Toddler 411 Featuring Megan Pierson of Potty Shop Part 2

03/06/19 • 49 min

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Are you a mom of a toddler? Today’s show is part 2 of a two-episode series about toddlerhood, with toddler expert Megan Pierson of The Potty Shop. In part 1 we discussed toddler behavior, development, discipline, and sleep. In part 2 we continue to discuss the in’s and outs of this time in our children’s lives, but also get to the nitty-gritty on toddler eating and most importantly Potty Training these little humans!

What’s In This Episode:

Tips for getting your toddler to eat
Using creativity to get your toddler their servings of fruits and vegetables
Making dinner time fun
Family dinners are not always realistic and that’s okay
Why toddlers throw food and how to deal with it
The value of giving choices and offering variety
Make mealtime shorter for your toddler
Tips for dining out with toddlers
What lead Megan to start her research into potty training
The pitfalls of the “cold turkey” method of potty training
Potty training is very individualized
Starting positive potty associations between 16 and 18 months
Modeling that using the bathroom is a normal part of life.
Physical, emotional, and cognitive signs that your toddler is ready for potty training
The importance of making sure that life is at a calm stage before beginning potty training
Expectations for how long potty training will take
Potty training as an “awake hours” activity vs. expectations for a child being night/nap trained
The right way to handle potty training accidents
How to offer rewards, not bribes
The advantage of fun underwear
Pitfalls of the “commando” method of potty training
Regressions in potty training
Advice for enjoying toddlerhood

What’s In This Episode:

Tips for getting your toddler to eat
Using creativity to get your toddler their servings of fruits and vegetables
Making dinner time fun
Family dinners are not always realistic and that’s okay
Why toddlers throw food and how to deal with it
The value of giving choices and offering variety
Make mealtime shorter for your toddler
Tips for dining out with toddlers
What lead Megan to start her research into potty training
The pitfalls of the “cold turkey” method of potty training
Potty training is very individualized
Starting positive potty associations between 16 and 18 months
Modeling that using the bathroom is a normal part of life.
Physical, emotional, and cognitive signs that your toddler is ready for potty training
The importance of making sure that life is at a calm stage before beginning potty training
Expectations for how long potty training will take
Potty training as an “awake hours” activity vs. expectations for a child being night/nap trained
The right way to handle potty training accidents
How to offer rewards, not bribes
The advantage of fun underwear
Pitfalls of the “commando” method of potty training
Regressions in potty training
Advice for enjoying toddlerhood

Previous Episode

Toddler 411 Featuring Megan Pierson of Potty Shop Part 1

Do you live with a bunch of tiny people who serve as your middle-of-the-night alarm clock, keep you on your toes with their unpredictable mood swings, and challenge you in new ways every day? Today’s episode is part 1 of a two-part series on toddlerhood. Since we are not experts on toddlerhood, we have enlisted the help of Megan Pierson of The Potty Shop to help.

In this episode, Megan covers toddler behavior & development and educates us on discipline methods and sleep training for these little humans of ours. She breaks down what all mamas need to know about their toddlers, what can be expected during this period of their life, and how you can best handle being a supportive figure to help them grow.

What’s In This Episode:

Megan’s background and how her career transitioned after becoming a mother
The age & developmental stages of toddlerhood
High tides & low tides when it comes to having a toddler
How smart and manipulative toddlers can be
The main challenges and themes a toddler will experience
How to approach your toddler when they are having a tantrum
Creating a spot in your home for your toddler
The importance of role-playing & utilizing pictures
How to successfully transition from activity to activity with your toddler
When to use time out & how to use it appropriately
Utilizing positive affirmation to reinforce positive behaviors
Sleep regressions in toddlerhood & creating firm boundaries around bedtime
Comforting toddlers during night terrors & nightmares
How to determine when to check in when your toddler cries at night
Transitioning a toddler from crib to bed

Next Episode

Navigating Your Career Alongside of Motherhood Featuring Erin Meanley Glenny Editor-in-Chief of San Diego Magazine

03.13.19

The balance between career and motherhood is one of the most challenging equations for today’s moms. Our guest today is Erin Meanley Glenny, the editor in chief of San Diego Magazine and mother of two young children. She shares some of her insights on the challenges and blessings of being a working mom as well as her perspective on the ways that the career landscape is evolving to support mothers in their return to the workforce.

What’s In This Episode:

How this generation of motherhood looks different than in previous generations
The ways in which Erin transitioned in her career before and after motherhood
The reality that driven, career-focused women often find challenges in balancing work ethic with the responsibilities of motherhood.
It’s okay if you’re not a “baby person”; embrace what you’re good at
How settling into a new identity can be overwhelming
How childcare arrangements can dictate options in a career after becoming a mother
Advice for returning to the workforce after having children
The importance of a good support network
Using meditation as a tool in career and motherhood
The emotional aspect of missing milestones
The value of being truly present when with family
The importance of giving yourself grace
Trusting in the guidance and care of child development professionals
How to approach an employer about an alternative work arrangement
Offering benchmarks as a valuable tool in seeking support from an employer
The importance of finding a good routine for your family
Discussion on “the baby penalty”
Mom guilt is common among high-achieving women who have stayed in their careers
Recognizing the need to take downtime as it comes
Real talk: It’s okay if your kids aren’t your whole world
The need for more mother and baby friendly businesses
The value in raising children who see their mother go to work