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Explore every episode of the podcast We Nurture: Waldorf Inspired Parenting

Dive into the complete episode list for We Nurture: Waldorf Inspired Parenting. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Setting Boundaries That Support Your Child’s Regulation and Trust | Solo Episode03 Jun 202500:26:42

Welcome back to the We Nurture Podcast!

In this week's solo episode, I’m diving into one of the most important and sometimes challenging parts of parenting—setting boundaries with your child.

If you’ve ever struggled with what to say when your child hits, bites, screams, or resists your limits, you’re not alone. Many parents wonder how to set boundaries that actually work—ones that are clear, and consistent. Boundaries aren’t about controlling your child, they’re about creating safety, clarity, and emotional security.

In this episode, I walk you through three key steps for setting boundaries in a way that supports your child’s emotional development and your confidence as a parent. I also share the importance of connection when holding a boundary.

You’ll come away with simple phrases to use in the moment, insight into why boundaries feel so hard sometimes, and encouragement to stay rooted in love and presence, even during the tough moments.

In this episode, I share:

  • Why boundaries are essential for your child’s emotional growth
  • How to set limits with clarity and connection
  • How to respond when your child hits, bites, or screams
  • the importance of connection and acknowledging your child's feelings

This episode will help you feel more confident, more centered, and more connected as you guide your child with boundaries rooted in love.

Pre-order my new children's book, Away to Dreamland

Order my new book, The Little Book of Parenting

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The We Nurture Journal

DISCLAIMER: The content shared in this podcast and on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Never ignore or delay seeking professional medical guidance based on information from this podcast or website.

How to Develop Healthy Sleep Rhythms for your Child24 Jun 202100:40:55

Whether it’s nap time in the afternoon or bedtime at night, getting your child to sleep at any age can be a challenge. Today, we continue in our series of conversations that focus on the foundation of a Waldorf-inspired home life with Meagan Rose Wilson .

Listen to learn about the importance of establishing a rhythm or routine with your children, even when they're really young. Meagan gives a breakdown of how much sleep a child needs based on their age and we discuss how to adapt your routine for the different phases of your child’s life. To find out how to help your child fall asleep with greater ease, how to teach a child to fall asleep without you there, why you shouldn’t give up on nap time too soon, and how to handle a child getting up multiple times in the night, tune in today!

In this Episode We Cover:


How to adjust the bedtime rhythm as your infant becomes a toddler.

How parents can balance the bedtime rituals of children in different age groups.

How to handle a child getting up multiple times in the night.

A breakdown of how much sleep a child needs based on their age.


Meagan Rose Wilson

Meagan Rose Wilson on Instagram

Whole Family Rhythms

National Sleep Foundation

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook

Website

Instagram

Creating Calm Mealtimes17 Jun 202100:40:29

In today’s episode, we continue our series with Meagan Rose Wilson, a parent

educator, author, and mother of four. Meagan has supported hundreds of parents to create a

strong family rhythm unique to their own values and culture and, today, she applies her expertise to the subject of mealtimes. We discuss how to make mealtimes calmer and how

to instill more intention into the experience to help it become the most treasured part of the day. You’ll find out how to cultivate and enrich your relationship and your children’s relationship with food and how to nurture this through gardening, and Meagan explains the value of meal planning to save time and reduce stress, providing a number of helpful meal and snack ideas. Listen in to learn how to model the type of behavior you expect, teach table manners, keep small children seated at the table for the duration of the meal, and stimulate and encourage the types of conversation you want to have at the dinner table. Establishing mealtime rituals can create a sense of calm and reverence, so make sure to tune in to discover some of the rituals that work for us!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to the series with Meagan and how it ties into the Waldorf philosophy.

• Today’s topic: instilling family mealtimes with calmness, intention, ritual, and reverence.

• How to nurture a child's relationship with food through gardening.

• Why Meagan doesn’t believe in demonizing or banning any one specific ingredient.

• The value of meal planning to save time and reduce stress.

• Meagan provides a number of meal and snack ideas.

• How we can bring greater mindfulness to mealtimes and create more calm at the dinner table.

• Tips for creating rituals to set the tone for the meal.

• How to stimulate and encourage appropriate conversation in small children.

• How to model the type of behavior you expect at the dinner table.

• Some ideas for some other mealtime rituals you can create.

• Advice for teaching table manners; the importance of modeling.

• Methods for keeping children seated at the table for the meal, such as the candle ritual.

Website

Instagram

Creating a Restorative Daily Rhythm10 Jun 202100:21:10

Rhythm and routine aren’t quite the same thing. Both can be valuable to your home life, but rhythm offers a flexibility and a flow which routine does not. Our guest today, Meagan Rose Wilson, is Waldorf trained and an expert on all things rhythm. She joins us on the show to share her thoughts about why establishing daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms is so beneficial for families. Meagan offers examples of ways to incorporate rhythm into your life, and we discuss a practice which is helpful for maintaining that rhythm. We explore the restorative daily rhythm in more depth through delving into the concept of in-breaths and out-breaths, and we also delve into how to manage multiple rhythms at once when you have children of different ages. Rhythm is not set in stone, and you will need to change and adapt it as your children grow, and that is where the beauty lies!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to the Waldorf Movement, today’s guest, and the focus of today’s episode.

• Rhythm; how Meagan defines it.

• Meagan explains how rhythm differs from routine and gives a practical example which makes it clear how rhythm can be incorporated into your daily life.

• Three main cornerstones that Meagan encourages parents to focus on with their children.

• Benefits that rhythm offers you and your children.

• Different types of rhythm, defined temporally.

• What the in-breaths and out-breaths within a restorative daily rhythm can look like.

• Examples of how Meagan manages in-breaths and out-breaths for her children of different

ages.

• A simple practice which can help you with maintaining your rhythm.

• The flowing nature of rhythm means that it is not set in stone and will change depending on a number of factors.

Website

Instagram

How Rhythm Leads to Big Change03 Jun 202100:29:10

Welcome back to We Nurture everybody, and today we will be looking at the vitally important topic of rhythm and how to implement it in simple and foundational ways into your home and family life. As with many things, a great place to start lies in your breath and through the mindful observation of what is happening. In order to create a useful roadmap of routine and schedule, we need to start from where we are, and this means a certain level of observation. Simple breathing exercises are so useful in order to calm and center yourself and a child, and the more of this type of energy that you can facilitate the more balanced the rhythm you will be able to achieve will be. When we look at the example of young children and newborn babies, the breath is the focal point for gauging their health and mood, and these steps of learning are their first.

They take their cues from us and setting the right rhythmic example for this elemental part of human life should be the building block of all things to come. This then branches out into the other rhythms of the body and its organs; looking at the need for rest and sustenance can help us anchor the day according to what is most important. Listeners can expect to hear all about these steps and how they shift and evolve with growing children, as well as some helpful actionable methods for setting things in the right kind of motion. Tune in to get it all!

In this Episode we cover

- The starting point for creating and strengthening your home rhythms

- Mindfulness and scheduling; looking at daily and weekly planning with calm energy.

- Where to shift and adjust as your child grows and changes

- Letting go of difficulty and guilt associated with an over-cluttered routine.


Website

Instagram

Transforming How We Communicate With Our Child11 Mar 202100:30:28

Transforming How We Communicate with Our Child 

Episode 15: Show Notes.

Today I am joined again by Stephen Spitalny to talk about communicating with young children and simple ways to transform this for the better. Stephen is a teacher at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School and is the author of three books and numerous articles on the subject of early childhood. He has also hosted a number of workshops and courses all over the world! Stephen has joined me for a series of conversations and today we delve into talking about communicating with a young child and the best ways to approach this. Stephen unpacks the five steps that he offers for effective and healthy communication, going through speaking less, speaking slowly, speaking the truth, using the word 'but' sparingly, and positive use of the word 'no'. After unpacking each of these important aspects we move on to the related topics of healthy boundaries, creating real freedom for a child, praise, and learning through imitation. A big takeaway from today's conversation and one that we underline at the end is the need for transformation within the adult, and the somewhat obvious responsibility we have when setting an example for children. So for all of these helpful and inspiring thoughts, be sure to join us today!

Key Points From This Episode:

  • The idea of speaking less and why to think about using fewer words when communicating something important. 
  • Speaking slowly and allowing children the time to process what is said. 
  • Practices around speaking the truth and leading by example in this regard.
  • Why Stephen recommends avoiding the word 'but' as much as possible.
  • The use of the word 'no'; creating safe and healthy boundaries for children.
  • Creating true freedom and allowing children to exercise creativity within a framework. 
  • Stephen's thoughts on the best ways to communicate with children around achievement. 
  • Leading by example when trying to help children learn good behaviors and manners. 
  • Creating good habits by allowing children to learn through imitation.
  •  A final message from Stephen about the necessary transformation within the adult. 

   Stephen Spitalny's Books

 -Conscious Parenting: A Guide to Living with Young Children

- Connecting with Young Children: Educating the Will

- What's the Story? Storytelling with Young Children as a Path Toward Living Happily Ever 

    After

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook

LifeWays North America

Stephen Spiltany

Stephen Spiltqny on Twitter

Santa Cruz Waldorf School

Conscious Parenting: A Guide to Living with Young Children on Amazon



Website

Why Learning Through Imitation is Significant to Childhood Development04 Mar 202100:25:51

Why Learning Through Imitation is Significant to Child Development

Episode S3E14: Show Notes.

Learning through imitation is significant to childhood development, but children don’t choose which examples to imitate, which can create challenges for parents and teachers. Today we sit with Stephen Spiltany, an influential teacher and author in the Waldorf education space. In this episode Stephen serves as a guiding voice, sharing details on why children imitate, how their imitations aren’t based on virtue but rather the result, and ways parents and teachers can cultivate methods that’ll lead to constructive imitation. We begin the show by hearing why it is crucial to understand the role of imitation for young children. After understanding that imitation is the primary way young children learn, Stephen tells us why children sometimes imitate the worst parts of their parents. Although adults can make themselves into better humans through their own decision-making processes and efforts, children don’t have the neurological development to achieve this. Stephen tells us that it’s the mindfulness and awareness of teachers and parents that can help children imitate positively. He goes on to detail how teachers and parents can create change in the imitation habits of children, but reminds listeners that change is an eventual outcome and cannot be made after one lesson. To hear more about child development through imitation, tune in with us today!

Key Points From This Episode:


  • Introducing our returning guest, Stephen Spiltany.
  • Why it is crucial to understand the role of imitation for young children.
  • How seeing children imitate the worst parts of a parent can be triggering for the parent.
  • Why “autopilot” mode is often the example parents offer to their children.
  • The importance of developing yourself as a parent or teacher.
  • Why imitation is so significant from a developmental perspective.
  • How habits become ingrained in children.
  • Why children can’t learn a new habit the first time around.
  • How to cultivate better practices to encourage new, better imitations from children.

    Stephen Spitalny's Books

 -Conscious Parenting: A Guide to Living with Young Children

- Connecting with Young Children: Educating the Will

- What's the Story? Storytelling with Young Children as a Path Toward Living Happily Ever  

    After

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:


We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook

LifeWays North America

Stephen Spiltany

Stephen Spiltqny on Twitter

Santa Cruz Waldorf School


Books by Stephen Spitalny

Conscious Parenting: A Guide to Living with Young Children on Amazon





Website

The Young Child's Developing Awareness of Self25 Feb 202100:32:59

Today’s guest, Stephen Spiltany, has taught at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School since 1990. He offers courses and workshops worldwide, especially in Asia. He is also a parent and a grandparent and he has written three books and numerous articles about early childhood. In today’s episode, we go further into the development of young children as they discover and explore their awareness of self. Stephen takes us through what an undeveloped awareness of self is, with a comparison between that of an adult and that of a young child we broach the topic of the development of self, how we can recognize the sure signs of our child’s journey of discovering their sense of self, and he explains the concept of interoception. Stephen also shares with listeners about finding the balance between loving firmness and the appropriate distribution of autonomy, and the reasons why a developing child is unable to self-direct. Tune in today for all this and so much more, as we dive into this big topic on the essential aspects in creating connection and supportive development for our child. 

Key Points From This Episode:

  • Stephen describes an undeveloped awareness of self in the adult versus the young child.
  • What helps us recognize that our child's sense of self is burgeoning: the arc of development.
  • How to consciously and kindly nurture your child's developing sense of self.
  • How the adult state of consciousness differs from that of a child; the dream consciousness.
  • Developing the sense of self and giving your child the option to “choose.
  • Stephen shares some insights into finding the balance of loving firmness.
  • How developing yourself as an adult will flow over and benefit your child.
  • How being mindful and present is an important practice as you observe your child develop.

 Stephen Spitalny's Books

- Conscious Parenting: A Guide to Living with Young Children

- Connecting with Young Children: Educating the Will

- What's the Story? Storytelling with Young Children as a Path Toward Living Happily Ever After

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook

Stephen Spiltany

Stephen Spiltany on Twitter

Santa Cruz Waldorf School

Connecting With Young Children

Conscious Parenting



Website

Instagram

How Young Children Think with Stephen Spiltany18 Feb 202100:34:05

A child’s development is an intricate process that has been refined through millions of years of evolution. Being present during developmental years is a major responsibility for a parent or caregiver, and understanding how one can guide the process is key to a healthy, growing child. Today I sit with Stephen Spiltany, who has taught at Santa Cruz Waldorf School since 1990. I open my conversation with Stephen by discovering the nuances of the child’s brain. Stephen talks about why children don’t have complex decision-making and planning skills, and he touches on the different systems of the brain, namely the Reptilian brain and the Limbic system. Following this, Stephen digs deeper as we explore the limbic system a little further. Through this, listeners will hear how they can adjust their parenting and caring styles. According to Stephen, a child’s job is to explore and try things out, while a parent’s job is to create loving boundaries. He continues this exploration by sharing ways you can approach children who struggle to receive instruction. To find out how you can lead through example, and much, much more, be sure to join us today!

In today's episode, you'll discover;

  • Why children don’t have complex decision-making and planning skills.
  • Stephen explains the three systems of the human brain.
  • Hear about how the prefrontal cortex has evolved over millions of years.
  • How an understanding of limbic system development can influence our parenting styles.
  • Ways parents and carers can meet the development needs of young children.
  • Approaching a child that dismisses your behavior as a good example.
  • Why children aren’t malicious but are rather looking for the adult’s attention.
  • Proactive things to say when disciplining a child.
  • Why it is best to wait for intellectual activity.
  • Stephen explains what intellectual activity is.

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook

LifeWays North America

Stephen Spiltany

Santa Cruz Waldorf School

Conscious Parenting: A Guide to Living with Young Children on Amazon

Paul MacLean

National Institutes of Health

Gray’s Anatomy on Amazon



Website

Instagram

Parenting with Greater Consciousness11 Feb 202100:27:53

Today I sit down with Stephen Spitalny to talk about parenting with greater consciousness. As an early childhood educator, author, lecturer, and consultant, Stephen walks us through each layer of greater consciousness using his book Conscious Parenting: A guide to living with young children, as a reference. We begin our conversation by finding out more about Stephen and his background. Following this, we turn our focus toward the introduction of Stephen’s book and his intentions for writing it. He touches on why the essential gesture of the human being is the activity of connecting before telling us all the ways we can connect with ourselves. Stephen continues by sharing what inspired him to spread his message, as he refers to a powerful anecdote and how his experience inspired him to help adults discover effective and supportive ways of communicating with children. In the latter half of the episode, Stephen talks about connecting with your own consciousness and how being mindful or present is a pathway to cultivating this connection. To find out more about Stephen’s thoughts on parenting with greater consciousness, be sure to tune!  

You can find more about Stephen and the books he has published at chamakanda.com

Conscious Parenting: A Guide to Living with Young Children

Connecting with Young Childen: Educating the Will

What's the Story? Storytelling with Young Children as a Path Toward Living Happily Ever After

 Stephen Spitalny's Books

- Conscious Parenting: A Guide to Living with Young Children

- Connecting with Young Children: Educating the Will

- What's the Story? Storytelling with Young Children as a Path Toward Living Happily Ever After


We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook

Stephen Spitalny

Stephen Spitalny on Twitter

Conscious Parenting: A guide to living with young children on Amazon

Speaking with the Young Child Through the Kindergarten Years

Wynstones Press





Website

Instagram

Tantrums: Nurturing ways to help your child04 Feb 202100:16:38

As difficult as they can be to manage, tantrums are a normal part of childhood development. In this question-and-answer episode, we have dedicated the full duration of the show to tantrums. We find out what they are, where they come from, and how we, as parents, can handle them. Engaging our children during a tantrum might seem like a logical next step, but in this episode, we explain why that might not necessarily be the case. When it comes to coping with tantrums, it’s about striking a balance. We take time to discuss what this balance is and why the extremes on either side of it are easy to fall into. Don’t worry though, because we also take a look at the role of the parent and find out what qualities are most useful for dealing with tantrums, which include an understanding of brain development, providing a healthy day rhythm, holding boundaries, listening with compassion, and having empathy. Following this, we look at tantrums through a biological lens, finding out more about the prefrontal cortex and its accompanying limbic system and reptilian brain. Toward the end of the episode, we touch on the importance of rhythms, listening with compassion as a skill, and why empathy is a major game-changer.



Key Points From This Episode:


  • Introducing today’s Q&A topic: Tantrums - Nurturing ways to help your child.
  • Why tantrums are normal.
  • What tantrums actually mean and when they can manifest.
  • What happens when we engage our children or contemplation or conversation.
  • Finding a balance with your child and the way they use tantrums.
  • Understanding the role of the parent and brain development.
  • The prefrontal cortex and its purpose.
  • Why rhythm is good for young children.
  • Why healthy boundaries are necessary.
  • Listening with compassion is a skill.
  • Why empathy is a useful tool.

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook



Website

Instagram

Your Parenting Questions Answered28 Jan 202100:36:12

In today’s episode, we answer some of your biggest parenting questions. To begin with, we address what you should do when your child or a child who is in care is screaming. Listeners will benefit from a range of tips that touch on why you should never scream back, along with pragmatic questions that will help calm the situation. You will also learn about children’s needs and discover the reasons behind their yelling. The second question we answer is on the topic of boys playing with dolls. We dive into why it’s healthy for boys to play with toys like these and explain how it helps boys move through tough life experiences while instilling empathy. In the latter half of the show, we discuss how you can handle siblings who fight over toys. We provide a range of strategies that cover the dos and don’ts, which are especially important to consider if you want to avoid sibling rivalry and jealousy. The last question we answer is about sensory play ideas for two-year-olds. Together, we learn how children in the early childhood phase go through life in a state of play, and why a sense of life, touch, movement, and balance are all important. To hear more details on each question, be sure to join us today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Today, we answer some top parenting questions.

• What parents should do to stop their child screaming at them.

• Why you should never scream back at your child.

• Important lines to say when your child is yelling at you.

• Some of the varied reasons that children yell.

• We’re asked about boys playing with dolls.

• Why playing with a doll creates good human behaviors.

• How playing with dolls can help boys with their life challenging experiences.

• Another listener wants to know how to stop their kids from fighting over toys.

• Hear how you can make sure fighting children feel understood and not judged.

• We answer; do you have recommendations on timeouts?

• What studies have found about timeouts.

• A useful phrase to say to your child when they are in timeout.

• Hear about sensory play ideas for two-year-olds.

• How to implement a sense of life, touch, movement, and balance.


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook



Website

Instagram

Nurturing Creativity in Early Childhood10 Dec 202000:20:12

In this episode, Sharifa sheds light on the importance of art in our young child’s life as a creative activity that connects us to our past and future development as human beings. She delves into the connection between art and brain development, how we use art to communicate and why art and creativity are fundamentally human activities.

Music is “Dance With Me” and “Naive” by Sergey Cheremisinov.

To join one of our online courses, ask a parenting question, book a one-on-one consultation or join our community please visit wenurturecollective.com

Website

Instagram

Playing with our Children19 Nov 202000:39:20

In the last episode, Sharifa spoke about the importance of play for young children and she gave deep insights into why play is sacred for the young child. In this episode, Sharifa will talk about what kind of play parents should engage in with their child.

Sharifa is the author of multiple best-selling books: Heaven on Earth, Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children, and With Stars in their Eyes.  She also worked collaboratively to create the book, What is a Waldorf Kindergarten. She was the founding teacher of the Charlottesville Waldorf School, Virginia, where she taught kindergarten for twenty-one years and served as daycare director of the early-childhood program. She has helped develop new teachers through mentoring and offering practicum and internship opportunities to the teacher-training students at Sunbridge College in New York. Recently she initiated a home-based kindergarten program, The Rose Garden. Sharifa also travels offering lectures and workshops to schools and parent groups. She is the mother of three grown sons, who were educated in the Waldorf tradition. Sharifa lives in an enchanted forest in Virginia.

Music is “Dance With Me” by Sergey Cheremisinov.

To join one of our online courses, ask a parenting question, book a one-on-one consultation or join our community please visit wenurturecollective.com

Website

Instagram

The Importance of Play12 Nov 202000:52:03

Our guest, Sharifa Oppenheimer is known for her research and books which focus on the early childhood development. In this episode, she speaks about the nature of play in early childhood and why play is so important for young children.

Sharifa is the author of multiple best-selling books: Heaven on Earth, Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children, and With Stars in their Eyes.  She also worked collaboratively to create the book, What is a Waldorf Kindergarten. She was the founding teacher of the Charlottesville Waldorf School, Virginia, where she taught kindergarten for twenty-one years and served as daycare director of the early-childhood program. She has helped develop new teachers through mentoring and offering practicum and internship opportunities to the teacher-training students at Sunbridge College in New York. Recently she initiated a home-based kindergarten program, The Rose Garden. Sharifa also travels offering lectures and workshops to schools and parent groups. She is the mother of three grown sons, who were educated in the Waldorf tradition. Sharifa lives in an enchanted forest in Virginia.

Music is “Dance With Me” by Sergey Cheremisinov.

To join one of our online courses, ask a parenting question, book a one-on-one consultation or join our community please visit wenurturecollective.com

Website

Instagram

Breaking the Cycle of Yelling and Reactive Parenting with Hunter Clarke-Fields27 May 202500:41:34

Welcome back to the We Nurture Podcast!

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Hunter Clarke-Fields— author of Raising Good Humans—for a conversation on how we can move away from reactive parenting and toward a more mindful, connected approach.

We talk about what it really means to be a mindful parent, especially in those everyday moments that test our patience. Hunter shares powerful tools on how we can break cycles of yelling and frustration, and instead create more calm, connection, and intention in our relationships with our children.

If you’ve ever struggled with staying calm or wondered how to respond with more presence (rather than reacting in the heat of the moment), this episode offers both practical tools and gentle encouragement.

In this episode, we explore:

  • What mindful parenting looks like in everyday life
  • Tools to self-regulate in the moment
  • Tips to stop yelling
  • Mindset shifts that lead to lasting change

Whether you’re just starting to explore mindful parenting or looking for fresh inspiration, I hope this conversation with Hunter reminds you that growth is always possible—and that you don’t have to do it perfectly to make a meaningful difference.

 

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DISCLAIMER: The content shared in this podcast and on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Never ignore or delay seeking professional medical guidance based on information from this podcast or website.

Why Conscious Parenting Matters01 May 202300:36:33

Parenting wakes us up, sometimes in jarring ways especially when we begin to be more aware of our actions and behavior. In fact, it can sometimes be a surprise to us. It can be frustrating, scary, confusing and leave us feeling helpless. When we become conscious of our behavior, our words and actions we see that we actually have a choice, we can choose to raise our consciousness and live in alignment with the person we’re striving to become. Being conscious brings us closer to making the changes that we want to see in ourselves.

In this episode, I dive into talking about 10 ways you can parent with greater consciousness. The 10 ways I focus on are;

  •   Becoming conscious of your behavior, words, actions, and gestures.

  •   Working on self-development.

  •   Working on your personal challenges and triggers.

  •   Modeling behavior you want to see in your child.

  •   Creating healthy home rhythms.

  •   Slowing down and simplifying daily routines.

  •  Communicating clearly and limiting choices

  •   Being intentional with your words & limiting adult information

  •   Listening with interest

  •  Having Compassion and Empathy for your child’s big feelings

There’s a lot that I cover in this episode, including where I describe a foundation that’s needed for the young child’s healthy development. 

I hope you’ll join me!

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Creating a Waldorf Inspired Home using the Waldorf-Home-Schooling Method24 Apr 202300:34:40

You're in for a real treat in this episode!

Listen in to my in-depth conversation with guest Catherine Read, PhD author of 'The Genius of Home' - Teaching Your Children At Home With The Waldorf Curriculum.

Catherine and I met about 30 years ago when we attended a Waldorf Playgroup at a Waldorf school in Southern California and then after moving across the country we reconnected again on the East Coast when we both moved at different years to Pennsylvania. Catherine and I share immense respect for the Waldorf method not only for the curriculum but also for how it provides wise guidance for healthy family life and a way of living.


Catherine shares her experience homeschooling her two children with the Waldorf method and how this awakened her to her own self-development and how the child awakens to the world as well as the development of consciousness during childhood. Catherine also shares how she approached homeschooling her two children and so much more!


Whether you're thinking of homeschooling and/or want incorporate the Waldorf method or way of living in your home, listening to this episode is a great starting point.


I'll be going deeper into conversation with Catherine in my upcoming webinar with her on Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 1:30 - 2:30 pm EST.  All who register will receive a Replay.


The Genius of Home

Learn more about Catherine’s work here

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Navigating Boundary Expectations When Parenting Together17 Apr 202300:23:08

Boundary expectations are connected to how parents choose to raise their children. The way you both think, the decisions you both make are informed, consciously or unconsciously, by what you both value and perhaps even more so, the personality traits you want to see in your child. But you both will not know what characteristics or traits are important to you unless you both talk about it.  Because it takes being sensitive to each other’s perspective, communication is key.  It's the best way to build a bridge of understanding and it means being sensitive to each other's perspective.

In this episode, I talk about three important steps to take and I give step and step advice to  build a bridge that will help you and your spouse or partner come together with greater understanding. It's not only with boundary expectations that you will have differing opinions, there will be other aspects in parenting that will  challenge how you communicate and this is why creating a foundation for how to communicate is so important.


Listen to hear more!


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Finding Joy in Ordinary Days10 Apr 202300:19:20

Young children thrive in the ordinary, to them it's reliable, predictable and feels safe. There's less anxiety, less overwhelm, less to be nervous about especially when the ordinary is nourished by a healthy rhythm.

It can be hard to slow down, be present and fully embrace ordinary moments and ordinary days. How you wash the dishes, do the laundry, sweep the floor, set the table; these and more can make you feel like you're not seen and perhaps this is what makes simple, ordinary moments and days so hard.


In this episode I offer advice as well as inspiration for finding joy in ordinary days. I also tell my story of how I embraced ordinary days as a first time mom.


Here are two episodes from Season 4 that offer more on this topic.


The Key to More Joyful Days with Your Child (part 1)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-nurture/id1481862269?i=1000528963100


The Key to More Joyful Days with Your Child (part 2)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-nurture/id1481862269?i=1000529682364


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How to Help Your Child Have Better Sleep27 Mar 202300:25:42

For young children sleep is a sacred time that needs to be protected.  Sleep is often a vulnerable time for young children and when they need us by their side.  In this episode, I talk about what it means to nurture your child’s sleep as soul care. How slowing down life supports a child in "digesting" their day and also in being able to let go of the day in order to fall asleep. 

I touch on emotional overload and overwhelm and what happens when we view sleep as a holistic experience.

Join me for a different, perhaps wider perspective on how to help your child have better sleep.

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How Observing Your Child Can Make You a Better Parent20 Mar 202300:21:05

Over 30 years ago when I was first introduced to Waldorf education I heard about the immense value of observing my children and how it would help me know them better. 

This concept was new to me as a valuable parenting tool. I was intrigued and decided to try it out. In this episode, I share what I learned from observing my children. I also talk about a good starting place should you choose to practice observing your child as a  way to know them better. 

I'm so glad you've joined me!

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The Benefits of Creating Rhythmical Meals13 Mar 202300:25:37

Why do rhythmical meals work? And What are the benefits?

It's no surprise that young children do best when life is consistent and dependable. They feel safe when life happens in the same way over and over and even in the same order. They want daily life to be reliable and this is one reason why rhythmical meals work. When your rhythm includes a rotation of weekly meals that your child can count on then mealtimes are more likely to go smoother. Creating a rhythm with meals will also create more harmonious family mealtimes.

Listen to hear the other benefits of rhythmical meals!


In the episode, I give some healthy snack suggestions as well as dinner ideas. I dive a little bit into seasonal eating and offer some inspiration for meal planning.


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Balancing Your Needs With Your Child's Needs06 Mar 202300:20:46

Being a parent is so rewarding but also hard. There’s so much that you need to surrender to much of which you were not even aware of before having a child. Finding balance in daily life is definitely one as well as  balancing your needs with that of your child’s.  It’s really a constant challenge. 

What does the heartbeat in your home feel like?

Do you have clear intentions for your family's lifestyle?

Is there a rhythmic heartbeat in your home?


Join me in this episode for advice and tips that will reduce overwhelm and help you navigate balancing daily life.  


I've created a beautiful and unique Seasonal Family Rhythm Planner to help guide you in intentionally crafting a rhythm that aligns with the heartbeat you want for your home. The Rhythm Planner guides you step by step in creating a rhythm that will bring more balance to your days! Visit wenurturecollective.com to learn more or purchase your copy.


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How to Curate Outside Toys and Backyard Play and Increase Your Child's Outdoor Play15 Jul 202200:23:09

Spending time outdoors is real food for the soul, real food for the senses, as it nourishes the young child’s senses. Spending time outside helps your child breathe deeply and be better regulated.

Nature reduces overwhelm and eases tension. It will bring your child to a calm peaceful state. One of the great benefits of being out in nature is that it also gives your child time away from screens, and makes it possible for them to intimately reconnect with themselves. 

Join me in this episode as I talk about the Foundational senses, outdoor activities that strengthen these senses and how you can create an outdoor play area in your own backyard with toys that you curate that will interest your child and encourage them to spend hours in play outside.

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The Deeper Need Behind Your Child's Defiance | Solo Episode20 May 202500:41:39

 If your child says “no” to every request, ignores your instructions, or pushes back against every boundary, you’re not alone. Defiance in early childhood is one of the most challenging behaviors to navigate, and it often leaves parents feeling exhausted, confused, or even doubting themselves.

In this solo episode of The We Nurture Podcast, I explore what is behind defiant behavior in children so that you can get to the root of the challenge.


You’ll learn why children say “no,” what’s often hiding underneath defiance, and how to support your child through this behavior. This episode will help you shift from frustration to understanding—and offer practical ideas for building more cooperation, trust, and ease in your daily rhythm.


In this episode, I share:

– Why your child might be saying “no” more often

– How to make your home a place of more connection and less correction

– What children really need when they are defiant

– How connection reduces power struggles

Whether you're dealing with frequent “nos,” full-on meltdowns, or subtle resistance, this conversation will help you feel more grounded and empowered to parent with love and intention.


Thank you to our sponsor,  https://untammed.co


Want to come on the show for a free, anonymous coaching session? Click here to apply


Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The We Nurture Journal


Order my new book, The Little Book of Parenting


DISCLAIMER: The content shared in this podcast and on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Never ignore or delay seeking professional medical guidance based on information from this podcast or website.

The Benefits of Creating a Summer Seasonal Table14 Jul 202200:17:16

It’s Seasonal Thursday and I’m so excited to have you here today. Welcome to the We Nurture Podcast with me, your host, Chinyelu. Today, I’ll be talking about the benefits of creating a summer seasonal table for you and your child. Waldorf Education calls it a nature table and it is all about creating nature scenes that reflect what is happening outside in nature, during that season. I’ll speak to you about how a seasonal table opens up opportunities for creativity, engagement, bonding, communication, connection and care. It is a natural way to encourage outdoor play and it allows your child to connect with nature in a personal way, as you let them go about their explorations.  A seasonal table is all about engaging your child’s senses, as well as strengthening your bond with them through an activity that you can do together. Bring along your child-like wonder as you tune in for this one. 

