When I was pregnant, I wore out the spine on my copy of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” while trying to learn everything I could about nurturing my sweet daughter growing inside me. While on maternity leave, I paged through “What to Expect the First Year” and bookmarked several motherhood and parenting blogs. My goal was to figure out why she was crying at the moment, and stay one step ahead of her development.
Now, with an active two-year-old asking me to play racecars, paint watercolors, and grab another snack with her, there’s not a lot of time for reading. So I’ve turned to parenting podcasts to learn what I should know about toddler development, and to hear about “big kid” issues we might have to deal with later on.
Parenting podcasts are convenient: I listen in the car while waiting in lines, and while doing chores around the house. They’re fun: Many are by veteran parents who share humorous stories about the growing pains and triumphs they’ve experienced as a family. And they’re insightful: I’ve learned so much about very young children’s capabilities and limits that have helped keep my expectations in check while giving me ideas about how to help my daughter flourish.
Here are my favorite parenting podcasts:
Unruffled by Janet Lansbury
I listen to Unruffled when I’m feeling overwhelmed by parenting a toddler and need reassurance that I’m not the worst mom in Atlanta. Each episode focuses on one challenge or issue that a parent of a preschooler or young elementary child has emailed Lansbury about – biting, sibling rivalry, self-destructive behavior. Lansbury spends 15 to 25 minutes talking through a solution that is grounded in respecting your young child’s physical and emotional limitations while you mold their behavior and attitudes. Her confident, soothing voice is just as reassuring as the advice she articulates and makes me feel like I’m back in the classroom of my favorite teacher as she reassures me that everything will be okay in the end. If you have a child in preschool or elementary school, you definitely want to check out Unruffled.
The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey
The Happy Hour is what I pull up when I’m tired of radio news and want to just chill out for a bit. While The Happy Hour is not classified as a parenting podcast, Jamie often talks about issues directly or indirectly related to parenting and family life with her guests. Each week features a different guest that meets with Jamie to talk about “the big things in life, the little things in life, and everything in between.” It’s basically a one-hour gab session about families, work life, great books, movies you should see, and makeup you should try. Past guests have included Priscilla Shirer, Pam Tebow, and Lara Casey. Join The Happy Hour when you need an hour to sit back and just listen to some girl talk.
Life Kit: Parenting
This podcast from NPR answers all those parenting questions you’ve never really thought about until your kid comes home asking them. Those 30-minutes-and-under episodes are perfect for your commute or a lunchtime break, and tackle topics such as talking about death with your kids and whether or not it’s okay to lie about the Tooth Fairy. Many episodes feature experts from organizations like Sesame Workshop. My favorite episode so far addresses how to handle princess or violent toys you’re not fond of, but your child is asking for. Give Life Kit: Parenting a listen when you’re looking for fresh ideas for common child dilemmas.
The Dad Edge Podcast by Larry Hagner
This podcast by Larry Hagner is mostly for dads (as you can tell by the title!) but I like to listen to it occasionally to learn how my husband may be feeling as he grows in his role as a father. The Dad Edge addresses some kid issues head-on, such as how to teach your kids to be financially responsible and how to address anxiety or depression in children, but overall, it focuses more on the things fathers should do to be able to be the best dad possible. Maintaining your health while raising babies and toddlers with more demanding needs, examining your relationship with alcohol, and how to keep the fire going in your marriage are all covered on The Dad Edge. Be warned: Some episodes are rated explicit, so this might be a podcast to try out with headphones on. But I like its realism and honesty, and I save it for when my husband and I are in the car together without our child!
Tilt Parenting by Debbie Reber
Parenting activist Debbie Reber hosts this podcast about raising children who are differently wired, whether that has resulted in giftedness, ADHD, Asperger’s, anxiety issues, or autism. Her goal is to empower parents to know what the research says, what programs are available to help parents and their children flourish, and how parents of different-abled kids can still find peace. Tilt Parenting’s 30 to 50-minute episodes feature experts from various medical and educational specialties who will give listeners the confidence to advocate for their child and help them succeed.
Your turn: What are your favorite parenting podcasts?
