Training Wheels Are A Menace (with Strider Bike Founder Ryan McFarland) #98

Watching your kid learn to ride a bike can feel weirdly intense. It looks like a simple childhood skill, but it pokes at something bigger: our fear of seeing our kids struggle, our urge to step in, and the thin line between support and rescue. I sit down with Ryan McFarland, founder of Strider Bikes, to talk about why this milestone is so emotional and why it can shape a child’s confidence far beyond two wheels.Ryan built the first Strider balance bike in his garage for his two-year-old son, then watched how mobility changed everything: focus, decision making, strength, and that quiet “I can do hard things” energy. We dig into the practical side too, including why so many kids’ bikes are basically shrunken adult bikes that are too heavy, too tall, and too mismatched for short legs. When the gear doesn’t fit, kids don’t just fail, they get scared, and fear can stick.We also get a little nerdy in the best way about skill development. Balance is the foundation; pedaling is just propulsion. Ryan explains why training wheels can actually teach the wrong steering pattern, making the transition to two wheels feel confusing and risky for thoughtful kids. The parenting takeaway is simple and hard: let learning look like learning. Struggle often means growth is happening. Our job is to be a cheerleader, protect play, and give kids the right-sized challenge so resilience can form naturally.Get a Strider for YOUR Toddler HEREIf this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with a parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find the show.Send us Fan MailSupport the showIf parenting has felt hard lately… you don’t have to figure it out alone.Inside The Parent Lab, I’ll help you understand what’s actually going on underneath your child’s behavior — and give you simple, in-the-moment tools that actually work in real life.You’ll get access to my full course library, live coaching calls with me, practical workshops, and our 21-Day Sibling Challenge designed to help reduce the fighting and build better relationships between your kids.If you want support, tools, and a clear plan instead of just guessing your way through parenting… come join us inside The Parent Lab.CLICK HERE to Try the Parent Lab TodayOther Links to help you and me:Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings FreeFollow Whole Parent on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook,...

Denmark shows up near the top of the Happiness Index year after year, yet it is not topping every academic ranking or outspending everyone else. So what is going on? We talk with author, speaker, and cultural researcher Jessica Joelle Alexander about the Danish Way of Parenting and why Danish children are so often described as secure, resilient, and genuinely happy.We dig into the simplest but most overlooked driver of well being: meaningful relationships. From hygge and “weefulness” to collaboration over comparison, Jessica explains how Danish culture builds connection on purpose and how that changes the way kids handle stress, emotions, and belonging. We also unpack why Denmark treats play as essential learning, why respect based parenting matters, and how empathy becomes something kids live rather than something they memorize.Then we get practical. Jessica walks us through her PARENT framework (Play, Authenticity, Reframing, Empathy, No Ultimatums, Togetherness) and we wrestle with a uniquely American trap: turning even the healthiest parenting ideas into another achievement badge. Finally, we shift to modern parenting pressure around screens and phones, including Jessica’s digital citizenship conversation cards that help families set values around consent, bullying, critical thinking, communication, and online well being in a calm, in person way.Get Jessica's Book HEREVisit her website HERESubscribe for more conversations on conscious parenting, child development, emotional safety, and family culture, and if this helped you, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a review. What is one Danish idea you want to try first?Send us Fan MailSupport the showIf parenting has felt hard lately… you don’t have to figure it out alone.Inside The Parent Lab, I’ll help you understand what’s actually going on underneath your child’s behavior — and give you simple, in-the-moment tools that actually work in real life.You’ll get access to my full course library, live coaching calls with me, practical workshops, and our 21-Day Sibling Challenge designed to help reduce the fighting and build better relationships between your kids.If you want support, tools, and a clear plan instead of just guessing your way through parenting… come join us inside The Parent Lab.CLICK HERE to Try the Parent Lab TodayOther Links to help you and me:Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings FreeFollow Whole Parent on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook,...

This conversation on honest motherhood explains why so many parents feel like they’re disappearing—and what actually helps.If you’ve ever snapped at your kids, felt crushed by the mental load, or wondered why parenting feels so much harder than everyone else makes it look, this episode with Libby Ward (Diary of an Honest Mom) will hit deeply. We talk about people-pleasing, perfectionism, emotional regulation, childhood trauma, mom guilt, resentment, and the invisible pressure many parents carry every day. Most importantly, we unpack how self-abandonment quietly fuels burnout—and why meeting your own needs is not selfish parenting.What You’ll Learn:• Why overwhelmed moms often feel angry, resentful, or emotionally exhausted• The hidden connection between people-pleasing, burnout, and parenting triggers• How childhood experiences shape the way we respond to stress, tantrums, and emotional overwhelm• Why “being a good parent” doesn’t mean ignoring your own needs• Practical mindset shifts that reduce shame, power struggles, and emotional reactivityThis episode is grounded in developmental psychology, nervous system science, and the real emotional realities of parenting young kids. No perfect-parent messaging. No guilt. Just honest conversations that help parents understand what’s happening beneath the behavior—both in their kids and in themselves.If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself, carrying the entire mental load, or feeling like you’re failing during hard moments, this channel is here to help parenting feel calmer, clearer, and more manageable—one small shift at a time.Libby Ward’s book “Honest Motherhood”Send us Fan MailSupport the showIf parenting has felt hard lately… you don’t have to figure it out alone.Inside The Parent Lab, I’ll help you understand what’s actually going on underneath your child’s behavior — and give you simple, in-the-moment tools that actually work in real life.You’ll get access to my full course library, live coaching calls with me, practical workshops, and our 21-Day Sibling Challenge designed to help reduce the fighting and build better relationships between your kids.If you want support, tools, and a clear plan instead of just guessing your way through parenting… come join us inside The Parent Lab.CLICK HERE to Try the Parent Lab TodayOther Links to help you and me:Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings FreeFollow Whole Parent on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook,...

In this conversation, parenting coach Mary Van Geffen explains why “spicy kids” don’t respond to traditional discipline—and what actually helps instead.If your child refuses to listen, melts down over small things, pushes back on everything, or seems emotionally intense all day long, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening beneath the behavior. We talk about emotional regulation, ADHD and PDA traits, shame cycles, demand avoidance, connection vs. control, and why some kids need a completely different parenting approach. This is a grounded, practical conversation for overwhelmed parents who are exhausted by yelling, punishment, and constant conflict—and want calmer, more connected ways to parent without losing authority.What You’ll Learn:• Why strong-willed and deeply feeling kids often resist traditional discipline• How shame, punishment, and power struggles make behavior worse• What “connection over control” actually looks like in real life• Practical ways to reduce meltdowns, increase cooperation, and stay calm under pressure• How to parent explosive, sensitive, ADHD, PDA, or demand-avoidant kids without walking on eggshellsThis episode blends developmental psychology, neuroscience, and real-world parenting tools in a way that’s actually usable when you’re in the middle of hard moments. The focus isn’t on “perfect parenting.” It’s on understanding behavior more deeply so you can respond with clarity, confidence, and connection—even when your child is intense, reactive, or hard to reach.If you’ve been second-guessing yourself, wondering why typical parenting advice isn’t working, or feeling stuck in daily battles with your toddler or preschooler, this channel is here to help parenting feel lighter, calmer, and more doable—one hard moment at a time.Check out Mary Van Geffen's book: Parenting a Spicy OneSend us Fan MailSupport the showIf parenting has felt hard lately… you don’t have to figure it out alone.Inside The Parent Lab, I’ll help you understand what’s actually going on underneath your child’s behavior — and give you simple, in-the-moment tools that actually work in real life.You’ll get access to my full course library, live coaching calls with me, practical workshops, and our 21-Day Sibling Challenge designed to help reduce the fighting and build better relationships between your kids.If you want support, tools, and a clear plan instead of just guessing your way through parenting… come join us inside The Parent Lab.CLICK HERE to Try the Parent Lab TodayOther Links to help you and me:Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings FreeFollow Whole Parent on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook,...

In this Father’s Day conversation, we unpack the hidden mental health struggles of modern fatherhood, from postpartum anxiety in dads to feeling isolated, shut out, or unsure how to bond with your baby.If you’ve ever felt like parenting changed your identity, strained your relationship, or left you quietly struggling while everyone focused on the baby, this episode will hit home. Jon sits down with Kevin Seldon — founder of Dad Supporting Dads and author of The DILF Handbook — to talk about the emotional realities of fatherhood, why so many men suffer silently, and how better support for dads helps the entire family. This conversation covers paternity leave, emotional regulation, parenting partnerships, burnout, mental health, and what kids actually need most from us.What You’ll Learn:• Why many dads don’t feel an instant bond with their baby — and why that’s more common than people think• The hidden signs of paternal postpartum depression and perinatal anxiety• How parenting can trigger a major identity shift for both moms and dads• Why “good parents always put their kids first” can quietly lead to burnout and resentment• Practical ways dads can become more confident, connected, and emotionally engaged parentsThis episode is grounded in developmental psychology, attachment research, and the real lived experience of parenting young children. The goal isn’t perfection or “expert parenting” — it’s helping families feel more connected, supported, and less alone in the hard moments that nobody prepares you for.If parenting has felt heavier lately — more overstimulating, more isolating, more emotionally exhausting than you expected — this channel is here to help you make sense of what’s happening beneath the behavior so you can respond with more confidence and less second-guessing.Check out Kevin Seldon's book: "The DILF Handbook"Send us Fan MailSupport the showIf parenting has felt hard lately… you don’t have to figure it out alone.Inside The Parent Lab, I’ll help you understand what’s actually going on underneath your child’s behavior — and give you simple, in-the-moment tools that actually work in real life.You’ll get access to my full course library, live coaching calls with me, practical workshops, and our 21-Day Sibling Challenge designed to help reduce the fighting and build better relationships between your kids.If you want support, tools, and a clear plan instead of just guessing your way through parenting… come join us inside The Parent Lab.CLICK HERE to Try the Parent Lab TodayOther Links to help you and me:Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings FreeFollow Whole Parent on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook,...

Toddler emotional regulation feels impossible some days—especially when your child melts down over socks, refuses to listen, or completely falls apart at bedtime. In this conversation with Mama Nous, we talk about why music can calm tantrums, reduce power struggles, and actually help kids build confidence and resilience in everyday moments.If you’ve ever wondered how to help your toddler cooperate without yelling, how to stay calm during hard parenting moments, or why emotionally intelligent songs seem to “work” when nothing else does, this episode connects the neuroscience with real life. We talk about toddler meltdowns, emotional regulation, parenting triggers, power struggles, confidence-building, and the hidden ways our own childhood experiences shape how we parent today.What You’ll Learn:• Why singing can help toddlers transition, cooperate, and calm down faster• How music supports emotional regulation and reduces power struggles• Practical ways to help kids build confidence without pressure or shame• Why “good enough parenting” matters more than perfection• How to model emotional resilience without hiding your own feelingsThis episode blends developmental psychology, neuroscience, and honest parenting conversations in a way that’s practical enough to use during the hardest parts of the day. No rigid parenting scripts. No shame. Just tools that help parents stay regulated, connected, and more confident while raising emotionally healthy kids.If parenting feels overwhelming lately, and you want calmer days, fewer battles, and more confidence in how you respond to your child’s behavior, this channel is here to help. Subscribe so you have grounded, research-informed support the next time your toddler melts down, refuses to cooperate, or pushes every button you have.Check out Mama Nous' book: "I Can Do It!"Send us Fan MailSupport the showIf parenting has felt hard lately… you don’t have to figure it out alone.Inside The Parent Lab, I’ll help you understand what’s actually going on underneath your child’s behavior — and give you simple, in-the-moment tools that actually work in real life.You’ll get access to my full course library, live coaching calls with me, practical workshops, and our 21-Day Sibling Challenge designed to help reduce the fighting and build better relationships between your kids.If you want support, tools, and a clear plan instead of just guessing your way through parenting… come join us inside The Parent Lab.CLICK HERE to Try the Parent Lab TodayOther Links to help you and me:Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings FreeFollow Whole Parent on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook,...

