Episodes
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4 Tips to Master the Art of Merging Structured Routines and Spontaneous Adventures for Kids
In this episode of The MudRoom, and it's all about merging structured routines with spontaneous adventures! Now, I know what you might be thinking - routines and spontaneity don't exactly go hand in hand, right? But trust me, there's a delightful balance to be found, and I'm here to show you how.…
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For the absolutely exhausted parents
Put down that cup of cold coffee momma and come listen to this interview. (Actually…bring it with you. You probably need it.) Parent’s everywhere are walking around like zombies, absolutely exhausted and tired because their child is not sleeping. Whether you’re awake because your newborn just…
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Is Parenting Burning You Out?
“Sometimes what happens is the more help that we get, we start to lose a little part of that power about being a major part in our children's success; their happiness.” - Alex Leech Grab a (virtual) seat and a drink. We’re talking about burnout and the impact it has on our parenting. I’m thrilled...
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Sleep is IMPORTANT for YOU too!
Remember when we chatted with Eva about helping your kids get to sleep so you can rest better? What if you finally get your kids to go to bed at a reasonable hour without the tantrums, screaming, and requests for another cup of water but now… You’re laying in bed wide awake. 😳 It’s now 11 PM…
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Let Them Play Outside
Do you remember playing outside and then having to rush back to the house before the street lights turn on? There are great memories made outdoors and it’s unfortunate that our children aren’t getting to build those same kind of memories. And those magical, happy feelings and memories you have...
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Balancing Work and Family This Summer
Summer is around the corner and for many parents, that also means school is closed and the children are home. ☀️ It’s time to prepare. You don’t want to wait until you’re 3 weeks into summer break and on the brink of losing your marbles before deciding to create a plan for what summer is going to...
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Does ParentAbility work? (Don’t just take my word for it)
Grab a scoop of ice cream, this is a special dedicated episode all about a parent’s journey transforming their child’s behaviour and becoming a more confident parent. I’m excited to be chatting with Heather, mom of two children with ASD who I’ve had a privilege of working with inside of my…
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I stopped forcing my kids to wear jackets
Grab a scoop of ice cream, this is a special dedicated episode all about a parent’s journey transforming their child’s behaviour and becoming a more confident parent. I’m excited to be chatting with Heather, mom of two children with ASD who I’ve had a privilege of working with inside of my…
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Misbehaviour? Technology to the rescue!
I’m gonna keep this one short and sweet! We’re living in a technological age, and if you can’t beat em’, why not join them. The wonders of modern technology really can make life easier, and the little handy device that you’re likely reading this email from, aka your phone, can even help you out...
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How Do You Talk To Your Child About Their Diagnosis
I’ve been getting this question a lot lately and I think it’s a fantastic point of conversation. Let’s chat about neurodiversity. First, a definition: Neurodiversity essentially refers to the variety of ways a person's brain can function and the impact that has on their behavioral traits. Those…
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What Are Executive Functions and How Do They Impact Behaviour?
Someone recently told me that I don’t have a podcast or blog post on something I talk about all the time and my jaw just about hit the floor when I realized Oh crap! They’re right! Though I know you’ve likely heard me talk about executive functioning skills before, I haven’t “formally” discussed...
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Why is My Child Having a Problem Making Decisions?
Chicken nuggets or quesadillas? Blue shoes or red slippers? Apple juice or orange juice? These seem like fairly easy decisions for kids to make, right? After all, you’re supposed to give them options, right? You’re trying to give them some agency over their life and help them feel included.…
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Teach Your Child to Entertain Themselves!
Chicken nuggets or quesadillas? Blue shoes or red slippers? Apple juice or orange juice? These seem like fairly easy decisions for kids to make, right? After all, you’re supposed to give them options, right? You’re trying to give them some agency over their life and help them feel included.…
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Recognize When Your Child is Making Progress
Optimism can be difficult when you’re a parent in the middle of a challenging time period with your kid. When your kid has been smacking everybody who comes within a 2 foot radius or stripping off their clothes in public whenever you tell them no, hearing “but look at how far they’ve come” makes...
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Why do kids whine?
There’s nothing quite as lovely as the beautiful, musical sound of a child whining at you from across the room. I mean, what parent doesn’t love that heart-warming screech of “he took my toooooyyyyy”? It’s one of the best parts of being a parent. 🥰 Jk Sarcasm. I hope you know that was sarcasm.…
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Homework - GET RID OF IT!
Homework. Let’s talk about why it sucks. It’s not everyday that I insist on certain things when it comes to parenting. I may give a firm suggestion and repeat it over and over with the hopes parent’s can see why I’m making that suggestion, but I say it all the time, parents are the experts on…
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Are You Having a "Bluetooth" Connection with Your Child?
