Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting Problems – Details, episodes & analysis

If you’ve been overwhelmed by conflicting parenting advice and just want real, expert-backed parenting help, you’re in the right place. 

I’m Dr. Leah Clionsky—a licensed clinical psychologist, child behavior specialist, and mom of two—and I created Educated Parent to give you the evidence-based parenting support I wish every parent had.

Here’s the truth: It’s not fair that I can text a network of child psychologists, pediatricians, and therapists anytime I need parenting tips—and you’re left scrolling Instagram or asking Google. So, I’m bringing that expert network to you.

Today, I’m sharing the story behind the podcast and what you can expect each week: real evidence-based parenting strategies, practical parenting tips, and expert advice on parenting that actually works.

Whether you're dealing with tantrums, big emotions, or just want to raise thriving kids, Educated Parent is here to deliver the kind of parenting help you’ve been looking for.

If you’re ready for evidence-based parenting strategies and real-world advice on parenting, hit play and let’s get started. I’m so glad you’re here.

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Wondering if your child’s school is still the right fit? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not overreacting. 

In this episode, I’m sitting down with two of Houston’s top educational consultants to unpack the real, research-backed factors to consider when choosing a school for your child.

Whether you're dealing with daily meltdowns, academic frustrations, or just a gut feeling that something is off, we’ll help you figure out what’s going on—and what to do about it. 

We’ll walk through the emotional and academic signs to look for, how to evaluate your current school, and how to start the process of choosing a school for your child with confidence (not overwhelm).

I’m joined by Dee Dee Halpin and Julie Blumberg of Houston School Options, two seasoned experts who’ve helped countless families navigate the maze of choosing schools—from public and private to therapeutic and specialized programs. With decades of experience and deep roots in the Houston area, they’re also the go-to team for finding the best schools in Houston based on each child’s unique needs.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• The top three emotional and academic red flags that might mean it’s time to start choosing schools more intentionally
• What the process of choosing a school for your child really looks like—minus the online overwhelm and mom-guilt
• How to trust your gut and evaluate the most important factors to consider when choosing a school for your child
• Why the “right” school can change over time—and what that means for how to choose a school for your child at different ages
• A local expert’s inside look at the best schools in Houston—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer

If you’ve ever Googled “how to choose a school for your child” at 11 p.m. while spiraling about a bad teacher conference, this one’s for you.

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Houston School Options Website

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Is one of your kids always in the spotlight? 

Whether it’s sports, academics, or a lead role in the school play, these moments can create tension at home. In this episode, I’m joined by Becca Wallace, a fellow therapist and experienced mom of five, to unpack how to deal with sibling jealousy—with compassion, clarity, and practical steps that actually work.

We talk about what really happens when one child is constantly celebrated, how to support your other kids through it, and why confident parenting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being intentional. 

If you’ve ever found yourself caught in the push-pull of parenting siblings, this conversation is for you. We share actionable sibling rivalry solutions that help every child feel seen, valued, and supported.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why traditional advice falls short when you're navigating how to deal with sibling jealousy—and what works instead
• The one simple exercise that helps you identify and honor each child’s strengths when parenting siblings (even if they’re not the “star”)
• How a “family team” mindset can transform your approach to parenting siblings
• Why even the kid in the spotlight needs more than praise—and how to give it to them
• Real-world, therapist-backed sibling rivalry solutions to help your family stay emotionally connected

No one prepares you for what happens when one child’s success accidentally sidelines the others. But you’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. Tune in to learn how to deal with sibling jealousy in a way that strengthens your whole family.

Listen now for grounded insights, gentle humor, and confident parenting tools you can use tonight.

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CONNECT WITH BECCA WALLACE:

Learn more about Becca

Schedule a call here!

When your child walks in the door after school and says they had a bad day, do you know what to say next? 

If you’ve ever felt unsure, anxious, or like you fumbled the moment, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not failing. In this episode of Educated Parent, I’m sharing positive ways to talk to your child that help them feel heard, supported, and connected—even when emotions are running high.

I’m Dr. Leah Clionsky, licensed clinical psychologist, parenting expert, and real-life mom of two little kids. In this first full episode, I’ll introduce you to the mission of this podcast, how my professional training and real-world parenting collide, and why I believe every parent deserves parenting help that’s rooted in science—not social media opinions.

