Listener Q&A: Biting, Potty Training, Separation Anxiety & Early Lying

I answer four listener questions—toddler biting, potty training pressure, emotional daycare drop-offs, and early “lying” in preschoolers—breaking down what’s developmentally normal, what to do in the moment, and the practical, compassionate strategies that actually help (without shame, power struggles, or panic).I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Pique Tea: Secure 20% off your order and begin your intentional wellness journey today at Piquelife.com/humansKa'Chava: Go to https://kachava.com and use code HUMANS. New customers get twenty dollars off an order of two bags or more, January 1st through 31stZip Recruiter: Go to ZipRecruiter.com/HUMANSWayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things homeBetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/humansSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by education expert Lizzie Assa to talk about independent play—why it matters, what it actually builds in kids, and how to make it work in real life. We break down the difference between independent play and ignoring your child, how to respond when kids say “I’m bored,” and simple ways to set up your home so play can happen more naturally. Lizzie shares practical strategies like play prompts, play pockets, and quiet time, along with reassurance for parents who feel guilty stepping back. This conversation is all about helping kids build confidence, resilience, and creativity—while giving parents a little more breathing room too.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Suvie: Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their saleAvocado Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humans.Bobbie: If you want to feel good about what’s in your baby’s bottle, get 10% off with code humans at hibobbie.comOsea: Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code HUMANS at OSEAMalibu.comQuince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365 day returnsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Amy Griffin for a deeply personal conversation about what it means to re-parent yourself—and how that inner work quietly transforms your parenting. We talk about the pressure to be perfect, the role of control and trust in family relationships, and how healing your own story can create more safety for your kids. Amy shares how telling the truth, setting boundaries, and staying in the light reshaped the way she shows up as a mother, partner, and person—and why parenting isn’t about having the answers, but about doing the work with honesty and compassion.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Monarch: Use code HUMANS at monarch.com in your browser for half off your first yearSkims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.comSuvie: Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get 16 free mealsAvocado Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humans.Jones Road Beauty: Use code HUMANS at jonesroadHUMANS.com to get a Free Cool Gloss with your first purchase! These sell out fast so get them while they last! #JonesRoadHUMANS #adBobbie: If you want to feel good about what’s in your baby’s bottle, get 10% off with code humans at hibobbie.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode I am joined by Dr. Darby Saxby, a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Southern California as we delve into the transition to parenthood, particularly focusing on fathers and the concept of the 'dad brain.' We discuss how fathers experience physiological and psychological changes despite not giving birth, the vulnerability and opportunities for growth these changes bring, and how societal structures often fail to support new parents adequately. Dr. Saxby shares insights from her research, including how caregiving impacts brain structure in both mothers and fathers and the importance of fathers being involved at various stages of a child's development. I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Avocado Green Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! That’s an extra $25 off their current sale at AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humansOsea: Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code HUMANS at OSEAMalibu.comWayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things homeSuvie: Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their saleLaundry Sauce: Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code HUMANS at https://laundrysauce.com/HUMANS #laundrysaucepodTia: Go to bit.ly/asktia-humansPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek to rethink what learning actually looks like—and why play is at the center of it. We break down the science behind playful learning, the Six Cs kids need to thrive in a rapidly changing world, and why pressure, perfectionism, and early achievement often get in the way. Kathy and I talk about how play builds resilience, creativity, and real problem-solving skills, and why boredom is not a crisis but a developmental gift.