In this conversation with Dr. Ross Greene, we unpack why so many kids struggle with frustration, big emotions, and power struggles… and why the usual parenting advice often makes things worse.If you’ve ever wondered why your child explodes over small things, refuses to cooperate, or seems overwhelmed by everyday expectations, this episode will completely shift how you see challenging behavior. We talk about toddler tantrums, emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, ADHD, anxiety, school stress, collaborative problem solving, and why kids do well if they can—not when we punish them hard enough. This is a practical, research-backed conversation for exhausted parents who want fewer meltdowns, less yelling, and a calmer way to parent through hard moments.What You’ll Learn:Why emotional regulation is not the first skill kids needWhat toddler meltdowns and explosive behavior are actually communicatingHow to reduce power struggles without becoming permissiveWhy punishment and consequences often fail with “challenging” kidsA simple mindset shift that helps parents stay calmer during difficult behaviorThis conversation is grounded in developmental psychology, neuroscience, and decades of real clinical experience working with kids who struggle with frustration, flexibility, and emotional overwhelm. The goal isn’t to control behavior—it’s to understand what’s beneath it so parents can respond more effectively and raise emotionally healthy, resilient kids.If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself every time your child melts down, refuses to listen, or spirals emotionally, this channel is here to help parenting feel clearer, calmer, and more doable in real life.Check out Dr. Ross Greene's Book: The Kids Who Aren't OKSend us Fan MailSupport the showIf parenting has felt hard lately… you don’t have to figure it out alone.Inside The Parent Lab, I’ll help you understand what’s actually going on underneath your child’s behavior — and give you simple, in-the-moment tools that actually work in real life.You’ll get access to my full course library, live coaching calls with me, practical workshops, and our 21-Day Sibling Challenge designed to help reduce the fighting and build better relationships between your kids.If you want support, tools, and a clear plan instead of just guessing your way through parenting… come join us inside The Parent Lab.CLICK HERE to Try the Parent Lab TodayOther Links to help you and me:Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings FreeFollow Whole Parent on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook,...

In this conversation with Dr. Peter Gray, we unpack what may actually be driving the mental health crisis in kids—and why so many parents still feel overwhelmed trying to help.If you’ve ever wondered whether technology is really the problem, why your child seems more stressed than you remember being as a kid, or how modern parenting and schooling may be affecting emotional regulation, independence, and resilience… this episode will challenge a lot of assumptions in the best way. We talk about toddler and preschool behavior, autonomy, anxiety, school stress, emotional health, and what kids actually need to thrive.What You’ll Learn:• Why many researchers don’t believe screens are the main cause of rising anxiety in kids• The hidden ways stress, pressure, and over-structured childhoods affect behavior• Why autonomy, free play, and independence matter for emotional regulation• What overwhelmed parents can do to reduce power struggles and raise more resilient kids• How to think critically about parenting trends without fear or guiltThis channel is built around practical, evidence-based parenting that helps you understand what’s happening underneath your child’s behavior—not just react to it in the moment. Every episode is designed to help you stay calmer, feel more confident, and make parenting feel a little less overwhelming.If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself during tantrums, meltdowns, bedtime battles, or emotional outbursts, subscribe and follow along. The goal here isn’t perfect parenting—it’s helping you understand your child well enough that hard moments start feeling easier to navigate.📚 Check out Peter Gray's book “Restoring Childhood”: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/784213/restoring-childhood-by-peter-gray/Send us Fan MailSupport the showIf parenting has felt hard lately… you don’t have to figure it out alone.Inside The Parent Lab, I’ll help you understand what’s actually going on underneath your child’s behavior — and give you simple, in-the-moment tools that actually work in real life.You’ll get access to my full course library, live coaching calls with me, practical workshops, and our 21-Day Sibling Challenge designed to help reduce the fighting and build better relationships between your kids.If you want support, tools, and a clear plan instead of just guessing your way through parenting… come join us inside The Parent Lab.CLICK HERE to Try the Parent Lab TodayOther Links to help you and me:Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings FreeFollow Whole Parent on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook,...