You’ll learn how to respond with calm and clarity when your child tells you about a hard day, using positive ways to talk to your child that work even if their story is messy, emotional, or confusing. I’ll walk you through exactly how to listen so your child will talk, why your timing matters more than your “fix,” and how to build the kind of relationship where your child wants to keep opening up.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why kids don’t always make sense when they’re upset—and how to help a child with big emotions
• The exact 4-step strategy I use for how to listen so your child will talk
• Why some “helpful” reactions can shut kids down (and what to do instead)
• How to use positive ways to talk to your child to build emotional safety and trust
• Simple, expert-backed parenting tips for parents to handle everyday challenges with confidence

Hit play to learn how to help a child with big emotions, discover parenting tips for parents that actually work, and finally feel confident in how to listen so your child will talk.

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Holiday gatherings can feel joyful and overwhelming at the same time, and this episode will help you walk in with clarity, calm, and a strong foundation of confident parenting. When kids are navigating new environments, loud relatives, unpredictable routines, and big emotions, they need support with child emotion regulation. With the right positive parenting tips, your entire experience at holiday gatherings can feel smoother and more connected.

In this conversation, I share the approach I use in my own home to prepare my kids for holiday gatherings. You will learn how to strengthen child emotion regulation, how to stay anchored in confident parenting, and how to use simple positive parenting tips to reduce stress for everyone involved. These strategies help you anticipate challenges, understand what your child needs, and protect your own emotional well-being so you can truly enjoy these moments.

Here is what we will cover

• How to prepare your child before holiday gatherings so they enter with stronger child emotion regulation and fewer unexpected reactions

• What to say to relatives who do not understand your positive parenting tips, and how those conversations strengthen your confident parenting

• How to build a calm-down kit that supports child emotion regulation even in unfamiliar settings

• What to do when you feel like the overwhelmed parent, and how reconnecting to confident parenting helps you regulate in the moment

• How practicing positive parenting tips ahead of time makes holiday gatherings more peaceful for the whole family

You deserve to approach this season with steady confidence. Your child deserves the gift of child emotion regulation in environments that challenge them. These positive parenting tips will help you step into your holiday gatherings with more peace and more confident parenting.

Watch the Full Episode Here

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If you have ever wondered why big feelings seem to explode out of nowhere, this episode on emotional literacy is going to feel like a deep breath. I share a very real moment where I lost my cool with my kids and how understanding emotional literacy and identifying feelings could have prevented that blow-up. When we are teaching kids emotions early and model this ourselves, we reduce the overwhelm that leads to those out-of-control moments and help our kids grow into calmer, more grounded humans.

In this episode, I walk you through how I use emotional literacy in my own parenting and why it is the most powerful antidote for any overwhelmed parent. We also talk about how to stop yelling by understanding what is happening inside your own brain and body, and how identifying feelings is the foundation of teaching kids emotions that truly stick.

In this episode, we explore:

• The moment I knew I needed better emotional literacy and how that changed the way I respond to stress

• Why teaching kids emotions matters long before you expect it to work, and how it prevents future blow-ups

• The real reason an overwhelmed parent snaps and what identifying feelings can reveal about what is happening underneath

• A simple framework for how to stop yelling by using compassion and connection instead of pressure and perfectionism

• Why emotional literacy grows stronger when we model our own mistakes and repair afterward

Listen to this episode to learn how to build emotional literacy, support your child in identifying feelings, and reduce the overwhelm that leads to yelling. This is where calmer homes and fewer emotional blow-ups begin.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Read the full show notes HERE!

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center: https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/thrivingchildcenter

PCIT Experts: https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/pcit-experts

Calm and Connected Program: https://thrivingchildcenter.com/calm-and-connected-program-for-parents

Instagram: https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/instagram

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Every October, families find themselves in the same struggle: what happens when your child just can’t pick a Halloween costume? 

If you’ve ever had a kid switch from Elsa to Batman to Paw Patrol in the same week, you know how exhausting kids' Halloween costumes can be for the whole household.

In this episode, I share how parents on Halloween can handle the indecision without losing patience, overspending, or giving in to every last-minute whim. Together, we’ll look at why costumes feel so important to kids and how you can meet their needs while still setting boundaries with kids that protect your sanity.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

• Why it’s so hard for kids to finally pick a Halloween costume
• How much pressure kids Halloween costumes carry socially and emotionally
• What happens when parents on Halloween feel judged by other parents
• A framework for setting boundaries with kids while still allowing creativity
• How to keep your child’s joy alive without buying ten costumes

If you’ve been wondering how to help your child finally pick a Halloween costume (and stick with it), this episode will give you strategies you can actually use. You’ll feel less stressed about kids Halloween costumes and more confident about what matters most for parents on Halloween.

