The Art of Playful Parenting

The start of a new school year can bring big emotions, challenging behavior, and lots of adjustment for both children and parents. In this episode, Jill responds to a real-life question from a parent whose kindergartener got in trouble at school, offering a different way to think about behavior, consequences, and supporting children as they adjust to new expectations and routines. In this episode, she explores what may be underneath those after-school meltdowns, explains restraint collapse, and shares how child-led play can help children decompress and process their experiences. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

In this episode, Jill reflects on some of her biggest takeaways from recent professional development work she led with early childhood educators. From rethinking materials and invitations to play to slowing down, observing more closely, and staying curious, Jill shares simple ways parents can bring the same principles used in early childhood classrooms into everyday life at home.  Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

What does it actually mean for a child to be ready for kindergarten? In this episode, Jil  explores why kindergarten readiness is about so much more than knowing letters, numbers, and how to write your name. As both an early childhood educator and a parent preparing her own daughter for kindergarten, Jill shares what she is actually focusing on to prepare her daughter for this big shift. Because children are going to learn kindergarten academics in kindergarten. Our job isn't to get them ahead. It's to help them feel capable of learning. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

What if our job as parents isn't to make our children's fear disappear, but to help them feel safe enough to move through it? In this episode, Jill is joined by Dr. Randolph B. Schiffer, a former Marine, physician, psychotherapist, professor, and lifelong student of the human mind.. He is the author of Bedtime Stories to Terrify Children and founder of the #ReadTogether movement. Jill and Dr. Schiffer  talk about children's fears, the power of storytelling, and how stories, play, and connection can help children process big emotions. We explore why children are drawn to scary stories, how we can support fear without immediately trying to fix it, and how reading together can become a powerful way to build connection and resilience. Learn more about Dr. Schiffer and his book, Bedtime Stories to Terrify Children here. Follow Dr. Schiffer on Instagram. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

In this special 100th episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill reflects on the incredible conversations, stories, and lessons that have shaped the podcast over the years. After 100 episodes, countless conversations with experts, and so many shared stories, Jill reflects on what she knows to be true about playful parenting and what she hopes every parent takes with them on their own journey. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

In this solo episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores why play isn't just something children do, but one of the most powerful parenting tools we have. Through a relatable story about helping her daughter navigate a difficult transition, Jill shares how a simple playful moment transformed a potential power struggle into connection. Drawing on child development research and lessons we can all learn from Bluey, she explains why play helps children regulate, cooperate, and feel secure. You'll also walk away with three simple, practical ways to bring more playfulness into your everyday routines. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!  

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores one of the biggest questions parents ask: Is this misbehavior, or is my child trying to communicate a need? Through real-life examples, she unpacks what may be underneath common behaviors. Jill discusses why behavior is communication, why children don't always have access to the skills they know, and how shifting from frustration to curiosity can transform the way parents respond. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill shares the lessons that followed her home from her days as a preschool teacher and shaped the way she approaches parenting today. She discusses: Why children's behavior is communication How play supports learning and development Seeing children as capable and curious Why connection comes before correction The importance of having a plan while staying flexible What motherhood has taught her about letting go of perfection A reflection on child development, play, and the powerful lessons children teach us when we slow down and truly see them. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill welcomes her first dad guest, Jeff Hittner, executive coach, founder of Ambitious Dads, and father of two boys. Together, they explore what it means to redefine fatherhood, balance ambition with presence, and build meaningful connections through play. Jeff shares his personal journey to fatherhood, the lessons he's learned about leadership at home, and why showing up with intention matters more than striving for perfection. They discuss practical strategies for connecting with your child, even when play doesn't come naturally or your play style looks very different from theirs. Whether you're a mom, dad, or caregiver, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into raising connected, resilient kids and creating stronger family relationships. Learn more about Jeff's work and join the Ambitious Dads community: Website: https://www.ambitiousdads.com Substack: https://ambitiousdads.substack.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffhittner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousdads Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ambitiousdads Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!  

