner in new ways or WITH your kids (gratitude journaling, getting outside, no-phone time, going out to eat, etc.)
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> The transition to parenthood is seen as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences that people go through. This episode focuses on how becoming a parent affects your relationships with your partner and yourself. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • The changes that often occur to your relationship with your partner while becoming parents
  • The way parenthood affects your identity, sleep, self-regulation, hormones, and physical self

Providing examples on:

  • My own personal experience becoming a parent and navigating postpartum

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Discuss non-negotiables with your partner and how you’ll make time for each other to do them
  • Communication! - Make sure to find ways to communicate positively and with empathy
  • Find other forms of intimacy/connection (cuddles, talking, etc.)
  • Verbalize appreciation and acknowledge what your partner is doing
  • Find ways to put back into yourself and your partner in new ways or WITH your kids (gratitude journaling, getting outside, no-phone time, going out to eat, etc.)
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 2228 5 full Episode 4: "Take a deeeeep breath:" How to support your child's self-regulation Episode 4: "Take a deeeeep breath:" How to support your child's self-regulation https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-4-take-a-deeeeep-breath-how-to-support-your-childs-self-regulation/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-4-take-a-deeeeep-breath-how-to-support-your-childs-self-regulation/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2026 23:00:00 -0700 parentempowerance.podbean.com/f29c2d73-d248-3c31-8e93-2e164d3e6f06 This episode focuses on why supporting your child’s self-regulation is important, signs you may need more help with your child’s behavior or emotional regulation, and how to practice these skills in early childhood. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • What self-regulation in early childhood helps with now and in the future
  • Why kids needs to practice it in early childhood

Providing examples on:

  • What self-regulation can look like and how to practice it at different ages
  • Regular regulatory issues in early childhood vs. when to seek help

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Labeling any and all emotions!
  • Modeling what to do/talking about it when your child is not upset (deep breathing, stomping, shaking, deep pressure hugs, going to calm down corner, squeezing a pillow or lovey)
  • Look for reason for behavior or emotion - hungry, tired, overstimulated, lonely
  • Modeling regulation as an adult - “I’m feeling really frustrated right now so I’m going to take 5 deep breaths” or “I’m excited so I’m going to jump up and down!”
  • Practicing it with your child with games! - red light/green light, freeze dance

Suggesting books:

  • “The feelings book” by Todd Parr
  • “My many colored days” by Dr. Seuss
  • “It’s ok: Being kind to yourself when things feel hard” by Wendy O’Leary
  • “Breathing makes it better” by Christopher Willard and Wendy O’Leary
  • “Today I feel silly” by Jamie Lee Curtis
  • “Roaring Mad Riley” by Allison Szczecinski

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> This episode focuses on why supporting your child’s self-regulation is important, signs you may need more help with your child’s behavior or emotional regulation, and how to practice these skills in early childhood. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • What self-regulation in early childhood helps with now and in the future
  • Why kids needs to practice it in early childhood

Providing examples on:

  • What self-regulation can look like and how to practice it at different ages
  • Regular regulatory issues in early childhood vs. when to seek help

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Labeling any and all emotions!
  • Modeling what to do/talking about it when your child is not upset (deep breathing, stomping, shaking, deep pressure hugs, going to calm down corner, squeezing a pillow or lovey)
  • Look for reason for behavior or emotion - hungry, tired, overstimulated, lonely
  • Modeling regulation as an adult - “I’m feeling really frustrated right now so I’m going to take 5 deep breaths” or “I’m excited so I’m going to jump up and down!”
  • Practicing it with your child with games! - red light/green light, freeze dance

Suggesting books:

  • “The feelings book” by Todd Parr
  • “My many colored days” by Dr. Seuss
  • “It’s ok: Being kind to yourself when things feel hard” by Wendy O’Leary
  • “Breathing makes it better” by Christopher Willard and Wendy O’Leary
  • “Today I feel silly” by Jamie Lee Curtis
  • “Roaring Mad Riley” by Allison Szczecinski

