Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn

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 explains why some toddlers refuse to poop on the potty and what you can do to help.
You'll learn:
Why constipation may be part of the problem, even if your child poops every day.
Why rewards and pressure can make poop refusal worse.
When giving your child a diaper is actually the right move.
Simple steps to help your child feel more comfortable pooping on the potty.
The goal isn't just to get your child pooping on the potty. It's to help them get there without fear, pressure, or daily battles.
Resources mentioned:
Help! My Child Will Only Poop in a Diaper: A step-by-step mini-course to help your child make the switch.
Related episode: Happy Tushies: How to Manage Poop Problems During Potty Training (February 2023).
RESOURCES

Toddlers Made Easy online course
Potty Training Made Easy online course
Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class
Toddlers Made Easy book
200 Big-Hearted Scripts
FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training
And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

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 how acknowledging your child’s feelings with clear, compassionate communication can turn even the toughest moments into powerful opportunities for connection.

You’ll walk away with practical strategies to stay calm, consistent, and confident, even when it feels challenging.

Ready to transform tricky parenting moments into meaningful growth?
Tune in for game-changing tips and insights!
RESOURCES

Toddlers Made Easy online course
Potty Training Made Easy online course
Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class
Toddlers Made Easy book
200 Big-Hearted Scripts
FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training
And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

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 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 the Toddlers Made Easy online course.
RESOURCES

Toddlers Made Easy online course
Potty Training Made Easy online course
Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class
Toddlers Made Easy book
200 Big-Hearted Scripts
FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training
And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

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.
You’ll hear the story of Jamie, a little girl who absolutely did NOT want to leave, and how a doorknob offered the clue her parents needed.
Dr. Cathryn explains the “calm-calm-explode cycle” many parents fall into, why repeating yourself or getting more serious often doesn’t work, and how play can help you get your child’s attention without giving up the limit.
You’ll learn:
• Why resistance doesn’t always mean your child needs a firmer response
• How play can make transitions and everyday requests easier
• Simple ways to use play when getting dressed, leaving the house, or handling other moments of pushback
• Why being playful doesn’t mean being permissive
• When play probably won’t work and what to remember instead
Expectations don’t have to change. Your child still needs to put on the shoes, leave the playground, or get into bed.
Sometimes you just need a different route to get there.
Because discipline isn’t only about getting the behavior you want. It’s also about how you get there and the child standing in front of you.
RESOURCES

Toddlers Made Easy online course
Potty Training Made Easy online course
Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class
Toddlers Made Easy book
200 Big-Hearted Scripts
FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training
And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.

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 fears are so common during the toddler and preschool years, and why they can actually be a sign of growing imagination.
You’ll learn how to respond without dismissing your child’s fear, why a little preparation can make unfamiliar situations easier, and how small, manageable steps can help your child become more confident around things that scare them.
Because the goal isn’t to make every fear disappear. It’s to help your child learn, little by little, “I was scared, and I was okay.”
RESOURCES

Toddlers Made Easy online course
Potty Training Made Easy online course
Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class
Toddlers Made Easy book
200 Big-Hearted Scripts
FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training
And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.