The Rising Parent Podcast | Podcast on RSS.com

The Rising Parent Podcast

The Rising Parent Podcast

by Tim Vartko + Edna Vartko | Parenting Coaches

How To Parenting

5 Tips for Helping Preteens Navigate Friendship Drama

Is your sweet child suddenly caught in a web of middle school group chat drama? You aren't alone. In this episode of the Rising Parent Podcast, hosts Tim and Edna tackle one of the most terrifying transitions for any parent: the preteen friendship jungle. As kids shift from guided playdates to navigating intense social hierarchies, peer pressure, and digital group chats, parents often feel blindsided and powerless. But jumping in to fix it is usually the exact wrong move. This episode provides you with a practical, step-by-step guide to helping your tween build social resilience without being an overbearing parent. We dive deep into five actionable tips for navigating preteen friendship drama. You will learn how to help your child redefine what a true friend looks like in the digital age, shifting the focus from social status to safety. We discuss the crucial difference between facilitating growth and "fixing" problems, helping you know exactly when to intervene and when to step back. You will also discover the magic of dinner-table roleplay for peer pressure, how to normalize shifting friendships without using toxic labels, and the ultimate strategy for creating a zero-pressure safe harbor at home for a lonely middle schooler. If you want to support the outreach mentioned in today's episode, please visit Selfless Outreach, our non-profit mobile food bank, at selflessoutreach.org. Subscribe for new episodes every Monday and Friday! #ParentingTips #PreteenDrama #MiddleSchool #ParentingPodcast #TweenLife #RaisingKids #SocialResilience #TheRisingParentPodcast

5 Gentle Parenting Tips to Tame Preschooler Tantrums & Teach Emotional Regulation

Picture this: you are standing in the checkout line, your cart is full, and your preschooler spots a candy bar. You say no, and the wailing begins. If you are breaking out in a cold sweat just thinking about it, you are not alone! Welcome to the Rising Parent Podcast! In this episode, 5 Gentle Parenting Tips to Tame Preschooler Tantrums & Teach Emotional Regulation, hosts Edna and Tim dive deep into the chaotic, emotionally charged world of preschooler meltdowns. Discover the brain science behind why your three-to-five-year-old loses control and learn how their amygdala hijacks their developing prefrontal cortex. Instead of reacting with frustration, you will leave this episode armed with empathy, confidence, and respectful tools to help your little one navigate big feelings. Key Topics Covered: - Looking behind the behavior using the HALTO method to identify hidden triggers like overstimulation. - The crucial role of parent-child co-regulation before expecting self-regulation. - A foolproof, three-step script for confidently handling public meltdowns. - How to ditch the traditional timeout chair and set up a soothing calming corner. - The secret to practicing emotional regulation through play outside of the tantrum moment. Support Our Cause: We created this podcast to help families thrive and to raise funding for our non-profit mobile food bank, Selfless Outreach. To support the under-served in our communities, please visit selflessoutreach.org to donate. Subscribe to the Rising Parent Podcast for new episodes every Monday and Friday, and please leave us a 5-star review to help other parents find the support they need! #GentleParenting #ToddlerTantrums #ParentingTips #EmotionalRegulation #PreschoolerMom #ConsciousParenting #TheRisingParentPodcast #ParentingHacks

Minimalist Newborn Registry: Saving Money on Essential Baby Gear

Overwhelmed by the endless aisles of baby products? You are not alone! In this episode of The Rising Parent, we tackle the stress of the newborn registry with a practical, minimalist approach. Join hosts Tim and Edna as they break down what your baby actually needs versus what marketing machines want you to buy. Learn how to save money, reduce clutter, and focus on what truly matters during those first precious months. From debating the necessity of wipe warmers and bottle sterilizers to finding the perfect budget-friendly gear, we share expert, non-nonsense advice on curating a registry that serves both you and your baby. Whether you are prepping your two-bedroom apartment or looking for ways to streamline your nursery, this episode provides the roadmap to stress-free parenting. Discover how to prioritize multi-purpose items, leverage hand-me-downs, and avoid common traps of the baby industry. Ready to support the cause? Visit our non-profit mobile food bank at selflessoutreach.org to learn more about our mission to feed underserved communities. #MinimalistParenting #NewbornRegistry #BudgetFriendlyBaby #TheRisingParentPodcast #BabyGearTips #ParentingAdvice #SustainableParenting

5 Fun Tummy Time Activities for Infants Who Hate It

Is your baby's tummy time a tear-filled battle? You are not alone! Welcome to the Rising Parent Podcast! In this episode, Tim and Edna tackle one of the most stressful newborn milestones: tummy time. If your infant screams the second they touch the play mat, this episode is your ultimate survival guide. As licensed childcare professionals and certified parenting coaches, Tim and Edna share five game-changing, tear-free tummy time activities designed for babies who absolutely hate the floor. Discover how to build your baby's core and neck strength without the daily meltdowns. Key topics covered in this episode include: - Baby wearing and chest-to-chest bonding as a biomechanically approved tummy time method - Using water mats for captivating sensory distraction - How to make cheap, easy, and safe DIY sensory bags - Elevating your baby with an incline prop like a rolled-up towel or nursing pillow - The power of eye-level connection, face-to-face bonding, and mirror play Plus, learn why breaking these sessions into frequent, short bursts is the real secret to infant motor development success. We also discuss finding grace for both yourself and your baby during the difficult first year. To learn more about our mission and support our non-profit mobile food bank, Selfless Outreach, please visit selflessoutreach.org. #TummyTime #ParentingTips #NewbornCare #BabyDevelopment #SensoryPlay #InfantMilestones #RisingParentPodcast

The Importance of Play: Unlocking Creativity and Development

You walk into the living room and it looks like a toy store exploded. Panic sets in, but what if this messy, chaotic moment is actually your child doing the most important work of their life? Welcome to The Rising Parent Podcast with Tim and Edna! In this episode, The Importance of Play: Unlocking Creativity and Development, we unpack why play isn't just a break from learning—it is the learning. We dive deep into the modern pressure of structured parenting and flashcard mentalities, explaining why unstructured, child-led play is the ultimate brain-builder. From decoding the hidden meaning behind throwing objects to understanding how rough-and-tumble play builds empathy, we are here to help you embrace the mess. We also discuss why boredom is an absolute gift and how setting up simple play invitations can save your sanity while boosting your child's independence and executive function. Key Topics Covered: - The myth of the parent as the 24/7 cruise director. - Decoding behavioral challenges as unfulfilled biological play schemas. - The benefits of independent play and the developmental magic of boredom. - How rough-and-tumble play teaches emotional regulation, spatial awareness, and empathy. - Using unstructured play as a child's first language for processing big emotions and life changes. Have a specific parenting struggle you want us to cover? Request an episode topic by visiting our website at risingparent.org. #ParentingPodcast #ChildDevelopment #PlayBasedLearning #TheRisingParent #ToddlerLife #UnstructuredPlay #ParentingTips #Motherhood #Fatherhood

Infant Sensory Play: Science-Backed Activities for Your Baby's First 12 Weeks

Are you staring at your newborn and wondering, "Am I doing enough?" You are not alone! In this episode of the Rising Parent Podcast, titled "Infant Sensory Play: Science-Backed Activities for Your Baby's First 12 Weeks," certified parenting coaches Tim and Edna dive into the fascinating world of newborn brain development during the critical first 12 weeks. They demystify the science behind infant sensory play and prove that you do not need expensive toys or flashy gadgets to help your baby thrive. In fact, the most powerful developmental tool your baby has is YOU. Learn how simple everyday routines can be transformed into brain-building magic that fosters deep connection and security. Key Topics Covered: - The science of newborn brain growth, neural connections, and synaptic pruning - How to stimulate your baby's vision using simple, high-contrast objects found in your home - The power of your voice, narration, and why you do not need a background of classical music to promote auditory development - The magic of skin-to-skin contact, gentle infant massage, and tactile exploration - Breaking down the vestibular and proprioceptive systems for newborns - How to reframe tummy time to reduce tears and frustration - Recognizing your baby's communication cues for engagement and overstimulation Have a parenting challenge you want us to cover? Send us a message at risingparent.org and we will create a tailored episode just for you. Please subscribe to the Rising Parent Podcast, leave a 5-star rating, and share your review on your favorite podcast platform. New episodes drop every Monday and Friday! #ParentingPodcast #SensoryPlay #NewbornDevelopment #First12Weeks #TummyTime #BabyBrainDevelopment #RisingParent #ParentingTips #FourthTrimester #MomLife

How to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children: Proven Strategies for Parents

Tired of toddler tantrums in aisle four? Discover proven strategies to raise emotionally intelligent children on this episode of the Rising Parent Podcast! Learn actionable steps for parents, including how to name and validate emotions, moving beyond quick fixes to truly connect with your child's feelings. Hosts Edna and Tim, licensed childcare professionals and certified parenting coaches, unpack key concepts like emotional regulation, the 'anger iceberg,' and the importance of modeling healthy coping mechanisms. Equip yourself with tools to navigate sibling dynamics, address after-school restraint collapse, and foster accountability, creating a calm and emotionally supportive home environment. Tune in to go from surviving to thriving! #parenting #emotionalintelligence #childdevelopment #positiveparenting #parentingtips #kidsemotions #mindfulparenting #raisingchildren

Solving Child Tantrums FAST with Proven Parenting Hacks

Is the blue box cereal tantrum a familiar scene? Feeling helpless when your child melts down in public? In this episode of The Rising Parent Podcast, Tim and Edna dive deep into proven parenting hacks to solve child tantrums FAST. Discover effective, counter-intuitive strategies to short-circuit meltdowns in minutes. Learn how to understand your child's brain during a tantrum, and practical tools like "The Power of the Whisper," "The Sensory Reset," and "Name It to Tame It" to transform chaotic moments into calm ones. Plus, discover preventative measures like the HALT method and the Two-Choice strategy to stop tantrums before they even start. Tune in to discover: - How to understand the neurological basis of tantrums - Practical hacks to de-escalate meltdowns quickly - The power of validation and emotional regulation - Preventative strategies to minimize tantrums #Parenting #ChildDevelopment #PositiveParenting #TantrumSolutions #EmotionalRegulation #ParentingHacks #ToddlerLife #Preschooler #RaisingKids #ParentingTips

Navigating Screen Time and Technology with Kids: Q&A with Tim & Edna

Struggling with screen time battles and tech tantrums? You're not alone! In this episode of The Rising Parent Podcast, Tim & Edna tackle the monster topic of navigating screen time and technology with kids. Get ready for a Q&A deep dive into the most burning questions parents have about screens, boundaries, and finding grace in our digital age. From toddler TV habits and parental guilt to sibling screen time dynamics and YouTube obsessions, Tim & Edna offer practical tips and strategies to help you manage your kids' tech use effectively. Learn how to ditch the rigid rules and embrace a flexible, family-centered approach to screen time that protects your child's wellbeing and your sanity. Plus, discover the power of "building a bridge" to avoid meltdowns and create a positive tech vision for your family! #Parenting #ScreenTime #DigitalParenting #TechWithKids #ParentingTips #MindfulParenting #TechBalance #FamilyTech #PositiveParenting

Postpartum Recovery: The 'Fourth Trimester' Care Guide Nobody Tells You About

Navigating the wild ride of postpartum recovery? You're not alone! After nine months of baby prep, the focus shifts entirely, leaving moms feeling the pressure to 'bounce back.' But what about the massive physical and emotional marathon of childbirth? In this crucial episode of The Rising Parent Podcast, Tim and Edna dive deep into the 'fourth trimester' – the first 12 weeks after birth – and the postpartum recovery care guide nobody tells you about. Discover essential strategies for physical healing, hormonal balance, mental well-being, and partner support. Learn to recognize the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression, break free from unrealistic societal expectations, and set healthy boundaries for a smoother transition into parenthood. Key topics include: physical trauma after birth, postpartum depression and anxiety, maternal gatekeeping, importance of sleep, creating team dynamic, partner's role during postpartum, postpartum rage, and self-care strategies during fourth trimester. This episode is packed with actionable advice and relatable stories to help you thrive during this challenging yet beautiful time. #postpartum #fourthtrimester #maternalmentalhealth #newborn #parenting #postpartumpsychosis #newmom #parentlife

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