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Host Jessica Rolph breastfed all three of her children, but weaning the last has been an emotional experience. It’s hard to say how many mothers breastfeed beyond that first year or two, but often those mothers feel judged for choosing to continue.   Lyndsey Hookway joins us to help demystify “extended” breastfeeding and offer tips on weaning for those who are ready. She is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant for The Maternity Collective, based out of the UK.   Highlights: [1:14] Why do we refer to breastfeeding beyond age 2 as “extended”? [3:15] Jessica shares her personal experience feeding her daughter, even though it’s clearly not a nutritional experience anymore. [5:14] What are some of the benefits to the nursing mother? [7:02] Can breast milk lose some of its nutritional value over time? As volume decreases, why does the child still want to suck?  [8:30] If a mother wants to continue breastfeeding her toddler when a newborn arrives, is there any reason why she shouldn’t nurse both children simultaneously? What does the science say about this?  [11:20] Tender breasts are common with pregnancy and often initiate a natural weaning process. [13:11] Is there an optimum period to wean your child? [16:13] Lyndsey talks about hormonal fluctuations that can cause sadness after weaning, as well as temporary difficulty sleeping. [18:09] How to handle a toddler who keeps asking to be breastfed at night? [21:03] What is step one for a mother who wants to start the weaning process? [23:21] Lyndsey shares some additional tips for weaning during the day. [26:10] What to do if you’re feeling anxious about the weaning process.  [28:54] Jessica shares takeaways from her conversation with Lyndsey Hookway.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com  Find Lyndsey @Lyndsey_Hookway   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram   Listen to Perspectives on feeding: Baby-led weaning with Jenny Best

Switching your child from a crib to bed can be a big milestone! Most sleep experts recommend waiting until your child is around three years old.    Jessica Rolph, your host,  is joined by Dana Obleman to discuss what factors might go into that timing. Dana is an Infant and Child Sleep Consultant and the creator of The Sleep Sense Program.   Highlights: [1:08] What are the signs that your child is ready to make the switch from a crib to a bed?  [1:50] What should parents do when their child is climbing out of the crib? [3:30] How much weight should parents give to their children's request to be in a big bed?  [4:39] Night training in a bed: Will your child keep you up all night with requests to go to the potty?  [6:13] What can parents do when their child is potty trained during the day but not as confident at night? [8:02] If parents are welcoming a new sibling and want to use the crib for the baby, how should they manage this situation with their toddler?  [9:45] Is there anything parents can do to make the crib more comfortable for an older child?  [11:17] How can you best prepare a child for this transition? [13:11] What kind of bed does Dana recommend parents transition to?  [14:06] How concerned should parents be about the child rolling out? [14:56] What kind of child-proofing needs to happen when a child has access to the bedroom at night?  [16:14] What are some positive ways to handle night waking?  [17:43] Dana speaks about co-sleeping. [19:52] Does Dana have tips for parents that were co-sleeping and now making the switch? [21:09] Dana explains why sleep is a skill. [21:58] Jessica shares the key takeaways from her conversation with Dana Obleman.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.  

Navigating the ups and downs of divorce looks different in each situation, but there are some universal ways to make it easier on our children. These start with better communication — rules around communicating that put your child first.   Here to help us establish some of these best practices is Dr. Tamara Afifi, a professor in Interpersonal Health Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her TedX Talk The impact of divorce on children has been viewed some 700,000 times.    Highlights: [1:29] What are the most common issues that you see with families confronting divorce?  [2:34] What kind of communication is not positive for children? [3:59] How does divorce affect children in the short-term?   [5:06] What can divorced parents do to support their children’s resiliency over time? [6:25] What are some best practices for divorced parents? [9:47] A listener shares a question about maintaining consistency when it comes to childcare. [11:45] How does divorce impact young children differently?  [13:18]  We are closer to our children than in previous generations. How has this changed the way that children experience divorce?  [14:30] How can we differentiate between a divorce-related behavior and something else that might need to get addressed?  [16:07] Tammy zooms the lens out and offers some perspective. [18:58] Jessica shares her top takeaways.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com   Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram

Birthing is a topic we all want to weigh in on, but death? Not so much. We tend to avoid the subject, and when it comes to talking to our child about death, choosing the right words is hard. Of course, there’s no “right” way to talk about death except to lead with honesty and love.   Jessica Rolph, your host, welcomes Michele Benyo to the show. She is the founder of Good Grief Parenting. Michele came to this work in the wake of losing her child 20 years ago and helping his sibling through the grief. Today, Jessica and Michele discuss how parents can support their children through the death of a pet or loved one.   Highlights: [1:26] What do parents need to know about how children grieve? [3:13] How can parents help a grieving child? [4:30] Michele gives examples of some mistakes parents make when discussing death with children. [6:53] How can parents begin to use direct language to talk about death with their children? [9:19] How does grief manifest through play? [11:41] A question from the Lovevery community: “How do you answer: Are Grandma and Grandpa going to die? Followed by, Are you and Daddy going to die?” [13:52] When do children start to understand death? [15:27] How can we prepare our children for the death of someone who is close to death? [17:10] Another question from a listener: “How do I incorporate family members who died into my son’s life at 7 months old? How do I explain to him that they’re no longer here, but they love him very much?” [20:11] Ways to approach the death of a pet. [22:47] How should we prepare children for a funeral? [25:08] Jessica shares her takeaways from the conversation with Michele Benyo.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Good Grief Parenting Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.  

Pacifiers are so convenient… until they’re not. At some point, there can be concerns about developing teeth and interference with speech, and weaning a child off a pacifier can be challenging.   The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and speech and language therapists recommend starting that weaning process between 6 to 12 months, and weaning entirely before a child’s third birthday.    To guide us through that transition, My New Life host Jessica Rolph welcomes Dr. Amy Conrad to today’s episode. Dr. Amy is a mother to a 10-month-old, a Lovevery customer, and the host of the Ask Doctor Amy podcast.   Highlights: [1:19] Dr. Amy talks about the pros and cons of pacifier use. [3:42] What red flags should parents be looking for with regard to pacifier use? [5:52] Dr. Amy shares her thoughts about the paci fairy approach. [7:25] If a child is using a pacifier all through the day and at night, is it advisable to wean them from the pacifier during awake times, and then eventually extend that to nap-time and finally bedtime?  [8:38] Can we revert to pacifiers when a child gets sick or during a trip? [9:30] What about gradually shortening the tips of the pacifier?  [10:40] How much of a concern is tooth decay, and how and when should we wean our child from the bottle? [11:08] What are some signs that your baby is ready for a drinking cup?  [12:31] How and when to use sippy cups, open cups, and bottles?  [13:52] Jessica shares her takeaways from the conversation with Dr. Amy.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.

The stress of separation is real — it can be upsetting for both you and your child. Whether it be a child sobbing for you to stay when the babysitter shows up or clinging to your leg at drop-off, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing it all wrong when these raw emotions take over.   My New Life’s Jessica Rolph welcomes Family Psychologist Ashleigh Warner to help parents navigate this tricky terrain. Ashleigh reassures us that these feelings are normal, and shares ways to make separations easier on everyone involved.   Highlights: [1:45] What is causing our babies and toddlers to get so upset when we leave the room?  [3:02] Ashleigh talks about Dr. Gordon Neufeld’s model of attachment. [5:15] Ashleigh explains why it is completely normal for a child to struggle at drop-off. [6:37] What happens if there are a few caregivers, who might even change day by day?  [7:30] How to handle attachment in a daycare setting for a baby?  [9:03] Is sneaking out recommended? How should parents handle separation? [11:21] What can caretakers do to make separation less traumatic? [14:45] What is the role of distraction? Are distractions recommended? [15:58] How long is it okay for a child to be crying and upset over a separation?  [17:34] Is it ok to go back for your child if the crying is more than you can handle? [21:05] Should caregivers be practicing a few things at home before a big transition like starting daycare or preschool? [22:30] What are ways that caregivers can build trust in their children that they will always return? [23:30] Jessica presents the question of a listener. She’s a Navy mom who is gone a lot, and finds it painful when her child expresses a preference for Daddy. What advice does Ashleigh have for this mom?  [25:02] How can a parent ease the transition when returning to work? [26:38] Jessica shares her takeaways from her conversation with Ashleigh Warner.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com @raisinghumanskind Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.

Screens are hard to avoid in today’s world, and when our children do have access, turning them off can bring on some big emotions! Have you ever wondered why they have these oversized reactions? Or how to avoid them?   My New Life host Jessica Rolph is joined by  Dr. Martha Deiros Collado, a psychologist specializing in family therapy who has her own podcast called Talking Sense, and an Instagram presence at @dr.martha.psychologist. Listen to today’s episode for simple tips to bring more harmony to the conclusion of screen time.    Highlights: [1:03] Does Dr. Martha use screens with her three-year-old? [2:11] Which shows does Dr. Martha consider appropriate for her daughter?  [3:29] A listener asks for help managing her 3 year old’s big reactions every time she turns off the screen. [4:19] What is a parent to do about these meltdowns? [7:41] What is actually happening in the child’s brain while they are engaged with a screen? [11:22] Is there any evidence that the type of programming can affect children’s behavior?  [13:55] Does sticking to a schedule or having some kind of routine around screens help with limit setting? [16:02] Another parent shares a questions about timing exposure to screens. [18:23] Should parents use screen time as a reward? And what about withholding screens as a punishment? [23:55] What are some best practices around modeling moderation for our children? [27:18] Jessica shares takeaways from her conversation with Dr. Martha.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.

Is your child refusing to sit on the toilet? Or waiting until the pull-up is on to go poop? You’re not alone. For a lot of parents, the potty learning process is more drawn out than we anticipate. For some, it takes months or even years.   In previous episodes, you heard some common potty-training scenarios. We shared the advice of the author of Oh Crap Potty Training and Nicole Kavanaugh’s Montessori approach. In today’s episode, Host Jessica Rolph welcomes Quiara Smith, an occupational therapist specializing in pediatric pelvic floor health, to help with the trickier cases when it comes to learning potty etiquette.   Highlights: [1:42] What scenarios are most common in Quiara’s practice?  [2:28]  What are Quiara’s recommendations for a child who is withholding poop until nap time or night?  [3:25] What if the child’s sensory system is overwhelmed? [4:55] Is there anything that parents can do to create a more favorable environment in the bathroom for their child?  [6:46] A specific potty challenge scenario from one of Lovevery's listeners. [8:42] How firmly should parents hold boundaries around the use of diapers to poop?  [9:46] A listener asks a question about how we can help a toddler to differentiate between a diaper and pull-ups/training pants. [12:26] How can parents help their children to transition from the potty to the toilet? Listen to a parent whose child has been rejecting the regular toilet for almost a year. [15:24] What to do when your child uses the potty at school, but not at home? Or visa versa. [17:33] What can parents do when their child is withholding to the point of constipation? [20:09] What is the average time frame for learning to use the potty? Is there a point at which parents should seek outside help? [21:40] What do parents do if their child is potty trained and then experiences a regression?  [22:36] Quiara shares tips to continue potty training while traveling. [24:09] Quiara’s final advice.  [25:37] Jessica gives her takeaways from the conversation with Quiara Smith.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.   Listen to Perspectives on Toileting with the Author of 'Oh Crap! Potty Training' and A Montessori Perspective on Toilet Learning. Find additional tips on potty training on the Lovevery blog at lovevery.com.

This week we are revisiting our most-downloaded episode from Dec. 1, 2021, as we prepare for our upcoming season: Transitions. In the new season of the podcast, we will take a look at transitions from diapers to potty, crib to bed, saying goodby to pacifiers, and lots more.   Language milestones are a hot topic. When should my baby be speaking? And how many words? So much is tied up in our ability to communicate with our little people. On today’s episode of My New Life, we call in the experts to get your baby talking!    While the timeline for those treasured first words varies from child to child, there are some time-tested tricks to help the process along. Spoiler: Don’t be afraid to sing to your child. Jessica Rolph, your host, is accompanied by speech language experts Bridget Hillsberg and Brooke Dwyer, aka the Speech Sisters.   Key Takeaways: [1:54] How much is nature vs nurture when it comes to a child developing language? [3:13] Bridget and Brooke talk about their babies’ language development. [4:47] The Speech Sisters’ number one tip for parents: imitate. [6:05] What’s the difference between baby talk and imitating?  [8:01] Another tip for parents: Act it out. [9:25] Listening, labeling, and demonstrating play an important role in encouraging language development. [12:37] What constitutes saying the first word versus babbling? If you know what they mean when they say it, does that count as a word?  [13:23] How much should a child be talking? What’s typical? And when should we worry? [16:04] Bridget and Brooke share stories about children who received early intervention to assist in their language development. [18:25] Can a child learn language through screens? [21:17] How much of a child’s language development stems from parent intervention versus screens or some other outside service? [23:15] Parents have a tremendous impact on their children’s language acquisition.    Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Speech Sisters on Instagram Find more about Bridget and Brooke on SpeechSisters.com

The first years of a baby’s life can feel anything but simple. While their needs are few, namely love, food, sleep, and play, parents often feel pressure to provide the absolute best on these fronts. The best food. The best sleep. The best play.    We are told that to accomplish this by doing more: more playdates, more lessons, more outings, and more variety on the table. Jessica Rolph is joined by Kim John Payne on today’s episode to help us question this approach. He is the author of the best-seller Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids and he has also written: The Soul of Discipline: The Simplicity Parenting Approach to Warm, Firm, and Calm Guidance — From Toddlers to Teens and Being at Your Best When Your Kids Are at Their Worst: Practical Compassion in Parenting.   Highlights:: [2:07]  What does Simplicity Parenting mean? [3:15] Kim lists the four main areas to start simplifying your child’s life. [5:20] How do parents know if a toy is purposeful before they decide to bring it home?  [7:25] The power of predictability: Why do children benefit from knowing what to expect?  [12:24] What does a Waldorf-informed mealtime look like?  [15:10] How can parents simplify their lives more proactively and less reactively?  [17:12] A child’s brain processes a fraction slower than adults; Kim explains how to match their timing. [20:17] Kim shares tips for parents who are struggling with the transition from a busy day to reentering the family unit at a slower pace. [24:18] Jessica offers three takeaways from her conversation with Kim John Payne.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.   Simplicity Parenting Podcast

Sibling rivalry is normal. The kids usually move on quickly, but it often leaves us adults unhinged. What can we do to help diffuse those tense moments, and maybe even build some mutual respect?   In the spring we shared an episode about bringing home a new baby sibling. In today’s episode, we are following up with Lovevery expert Gabrielle Felman on sibling dynamics. We look at how to handle jealousy, possessiveness, fighting, as well as best practices around intervening, modeling resolutions, and incorporating one-on-one time. Gabrielle is an Early Childhood Development Expert based in New York.   Highlights: [1:46] When you are praising one of your children, is it necessary to compliment the other? [5:39] What is the best way to approach having special time with each of your children? How do you manage the other child’s emotions? [7:14] When do parents need to step in when it looks like a fight is brewing? [9:59] How can you help your children work together to come to a resolution? [14:25] How should parents handle children’s possessiveness over things? [17:04] What’s the best way to explain fairness and inequality? [19:01] What to do when your younger child wants a later bedtime like their sibling. [20:41] What is one thing that parents can do to foster better sibling relationships? [21:35] Jessica shares her takeaways from the conversation with Gabrielle.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.

We hear a lot about the first 3 years of a baby’s life — how critical those years are to brain development. But today’s guest, the author of The Baby and the Biome, would argue that the same window is just as critical for our gut. Probiotics may have a role in keeping that system healthy. But are probiotics helpful to babies? And what about when you’re pregnant? Jessica Rolph, your host, welcomes Meenal Lele, founder of Lil’ Mixins.   Highlights: [1:39] When do babies pick up their first dose of bacteria?  [2:54] How does birth affect this bacterial environment? How does the introduction of bacteria differ between a C-section and a vaginal birth? [4:56]  What can people who have C-sections do to replicate the bacteria that’s introduced during a vaginal birth? [5:58] Should parents bathe their babies right away, or is there any benefit to letting them go unbathed for those first few days?  [7:18] What are significant sources of good bacteria for your baby to build their microbiome in those first weeks?  [9:18] What kind of probiotics does Meenal recommend for mixing into formula? How do you work those into breast milk? [11:11] When our babies start to eat solid foods, should we supplement with probiotics?  [12:51] What are other benefits of probiotics and supplementation? [14:22] What would Meenal do if she had a baby now, knowing everything she knows? [17:18] Why have human microbiomes lost microbial diversity? [21:52] Jessica shares her top takeaways from the conversation with Meenal.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.  

Screens are so effective at distraction, but equally effective at causing parents angst! In today’s interview, Jessica Rolph is joined by Lovevery expert, Dr. Zach Stuckelman, to get to the bottom of the research on screens and young brains.    They examine which content is better than others, and whether those learning apps are really teaching our kids anything. They also explore the value of video chatting and looking at family pictures or videos together on a phone.   Highlights: [2:01] Are screens bad? How much is too much? [5:18] Zach breaks down the age bands for screens to help parents navigate what to do when. [7:08] How do we pick the best screen content for our children? What is the difference between something like Little Bear, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and Powerpuff Girls?  [10:14] Is video chatting with family members different than “regular screen time”? [11:18] How about screen time on a long trip with an 18-month-old? [12:40] Is it ok to let children look at pictures of their family and videos of themselves playing? [13:47] What kind of time limits should parents enforce? [14:50] What to do when an older sibling gets access to a screen and the younger child is below the ideal age range? [17:12] Jessica shares her takeaways from the conversation.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.   You’ll find tips on how to scale back on screen time in Jessica’s interview with Meghan Owenz from September of 2020. 

Usually when we consider having another baby, personal preferences factor heavily into decisions around timing — things like budget or sibling dynamics. But it’s rare to consider the health impacts, and it’s even less common to discuss birth spacing with your doctor.   Jessica Rolph, your host, welcomes Dr. Alison Gemmill to today’s episode. Alison is an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins, in the Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health. She shares the biological benefits and risks associated with the timing of your pregnancies, with the goal of helping listeners make informed decisions about when to grow their families.   Key Takeaways: [1:35] What does the research tell us about the optimum time between pregnancies? [2:27] What are the benefits of waiting 18 months between pregnancies? [3:22] What should parents be doing about spacing between a miscarriage?  [3:58] What about waiting more than five years? [5:38] What risks are at play in the case of an older mom? [8:51] What does research show in regard to the connection between autism and birth intervals less than 18 months? [10:11] What is Dr. Gemmill’s theory on how much the baby takes from the mother’s nutritional reserve and for how long it takes to build that backup? [11:33] Jessica shares her top three takeaways from her with Dr. Gemmill.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram Pregnant with your second? Listen to My New Life Episode 22: “New additions: Bringing home a sibling” with Gabrielle Felman, and you’ll find more insights on sibling dynamics on the Lovevery app. Details at Lovevery.com

With everything we have to worry about in today’s world, it’s easy to lose sight of how our children can have their own big worries too. Things like getting nails clipped, night-time noises, strangers, doctors, even entering a pool can feel overwhelming to our children.   How do we help them push through their fears? Which are normal, and which are extreme? And how do we validate their feelings without making their fears worse? Jessica Rolph, your host, welcomes Pediatric Psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart to today’s episode. She is an expert in childhood anxiety and helps parents distinguish between appropriate behavior and something that requires more attention.   Key Takeaways:  [1:48] What should parents do and not do when it comes to soothing their children’s fears? [3:11] What’s the optimal way to handle fear?  [4:22] How to tackle repetitive fears? [6:08] When does separation anxiety become a concern?  [8:17] Where do parents draw the line between encouraging, strongly encouraging, or even making their child try something new, while also respecting their fears? [10:35] How can we help a child push through their fear? [13:15] Do we push through the first time they face a fear, or can gradual exposure begin the second or third time?  [15:07] What is a normal level of apprehension towards strangers for toddlers and what is extreme?  [18:30] How do parents avoid over-pathologizing their children? [21:17] Where can parents get help with their questions about anxiety?  [22:03] Dr. Lockhart suggests parents be aware of what we are consuming. [23:33] Jessica shares the highlights of her conversation with Dr. Lockhart.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram. Connect with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart on Instagram

Young children are naturally egocentric. This is a normal part of their development, as they must first make sense of the world around them through their own eyes, before they can see it through someone else’s. In fact, until they approach preschool age, they have little reason to believe that others might have feelings or thoughts different from their own. But getting them to eventually understand that everyone’s got their own perspective, is how we teach kindness.   Empathy — the ability to imagine how others might be feeling — is a cornerstone of kindness, and Jessica Rolph, your host, is joined by  Monica Guthrie-Purchase to help us support our children in building that skill. Monica is a Start Early Education Coordinator. She is also the mother of two adult sons and grandmother to one granddaughter.   Key Takeaways: [2:01] What is the first step to building kindness? [2:45] How can parents model empathy? [5:10] When do children start showing that they have empathy?  [6:43] How can parents help their children build perspective? [9:34] The benefits of teaching your child that a person isn’t bad, only their behavior. [11:18] Should parents encourage their child to make an apology?  [14:24] Monica shares some practical activities to teach empathy. [16:28] How can books help children build kindness and empathy? [17:23] Thinking of others can become part of the daily routine at home. [20:46] Jessica shares her top takeaways from the conversation with Monica Guthrie-Purchase.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.   Kindness Starts With You, Jacquelyn Stagg

Independence, freedom, order, beauty. These are all elements of the Montessori play space, and who doesn’t want these things for their child? However, sometimes adopting a Montessori approach can feel like a high bar.   Jessica Rolph, your host, is joined by Simone Davies, author of The Montessori Baby and The Montessori Toddler. She can also be found online at The Montessori Notebook, where she gives tips, answers questions, and provides workshops to parents.   Simone would argue that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing when it comes to embracing Montessori at home; there are many small ways to incorporate Montessori, practices that not only reduce clutter but also bring more ease into our daily routines with our toddlers.    Key Takeaways: [2:06] Does Montessori’s focus on real experiences get in the way of a child’s natural inclination towards fantasy and imagination?  [4:05] How does Montessori reconcile this focus on the “real” with a child’s enthusiasm for dress up and fantasy play?  [5:18] What are the differences between Montessori at school and Montessori at home?  [6:31] How long should caregivers allow children to be immersed in self-driven tasks?  [7:44] What does it mean to be a Montessori parent? Who is Montessori for? [8:42] What does freedom within limits look like in a Montessori home setting? [9:28] Is there a Montessori view on discipline?  [11:14] What does “Follow the child” entail? [13:20] What are some ways to create a “Yes space”?  [14:49] How can parents support their child’s freedom of expression and movement in a small home?  [16:02] Simone talks about how having a beautifully prepared environment can feel out of reach for some people. [17:26] What is the best way to implement toy rotation? [19:40] What are some ways that families can incorporate Montessori at home without spending any money?  [22:10] Jessica shares the highlights of an inspiring conversation with Simone Davies.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.

Play has so much to teach us, children and parents alike. Sometimes parents can get a little too involved in their child’s play, particularly with the extra cool toys. When does our guidance become interference? And what amount of direction is appropriate?   Dave Neale joins Jessica Rolph on this episode to help us strike the right balance. Dave is a researcher in the psychology of play at the Centre for Research on Play in Education, Development and Learning at the University of Cambridge.   Key Takeaways: [1:13] Dave explains the ‘sweet spot’ when a parent can provide support while not being too involved in the child’s play. [3:20] Playing and its link with structured learning. [5:30] How to find the balance between helping children achieve the goal of a game or letting them just explore the materials. [8:18] Play with your children, engagement and becoming an entertained play partner are the most important factors. [9:23] The effects of a parent who is not sufficiently involved. [12:23] What is Dave’s favorite activity to do with 0-12 months old babies?   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Learn more about Dave Neale Centre for Research on Play in Education, Development & Learning (PEDAL)   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.

Any pregnant mom will tell you: Their body goes through a major transformation! And with each passing month, nutritional needs change. We hear lots about omega-3s, but did you know that protein and choline play critical roles in the baby’s development in utero? Host Jessica Rolph speaks with Registered Dietitian Ryann Kipping, founder of The Prenatal Nutritionist.   Key Takeaways: [1:40] What is the role of protein in a pregnant person’s diet? [5:05] In what ways should our diet shift post-pregnancy?  [9:54] What nutrients are particularly important during the last stage of pregnancy?  [12:35] What risks come with not gaining enough weight during pregnancy? [15:07] What is better for preconception: Folic acid or folate? [18:02] What are Ryann’s tips around supplementation during pregnancy?   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Dr. Brewer's Pregnancy Diet The Prenatal Nutritionist Follow The Prenatal Nutritionist on Instagram   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.

The so-called “Mozart effect” first entered the public conscience in the early 90s. The theory states that listening to classical music while pregnant, will make your baby smarter. We talk a lot about how babies become smarter on My New Life, so host Jessica Rolph figured she better dig into this theory. Here to give us a straight answer is Dr. Thomas Dardarian. He is an OB-GYN at Axia Women's Health and past president of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists.   Key Takeaways: [1:45] Does playing Mozart while pregnant make our babies smarter?  [2:47] What can we extrapolate from evidence of new neurons generated in chicks and rats exposed to music in utero?  [4:33] What about other sounds? When does a baby start to hear sounds outside the belly? [5:24] Does does talking and singing to the baby in the womb make a difference? [7:06] Where does Dr. Dardarian come down on regularly reading to a baby in utero?  [8:36] What about repetitive prenatal reading of a single story? Can that have an impact?  [9:52] Is there danger in exposing your unborn child to loud of music or other loud sounds?   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram Learn more about Axia Women’s Health Follow Axia Women's Health on Instagram