Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn

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 and respond in a way that protects both safety and self-esteem.

You'll learn:


Why aggressive tantrums happen: Toddlers feel big emotions but don’t yet have the impulse control or problem-solving skills to manage them.


What to do in the moment: Focus on safety first, stay close and calm, and avoid lectures while your child is overwhelmed.


How to help long-term: After the storm passes, teach simple skills—like asking for a turn or using words—to handle big feelings next time.

This episode is made possible by our partner, Laundry Sauce.

RESOURCES

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Tantrum Crash Course mini-class

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: ⁠newsletter

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 great sleeper suddenly starts resisting bedtime at age 3#2. Why toddlers throw things — and how to respond calmly and effectively

We’ll talk about sleep changes, dropping naps, big transitions (like a new sibling or starting school), and what throwing really means and how to stop it.

RESOURCES:

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Help Your Child Fall Asleep Without You mini-class

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: ⁠newsletter

SPONSORS:

Laundry Sauce:

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 without teaching a child to disappear herself—and how to keep helping a choice, not a role.

In this episode, you’ll learn:


The difference between helping as a choice and helping as a responsibility


Why constant praise for being “helpful” can unintentionally teach self-sacrifice


What to say (out loud) so your child knows caregiving is not her job


How to praise self-advocacy—not just kindness


Simple shifts that keep your child developmentally centered on herself

This episode is especially meaningful for parents of eldest children and those raising deeply empathetic kids.

🎧 If this big-hearted approach resonates with you, explore Toddlers Made Easy—my practical, developmentally informed course for everyday toddler challenges, in under five minutes a day.

RESOURCES:

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox

Sponsor:

Laundry Sauce

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 unrealistic expectations quietly create power struggles, tantrums, and exhaustion—and how small mindset shifts can make parenting feel much easier.

You’ll learn:


Why many common expectations don’t match toddler brain development


How adjusting expectations can prevent tantrums and power struggles


What to realistically expect from 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds


How a big-hearted lens helps you stay calm while holding boundaries

🎧 If this approach resonates with you, explore Toddlers Made Easy—my practical, big-hearted course designed for real-life toddler challenges, and it takes under five minutes a day.
👉 Learn more at Toddlers Made Easy, the online course

RESOURCES:

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox

SPONSORS:

Laundry Sauce

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 learn:


Why reasoning and “calm down” don’t work in the middle of a tantrum


When to stay close and quiet—and when to step in for safety


How sharing your calm helps your child regain theirs

🎧 Want more big-hearted, practical tools for tantrums, bedtime, and everyday power struggles?
Explore Toddlers Made Easy online course.

RESOURCES:

👉 Join the Big-Hearted membership: ⁠The Big-Hearted School Of Parenting⁠

👉 Follow ⁠Dr. Cathryn on Instagram⁠

👉 Subscribe to my free newsletter for big-hearted parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox