Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn

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

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 how to support your toddler’s big feelings, keep everyone safe, and gently guide sharing skills as they develop—without pressure, shame, or power struggles.

In this episode, you’ll learn:


Why toddlers aren’t developmentally ready to share (and when that changes)


What to say and do when your child grabs toys or melts down at the park


How forcing sharing can backfire—and what works better instead

Want more big-hearted tools like this?Check out Toddlers Made Easy, my online course with simple, practical strategies for tantrums, boundaries, sharing, sleep, and everyday toddler struggles—designed to make parenting calmer in just a few minutes a day.

👉 Learn more at Toddlers Made Easy

RESOURCES:

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

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 cooperation, what’s really happening in their developing brains, and why yelling may work in the moment—but backfires long-term.

You’ll learn how to help your child cooperate without threats, bribes, or power struggles, using big-hearted strategies that help kids feel seen, safe, and more willing to listen.

Because when kids aren’t listening, they’re not being difficult—they’re developing.

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: ⁠newsletter

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 home-prep steps—like easy cleanup, clear paths to the potty, and stable seating—lower frustration and support learning.


Warm up your child without pressure
Simple, playful practice helps kids connect body signals to the potty before anything feels urgent.


Focus on confidence, not control
A big-hearted approach builds body awareness, minimizes power struggles, and keeps you connected through the messy moments.

🎉 Free Potty Party coming in early February!
I’ll be hosting a free 3-day Potty Party to walk you through big-hearted potty training and help you feel ready and confident before you begin. More details coming soon—stay tuned.

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: newsletter