Parenting Matters is a brand-new podcast from Early Childhood Matters, hosted by parenting educators Rebecca Walsh and Belann Giaretto. Each episode tackles real questions from real parents—covering everything from toddler tantrums to teen boundaries—with warmth, insight, and zero judgment.
Whether you’re in the thick of sleepless nights or navigating screen time battles, Parenting Matters is here to support you with practical advice and honest conversation.
Listen, share, and join the community—because your parenting matters.
"I love hearing Belann and Rebecca's voices-I can finally have your guidance right here in my living room! Thank you, thank you for doing this podcast!"
LATEST:
Eps 13 - Not listening, not getting dressed and tantrums, oh my! - Our most common parenting questions answered
If your preschooler ignores you, refuses shoes, or collapses into a puddle the moment you say “no,” this episode is for you. We unpack why these behaviors happen, why they happen even more with a strong-willed child, and share practical strategies to help you get back your confidence and your joy in parenting.
In this episode, we tackle three of the most common—and exhausting—challenges parents of preschoolers face: not listening, power struggles over everyday routines, and full-blown tantrums when the answer is “no.” Drawing from decades of professional experience and many personal parenting stories, we explore why these behaviors are not signs of “bad parenting,” but normal developmental phases—especially for strong-willed, spirited children.
Through real-life examples like refusing to put on shoes, throwing snack wrappers on the floor, and melting down over yogurt before dinner, we break down practical, compassionate strategies that actually work. We discuss why repeating yourself undermines authority, how to set clear limits without punishment, and how calmly following through builds trust, self-esteem, and emotional resilience in young children.
This conversation reframes “choosing your battles,” explains why giving in during tantrums backfires, and shows parents how to stay steady in the face of big feelings—without yelling, bribing, or threatening. Most importantly, it reminds parents that enjoying parenting is not only possible, but essential, even when raising a challenging child.
If you’ve ever felt worn down by daily power struggles or unsure how to respond when your child tests limits, this episode offers reassurance, perspective, and concrete tools to help you parent with confidence and calm.
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript
Covered in this episode:
Bedtime has been a total circus lately! One will be going to brush his teeth and then the younger one will decide to do a nudy run and then the older who was originally on task, will follow. They are starting to figure out they can team up against us!
My younger sibling weaponizes being the youngest! She screams, gets away with things and I am often at a loss of how to discipline.
You never get Rosie in trouble, she’s your favorite-if I did that I would have been in so much trouble-why doesn’t she have a consequence?
This episode offers thoughtful insights and actionable tools for parents navigating the emotional and logistical challenges of raising siblings.
MORE EPISODES:
Introducing Parenting Matters - Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Episode 1: Fostering Independent play in the toddler years: Learn how to teach the skill when your child is very resistant and why it's so important for their overall happiness and well being as adults - Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Episode 2: Fostering Independence in the Preteen and Teen years (Learn how building life skills like chores and cooking, encouraging children to problem solve on their own, and allowing children to navigate their transportation contribute to their overall self-esteem and mental health. Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Episode 3: You Can't Come to my Birthday Party: Learn how to respond with these and other playground woes, what to do if your child is the one doing the excluding and some suggestions for the modern day parenting dilemma: should you invite the whole class to the birthday party - Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Episode 4: The Kids are Ready for Summer - Are You? - For parents of young children (late preschool + K-5th grade)
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Links to other companies/podcasts mentioned in Ep 4:
Mighty Bambinis Evelyn Nichols Parent-Child Forest Class in Marin
Pixel Parenting: Brains, Screens, and Connection with Rebecca Walsh on Spotify or Apple
Why Boredom is Good for Your Toddler (Pixel Parenting) - Listen on Spotify or Apple
Summer Brain Quest
Episode 5: The Kids are Ready for Summer - Are You? - For parents of young children (grades 6-10)
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Links to other companies/podcasts mentioned in Ep 4&5:
Let Grow Project When Parents Step Back, Kids Step UP
Screen Sense IRL Summer Packet-Screen time alternatives, contracts, and positive creative uses of tech
Pixel Parenting: What Parents need to now about video game research on Spotify or Apple
Pixel Parenting: Brains, Screens, and Connection with Rebecca Walsh on Spotify or Apple
Why Boredom is Good for Your Toddler (Pixel Parenting) - Listen on Spotify or Apple
Joey's Instagram Channel (we don't recommend kids have an Instagram account until high school) - jdubmusic_
Episode 6: Everyone in 7th Grade Was Invited to the Birthday Party Except Me!
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Episode 7: Too Young for Sex Ed? Think again. How to start "The Talk" in Preschool with Konika Wong of Girl Power Science
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.Links:
girlpowerscience.com
Learn more about Girl Power Science’s children's books here.
Episode 8: From Sandcastles to Circle Time: The Summer-to-School Shift
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Episode 9: Baby Makes 4 - Navigating the Transition to a New Sibling
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript
Episode 10: Sibling Rivalry — Rethinking Fairness at Home
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript
Episode 11: The Gift of Enough: What Children Teach Us About the Magic of the Holiday Season
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript
Episode 12: And Mom and Dad Can Hardly Wait for School to Start Again
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript
