Explore every episode of the podcast The Behavior Blueprint with Mandy Grass

As Mandy continues this month's focus on ADHD, on this episode, she brings back her favorite resident expert, her daughter Lola! Lola recently received a diagnosis of a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) alongside her ADHD and takes the mic to publicly rate Mandy's parenting strategies. From the systems that actually help her get out the door to the ones that just feel like nagging, Lola provides incredible insight into what an ADHD brain truly needs. Tools & Resources: Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠ Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kicking off September's ADHD series, Mandy tackles the frustrating reality of raising kids who constantly lose their planners, forget their soccer cleats, and procrastinate on homework. On this episode, Mandy bridges the gap between her personal life and her professional expertise as a behavior analyst and special education teacher. Learn the crucial difference between simply accommodating an ADHD child (like providing extended time via a 504 plan) versus actively teaching them the missing behavioral skills so they can eventually manage their own time. Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you are exhausted from operating the "Clean Plate Club," acting as a short order cook, or having massive meltdowns over a grilled cheese sandwich, this episode is for you! Mandy steps into the highly controversial territory of picky eating, viewing those mealtime battles through a behavioral lens. Mandy breaks down the behavioral functions behind why kids refuse food and why parents are so easily conditioned to give in. Find out what a realistic, structured plan to stop the endless negotiating looks like. This episode serves as a blueprint for neutralizing the mealtime embarrassment and slowly expanding your child's food repertoire without sending anyone to bed hungry! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠ Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did the lazy days of summer turn your kids into screen obsessed zombies? On this episode, Mandy gets honest about how technology completely got away from her blended family this summer. From teens scrolling at full volume in the car to loud video games taking over the family room on a rainy day, Mandy breaks down the behavioral functions behind why kids can't put devices down and why parents are so quick to hand them over. Learn how Mandy lays out the realistic tech boundaries within her own home, while providing a blueprint for a structured technology contract just in time for the new school year! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you dreading the morning chaos of repeating "get your shoes on" 14 times before you've even finished your coffee? In part two of her back-to-school series, Mandy tackles the most common morning pitfalls. On this episode, Mandy breaks down how to identify whether your child is facing a skill deficit (they can't do it) or a performance deficit (they won't do it), and how that distinction completely alters your parenting intervention. Learn how to use behavioral chaining, visual schedules, and strategic praise to slowly fade your prompts and build true morning independence! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you trying to squeeze the last drop of fun out of summer, but secretly dreading the chaos of the back-to-school transition? On this episode, Mandy lays out her comprehensive plan for getting the kids ready for the new school year. As the first school bell of the year draws near, Mandy breaks down what it means to rack up sleep schedules and morning routines before the pressure of the first day hits. She also shares some personal experience on the importance of a pre-school year closet purge, why making lunches the night before can save an entire morning, and even some tricks for getting kids excited about chore charts. Plus, she provides a clear breakdown of what independence actually looks like for elementary, middle, and high school students. It is a back to school blueprint for all ages! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode, Mandy takes a left turn from her usual behavior and parenting content to get incredibly vulnerable about a highly requested topic: her divorce. Without holding back, Mandy discusses the reality of carrying the entire mental and physical load for her family, the "final straw" that made her realize nothing was going to change, and the beautiful realization of finally being deeply supported in her current relationship. It is a different type of episode with an extremely honest and close look at how the path a parent takes has its many valleys and peaks! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode, Mandy wraps up July’s emotional regulation series with two very special guests: her daughters, Lola and Parker. This midsummer check-in dives into the reality of emotional regulation from the kids' perspective, sharing specific moments where the girls felt empowered to call out the adults in their lives for their tone and reactions. Mandy also does an assessment of the family's chore chart, admitting where she dropped the ball and celebrating the systems that are actually working. From navigating the complexities of people pleasing to managing blended family dynamics, this episode showcases what it looks like to create a safe, communicative environment for your children. Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Mandy is joined by her sister, Tiff, for an honest conversation about emotional regulation and generational parenting. Tiff brings a grounded perspective from her career as a science journalist, as she and Mandy unpack what growing up a the loud, "shouty" was like. Mandy and Tiff also discuss how they navigate their own emotional triggers, the concept of "generational overcorrection," and the intense guilt that follows a parenting power struggle. This special sibling edition lays out the blueprint for breaking old cycles, discovering the art of the apology, and empowering kids to call out adult dysregulation. Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In part two of our emotional regulation series, Mandy shares more real life parenting stories that prove it takes more than just taking deep breaths and maintaining perfect calm. From a sibling standoff over pool floats to managing a 1-year-old's anxiety over new braces, Mandy explains how to look past the misbehavior to find the function. Get strategies for modeling repair, what to do when your kids are dysregulating you by being insanely silly, and why ignoring behavior without providing a replacement is a recipe for disaster. Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you are looking for an expert to simply tell you to "take a deep breath" and never yell at your kids, this is not the podcast for you. In this highly relatable episode, Mandy turns the behavioral lens inward to tackle parent emotional regulation. Using the same ABCs of behavior (Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence) applied to children, Mandy explains how to identify your own adult triggers and learning history. From screaming over a lost soccer uniform, to delivering an unhelpful lecture when her kiddo did something they shouldn't be doing, Mandy breaks down why our capacity changes from day to day and provides a concrete blueprint for apologizing, taking ownership without blame, and focusing on the 95% of the day you handled beautifully! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠.Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode, Mandy sits down with Julia Dzafic, the creator behind Lemon Stripes and The Medicated Millennial Mom. Julia opens up about her journey as a content creator, balancing flexible but demanding work hours, and managing a household with an 8-year-old, a 4-year-old, a dog, and 11 chickens. Mandy and Julia dive into what it means to have "Mom Brain" and the invisible mental load that keeps parents constantly spinning. Julia shares her vulnerable experience with paralyzing anxiety after having her daughter and how finally accepting medication changed her life. This episode is not only just a couple of moms being real and honest with each other, it is also jam packed with relatable parenting truths and actionable behavior strategies! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you constantly nagging your teen to get out of bed or take out the garbage? On our next summer series epiosde, Mandy dives deep into the teenage brain to explain why natural consequences often don't work, especially when the consequence actually falls on the parent. Learn all about building external motivation when intrinsic motivation doesn't exist, how to successfully "scaffold" independence, and why arguing with your teen might just be giving them the attention they crave. Mandy also takes a look at how single and working parents can normalize their summer schedules and lean on their village. Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this very special Father's Day edition of the show, Mandy steps aside to hand the microphone to three incredible, heavily involved dads from her inner circle. Joining the conversation are Drew (a CPA, avid golfer, and youth coach extraordinaire), Hunter (a serial entrepreneur navigating life with ADHD and an only child), and Mandy's partner Gerry (you know Gerry). The dads get completely honest about the unspoken mental loads of modern fatherhood, including the triumphs and failures they feel as dads. Get a unique look at three dads in three different parenting scenarios, how they each feel and handle certain aspects of fatherhood, what challenges they each face, and what they have common. Happy Father's Day! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you dreading the constant summer chorus of "I'm bored," "You never told me I had to do that," and endless screen time negotiations? You aren't alone. We all know how quickly summer can spiral into chaos, but this can be avoided if boundaries are established from day one! On this episode, Mandy shares the exact "Summer Contract" she created with her blended family. She breaks down how to differentiate rules for little kids versus teens and why having a "loose but explicit" schedule actually gives everyone more freedom. From the pages of the very contract she drew up, Mandy provides a humorous, realistic blueprint for holding both your kids and yourself accountable this summer! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does it feel like May and June are somehow more exhausting than December? The end of the school year can be a nightmare for parents, but before you throw your hands up and abandon all structure on day one of summer, Mandy has the plan to help make this brief, but vital time period a manable one. Of course, the sudden loss of predictability often leads to irritable, fighting kids by day four. And sure, you might feel guilty for not hitting those pitch perfect summer notes that create those "core memories." No need to worry though, because this episode is here for you as Mandy shares a blueprint for setting up a loose but effective framework during those crucial first few weeks. By being intentional, you can ease into summer without creating bad habits you will have to fight until August. Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you think managing one or two kids is chaotic, imagine blending a family with seven children, two giant dogs, and up to 14 extracurricular activities! In this special episode of The Behavior Blueprint, Mandy welcomes her partner, Gerry, to share their story, how they went about blended Gerry's four boys and Mandy's three girls into a modern day Brady Bunch! Find out the thought behind why they waited months to introduce their kids and how they navigate their glaringly different parenting styles. Whether you are navigating a divorce, currently blending a family, or just want to hear how two parents can work together survive and thrive, this episode provides a candid look at building a cohesive, loving team! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you have ever listened to the show or seen one of Mandy's reels and thought, "does she actually do this in her own house?", this episode is for you! Mandy and two of her daughters are pulling back the curtain on their own family dynamics, as they share how they utilize shared journaling and the five-minute rule. In this special behind-the-scenes episode, Mandy, Lola, and Parker discuss how they utilize these tools, even sharing journal entries about hurt feelings, things they are personally working on, and navigating life with a stepparent. Whether you want to reduce lying or just find a way to get your kids to open up, this episode provides the blueprint Mandy and her family actually use for building trust and communication. Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You asked, and Mandy is answering! In this special Q&A edition of the Behavior Blueprint, Mandy takes listener questions straight from Instagram to provide the deep dive answers that just won't fit into a 90-second reel. Covering everything from the logistics of starting an ADHD medication journey to managing those massive soap messes in the bathroom, this episode gets into what is on your mind as a parent. Whether you are trying to help a perfectionist child handle constructive feedback, teach an 8-year-old tone of voice, or survive bedtime with three kids sharing a single bathroom, this episode offers a comprehensive blueprint for everyday parenting dilemmas. Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever looked at your child's report card and known they are working twice as hard just to keep their head above water, this episode is for you. Mandy puts on her former special education teacher hat to share her own childhood dyslexia journey, as she gives the blueprint for navigating the confusing world of school evaluations and supports. Learn about the critical differences between an IEP and a 504 Plan and why public education is designed for access, not optimization. Get a guide on what to do when your child is stuck in the middle or is a one of the "cuspers," and find out how to advocate for them even when the school says they are "doing fine." Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever given your kids a chore to do, only to find the laundry hidden behind a dresser or the toys shoved into random corners? You are definitely not alone. In a special live coaching episode, Mandy sits down with Sarah, a mom of three and a public school superintendent, to troubleshoot her family's chore routines. Sarah previously used Mandy's strategies to fix a severe bedtime battle in just three days, and now she is back to figure out how to get her kids to unload the dishwasher, put away clothes, and clean the playroom without endless complaining. Mandy provides a step-by-step blueprint to reduce chore-related power struggles, drop unrealistic expectations, and use visual tools to define exactly what "clean" actually means! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’ve ever thought, "I just don’t like my kid right now," know this...you aren’t alone and you shouldn’t feel guilty for it. Parenting is tough, especially when you find yourself caught in a cycle of tantrums, backtalk, and exhausting power struggles that leave you with a knot in your stomach at bedtime. On this episode, Mandy breaks down how to move from the seemingly neverending conflict to a place of proactive problem solving. Whether you are navigating a public meltdown at grandma’s house or a nightly standoff over the TV, Mandy provides a blueprint for shifting your focus from losing privileges to earning connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you find yourself caught in a cyclical argument over something completely provable? Lying can be one of the most triggering behaviors for parents, but it’s often a child's most effective tool for getting what they want or avoiding what they don't. In this episode, Mandy breaks down the "why" behind the lies. Mandy shares strategies from her own blended family, that will give you the blueprint towards the truth! Whether you're dealing with a preschooler sneaking treats or a tween hiding a bad grade, this episode offers up strategies for creating a home where honesty feels safer than a lie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is bedtime a battle in your house? From constant delay tactics to kids popping in and out of their rooms 400 times, sleep related behaviors can drive any parent to the brink of insanity. In this episode, Mandy lays out the bedtime blueprint, focusing on the routines and boundaries that happen before the lights go out! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever wondered what is actually going through your child’s mind when they get distracted, overwhelmed, or stuck in a cycle of anxiety? In this special episode, Mandy is joined by a very important guest: her nine-year-old daughter, Lola! Lola gets incredibly honest about her journey with ADHD and anxiety, offering a rare look at the kid perspective on diagnosis, medication, and parenting. This conversation is a beautiful blueprint for how to build trust, foster self-esteem, and work together as a family to overcome these all too common challenges. Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. This episode is sponsored by Care.com. Use code BEHAVIOR for 20% off a Care.com membership or a Senior Care Advisor plan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does it feel like you’re playing hostage negotiator in your kitchen every morning before everyone is out the door? Whether it’s one child breathing "too loudly" or a battle over a toy no one cared about three seconds ago, sibling conflict can be A LOT. On this episode, Mandy breaks down what is actually driving those sibling squabbles and how parents accidentally keep the cycle going. From understanding the function of the fight to implementing group reinforcement systems, Mandy provides a blueprint to bring peace back to your home! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. This episode is sponsored by Care.com. Use code BEHAVIOR for 20% off a Care.com membership or a Senior Care Advisor plan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If technology has become the biggest battle in your home and you find yourself negotiating screen time more than bedtime, this episode is for you. We’ve all been there...the timer goes off, you ask for the iPad, and suddenly it’s a total standoff. So why do our kids fight us so hard on this? In this episode, Mandy breaks down the behavioral science behind the screen time struggle. Learn why tech is the ultimate reinforcement and how the dopamine hit kids get from gaming and social media makes it nearly impossible for them to stop on their own. Enter the blueprint, a Screen Time Agreement that builds trust, teaches self-regulation, and brings peace back to your living room! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. This episode is sponsored by Care.com. Use code BEHAVIOR for 20% off a Care.com membership or a Senior Care Advisor plan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you feel like your child only seems to "act out" the second you pick up your phone, start a conversation with another adult, or try to focus on a sibling? If it feels like you are constantly being pulled away from what you’re doing by disruptive behavior, this episode is for you. In this episode, Mandy explores one of the most common functions of behavior...attention. Find out why children often prefer "bad" attention (like a lecture or a reprimand) over no attention at all and why your reactions might accidentally be aiding the very behaviors you’re trying to stop. Whether you are dealing with a toddler who throws toys or a school-aged child who interrupts constantly, Mandy provides a blueprint to help you shift these behaviors towards a positive connection and independent play! Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Go to Care.com and use code BEHAVIOR for 20% off your initial Care.com subscription or a Senior Care Advisor Plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you have a daughter who is bright, empathetic, and verbal, but constantly interrupts, struggles with emotional regulation, or seems easily distracted, this episode is for you! ADHD in girls often doesn't look like the stereotypical hyperactive image we expect, which means it frequently goes unnoticed or misunderstood. In this episode, Mandy dives into the unique ways ADHD presents in girls. from executive functioning deficits to the "embarrassment factor" that can lead to social masking. Find out why these girls are often mislabeled as "chatty" or "dramatic" and get actionable ways parents can provide the right support . Whether you are navigating a new diagnosis or just starting to look for patterns, Mandy provides a blueprint to help your daughter thrive! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you find yourself constantly saying, "we don't hit!" only to have it happen again five minutes later, this episode is for you! Hitting is a form of communication, and if we only focus on stopping the physical act, we are missing the most important part: why it’s happening in the first place. In this episode, we explore the four functions of behavior and how they apply to physical aggression. Of course there are the traditional consequences like lectures and time-outs, which often fail, so in this episode, Mandy breaks down how we can shift our focus toward teaching "replacement behaviors" that actually stick. Whether you are dealing with a toddler who swats when they are over-excited or children struggling with sibling conflict, this edition of the podcast has a blueprint to move from reactionary parenting to consistent, skill-based coaching! Tools & Resources ⁠The Family Behaviorist Club: Access the January resource—a customizable, printable visual schedule.⁠ Website:⁠ thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠ Instagram⁠ and⁠ TikTok⁠. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are your mornings more chaotic than routine? You aren’t alone. In this episode, we dive deep into why routines need regular maintenance and how to use tools like visual schedules, behavioral momentum, and Alexa reminders to take the mental load off parents. Mandy even gets real, revealing her own household’s recent "routine regression" and shares the exact behavioral strategies she used to get seven kids out the door and back on track! Whether you are dealing with a surly teenager who won’t wake up or a four-year-old who refuses to put on socks, this episode provides a step-by-step guide to resetting your morning with empathy, consistency, and maybe even some chocolate milk! Tools & Resources The Family Behaviorist Club: Access the January resource—a customizable, printable visual schedule. Skylight Calendar: Using visual lists and emojis to boost independence in younger children. Use the promo code: MandyG Visual Countdown Timer App: A free tool to help kids develop a concrete sense of time. Website: thefamilybehaviorist.com Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on Instagram and TikTok. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you want to shape your child’s behavior instead of constantly reacting to it, you have to understand why it is happening. In this first episode of The Behavior Blueprint, board-certified behavior analyst and parent coach Mandy Grass introduces the framework that drives real behavior change by helping parents understand the function behind behavior. You will learn the four functions of behavior and how recognizing what a behavior is doing for a child helps you respond more intentionally, with fewer power struggles, less frustration, and a lot less guesswork. You will also get to know Mandy, her background in behavior analysis, and her life as a parent navigating a blended family of up to seven kids, where theory meets real life on a daily basis and humor is often required to survive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Behavior Blueprint: Real Talk for Real Families is a parenting podcast hosted by Mandy Grass, a board-certified behavior analyst and mom of 3, blended mom of 7. Through a mix of solo episodes and unscripted conversations with real parents and influencers, Mandy breaks down the why behind kids’ behavior and shares practical, science-backed strategies families can actually use, without judgment, gimmicks, or overwhelm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices