Your Kid Really Shouldn't Have All the Cookies (And No, That's Not Diet Culture)

I was at the grocery store with my nine-year-old. She'd had a hard day (the class bully had gone after her) and she wanted everything. Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Brioche with Nutella. Red velvet cupcakes. Whipped cream straight from the aerosol can. And I said no to most of it.In today's episode, I'm talking about why. I'm also talking about why I think the "let kids eat whatever they want, whenever they want" message that's everywhere in the body-positive parenting space is missing something really important.Read more.Mentioned in this episode:New Book! Raising Body-Confident KidsYou want your kids to love their bodies. You're still trying to do both. My new book, Raising Body-Confident Kids, helps you do both. Releases Sept 1, 2026. Pre-order your copy here: https://www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books

When we become doctors, lawyers, or teachers, there are exams, certifications, and years of preparation. But when we become parents, we’re handed a newborn and sent home.Dr. Debbie Raphael—a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist—became a mother at the same time she began her child psychiatry fellowship. That unusual overlap gave her a rare opportunity: she was learning the science of child development at the exact moment she was living it. Over time, she began journaling about that experience, eventually turning those reflections into her forthcoming book, Carry My Strength, which explores the emotional and psychological layers of parenting.In this episode, Dr. Whitney and Dr. Raphael talk about the emotional realities of parenting—from the identity shifts that happen when we become parents to the ways our own childhood experiences shape how we raise our kids.Read more.

Potty training can feel like one of the most stressful milestones in early parenting. There’s pressure from preschool deadlines, advice from every corner of the internet, and the nagging feeling that your child is the only one who hasn’t figured it out yet. But what if potty training struggles aren’t really about behavior at all?In this episode, Dr. Whitney talks with Dr. Quiara Smith, a pediatric pelvic health occupational therapist and founder of Aloha Integrative Therapy, about the many biological, sensory, and developmental factors that influence toileting.They discuss why constipation, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and muscle coordination all play a role in toileting success (and why the “three-day potty training method” often misses the bigger picture).If potty training has been a source of stress in your family, this episode offers a compassionate, evidence-based perspective on what might actually be going on inside your child’s body.Read more.

In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney sits down with obesity medicine specialist Dr. Matthea Rentea to unpack the complicated, often controversial topic of weight, metabolism, and health.They discuss why muscle and sleep play critical roles in metabolic health, and why many people struggle with food “noise.” They also talk openly about GLP-1 medications, diet culture, and how parents can model healthier relationships with food and bodies for their kids.This honest conversation explores the science, psychology, and lived experience behind weight and health without shame or oversimplification.Read more.

Parenting can bring enormous joy but it can also put significant strain on relationships.In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with registered clinical counselor Martina Nova, author of Same Page Parenting, to talk about one of the most common challenges couples face after having children: getting on the same page.They discuss the invisible mental load that many parents (especially mothers!) carry, why conversations about parenting and division of labor often go sideways, and how couples can communicate more effectively when emotions run high.The conversation also explores how family-of-origin experiences shape parenting decisions, how to repair conflict in front of kids in healthy ways, and why raising neurodivergent children can add additional layers of stress and complexity to relationships.This episode offers practical tools and thoughtful insights for couples who want to parent as a team even when things feel messy.Read more.

In this episode of The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with professional organizer MaryJo Monroe, founder of ReSPACEd, to talk about realistic home organization strategies that actually work for busy families, especially those navigating ADHD, autism, and neurodiversity.Together, they explore how organization can reduce overwhelm, save time, and support emotional regulation without creating more stress. From decluttering kids’ spaces to creating ADHD-friendly routines and realistic systems families can maintain, this episode offers practical tools for building homes that support real life — not perfection.Learn more here.

What happens when a child grows up feeling “different” without the language to understand why?In this episode of The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with author Nancy Lasater to discuss her novel Farmer’s Son, a powerful story exploring dyslexia, identity, family dynamics, and the lifelong impact of being misunderstood as a child.Together, they explore how learning differences shape confidence, why many neurodivergent kids come into their own on their own timeline, and how parents can shift from rigid expectations toward supporting who their child truly is. This episode is a thoughtful conversation about parenting outside the box, redefining success, and helping kids feel safe, seen, and supported.Read more.

What does it really mean to be a good daughter...and why does it feel so exhausting for so many women?In this episode, Dr. Whitney Casares is joined by Dr. Allison Alford, communication scholar and author of Good Daughtering, to explore the invisible emotional labor daughters carry across generations. They unpack how caregiving, obligation, gender expectations, and the “sandwich generation” collide...and why redefining daughtering is essential for women’s mental health, identity, and self-preservation. This conversation is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to earn your worth by overextending yourself and that you’re already doing enough.Read more.

In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with Alyssa Campbell, parenting educator, school consultant, and bestselling author of Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, to talk about why the elementary and middle school years can feel surprisingly hard for kids and parents.They unpack what’s really going on beneath meltdowns, shutdowns, and “they’re old enough to know better” moments, including how nervous systems, sensory processing, and neurodivergence shape kids’ behavior. Alyssa shares powerful stories from her own family and from her work in schools, showing why regulation—not perfection—is the foundation for learning, connection, and emotional growth.This conversation is a validating reminder that parenting isn’t about doing everything “right.” It’s about understanding the kid you actually have, meeting them where they are, and learning how to move through hard moments together.Read more.

In this episode, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for children and families.Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research shows that early, evidence-based interventions can lead to measurable, lifelong improvements in IQ, social skills, independence, and educational placement, often determining whether a child can thrive in mainstream education or requires ongoing specialized support.The conversation also tackles a critical and often overlooked issue: access. Dave Justus shares the personal motivation behind NeuroQure’s work and explains why the test is being launched at cost, with installment plans and employer subsidies, while the team works toward insurance coverage. The goal is to prevent families from losing precious years waiting for answers.------Our kids are growing up surrounded by misinformation about health, beauty, and worth. My new book, My One-of-a-Kind Body, helps kids ages 7–12 understand how their bodies work, what real health means, and how to build body confidence grounded in science, not social media. It features kids of all races, sizes, abilities, and family backgrounds, so every child feels seen and respected.GRAB YOUR COPY