Looking for simple summer play ideas that don't require hours of planning? In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores how to create flexible summer rhythms that help children feel calm, connected, and ready to play. Whether your kids are home for the summer or coming home from camp each day, you'll learn how to use play as a tool for regulation, discover easy low-prep play ideas, and build after-camp reset routines that support your child's nervous system. We also talk about the increased mental load parents carry during the summer, why the idea of "bringing back '90s summers'" isn't realistic for many families, and how to let go of the pressure to create a perfect summer. If you're looking for practical parenting tips, simple play inspiration, and realistic ways to make summer feel more manageable, this episode is for you. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores what it really looks like to parent when you are not at your best. She breaks down why so many parents feel pressure to show up fully resourced, and why real-life parenting often happens in moments of exhaustion, overwhelm, and depletion. Jill shares practical, low-lift strategies for those harder days, including how to lower the "activation energy" for play, simplify daily expectations, and use independent play as a valid and valuable part of the child's day rather than a fallback. Listeners will walk away with permission to lower the bar, trust the basics, and feel more supported on the days when parenting feels hardest. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

In this episode, Jill explores what it means to be unevenly gifted and why some children can appear remarkably advanced in one area while struggling significantly in another. She breaks down the concept of asynchronous development, explains why giftedness often coexists with challenges in emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory processing, and social skills, and discusses why these developmental differences can be so confusing for parents and educators. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

In this episode, Jill welcomes Beth Rosenbleeth. Beth, creator of the popular blog and Instagram account Days with Grey, simplifies routines and promotes play-based learning for young children. She's a former teacher and a mom of three whose strategies and activity ideas resonate with her 275,000+ Instagram followers. Jill and Beth explore the connection between quality time and independent play, easy ways to encourage creativity using everyday materials, and the value of open-ended toys that grow with children. This episode was also motherhood at its finest. Jill's infant decided to boycott her nap, make a guest appearance during the recording, and even spit up on Jill mid-conversation. As a mom of three boys, Beth completely got it and rolled with it right alongside her! They also talk about sibling dynamics, sensory play, screen time, and why life skills are just as important as academics when preparing children for kindergarten. Filled with practical tips and realistic strategies, this conversation will leave you feeling empowered to bring more play into your home without adding more to your to-do list. Check out Beth's amazing resources, including activity cards and life skills cards, here. Follow Beth on Instagram Check out Beth's blog and website here. The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join!  Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!  

In this episode, Jill takes a look at some of the parenting advice many of us grew up hearing and why it may not hold up when viewed through a modern understanding of child development. She unpacks the assumptions behind these common phrases and offers a more nuanced, connection-based perspective. This conversation invites parents to move beyond rigid rules and toward curiosity, helping them better understand what may be driving their child's behavior and respond with greater confidence and compassion. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

In this episode, Jill explores the deeply tender question many parents quietly carry: "Am I really cut out for this?" She unpacks a conversation with a client whose highly energetic, sensory-seeking son feels like the opposite of her own nervous system, and how that mismatch can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure of themselves. This episode is a must-listen for parents navigating similar dynamics, reminding listeners that difference is not dysfunction, and that connection is built through understanding, not sameness. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!    

In this episode, Jill shares a personal reflection on her daughter's upcoming transition into kindergarten and the complex emotions that come with it. She explores what it feels like to navigate modern public school systems as a parent today, including the shifting landscape of early education, the role of play, and the quiet tension many parents feel between excitement and grief during this milestone. It's an honest conversation about what childhood looks like now and what we hope to preserve as our children grow. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

On today's episode, Jill is joined by Jenny Friedman, a pediatric nutrition expert and mom of three boys to discuss a topic that so many parents struggle with: extreme picky eating and feeding challenges. They discuss how picky eating can be both normal developmental behavior and potentially indicate underlying issues. Jenny shares strategies Jenny emphasized the importance of parents trusting their instincts and seeking help when needed, while also sharing practical tips about managing snacks versus meals and the challenges of balancing work and parenting responsibilities. The conversation covers specific red flags to watch for in children and how to approach mealtime struggles with patience and perspective, and simple and effective strategies to help with picky eaters, emphasizing that parents are not alone in facing these challenges. Grab your free guide from Jenny: Three Steps to Eating here Learn more about Jenny and her courses and resources here Buy Jenny's book here Follow @FeedingPickyEaters on Instagram Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

In honor of Screen-Free Week, Jill breaks down how families gradually end up relying on screens more than they intended and why it can start to feel like the only thing that works. In this episode, she shares a realistic, non-shaming approach to reducing screen dependence by focusing on what matters most: creating more opportunities for play. Jill discusses how to evaluate screen time beyond just the number of minutes, why content and device type matter, how screens impact behavior and independent play, and where to start if you want to make changes without going "all or nothing." Get your guide to low-stim shows here Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!

Parenting more than one child quickly shows just how different kids can be. In this episode, Jill explores what it looks like to raise children with different needs, routines, personalities, and play styles, and why it can feel so challenging. She shares from her own experience navigating these differences with her daughters, and unpacks our natural tendency to compare, why some dynamics feel easier than others, and how to shift toward deeper understanding and connection. You'll walk away with a more grounded perspective and simple, practical ways to support each child as their own unique person while strengthening your relationship with them and with each other. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!