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Gruns: Visit gruns.co and use code HUMANS at checkout for up to 52% off your first orderClean Safe Products: Go to cleansafeproducts.com/HUMANS now to get $15 off the Green Mitt KitBobbie: Get 10% off with code humans at hibobbie.comQuince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365 day returnsiRestore: Reverse hair loss with @iRestorelaser and unlock HUGE savings on the iRestoreElite with the code HUMANS at https://www.irestore.com/HUMANS!Avocado Green Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! That’s an extra $25 off their current sale at AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humansPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by NY Times bestselling author and host of Pulling The Thread Podcast Elise Loehnen for a conversation about the stories women absorb—about being good, selfless, agreeable—and how those narratives shape our lives in ways we rarely notice. We talk about the difference between feelings and facts, why so many of us default to over-functioning, and how these inherited scripts show up during big transitions like pregnancy and early motherhood. Elise and I unpack what it takes to step out of the drama triangle, why martyrdom feels familiar but unsustainable, and how to build a more spacious inner voice that lets you respond instead of react. I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code RGH20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry itemSaks: Head to saks.comSkims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.comWayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things homeGruns: Visit gruns.co and use code HUMANS at checkout for up to 52% off your first orderClean Safe Products: Go to cleansafeproducts.com/HUMANS now to get $15 off the Green Mitt KitPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo episode, I’m sharing 10 science-backed, practical ways to foster gratitude and prevent entitlement in kids. As the season of giving approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we can help our children appreciate what they have while staying grounded. I’ll cover everything from modeling gratitude in everyday moments to teaching kids the value of chores, delayed gratification, and empathy.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code RGH20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry itemSuvie: Check out Suvie’s Black Friday Sale for extra savings while it lasts. Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their saleMonarch: That’s 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code HUMANSSaks: Head to saks.comSkims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.comLaundry Sauce: Get Up to 40% Off Your entire order at https://laundrysauce.com/HUMANS Don’t miss their Biggest Sale of the Year! #laundrysaucepodTia:  -bit.ly/asktia-humansPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we take a clear-eyed look at how parents can protect their kids in a fast-moving digital world. After a recent conversation about AI left many listeners worried, I wanted to offer practical guidance—not panic. I’m joined by Hari Ravichandran, founder of a leading digital safety platform Aura, to talk about what kids are actually doing on their devices, how AI chatbots are being used, and why so much of it happens out of parents’ view. We break down simple, transparent ways to keep young people safe online without spying, how to set expectations when introducing a device, and what to watch for as kids navigate phones, apps, and AI. This is a grounded, actionable conversation for any parent trying to stay ahead of a rapidly changing digital landscape.Visit Aura.com/Humans to receive a 2-week free trial and 60%. off your first yearSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode, I talk with New York Times reporter Matt Richtel about what adolescence actually is—and why so much of what we think we know about teens is outdated. We discuss an entirely new framework for understanding the adolescent brain: a period designed for intense information processing, where kids are constantly reconciling what they’ve been taught with a fast-changing world. We unpack why teens don’t listen (and why it’s not personal), why overwhelm shows up as emotional explosions or rumination, and how parents can help their kids “reboot” instead of pushing more information into an already overloaded system. We also explore what adults can model—curiosity, coping skills, and the ability to live with ambiguity—to support teens through this challenging, necessary, and deeply meaningful developmental stage.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code RGH20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry itemFlavCity: Visit Shop FlavCity.com and use code GOODHUMAN15 at checkout for 15% offSuvie: Check out Suvie’s Black Friday Sale for extra savings while it lasts. Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their saleMonarch: That’s 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code HUMANSKiwiCo: Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code RGHiRestore: Reverse hair loss with @iRestorelaser and unlock HUGE savings on the iRestore Elite with the code HUMANS at www.irestore.com/humans Saks: Head to saks.comPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode, I speak with Professor Michael Pluess, renowned temperament researcher, to explore what it really means to have a "sensitive" child. We break down the science behind sensitivity as a key part of temperament, why some kids are more reactive to both positive and negative experiences, and how parenting can shape their outcomes. We discuss the genetic and environmental roots of sensitivity, common misunderstandings around the trait, and what parents can do to support emotional regulation.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Gruns: Visit gruns.co and use code HUMANS at checkout for up to 52% off your first orderClean Safe Products: Go to cleansafeproducts.com/HUMANS now to get $15 off the Green Mitt KitKendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code RGH20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry itemFlavCity: Visit Shop FlavCity.com and use code GOODHUMAN15 at checkout for 15% off Wayfair: Head to Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday deals for up to 70% offQuince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365-day returnsSuvie: Check out Suvie’s Black Friday Sale for extra savings while it lasts. Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their salePlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.