Press play now and learn how to balance connection and fun while setting boundaries with kids this Halloween season.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Episode 16: How to Stop Meltdowns Before They Start by Managing Expectations and Parenting Without Power Struggles

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Getting kids to brush their teeth can feel like one of those nightly battles that drains everyone. If you’ve ever wondered how to get your kids to brush their teeth without endless fights, you’re not alone. 

I sat down with Dr. Robert Geiman-orthodontist, dad, and author of The Tooth Bible - to talk through the real struggles parents face and toothbrushing tips that actually work.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why toothbrushing for toddlers is so tough and how to make it less of a battle
• The surprising truth about at what age should a child brush their own teeth
• Real-life toothbrushing tips that parents can try tonight (without fancy tools or gimmicks)
• How to make brushing fun with silly toothpaste flavors, colorful toothbrushes, and family games
• What happens when even dentists have to figure out how to get your kids to brush their teeth in real life

If you’ve been stressing about at what age should a child brush their own teeth, or just looking for simple toothbrushing tips that actually work, you’ll find both clarity and encouragement here.

This episode will help you rethink the nightly struggle, bring some ease back into toothbrushing for toddlers, and give you confidence in how to get your kids to brush their teeth in a way that sticks.

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center

PCIT Experts

Calm and Connected Program

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CONNECT WITH DR ROBERT GEIMAN:

The Tooth Bible Website

Child and Adult Orthodontics Website

Have you ever wondered if there are simple child reward system ideas that actually work when your kids are melting down? 

As a psychologist - and a mom who’s been right there in the chaos - I’ll walk you through how to use positive reinforcement parenting in real life to turn things around quickly.

When kids are screaming, refusing to listen, and pushing every boundary, you don’t need more yelling - you need child reward system ideas and a system that helps you reinforce positive behaviors in a way that’s simple, fast, and actually effective. 

This episode will give you the exact steps I use in my own home to get kids back on track.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why positive reinforcement parenting isn’t “dog training” - and why kids thrive when you clearly show them what they’re doing right.
• The one shift that makes all the difference in how to get your child to listen better (hint: it’s not about being stricter).
• My favorite child reward system ideas that require nothing more than a piece of paper and a pen.
• How to use this system to reinforce positive behaviors so your kids naturally want to repeat them.
• The secret to how to get kids to do chores without constant nagging or power struggles.

Whether you’re in a tough parenting season, juggling work stress with tantrums at home, or just wondering how to get your child to listen better, this episode will give you a clear way forward. 

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center

PCIT Experts

Calm and Connected Program

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Love having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

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Does the question, “what age should a child get a cell phone?” keep you up at night? You’re not alone - and you’re not overthinking it. 

In this episode, I sit down with child psychologist Dr. Rupa Robbins, founder of Tech Positive Parenting, to cut through the chaos around phones for kids. Together we unpack the research, the realities, and the practical phone rules that help busy families decide not just when to say yes, but how to do it well. 

If you’ve wondered “should kids have smartphones?”, wrestled with all of the reason’s why not to give your child a phone yet, or need a script for setting phone rules, this conversation is your roadmap.

We’ll help you decide: what age should a child get a cell phone, when to delay, and how to scaffold access. We talk about alternatives to full internet devices (yes, there’s a middle path for phones for kids), and the exact phone rules that keep your child safer while protecting family culture. 

In this episode, we cover:

• The age question, answered: what the research says about what age should a child get a cell phone - and why each year of delay matters more than you think!
• Smart alternatives before smartphones: how to meet safety needs with kid-safe devices and watches, so you can say “yes” to phones for kids without saying “yes” to the internet
• Your family’s “driver’s ed” plan: the core phone rules that make first phones feel manageable
• Capacity and timing: a quick gut-check for parents - because sometimes the right answer to should kids have smartphones is “not until we have bandwidth,” and that’s a valid reason for why not to give your child a phone yet.

If you’ve been Googling what age should a child get a cell phone, debating should kids have smartphones, and trying to write phone rules that actually work, this episode is for you. 

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Sapien Labs study: Age of First Smartphone/Tablet and Mental Wellbeing Outcomes

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center

PCIT Experts

Calm and Connected Program

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Love having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

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CONNECT WITH DR. RUPA ROBBINS:

Tech Positive Parenting Website

Instagram @techpositiveparenting

Tech Positive Parenting Substack

Join the interested list for the upcoming course: So, You're Ready for a Phone?