Our brain’s are a marvelous thing! Maybe you’ve heard it compared to a super computer before, and it’s because it pretty much is. From how it processes and stores information to its uncanny ability to learn new things and adapt. But even more amazing? We’re constantly sharing information with one...
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Why Kids Don't Do Things They Know How to Do
Children can feel like a never ending mystery. Because you know that you’ve seen your child put their shoes on. Day after day, they’ve managed to put their feet in, pull the back up over their heel, tighten the velcro… Yet here they are pouting in front of the door and insisting that it’s the…
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"Gentle Parenting" doesn't Mean Being a Doormat
When parents are considering joining my membership program ParentAbility or when they join the Facebook community and start learning more about the discipline methods I teach, there’s always this lingering concern: Am I being strict enough? I know this concern generally comes from genuine care…
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Is it Ok to Cry in Front Of Your Child?
When it comes to our children, parents are assigned the role of protector, a pillar of strength, always knowing the answer and in complete control of the situation. So, when something becomes overwhelming, or we get frustrated, sad, even angry, there’s almost this panic to hide those emotions…
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Why is My Child Biting?
There is nothing quite as triggering to parents as their child biting. I mean…who the heck opens their mouth and decides to latch onto another human's skin?! It’s wild when you think about it like that. But the answer is young children. Young children do that. Whether it’s at home and your kid is...
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Thinking of Holding Your Kid Back a Grade?
“Redshirting” or delaying enrolling your child into Kinder (or 1st grade if you chose to skip Kinder) and keeping your child back a year is a question I get asked about frequently. There’s a lot of anxiety and stress about the decision to redshirt or not red shirt, and to be honest there’s a…
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How to Validate Your Child's Emotions
“Validate their emotions” is a phrase that has taken on almost a comedic meaning. Along with the general misunderstanding that gentle parenting means let-your-kids-run-wild and baby talk your 5 year old, Validating emotions has also been misunderstood as absurdly pointing out your kid is crying…
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Can I Interrupt Your Real Quick?
I don’t know about you but for myself and alot of people I know, we were raised being told that interrupting was rude. So it’s understandable that we as parents get frustrated every time their child bursts into the middle of their conversation to ask why puppies and cats don’t get along while...
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Trauma Bonding
Buckle up because we’re going to talk about a serious topic for this week’s Mudroom. Recently there’s been a big surge in discussion around things like spanking and physical punishment out of love for their children. “Spare the rod- spoil the child” kind of energy. I do want to make this…
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Answering the Tough Questions With Your Child
This is a topic I want to get into because it’s something that happens a lot, and it’s also something that often makes parents uncomfortable. I’m talking about when you’re out and about and your kid (often loudly… or at least it seems loud) points out someone who is different in someway. “Why is…
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How Do I Stop The Incessent Noise?
Tick Click Tick Click That was the sound a child was making over and over while sitting his his mothers lap and waiting to be called into the office. And with every tick and click you could see her patience slipping away. Eventually she put her hand over his and asked him to please stop making…
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Preparing for Kindergarten
Let me just ask- have you started yet? You know, searching Pinterest for cute “I’m starting Kinder” picture ideas, buying all school supplies, and all the generally cute and fun stuff we parents get sucked into doing when Kindergarten is just around the corner. Chances are, if you have a 4/5 year...
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How to Structure Your Child's Summer Break
Summer is here! ☀️ Or at least nearly here for most of us. And while the kids may be free for shenanigans for a few weeks, parents often are not. Whether that’s because you’re working, have younger children who need attention, or you simply don’t want a kid at your heel all summer complaining…
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Are Extracurricular Classes Good or Bad?
Summer is in full swing which often brings about a whole lot of buzz about extra-curricular and enrichment classes. I’m talking swim, dance, acting, art, violin, soccer, all the things. I mean, let’s be honest. It’s freaking ADORABLE to see your kid in their little mini uniform wandering around…
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My Child Loves Dad (or Mom) More...
So there are these cute videos on Reels and Tiktok where both parents stand on either side of the child and count to three- then they run in opposite directions and wait to see who the child follows. And it’s this cute little trend that everyone gets a little laugh from when the child hurries…
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Is it Inclusion or Integration?
This is important, okay? Not too long ago we discussed how to pick out a daycare program for your child and I love being able to support parents with such a huge milestone. Whether it’s their first time being cared for outside the home or if they're simply changing programs - it’s important to…
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How to Pick a Preschool
If you’re reading this there’s a pretty good chance that you’re either looking for a preschool/daycare or that decision is looming in the near future. (And boy does the time fly by! You’ll blink and it’ll be time to choose.) There’s a lot to consider and it can be overwhelming. A lot of parents...
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Becoming a Mom VS Becoming a Dad
You might have heard the quote from the movie/book Juno: “A woman becomes a mother when she gets pregnant, a man becomes a father when he sees his baby.” And that sentiment seems to be reflected in a lot of the parents I work with. So, let’s just be completely honest here. When a woman becomes a...
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My kid can’t focus! Should I be worried?
There are a lot of parents who watch their child bounce from one activity to another and wonder why their child can’t seem to Just Sit Still. Your kids seem easily distracted when they were supposed to be putting their jackets in the closet. Or they’re suddenly as your leg poking their nose into...
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Is the Toothfairy and Easter Bunny Real?
Everyone loves a little magic in their lives and for a lot of parents, there’s a lot of joy and fun in creating magic for their children. Have you ever scrolled through Pinterest and seen how creative some of these ideas are? Like “tooth fairy glitter” inside a special envelope. Reindeer treats...
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Bribes and Boundaries With Your Child
Most of us are aware of what bribing is. Afterall, it’s not a secret that children can sometimes be really difficult. It reminds me of the iconic scene in the movie Lord Of The Rings where Gandalf the Wizard shouts “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”- That’s what it feels like when you’re running late and you...
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How to Handle Your Child Cursing
Picture this: you’re having a playdate at your friend's house. The kids request a popsicle so your mom's friend hands each one a nice, fun summer treat. Everyone is happy and smiling and it’s just a wonderful, wholesome moment. Then your child accidentally spills a drop of purple popsicle on…
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How to Stop Your Child from Being Aggressive
Recently in the free community for parents Parenting Posse a parent asked a question about their child being unintentionally aggressive, but no matter what the parents did (taking away screen time, discussing the incident, etc) the behaviour continued. And this isn’t the only time a parent has...
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Why are kids so emotional?!
When we think about emotional, angsty, moody children we often think about teenagers, right? We’re picturing a 16 year old with their hoodie pulled over their head, earphones blaring Paramore to block out the world, and a permanent scowl. So WHY the heck is your 3 year old already bursting out in...
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Talking To Your Child About Scary Stuff
Before we start I want to give a warning that I'm going to discuss some potentially sensitive topics. I want to talk to you about when our kids say scary sh*t. Like when they say something violent, or really freaking dark. I want to approach this with compassion and sensitivity because I know…
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Autism Awareness
Maybe it’s because April is around the corner and it’s Autism Awareness Month? Or maybe it’s just more parents becoming aware of neurodiversity in children and having more thoughts about it... But I've been getting more and more questions and concerns from parents worried that maybe their child...
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How to Talk to Your Child About What is Happening in Ukraine
These conversations aren’t easy. But they also must be had. We’ve got to be honest and talk to our children about what’s happening in the Ukraine. Sometimes we forget that children absorb information at an astonishing rate. And I know you’re thinking “but we don’t watch the news in front of them”...
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What Does The Play Stage Look Like For Your Child?
We talk often about the importance of play for children and chat about this false expectation that children automatically know how to share (they have to learn that skill). Especially when it comes to siblings and breaking up arguments over that week’s favorite toy. But have we talked about the...
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Teaching Your Child Kindness
We’ve seen the iconic scene from the Mean Girls movie where Gretchen has finally had enough and yells at Regina “YOU CAN’T SIT WITH US!” And while it’s a funny fictional scene in a movie, as parents I know we all sigh in relief knowing that we’re not raising our children to be like that. Right?...
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How Do You Motivate Your Child?
So we’ve talked about bribing before, right? “If you do this thing, then I’ll buy you the toy or get you the ice cream.” And most of us agree that bribing doesn’t work as a disciplinary measure. So, we think of other ways to “motivate” our children. Enter the contingent instructions. It feels...
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When Can a Parenting Coach Help with Your Child?
I get this question quite a bit from parents and caregivers who are looking into joining ParentAbility or are generally curious about what I do. The question is: If my child already gets therapy, do I need a parenting coach? (And vice versa.) As with most things in life, the short answer is “it...
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Are You Seeing an Increase in Emotional Breakdowns?
If you have a 4/5 year old in your home you might be noticing an increase in emotional meltdowns in your home. It can feel pretty sudden too! Just out of the blue it’s like you’re in some kind of Real Housewives drama show and your little one is the screenwriter, producer, and the star. The rest…
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No Child Is The Same
A lot of us have been on lockdown for quite some time. Which has resulted in a lot of parents welcoming a new little one or are now expecting. 😉 Congrats! That means your current child/ren are now becoming big siblings which can be simultaneously exciting and terrifying. A new playmate and...
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Why You Need To Take Care Of Yourself First
Parenting and taking care of children is an endlessly self-sacrificial job. I see you and believe me, I completely understand. When someone is literally dependent on you for their survival and development it feels kind of odd to throw up our hands and tell them “sorry, not right now. I have to…
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About this show
Weekly nuggets of developmentally appropriate parenting wisdom to help you parent your toddlers and preschoolers more effectively, with less effort. The Mudroom is recorded live on Facebook every Tuesday at 9pm eastern, 6pm pacific.
Hosted by
Allana Robinson