A viral clip says that telling your older child to “help your sister” damages both kids. I get why that message spreads fast, especially if you grew up as the oldest and felt like too much landed on your shoulders. But developmental psychology is more nuanced than a scroll-stopping soundbite, and mixing up parentification with age-appropriate help can leave parents stuck and anxious about every request they make.I break down what the research actually supports: yes, it can be unhealthy when an older child feels like the parent, carries ongoing responsibility, or becomes the default caregiver. That’s real, and it matters. But it’s also true that families thrive on cooperation, and small, bounded responsibilities can build autonomy, confidence, and trust. We talk about the difference between equality and equity, why “everyone gets the same” often fails in real homes with real ages and stages, and how to give kids what they need without trying to force a perfectly balanced scoreboard.You’ll hear practical ways to frame sibling teamwork, assign roles that fit each child’s capacity, and avoid resentment by keeping parents in charge while still letting kids contribute. If you want less sibling conflict and more cooperation, this conversation gives you a clear line between healthy helping and too much.Send us Fan MailSupport the showIf parenting has felt hard lately… you don’t have to figure it out alone.Inside The Parent Lab, I’ll help you understand what’s actually going on underneath your child’s behavior — and give you simple, in-the-moment tools that actually work in real life.You’ll get access to my full course library, live coaching calls with me, practical workshops, and our 21-Day Sibling Challenge designed to help reduce the fighting and build better relationships between your kids.If you want support, tools, and a clear plan instead of just guessing your way through parenting… come join us inside The Parent Lab.CLICK HERE to Try the Parent Lab TodayOther Links to help you and me:Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings FreeFollow Whole Parent on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook,...

Toddler parenting feels hardest when your child won’t listen, melts down over everything, or you’re running on empty trying to stay calm through the chaos. In this Mother’s Day conversation with Emily Vondy, we talk honestly about what parenting little kids actually feels like—and why so many overwhelmed parents feel both exhausted and deeply grateful at the same time.From toddler tantrums and emotional overwhelm to screen time, mom guilt, nap traps, and the hilarious reality of raising little kids, this episode is full of relatable moments and grounded parenting wisdom. If you’ve ever hidden snacks from your kids, questioned every parenting decision at 2 a.m., or wondered if you’re “doing enough,” this conversation will make you feel a little less alone—and a little more confident in the season you’re in.What You’ll Learn:• Why connection matters more than perfect parenting• How to stay grounded when parenting feels nonstop and overstimulating• The hidden pressure modern parents feel from social media and comparison• Why “enjoying your kids” can feel harder than it sounds—and how to reconnect• Practical mindset shifts that reduce guilt, power struggles, and overwhelmThis channel is built around evidence-based parenting, emotional regulation, child development, and the real-life challenges of raising toddlers and preschoolers. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s helping parents understand behavior, stay calmer during hard moments, and build stronger relationships with their kids in ways that actually work in everyday life.If parenting has been feeling loud, exhausting, or like you’re constantly second-guessing yourself, subscribe here so you have practical, research-backed support that helps daily life feel lighter, calmer, and more manageable—especially in the moments nobody prepares you for.Check out Emily Vondy's Book: Nap Trapped!Send us Fan MailSupport the showIf parenting has felt hard lately… you don’t have to figure it out alone.Inside The Parent Lab, I’ll help you understand what’s actually going on underneath your child’s behavior — and give you simple, in-the-moment tools that actually work in real life.You’ll get access to my full course library, live coaching calls with me, practical workshops, and our 21-Day Sibling Challenge designed to help reduce the fighting and build better relationships between your kids.If you want support, tools, and a clear plan instead of just guessing your way through parenting… come join us inside The Parent Lab.CLICK HERE to Try the Parent Lab TodayOther Links to help you and me:Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings FreeFollow Whole Parent on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook,...