The Thoughtful Parent

Sneak peek: Mobile tracking apps have advanced to be a tool to help give you some peace of mind while your child is on the go. As parents, the balance between monitoring your child’s safety and allowing them some age-appropriate independence is always a challenge. Mobile tracking apps may feel a little invasive at first, … The post Best Mobile Tracking Apps for 2026 appeared first on The Thoughtf…

Sneak peek: Discover the best potty training books for toddlers, backed by research on learning through modeling and repetition. Explore top picks to make potty training easier and more engaging. If you’re in the midst of potty training, you already know: timing, temperament, and tactics all matter. But there’s also one surprisingly powerful (and often … The post Potty Training Books: Best Picks …

Sneak peek: Learn about play schemas and what they mean for your child’s development. Discover how these patterns support deep learning—and how to better support your child’s development through play. Has your child ever gone through a phase where they only wanted to do one very specific kind of play? Maybe it was trains—endlessly building … The post Understanding Play Schemas: How Repetitive Pla…

Sneak peek: Looking for a preschool tour checklist to guide you as you visit schools? This checklist will help you ask the right questions. One quick Google search turns up many variations of a preschool tour checklist. As a parent looking for a preschool for your child, this can be a bit overwhelming. What I … The post The Preschool Tour Checklist to Help Choose the Right Preschool for Your Chil…

What Research Actually Says Sneak peek: As your child approaches toddlerhood, a common question that comes up is, “When do you start potty training?” I’ve done the research for you and summed up the best potty training advice. If you’re wondering, “When do you start potty training?” you’re in good company. It’s one of those … The post When Do You Start Potty Training? appeared first on The Though…

When it comes to potty training, timing can make a difference. That’s why this potty training readiness quiz exists: to help you quickly figure out if your child is ready right now, or if waiting might make things smoother. Start too early, and the process can drag on for weeks (or months). Start at the … The post Potty Training Readiness Quiz appeared first on The Thoughtful Parent .

Sneak peek: These calm activities for preschoolers can help them learn how to manage big emotions, both in the classroom and at home. I walked into my son’s kindergarten class to volunteer for the first time and was a bit surprised. Some of the items looked familiar from my own school days—a play kitchen and … The post Simple but Effective Calming Strategies Every Family Should Know appeared firs…

Sneak peek: We hear the phrase “positive parenting advice,” but what does it really mean? An overview of positive parenting, plus a look at how it helps you focus on the long view of parenting. We hear the phrase “positive parenting advice” tossed around a lot in the media and parenting circles, but oftentimes, there … The post Why is Positive Parenting Important and How Does it Help My Child? ap…

Sneak peek: What are the best books for newborns? New research helps us sort through classic baby books and points to a certain type of book. Do you remember when you first read your own child your favorite classic books? Maybe they were so tiny they couldn’t even hold their head up. You knew they … The post Classic Baby Books that Boost Brain Development appeared first on The Thoughtful Parent .

Sneak peek: We all know that children (and teens) have periods of rapid growth. But when can we expect these growth spurts? Let’s take a look at common growth spurt signs and how they can impact your child’s behavior. I read quite a bit, especially mystery novels or anything that has an unexpected twist. Maybe that’s why … The post The Fascinating Roller Coaster of Child Development: Physical and…

Sneak peek: Many parents wonder why boys struggle with school, especially when their child seems bright and capable but still has difficulty staying motivated or focused in the classroom. As a boy mom myself, I always bristle a little when I hear media reports about a supposed “boy achievement crisis.” Every few months, it seems … The post Why Boys Sometimes Struggle With School: What the Researc…

Sneak peek: Many of these classic books for all ages cannot only enrich our kids’ lives but ours too. Exploring how reading can be a form of self-care for our kids and us. The best classic books for all ages are those that draw you into a story that has meaning and depth. For me, … The post How Reading Classic Books Can be a Powerful Form of Self-Care {for kids and adults!} appeared first on The …

I’m a scholar turned blogger who loves writing about child development and parenting. With a Doctorate in Human Development and Family Sciences and real-life experience as a mom of 2, I’ve decided to share all I’ve learned about child development with parents who need support. Make the summer days full of fun and emotional skill-building!

Sneak peek: Parents often wonder: are educational videos good for toddlers? Research shows toddlers learn far less from screens than from real interaction. Here’s what studies reveal. Parents today are surrounded by media claiming to help young children learn. Streaming platforms, YouTube channels, and apps all promise to teach toddlers language, numbers, and social skills. … The post Do “Educati…

Sneak peek: Acts of kindness for children that can help them learn about caring for others. All of us, even our children, face daily challenges and struggles. Through my research on stress and coping that I did in grad school, one big point that was reiterated repeatedly was that how well individuals cope with stress … The post Acts of Kindness for Kids appeared first on The Thoughtful Parent .

Sneak peek: The stress of the pandemic raised our attention even more so to how these traumatic events affect children’s development. A look at the research on adverse childhood experiences. To say that pandemic living was stressful for parents and children is an understatement. Parents often wonder what impact this stress (and related stressors) will have … The post Understanding How Stress and …

With all the expectations to make the holiday season “perfect” for our kids, we often lose sight of the big picture. Parenting during this season can be challenging. This advent calendar is designed to help parents with simple parenting tips to help focus on their relationship with their kids during this time. This is a season of memory-making and establishing traditions. Lessen the stress of the…

Growth Spurts in Children Is your child experiencing a growth spurt? Feel confident in navigating it with them. Is your child suddenly more cranky than normal? Are you puzzled by your child’s suddenly erratic behavior? Are you seeing changes in sleeping and eating patterns? Your child could be going through a growth spurt! Imagine what it would be like if… You could navigate a growth spurt feelin…

I’m a scholar-turned-writer who loves sharing information about child development and parenting. With a Doctorate in Human Development and Family Sciences and real-life experience as a mom of 2, I’ve decided to share all I’ve learned in my 11 years as a stay-at-home mom to help other moms on this journey. What’s in the Program for Stay-at-Home Moms Engaging activities and printable worksheets Aud…

I’m a scholar turned blogger who loves writing about child development and parenting. With a Doctorate in Human Development and Family Sciences and real-life experience as a mom of 2, I’ve decided to share all I’ve learned about child development with parents who need support. How Would I Use These? These cards include positive self-talk scripts and mantras to say to yourself when: