Podcasts · Kids & Family

Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn

Dr. Cathryn

219 episodes

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 page 1 of 5

  1. The Secret To Shorter, Fewer, and Less Intense Tantrums

    · 10 min

    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…

  2. Help! My Child Will Only Poop In A Diaper

    · 7:35

    Your child pees on the potty without a problem, but when it's time to poop, they insist on a diaper. You've tried rewards, encouragement, and waiting it out. Nothing seems to work. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn…

  3. The Big-Hearted Yet Firm Way of Saying No

    · 13 min

    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…

  4. How to Calm A Tantrum Without Making It Worse

    · 10 min

    Tantrums aren’t misbehavior—they’re a sign your child’s system is overloaded. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explains how your calmness (not your words) helps tantrums pass without escalating. You’ll learn: •Why…

  5. How To Make Discipline Easier (A LOT EASIER)

    · 7:39

    Getting your child to cooperate doesn’t always mean getting firmer. Sometimes, it means getting playful. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares one of the most underused discipline tools for young kids: playfulness.…

  6. Why Is My Toddler Suddenly Scared of Everything?

    · 9:48

    Your toddler suddenly hates the dark. They’re terrified of the vacuum, the bathtub drain, or the public washroom they used last week without a problem. What happened? In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explains why new…

  7. TME 211 - How To Help A Picky Eater

    · 11 min

    If every meal feels like a negotiation over one more bite, it may be time to try something different. When parents worry their child isn’t eating enough, it’s natural to coax, bargain, bribe, or plead. But that…

  8. The Hardest Moments After Bringing Home a New Baby... and How to Help Your Toddler Through Them

    · 10 min

    Bringing home a new baby can turn a toddler’s world upside down. Suddenly, your potty-trained, independent kid is having accidents, asking to be carried, or needing you every time you sit down to feed the baby. In…

  9. "Nobody Wants to Play With Me": Helping kids through rejection and exclusion

    · 9:47

    Friendship problems can start earlier than most parents expect. By age three, children are beginning to form real friendships. They’re also learning how to join a group, take turns, handle rejection, solve…

  10. Making School Goodbyes Easier

    · 9:55

    Starting school stirs up big feelings — for little kids and for the parents saying goodbye. Dr. Cathryn shares the moment that changed drop-offs for good with her own youngest, plus the big-hearted scripts, routines,…

  11. When Potty Training Goes Sideways. Your toughest potty training questions, answered

    · 11 min

    When potty training goes sideways, it's easy to wonder if you're doing something wrong. In this episode, I answer a parent's question about a 3-year-old who won't pee or poop on the potty and explain why less pressure…

  12. A Tantrum Is Just A Toddler Acting Their Age

    · 11 min

    Dr. Cathryn shares a cringeworthy tantrum moment from her own parenting years and the perspective shift that changed how she responds to big feelings. Learn what's really happening in your little kid's brain during a…

  13. Grandparent Start Kit

    · 8:39

    Parenting has changed a lot over the years. That can leave grandparents wondering why today's parents make some of the choices they do. This episode explains the thinking behind many of those approaches so families can…

  14. How You Might Be Making Toddler Hitting Worse (Without Realizing It)

    · 8:27 · Episode 206

    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…

  15. Help Your Toddler Feel Loved When The New Baby Arrives

    · 11 min · Episode 205

    Bringing home a new baby can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming for your older child. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares simple, practical ways to help your toddler feel secure, included, and deeply loved…

  16. How To Stop Sleeping In Your Child's Room Without Hurting Your Connection

    · 9:08 · Episode 204

    Helping your child fall asleep without you doesn't have to mean tears, guilt, or leaving them to figure it out alone. In this episode, I share why sleeping in your child's room often starts as a temporary solution but…

  17. How to Stop Your Toddler's 2am Wakeups for Good

    · 11 min · Episode 203

    Is your toddler waking up at 2 AM (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…

  18. What To Do When Your Child Bites (please don't bite back)

    · 17 min · Episode 202

    Biting is one of the behaviors that worries parents most. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explains why little kids bite, why "biting back" isn't the answer, and what to do instead. You'll learn: • Why toddlers and young…

  19. Potty Training Without Power Struggles: The big-hearted approach to helping kids use the potty

    · 9:49 · Episode 201

    Potty training doesn't have to involve battles, pressure, or regret. In this episode, Today, I'm sharing the Big-Hearted Approach to Potty Training, a method that helps children build body awareness, confidence, and…

  20. Little Kid Night Wakings: A Kinder, Smarter Fix That Actually Works

    · 9:05 · Episode 192

    If your toddler is creeping into your room at 1am, 3am — or both — this episode is for you. Dr. Cathryn shares a simple, no-cry strategy that helped Katie sleep through the night in just one week, and gave Cecil's…

  21. You're Not Raising A Problem, You're Raising A Person

    · 7:25 · Episode 199

    Why do little kids melt down over things that seem so small? In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares one mindset shift that can completely change the way you respond to tantrums, resistance, aggression, and emotional…

  22. How To Stop Making Tantrums Worse

    · 8:25 · Episode 200

    In this episode, Dr. Cathryn shares the biggest mistake parents make during tantrums and why trying to reason, explain, or “fix” the meltdown too quickly often makes things worse. Through a personal story from her…

  23. The Unbreakable Connection: Helping Kids Feel Close When You’re Apart

    · 8:21 · Episode 198

    Your little one is missing you. Maybe it's daycare drop-off. Maybe it's 2 am. Maybe it's a sleepover at Nana's with a lot of very loud feelings. This episode is about the simple things that make separation easier —…

  24. Help, My Kid Won't Poop on the Potty! (Here's Why — and What to Do)

    · 12 min · Episode 197

    Your little kid pees on the potty just fine — but when it comes to poop? Diaper only, thank you very much. You haven't done anything wrong. This is one of the most common potty-training hiccups, affecting 20–25% of…

  25. The Secret To Shorter, Fewer, and Less Intense Tantrums

    · 10 min · Episode 194

    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…

  26. Catch Them Being 'Good' The Big-Hearted Way to Encourage Positive Behavior

    · 5:44 · Episode 196

    The 5:1 rule is one of the most practical tools a parent can have — and it's simpler than you think. Originally researched by psychologist John Gottman in marriages, the principle maps directly onto parenting: for…

  27. Stuck in the Potty Training Start-Stop Loop? Here's What to Do Differently

    · 7:35 · Episode 195

    Are you stuck in the potty training start-stop loop? You try, it falls apart, you stop — and now you're dreading starting again. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explains why potty battles happen, why your first attempt…

  28. (REPLAY) Why Toddlers Misbehave: Your Toddler Isn’t Bad — Their Brain Is Developing

    · 11 min · Episode 193

    Being a toddler is tough—and parenting one can feel just as hard. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn breaks down why toddlers struggle with impulse control, what’s really behind their behavior, and how to respond in ways…

  29. (REPLAY) Get Kids to Listen — No Yelling Required

    · 12 min · Episode 191

    Every parent hits a breaking point. Here's how to stop before you get there. In this episode of Toddlers Made Easy, Dr. Cathryn shares three simple steps to stay calm — even when your toddler is pushing every button…

  30. Why Your Toddler Refuses the Potty (And What Helps)

    · 11 min · Episode 190

    Potty pushback doesn't mean you're doing it wrong — it means your toddler is doing exactly what toddlers do. In this episode, we dig into why resistance happens and what actually works to move through it. • Potty…

  31. End Overnight Toddler Wake Ups

    · 10 min · Episode 189

    Is your toddler waking multiple times a night and ending up in your bed? You're not alone — and more importantly, it's fixable. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn breaks down the real reason most toddlers wake at night…

  32. Kids Want to Help. Here’s Why You Should Let Them.

    · 6:40

    Do toddlers really need chores? In this episode, I share why young children want to help — and why letting them contribute builds confidence, responsibility, and a deep sense of belonging. You’ll hear: • Why…

  33. Aggressive Toddler Tantrums: Why Kids Hit, Bite, and Kick (And What To Do)

    · 8:38

    In this episode, we talk about what to do when toddler tantrums turn physical—hitting, kicking, or throwing things. When you understand what’s happening inside your child’s brain, it becomes much easier to stay calm…

  34. Q&A: 3-Year-Old Fighting Bedtime and Toddler Throwing Explained

    · 13 min

    Bedtime was easy… until it wasn’t. And suddenly your 3-year-old is fighting sleep, stalling, crying — and maybe even climbing out of the crib. In this Q&A episode, I answer two common parent questions: #1. Why a…

  35. The Helper Trap: How to raise a caring child who doesn’t feel responsible for everything

    · 7:42

    When a child is naturally kind and eager to help—especially with a new sibling—it can look beautiful on the outside… and still raise quiet worries on the inside. In this episode, we talk about how to nurture empathy…

  36. Am I Expecting Too Much Of My Child?

    · 7:22

    If you’ve ever wondered whether your toddler should be able to listen, wait, share, or calm down—and felt frustrated when they couldn’t—this episode is for you. In today’s episode, Dr. Cathryn talks about how…

  37. How to Calm A Toddler's Tantrum Without Making It Worse

    · 10 min

    Tantrums aren’t misbehavior—they’re a sign your child’s system is overloaded. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn talks about how your calmness (not your words) is the key to helping tantrums pass without escalating. You’ll…

  38. Why Forcing Kids to Share Backfires (And What to Do Instead)

    · 9:43

    In this episode, Dr. Cathryn talks about why sharing is so hard early on, what toddlers are actually capable of, and how to handle toy struggles without forcing lessons their brains aren’t ready to learn. You’ll learn…

  39. Helping Kids Listen Better: The Big-Hearted Way

    · 7:33

    When kids ignore us, it can feel personal. Disrespectful. Triggering. But what if “not listening” isn’t a behavior problem at all? In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explains why toddlers and preschoolers struggle with…

  40. Make Potty Training Easier- Home Prep

    · 8:36

    Dr Cathryn unpacks what to do before potty training starts—how to prepare your home, your child, and yourself— so the process feels calmer, easier, and more manageable. • Set up your space to reduce stress Small…

  41. Make Potty Training Easier: What To Do Before You Begin

    · 11 min

    Potty training doesn’t begin with underwear or sticker charts. It starts with you. In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explains how potty training isn’t just about whether your toddler is ready. Your readiness matters too.…

  42. When Your Toddler Says 'No' To Everything

    · 7:21

    Why does your toddler say no to everything — even things they usually do without a problem? In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explains the “you-can’t-make-me” reflex — a very normal (and healthy) stage of toddler…

  43. My Toddler Keeps Waking Up At Night—Help!

    · 11 min

    In this episode of Toddlers Made Easy, Dr. Cathryn breaks down why young children wake up at night—and what actually helps. She shares a personal parenting misstep that changed how she thinks about sleep, then explains…

  44. The Secret To Shorter, Fewer, and Less Intense Tantrums

    · 10 min

    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…

  45. Stop Food Battles Before They Begin

    · 8:31

    Food battles usually are not about food. They are about your child’s brain doing its job: protecting them from anything that feels unfamiliar. In this episode, I share Mikey’s story (a spirited 4-year-old who refused…

  46. Helping Little Kids Through Big Fears (And What They Actually Need From You)

    · 7:19

    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…

  47. Wired or Tired? Why Your Child Loses It at Bedtime

    · 7:57

    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…

  48. When Toddlers Ask, "Mommy, Am I Fat?"

    · 9:17

    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…

  49. Help! My Toddler Will Only Poop in a Diaper

    · 9:12

    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…

  50. End Bedtime Battles For Good

    · 8:56

    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…

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