Key Points From This Episode:

  • Being drawn to the ‘why‘ of a summer seasonal table/nature table as a young mother new to Waldorf Education. 
  • Encouraging an interest in and respect for the natural world. 
  • Helping your child learn about nature in a personal way, developing a caring attitude for the earth.  
  • A natural way to encourage outside play. 
  • How your child can get a deeper experience of exploring the world around them.
  • Placing focus on allowing your child the opportunity to investigate and explore like a scientist. 
  • The importance of play with objects from nature and further developing the sense of touch. 
  • Why flowers matter and how to arrange them with your child. 
  • The most important aspect of creating a seasonal table: being together with your child.
  • Introducing seasonal foods/recipes to your child and having them help you prepare that meal.
  • Crafting with natural objects and materials. 
  • Having a crafted tree as a grounding presence on your seasonal table. 
  • Ideas on how to start a seasonal table and where to place it in your home. 


Etsy

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5 Waldorf Inspired Practices for a more Balanced Lifestyle13 Jul 202200:27:08

Welcome to a new episode on The We Nurture Podcast! Today is Inspirational Wednesday, and I will be talking about five Waldorf-inspired practices that I believe will help you cultivate a more balanced, nourishing lifestyle for your family (and for you too!). No matter your parenting situation, looking after little ones is no easy task. While focusing on the five practices, which are self-care, rhythm (one of my favorites!), daily routines, family values, home life and connecting with nature, I will help you understand how to cultivate balance when you live intentionally! While looking at sleep times, mealtimes, and play times, I help you understand how to better meet your child’s needs. I also give you some tips on creating simple, nurturing, doable, and nourishing self-care practices for when life feels like an overwhelming balancing act.

Key Points From This Episode:

  • A new perspective on how to view balance in our lives.
  • Why parenting requires so much energy.
  • Five Waldorf-inspired practices to cultivate in day to day life.
  • 1: self-care (creating simple, nurturing, doable, and nourishing practices). 
  • 2: rhythm (sleep times, mealtimes, and play times).
  • 3: daily routines (building with intentionality to restore a sense of balance).
  • 4: family values (the tools you give your child, defining your family story, and creating healthy values).
  • 5: home life and connecting with nature (a place of security, safety, and cultivating a sanctuary).

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook

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Using Stories to Help your Child Handle Change12 Jul 202200:25:23

Welcome back to another bountiful episode of blossoming Tuesday on the We Nurture Podcast. I’m your host, Chinyelu. Today, I talk about how you can use stories to calm your child when they are distressed. Your child could be agitated due to a break from routine or nervous about an upcoming event. In any case, stories are a way to capture your child’s attention and imagination, in an effort to bring calm to a situation. I will tell you how descriptive language is great for early childhood development, and how you, as a parent, do not need to tell the perfect story, only one that helps you connect with your child with a message that they can relate to. I will share two stories with you today, as examples of the ways that you can create imagery to bring peace to any moments of stress. I can’t wait for you to tune into this one! 

Key Points From This Episode:

  • Using stories to help children manage behavior that has become disruptive. 
  • How to use language to conjure up images that guide your child’s emotions to a calm state.
  • Why the loss of a sense of security and safety can cause dysregulation.
  • Descriptive language as an aid for early childhood development. 
  • The way stories can capture a child’s attention and imagination. 
  • Creating your own stories, as a parent, to bring calm. 
  • The types of stories that you can use to create imagery. 
  • Making sure that you do not direct your child through your stories. 
  • Creating imagery that your child can relate to. 
  • How to navigate through an unexpected event that interrupts the usual routine. 
  • Your story does not have to be perfect, so rather focus on connecting with your child!
  • Using animals in stories to better connect with your child. 
  • An example of a preview story: The Fox Family. 


Waldorf Education

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Why Time Outs Don't Work and What to Do Instead11 Jul 202200:20:22

Welcome to a new episode of the We Nurture Podcast! Today is Mindful Monday, and I will be discussing why giving a child a timeout doesn’t work. Timeouts, which are ineffective and punitive, never serve their intended purpose. While delving deep into the topic, I explain why we need to change our perception of dealing with negative behavior, and how by doing this, we create an opportunity to support our children, connect with them, and build a relationship. I try to help you understand the importance of being present when your child reflects and processes their behavior, how to teach your child emotional regulation, the ways to guide them with your own strengths and boundaries, and how timeouts cause our children to create beliefs that they are worthy of punishment.  Plus, I give you suggestions and helpful strategies on what to do instead of timeouts, how to acknowledge why you desire to send your child to timeout, and the importance of giving your child autonomy and choice. I hope you can join me!

Key Points From This Episode:

  • How to change our response to our child’s negative behavior. 
  • How to figure out what our child is trying to communicate when they have negative behavior.
  • Helpful strategies to use when dealing with a child’s misbehavior. 
  • Understanding what the flawed goal of timeout is.
  • Why we need to be present when our children reflect on their behavior. 
  • How we help our children with emotional regulation by being present.
  • Why our children need to feel comforted and guided when they are presenting negative behavior.
  • The lessons to teach our children when they are processing their feelings. 
  • How to reflect on why you are sending your child to timeout.
  • The power of giving a child autonomy and choice.
  • How to incorporate the outside when you’re dealing with misbehavior. 
  • The importance of reflecting on your child’s negative behavior. 

We Nurture Collective

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We Nurture on Facebook

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Managing Bedtime With Multiple Children08 Jul 202200:19:40

Welcome to a new episode of the We Nurture Podcast! Today is Q&A Friday, and I am going to be talking about how to manage bedtimes when you have children of different ages. I am going to talk about the power of healthy, daily rhythms and having a holistic overview of the day. Before I get deep into today’s episode, I recap the six foundations of a healthy rhythm and give some quick examples of how to make sure you achieve these. Then, I will help you understand the effect a busy day has on the tiredness of your child, and I will draw on my own experiences to give you tips, tricks, and advice on how to juggle managing bedtime routines. I help you understand how to let go of the day and make peace with what has been, in the hopes of finding harmony tomorrow. From reading books before bed and having early dinners, to managing bathing and showering routines, this episode is helpful for parents and caregivers with children of all ages!

Key Points From This Episode:

  • Chinyelu discusses why she was at home with her three children (of all different ages).
  • The power of a healthy, daily rhythm and having a holistic overview of the day.
  • Talking about how different emotions are expressed at the end of the day, normally at bedtime.
  • Why children can become clingy at the end of the day.
  • How to have a harmonious bedtime.
  • The link between the end of today and the beginning of tomorrow. 
  • Investing in a front carrier for your baby.
  • Why you should have early dinners, and how to create a bathing/showering routine.
  • Why you should read books (and the different kinds of books to read) before bed.
  • How you can put your day to rest and give yourself peace during bedtime.

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Summertime Rhythm to Nurture Your Child and Family07 Jul 202200:24:30

Welcome to a new episode of the We Nurture Podcast! Today is Seasonal Thursday, and I am going to be chatting about how to create, and maintain, a nourishing, balancing summertime rhythm to nurture your child and family. We all know that the summer season is notorious for unplanned, changing activities. So, when reflecting on our rhythms, we need to focus on creating predictable and consistent routines that will support our child's ability to self-regulate, have a sense of normality, and support their sense of wellbeing. I discuss the three essential cornerstones of support (sleep time, mealtime, and playtime) and how they promote a healthy daily rhythm. I will help you recognize when your child is expressing, their feelings of being unsettled and overwhelmed; whether it is through behavior or actions, and how to approach and implement a balanced routine to get them back to feeling their best. I hope you tune in to hear my personal summertime rhythm guide, which includes estimated times of the day, for creating a sustainable and supportive rhythm!

Key Points From This Episode:

  • How the summer season brings a change in rhythms.
  • Creating predictable and consistent routines.
  • The foundation of rhythm and the three cornerstones: sleep time, mealtime, and playtime. 
  • How to help your child self-regulate, have a sense of normality, and support their sense of wellbeing.
  • Understanding your child’s negative behavior (and boundary-pushing) as communicating feelings of being unsettled and overwhelmed. 
  • The major role of balancing your day-to-day life
  • The power of slowing down (and expanding) the activities we do with our children.
  • A framework for creating your summer rhythm.
  • Sleep time: the correct number of hours for restorative sleep. 
  • Mealtime: helping keep the system in balance, nourishment, and blood sugar regulation.
  • Playtime: nourishing cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being and language and communication skills development. 
  • The power of being in nature during your summer mealtime.
  • A summertime rhythm guide, based on times of the day, for creating a nourishing routine. 

Sleep Foundation

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How Opened Ended Toys Build the Imagination06 Jul 202200:18:02

Did you know that when your child plays with a toy, they actually build a relationship with the toy and the material that the toy is made from can affect how they play with the toy. It’s important when we are intentional about the kinds of toys or play materials that we give to our child. Does it have warmth? Does it invite your child to play? How does it feel? How does your child engage with it? These are all good questions to ask. 

Just  by watching your child, you can see how much their toys stimulate their imagination, their curiosity and approach to exploring their world. Children learn about their world through play and the toys and play materials that they use are a medium for this exploration.

The less formed a toy is the more room there is for your child to imagine and create their own ideas. Open-ended toys give children freedom to create and because they aren’t fixed they can be used in any number of ways. 

Join me in this episode to learn more!


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Nurturing Compassion with Doll Play06 Jul 202200:22:13

Welcome to the We Nurture Podcast. Today, I will be talking about the importance of doll play in your young child’s development. Doll play can nurture compassion in your child, and give them the ability to care for someone or something else. Waldorf education states that dolls are the archetype of the human being and I have seen this to be true in my experiences with preschool children. I will show you how doll play can lead to you, as a parent, being more mindful, what to avoid when you are handling a doll in front of your child, how a doll as a toy can be your child’s best friend, and how a simple doll will allow your child to fully express their feelings. I’ll take you on a journey through the experiences I had when introducing my children to their Christmas dolls, and how my kids (and others) built relationships with their cuddle companions. Doll play can help your child work through their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, so you, as a parent, should always be mindful when showing nurturing care to your child. Tune in to find out why doll play is one of the most important types of play that a young child can have. 

Key Points From This Episode:

  • Exploring how you can nurture your child’s ability to be compassionate through doll play.
  • Doll play is valuable to all children, boys and girls. 
  • How dolls are the archetype of the human being in Waldorf education. 
  • The way a child will imitate how you, as an adult, handle a doll. 
  • How doll play can lead to a parent becoming more mindful. 
  • What to avoid as a parent when handling a doll. 
  • Why a toy can be a young child’s best friend. 
  • My experience of seeing a Waldorf doll for the first time.
  • How a simple doll allows a child to fully express their feelings. 
  • The perfect Christmas gift: a make-your-own doll kit. 
  • How kids build relationships with their dolls. 
  • How children are able to work through their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through doll play. 
  • The importance of being mindful when showing nurturing care to our children.


Waldorf Education

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The 4 Temperaments - A tool to Better Understand Your Child’s Personality04 Jul 202200:23:57

Today on Mindful Monday, I will be talking about the four temperaments as a tool to better understand your child’s personality. By understanding temperaments, we, as parents, can meet our child's needs in a more effective way. The four temperaments, which can be defined as traits and characteristics, are known as air (sanguine), water (phlegmatic), earth (melancholic), and fire (choleric). 

“Although each temperament has specific qualities, we can expect that every one of the qualities will be seen in each individual.”— Chinyelu Kunz [

 

I talk about how, although each person has one or two dominant elements, qualities of each temperament is present in everyone. I advise on how to recognize, observe, experience, and manage each temperament in your child. Plus, I offer a guide to understanding how to bring all four elements into balance and harmony. I hope you will join me for this episode!

Key Points From This Episode:

  • The power of understanding your child’s personality.
  • The four temperaments and how they relate to the four elements.
  • How Waldorf uses the temperaments as a tool to bring children to balance.
  • Exploring how each element can present itself in children. 
  • A perspective from a Waldorf teacher and Waldorf mother.
  • How to support our children by understanding and recognizing their characteristics as a part of their elements. 

Books on Temperaments (short list)


Between Form & Freedom by Betty Staley

Children and Their Temperaments by Marieke Anschutz

Authentic Parenting by Bari Borsky & Judith Haney


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook

We Nurture on YouTube

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Daily Self-Care for Stressed Parents24 Jun 202200:18:16

In this Q & A Friday Episode , I’ll be talking about Self-Care for Stressed Parents.

This question was asked on our instagram poll when we asked parents to submit their questions for Q & A Friday on the podcast. It received a lot of votes which made it the clear choice for this episode. 

If you would like to ask a parenting question you can submit it on Instagram @we (underscore) nurture on Mondays during season 6!

 Listen in as I guide you through how to acknowledge your stress, process stress triggers, and even potentially prevent stress altogether. You’ll learn the negative effects of high-stress levels and how you can recognize this through your elevated emotions. 

When your self-care practices make it possible for you to have a deeper understanding of why your stress exists, this helps you understand ways to heal yourself. 

However, you need to remember that your stressors and emotions are valid, even if they make you feel like you are an incapable or imperfect parent. With examples such as going for a walk, having a bath, and resting when your child does, you'll begin to understand how you need to nurture the parts of yourself that needs it the most. 

I hope this episode will inspire you to dig deep and start your daily self-care practices today!

Listen to hear more and learn ways to reduce your parenting stress!


Key Points From This Episode:

  • The knockdown effects of high-stress levels. 
  • Recognizing the beginning stages of elevated stress levels.
  • The implications of emotional disconnection.
  • The feelings of regret at the end of the vicious stress cycle.
  • How to determine the origin of your stress.
  • Examples of emotions that trigger stress.
  • Different practices to incorporate into your day-to-day life to alleviate stress.
  • The deepness that should take place during your self-care practices. 
  • Examples of self-care practices that nurture the parts of yourself that need to be nurtured. 
  • Different parts of self: emotional, social, physical, sensory, intellectual, creative, and spiritual. 
  • How to achieve personal growth while you’re on the journey of reducing your stress. 


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook

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The Benefits of Forest Bathing and Why It's a Healthy Activity23 Jun 202200:18:47

In this episode, I talk about Forest Bathing, the benefits and why it's a healthy activity.

What is it about forest life that draws us, heals us, and brings us joy? 

What does it mean to bath our senses in the atmosphere of the forest?


In the forest, nothing is asked of us so we find ourselves listening, observing and noticing what’s around us. We relax. And when we are in a place where we can calmly take in our surroundings, particularly in a forest where our senses are bathed, we become peaceful just by the very fact that our body is in a restful state and that we’re breathing more deeply.


Join me as I take you on a journey through the forest to experience how and why it's healing for the senses and the soul.


Key Points From This Episode:

  • Understanding what forest bathing is.
  • The health benefits of forest bathing.
  • Why I built a forest at a Waldorf pre-school program.
  • Why forest life heals and nurtures our emotional well-being, physical bodies, and soul.
  • What it means to bathe our senses in the atmosphere of a forest.
  • How to craft and cultivate a simple and better forest experience.
  • Nature as a powerful antidote for sensory overload and challenging behaviors.
  • The ways children absorb experiences and how to use this to foster healthy development.
  • The four foundational senses as our child’s sensory building blocks.
  • How to observe your child in a  forest bathing experience. 


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture Instagram   

We Nurture Instagram  

Association for Healing Education - Article - Observations Based on the Lower Senses

http://box5157.temp.domains/~healipj6/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/12sensesahe.pdf

We Nurture on Facebook

We Nurture on YouTube

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12 Types of Play Your Child Needs22 Jun 202200:19:33

As parents, we know how important play is for young children. For the young child, play and learning are one and the same. Through play, children try out their ideas and develop new capacities at their own pace and in their own timing. 

It's been said that the most effective way for a young child to be educated is to let them learn through play at their own pace. - To let them learn when they are ready and interested. 

The types of play that I’ll focus on is based on research that was used as a tool for assessing whether play in early childhood programs was providing adequate opportunities and materials for all types of play. Although this research came out of this need, it’s also a useful tool for us as parents to know if we are providing the variety of play that our child needs and if they have access to different types of play in the program they attend.

Listen to learn more!


Here are a links to Alliance for Childhood articles


Crisis in the Kindergarten - Why Children Need to Play in School

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d24bb215f3e850001630a72/t/5d389f785f713d0001a33797/1563991929109/Summary+Crisis+in+Kindergarten_8-page_summary.pdf

Alliance for Childhood - Importance of Play

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED485734.pdf


12 Key Types of Play

https://images.shulcloud.com/1039/uploads/docs/Resource-Bank/Parent-Resource-Bank/Twelve-Key-Types-of-Play.pdf

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Nurturing Your Child's Ability to Self-Regulate21 Jun 202200:13:00

Welcome to another inspiring edition of Blossoming Tuesday on the We Nurture Podcast. 

Today, I talk about how to nurture your child’s ability to self-regulate. I highlight three stages of learning - supporting self-regulation, co-regulating, and achieving self-regulation  that, when nurtured, builds your child’s ability to regulate. You’ll come to understand what role your triggers, as a parent, play in your child’s self-regulation journey.  I share insights on the importance of breathing, talking, seeking help, and, of course, the undeniable benefits of play. Finally, I take a detailed look at the importance of self-regulation in children and adults alike.  Tune in to listen and  please share this episode with family and friends. 

Key Points From This Episode:

  • The three stages of learning that build your child’s ability to self-regulate.
  • Stage 1: Supporting self-regulation.
  • How to be a calm, nurturing presence for your child.  
  • Stage 2: Co-regulating. 
  • Stage 3: Achieving self-regulation.
  • Why understanding your triggers as a parent will help your child’s self-regulation. 
  • How children develop self-regulation through self-directed play. 
  • The reasons why self-regulation is essential. 

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The Effects of Screen Time on the Young Child20 Jun 202200:23:40

Welcome to a new episode of the We Nurture Podcast! Today on Mindful Monday, I will be chatting about the effects of screen time on our young ones. I'll open a dialogue around why screen time should be limited for younger children. I'll talk about how I raised my children, the research and resources I used, and the methods of observations that better equipped me to create and maintain a screen-free home. While acknowledging that this is a difficult task, I'll give advice, tips, and powerful questions to ask ourselves which will help listeners to better observe and perceive the ways children behave and interact when having screen time. From understanding important cognitive, sensory, and physiological nervous system developments in our children, to the power of boredom and nature, I talk about how to take on the challenge of minimizing screen time in your homes to improve all aspects of your child's life. I'll talk about how chronic stress, overstimulation, and concentration barriers can be combated with simple play-oriented, movement-centered, grounding techniques. I hope you can join me to feel empowered to tackle minimizing screen time in a world that revolves around screens!

Key Points From This Episode:

  • A brief look at my personal parenting style with regard to screens. 
  • The age at which I introduced screens into my children's lives.
  • Discussing the development of a young child’s brain with respect to certain age markers.
  • The developmental processes a brain misses out on when a child is having screen time.
  • Why I avoided screen time when raising my children in their early years. 
  • The importance of children feeling and processing their boredom.
  • The effects of screen time on children's cognitive, sensory, and physiological nervous systems.
  • How screen time can affect your child’s focus, attention span, and sleep.
  • A scientific understanding of a child’s developing brain. 
  • Three critical questions you can ask yourself when making decisions around children’s screen time.
  • How to look out for and pay attention to the negative effects of screen time.
  • 10 key points from Dr. Dunckley’s book, Reset Your Child's Brain.
  • The power of observing your child.


PDF Reset Your Child's Brain - A Four Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades and Build Social skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen Time


Reset Your Child's Brain by Dr. Victoria Dunckley

What Do We Really Know About Kids and Screens

The Case for Screen-Free Childhood

Associations between screen-based media use and brain white matter integrity in preschool-aged children

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Navigating Resistance and Aggressive Language17 Jun 202200:24:23

Today on Q&A Friday, I talk about how to mindfully navigate resistance and aggressive language in our children. With no simple one-size-fits-all approach, I guide you in understanding that each situation requires a personal tailored response: one that is in the best interest of your child. You'll learn the importance of a child being able to express themselves, and how to look beyond their behavior with kindness and empathy for underlying issues that they may be trying to express. Discover seven reasons that can cause resistance and aggressive language, which include being overwhelmed, the inability to express emotions, mimicking their personal experiences, and changing communication styles. Plus, you'll get some suggestions to navigate this behavior, from creating consistent home rhythms to holding boundaries, remaining calm in resistant situations, and acknowledging major developmental milestones. I hope you’ll join me for this informative and encouraging episode!

Key Points From This Episode:

  • Navigating your child’s resistance while considering potential underlying causes.
  • How allowing your child to express themselves builds connections and strengthens relationships.
  • A list of seven things to consider when understanding resistant behavior.
  • Suggestions on how to combat resistant behavior. 
  • Why adults must make bigger decisions and let children choose between two smaller choices. 
  • How being overwhelmed can mirror being resistant. 
  • The ways an adult can support their child through situations that trigger resistance.
  • What the Waldorf Education system defines as the individuation process.
  • The healing power of telling stories.
  • How to tame, work with, and deal with aggressive language and behavior

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook

Website

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Connecting your Child to Life Through Gardening16 Jun 202200:21:58

“Gardening isn’t just an activity that we do. In so many ways, it shows us the essence of the cycles of life, from the seed to the aging, dying plant.” Today on Seasonal Thursday, I’ll be talking about a Waldorf inspired approach to gardening with young children. Once again, I will invite you to place yourself in the young child’s world of feeling instead of knowing, experiencing instead of overthinking. I'll take a look at the importance of nature in early childhood before taking a deep dive into ‘the willing phase’. Then, onto gardening, where you’ll learn how to plan your garden and decide what to plant, making sure that you have the right tools, as well as the importance of designated gardening clothes, and so much more! And, of course, you’ll get some ideas for fun gardening activities, some of which are there to extend the experience beyond just gardening. Make sure to tune in and come grow with us.

Key Points From This Episode:

  • Living into an experience, instead of thinking your way through it. 
  • How ‘feeling‘ is more important than ‘knowing‘ for the young child. 
  • The importance of nature in early childhood.
  • Waldorf Educations’s three phases of the growing child, paying closer attention to ‘the willing phase‘.  
  • Planning your garden and deciding what to plant.
  • The importance of organic seeds/food. 
  • Making sure that you have the right tools. 
  • How to create a separate play area for your child.
  • Another reminder that children play themselves into life. 
  • Some fun gardening activities for children aged 18 months and older. 
  • The importance of having the right clothes and why distinctively different clothes for gardening matters. 
  • I talk about how to keep it simple. 
  • Little things that you can do to add to the experience, beyond just gardening.
  • Creating a small, personal garden bed for the slightly older child. 

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The Benefits of Cooking with Your Child15 Jun 202200:14:15

Welcome to a new episode of the We Nurture Podcast! Today is Inspirational Wednesday, and we will be chatting about the power of cooking with your child. In this episode, I share personal experiences I had with my mother, my experience as a Waldorf educator, and experiences  with my children in their early childhood years. I use all of these experiences to guide you through the benefits of cooking and preparing food with your child. From social-emotional and cognitive development, building self-esteem, promoting hand-eye coordination, and creating an awareness of their senses, the list of benefits seems endless. You'll begin to understand how, by allowing your child to participate in the kitchen, you'd can create lifelong memories, foster positive relationships, and cultivate a connection to the natural world. My aim is to provide comfort in the face of this potentially daunting task, and encourage a shift in your mindset to move away from your potential fears of mess and imperfection. I hope you can join us for this informative and advice-filled episode!

Key Points From This Episode:

  • Children’s interest in adults’ day-to-day tasks.
  • A look at my childhood in Nigeria as the beginning of my relationship with food.
  • Cooking as an early childhood experience is integral to the Waldorf curriculum.
  • The holistic perspective of nourishment as an experience that promotes a healthy relationship with food.
  • The importance of children being immersed and included in their surrounding environments.
  • Accepting that including your child in cooking may be messy and be imperfect.
  • How cooking nurtures your relationship with your child and builds their self-esteem.
  • How helping prepare food promotes pre-maths thinking and helps build hand-eye coordination skills.
  • How cooking develops language skills, social-emotional and cognitive development, and problem-solving skills.
  • Age-appropriate considerations to make in the kitchen.
  • Recommendations on how to ensure your child’s safety while preparing food. 


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Activities to Calm and Ground Your Child14 Jun 202200:17:25

Do you feel like your home needs more calm? Well, get ready for some peace at home as we welcome you to another episode of the We Nurture Podcast! Today, on Blossoming Tuesday, I talk about activities that you can do to ground and calm your child. Behavior is something that needs to be carefully considered and in this episode you'll learn how your child’s behavior determines which calming activity best suits their needs. You'll also discover just how important it is to identify your child’s individual needs. You’ll come to know why the ‘time of day’ makes a difference in your child’s behavior. There are four foundational senses that we are made aware of and there is a calming activity that speaks to each one of them. I talk about about warmth as a calming essential, water as therapy, and the benefits of creating a little fort for your child. Make sure that you tune in to find out how you can bring calm to your home!  

Key Points From This Episode:

Things to notice about your child’s behavior. 

  • How behavior determines the necessary calming activity. 
  • The importance of identifying the ‘need’ of your child. 
  • What different types of calming activities look like.
  • Why time of day is an important factor to consider. 
  • How sense is important when choosing the right calming activity. 
  • Looking at the four foundational senses. 
  • Four calming activities that relate to the senses. 
  • Grounding experiences for the imbalanced child.
  • Why warmth is used as a calming essential tool. 
  • How water is akin to therapy. 
  • The importance of cozy nooks and blanketed forts for you.

You'll find our recipe for Homemade Warm Lavender Scented Play dough in today's instagram post.

Link to Waldorf Play Frame

Link to Waldorf Play Stands

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Why It's Important for Children to Know There's Goodness in the World13 Jun 202200:16:24

Welcome to another exciting edition of Mindful Monday on the We Nurture Podcast! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the importance of letting children know that there is goodness in the world. Life is hard, so children need to know that even in difficult times, goodness does exist. You'll learn that parents need to protect our children from our adult fears and anxieties and that we, as adults, need to be a model of happiness that our children can look up too. We come to understand that fear can make a child shut down and that we shouldn’t expose them to news and other adult content while they are still young. We should, instead, shower them with love and positivity. Positive affirmations can help your child develop a sense of being safe. And, we can positively affirm that today’s episode is not to be missed!  

May this episode encourage you and help you to discover hope and joy in life everyday and that you'll find the strength and courage to show your child that there is indeed Goodness in the World!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why it is important for children to know that there is goodness in the world. 

• Why children need to be protected from adult fears and anxieties.

• The way Chinyelu’s childhood experiences of war formed her beliefs!

• Discovering ways to be a model of happiness for our kids. 

• How to help your child develop a sense of safety.

• What it means to meet the world with warmth and an open heart.

• How to create moments of stillness.

• The importance of positive affirmations.





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Bossy and Aggressive Behavior Towards Siblings03 Jun 202200:21:31

In this episode, I talk about my parenting experience with bossy and aggressive behavior.  I discuss the importance of having unconditional love, compassion, and empathy as a way to understanding how our child's behavior stems from their internal fears and desire to control (because of their fears).

In sharing my personal story my hope is that it will help you if you are facing this kind of behavior. If you think my story and advice might help a family member or friend, please share it with them.

Throughout the episode, I challenge you to shift how you view aggressive behavior to see that what your child is actually needing, is actually asking for is you. They’re asking for your unconditional love, your compassion, your empathy, your understanding and your kindness. 

Key Points From This Episode:

  • My personal experience with bossy and aggressive behavior
  • The power of judgment-free observation.
  • A consistent approach to moving through the locked aggressive feelings of a toddler. 
  • How to understand your child’s behavior with unconditional love and empathy. 
  • How to support all your children when one is hurting from the actions of their sibling.
  • Remodeling aggressive actions to become respectful communication and healthy interactions. 
  • The main goal when dealing with challenging behavior.
  • The importance of a parent’s kindness, empathy, unconditional love, and compassion.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook

Website

Instagram

Creating Emotional Safety for Your Child at Bedtime for Better Sleep06 May 202500:27:00

In this solo episode of The We Nurture Podcast, Chinyelu shares insights to help you navigate one of the most tender parts of the day for your child: bedtime.

If your child resists going to sleep, expresses fears at night, or needs more from you at bedtime than you feel you have to give, you’re not alone. This episode explores why bedtime can bring so many big feelings to the surface—and how you can lovingly support your child through them, without losing your own sense of calm.


Chinyelu unpacks what bedtime fears may really be communicating, why it’s not always about the fear itself, and how rhythm and storytelling can be powerful tools for comfort and connection. You’ll come away with practical ideas and a renewed perspective on how to ease your evenings and support your child in feeling safe enough to rest.


In this episode, Chinyelu explores:



  •  Why fears and resistance often show up at bedtime


  •  What your child might really need at the end of the day


  •  How to bring more connection and calm to the bedtime rhythm


  •  The power of stories to meet emotional needs and ease anxiety


  •  Simple shifts to help your child feel safe and ready for sleep


This episode will leave you feeling more grounded, more confident, and more equipped to handle bedtime with love and intention.


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DISCLAIMER: The content shared in this podcast and on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Never ignore or delay seeking professional medical guidance based on information from this podcast or website.

Restorative Foods for Spring02 Jun 202200:20:38

Today, the We Nurture Podcast is all about making your child blossom like a spring flower! We have the added pleasure of being joined by health and beauty coach, Jolene Hart.

Jolene speaks about the importance of getting your child into the rhythm of eating with the seasons from an early age. And that it’s possible to make healthy eating fun for them!

Tune in to hear Jolene's advice and tips from her own personal and professional experience.

Key Points From This Episode:

  • Jolene’s most important food recommendations to include in family meals.
  • Making healthy eating, vegetables in particular, fun for children.
  • Detoxing: why this is not a scary concept but one to be embraced. 
  • A bit about Jolene’s research process.
  • How you can cultivate a foodie curiosity in your own home.


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Jolene Hart Website

Jolene on Twitter

Eat Pretty: Nutrition for Beauty Inside and Out

Eat Pretty Live Well - A Guided Journal

Eat Pretty Everyday - 365 Daily Inspirations

Shine On

Ignite Your Light

We Nurture Collective

We Nurture on Instagram

We Nurture on Facebook

Website

Instagram

Nurturing Confidence in your Child01 Jun 202200:11:44

Today on Inspirational Wednesday, I'll show you ways in which you can nurture your child's confidence and I'll share the value of raising a self-confident child, how to achieve this, and how a child’s early experiences lay the foundation for their life. For a child to be self-confident, they need to be given the freedom to experience new things in their world of “play“ and you, as their parent, need to allow them the opportunity to be governed by their own will. Moreover, parents need to practice what they preach, as children learn as much from observation as they do from activity. Make sure you tune in to hear how you can raise a self-confident child!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Self-confidence is developed and driven by the child’s own will (impulse and desire to do what interests them).

• Nurture your child’s will by giving them opportunities to help in daily life activities.

• Give your child plenty of time for unstructured play.

• Engaging a child’s will harnesses their inner strength and thus builds their confidence.

• As a parent, work on your own self-confidence.

• Mindfulness of your words and actions that are directed at your child.

• Being a strong role model for your child to imitate.

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What You Can Learn From Your Childs Drawings (part 2)31 May 202200:18:20

Today on Blossoming Tuesday, I am continuing the discussion of how to understand your child's drawings. I'll explain the importance of being patient with your child and allowing them freedom of expression as they transition through their developmental stages. You will begin to understand that something as simple as the ability to draw a circular shape, sun-ray shapes, dots, and lines sees a child go through many processes and developmental stages. We start to understand the significance of drawing as allowing a child to begin their exploration of their path to self-discovery. We follow along as Chinyelu explains how drawings can represent ego-consciousness, self-awareness, and cognitive connections. We are left with many examples and interpretations of the meaning behind drawings. Tune in to understand how to use these interpretations to better understand your child!  

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