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 1555 4 full Episode 3: Boundary setting do's and don'ts for kids birth to five Episode 3: Boundary setting do's and don'ts for kids birth to five https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-3-boundary-setting-dos-and-donts-for-kids-birth-to-five/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-3-boundary-setting-dos-and-donts-for-kids-birth-to-five/#comments Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:55:10 -0700 parentempowerance.podbean.com/ed763043-84d5-3046-9a5a-652c6e6099c0 This episode focuses on why boundaries are important for young children, what developmentally appropriate boundaries look like at different ages, and how to set and maintain boundaries in early childhood. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • What boundaries help in early childhood and in the future
  • The different needs for boundaries at different ages

Providing examples on:

  • How to set and maintain boundaries at home
  • The need for boundaries at home to support your child in school

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Be consistent!
  • Follow through!
  • Focus on what TO do, not what NOT to do
  • Help them follow it even if you’re doing the work
  • Use redirection or play to reduce power struggles
  • Be clear and developmentally appropriate when setting boundaries
  • Use physical boundaries when necessary to reduce power struggles
  • Don’t be too repetitive with toddlers - use clear, short, neutral-toned instructions
  • Use visual schedule to help with routine-based boundaries

Suggesting books:

  • "Why should I help?" by Claire Llewellyn
  • "Yes! No! A First Conversation about Consent" by Jessica Ralli and Megan Madison
  • "My Body Belongs to Me" by Jill Starishevsky

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> This episode focuses on why boundaries are important for young children, what developmentally appropriate boundaries look like at different ages, and how to set and maintain boundaries in early childhood. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • What boundaries help in early childhood and in the future
  • The different needs for boundaries at different ages

Providing examples on:

  • How to set and maintain boundaries at home
  • The need for boundaries at home to support your child in school

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Be consistent!
  • Follow through!
  • Focus on what TO do, not what NOT to do
  • Help them follow it even if you’re doing the work
  • Use redirection or play to reduce power struggles
  • Be clear and developmentally appropriate when setting boundaries
  • Use physical boundaries when necessary to reduce power struggles
  • Don’t be too repetitive with toddlers - use clear, short, neutral-toned instructions
  • Use visual schedule to help with routine-based boundaries

Suggesting books:

  • "Why should I help?" by Claire Llewellyn
  • "Yes! No! A First Conversation about Consent" by Jessica Ralli and Megan Madison
  • "My Body Belongs to Me" by Jill Starishevsky

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 1626 3 full Episode 2: The power of play for child development Episode 2: The power of play for child development https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-2-the-power-of-play-for-child-development/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-2-the-power-of-play-for-child-development/#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:00:00 -0700 parentempowerance.podbean.com/26745d20-9680-3c7f-b93e-3a202a97f18e This episode focuses on why play is important, what kids learn from play, and how to support your child's play in early childhood. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • What play supports developmentally
  • Why daily play is important

Providing examples on:

  • What play looks like at different ages
  • How to use play to support language development and practicing skills

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Join in and play with your kids!
  • Can just be 5-10 minutes at a time
  • Focus on it during routines (bath, meals, dressing)
  • Play before you want to get something done - pay it forward
  • Keep it simple and silly

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> This episode focuses on why play is important, what kids learn from play, and how to support your child's play in early childhood. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • What play supports developmentally
  • Why daily play is important

Providing examples on:

  • What play looks like at different ages
  • How to use play to support language development and practicing skills

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Join in and play with your kids!
  • Can just be 5-10 minutes at a time
  • Focus on it during routines (bath, meals, dressing)
  • Play before you want to get something done - pay it forward
  • Keep it simple and silly

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 1032 2 full Episode 1: Let your calm be their calm: Co-regulating with your young child Episode 1: Let your calm be their calm: Co-regulating with your young child https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-1-let-your-calm-be-their-calm-co-regulating-with-your-young-child/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/episode-1-let-your-calm-be-their-calm-co-regulating-with-your-young-child/#comments Tue, 03 Mar 2026 23:30:00 -0800 parentempowerance.podbean.com/bc64cdb1-96ba-3e00-a082-43f74e16ac04 This episode focuses on what co-regulation is, why it's important, and how to support your child's co-regulation in early childhood. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • Defining self- and co-regulation
  • How self- and co-regulation develop in early childhood
  • Why co-regulation is important across the lifespan

Providing examples on:

  • What this looks like at different ages
  • Why it's hard to do all the time and what to do when it IS hard

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Use a quiet, calm, neutral voice when your child is upset
  • Validate their emotions and then sit in it/say nothing
  • Use gentle physical touch for connection
  • Calm down corners 

 Suggesting books:

  • "Calm Down Time" by Elizabeth Verdick
  • "The Rabbit Listened" by Cori Doerrfeld
  • "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Harvey Karp
  • "The Whole Brain Child" by Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> This episode focuses on what co-regulation is, why it's important, and how to support your child's co-regulation in early childhood. This included:

Reviewing research on:

  • Defining self- and co-regulation
  • How self- and co-regulation develop in early childhood
  • Why co-regulation is important across the lifespan

Providing examples on:

  • What this looks like at different ages
  • Why it's hard to do all the time and what to do when it IS hard

Describing strategies to use in your own parenting:

  • Use a quiet, calm, neutral voice when your child is upset
  • Validate their emotions and then sit in it/say nothing
  • Use gentle physical touch for connection
  • Calm down corners 

 Suggesting books:

  • "Calm Down Time" by Elizabeth Verdick
  • "The Rabbit Listened" by Cori Doerrfeld
  • "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Harvey Karp
  • "The Whole Brain Child" by Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 1331 1 full Welcome to the Parent Empowerance Podcast! Welcome to the Parent Empowerance Podcast! https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/welcome-to-the-parent-empowerance-podcast/ https://parentempowerance.podbean.com/e/welcome-to-the-parent-empowerance-podcast/#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:13:32 -0800 parentempowerance.podbean.com/80288749-58b4-35da-9ed1-a4b9ccedd7a0 Welcome to the Parent Empowerance Podcast, where we make early childhood research relatable and actionable for parents. I'm your host, Amara - founder of Parent Empowerance, PhD graduate in human development and family science (specializing in child development and behavior), a former preschool teacher and early childhood intervention specialist, and, most importantly, mom to two littles (a 2 and a half year old daughter, Natalie, and an 8 month old son, Liam).

Our mission at Parent Empowerance is to help parents of young children, specifically birth to five, feel informed, empowered, and deeply supported. We do this by translating early childhood research into real-life tools for parents of little ones, while grounding our suggestions, action steps, and advice in both relatable lived experience and proven science.

Each episode of this podcast will focus on a different topic within child development and most will have 3 main aspects:

  • Summarizing what research says about that topic,
  • Providing real-life examples, experiences, or applications, and
  • Suggesting action steps you can take to apply the research with your own kids.

I center my strategies around the idea that parents are the experts of their own children, and I keep the episodes short (15-20 minutes) so you can actually fit listening to them into your week! I know what it’s like to only have a few precious moments to yourself, and I’m glad to be a part of that.

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Welcome to the Parent Empowerance Podcast, where we make early childhood research relatable and actionable for parents. I'm your host, Amara - founder of Parent Empowerance, PhD graduate in human development and family science (specializing in child development and behavior), a former preschool teacher and early childhood intervention specialist, and, most importantly, mom to two littles (a 2 and a half year old daughter, Natalie, and an 8 month old son, Liam).

Our mission at Parent Empowerance is to help parents of young children, specifically birth to five, feel informed, empowered, and deeply supported. We do this by translating early childhood research into real-life tools for parents of little ones, while grounding our suggestions, action steps, and advice in both relatable lived experience and proven science.

Each episode of this podcast will focus on a different topic within child development and most will have 3 main aspects:

  • Summarizing what research says about that topic,
  • Providing real-life examples, experiences, or applications, and
  • Suggesting action steps you can take to apply the research with your own kids.

I center my strategies around the idea that parents are the experts of their own children, and I keep the episodes short (15-20 minutes) so you can actually fit listening to them into your week! I know what it’s like to only have a few precious moments to yourself, and I’m glad to be a part of that.

Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting

@parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

]]> Amara Bradetich false No 1030 trailer