Parenting Matters is a brand-new podcast from Early Childhood Matters, hosted by parenting educators Rebecca Walsh and Belann Giaretto. Each episode tackles real questions from real parents—covering everything from toddler tantrums to teen boundaries—with warmth, insight, and zero judgment.
Whether you’re in the thick of sleepless nights or navigating screen time battles, Parenting Matters is here to support you with practical advice and honest conversation.
Listen, share, and join the community—because your parenting matters.
"I love hearing Belann and Rebecca's voices-I can finally have your guidance right here in my living room! Thank you, thank you for doing this podcast!"
LATEST:
Episode 15: Overcoming Perfectionism: How to Encourage Risk Taking and Growth in Kids
Moving from "I Can’t" to "I’ll Try"
In this episode, we explore the "perfectionism trap" and how our own praise might be accidentally stopping our kids from taking risks.
Questions we answer:
How do I help my child keep going when they want to give up after failing at a physical task, like falling off a bike?
How should I respond when my child refuses to draw or try art because they don’t think they are "good" at it?
How do I re-engage a child who was previously "natural" at something (like puzzles) but now quits the moment it becomes challenging?
How can I stop "over-functioning" for my child in daily tasks—like dressing or building—so they develop the resiliency to handle their own struggles?
Are you struggling with a "mountain" that started as a "molehill"? Reach out and let us know. We'll try to answer on an upcoming episode!
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript
MORE EPISODES:
Introducing Parenting Matters - Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Episode 1: Fostering Independent play in the toddler years: Learn how to teach the skill when your child is very resistant and why it's so important for their overall happiness and well being as adults - Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Episode 2: Fostering Independence in the Preteen and Teen years (Learn how building life skills like chores and cooking, encouraging children to problem solve on their own, and allowing children to navigate their transportation contribute to their overall self-esteem and mental health. Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Episode 3: You Can't Come to my Birthday Party: Learn how to respond with these and other playground woes, what to do if your child is the one doing the excluding and some suggestions for the modern day parenting dilemma: should you invite the whole class to the birthday party - Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Episode 4: The Kids are Ready for Summer - Are You? - For parents of young children (late preschool + K-5th grade)
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Links to other companies/podcasts mentioned in Ep 4:
Mighty Bambinis Evelyn Nichols Parent-Child Forest Class in Marin
Pixel Parenting: Brains, Screens, and Connection with Rebecca Walsh on Spotify or Apple
Why Boredom is Good for Your Toddler (Pixel Parenting) - Listen on Spotify or Apple
Summer Brain Quest
Episode 5: The Kids are Ready for Summer - Are You? - For parents of young children (grades 6-10)
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Links to other companies/podcasts mentioned in Ep 4&5:
Let Grow Project When Parents Step Back, Kids Step UP
Screen Sense IRL Summer Packet-Screen time alternatives, contracts, and positive creative uses of tech
Pixel Parenting: What Parents need to now about video game research on Spotify or Apple
Pixel Parenting: Brains, Screens, and Connection with Rebecca Walsh on Spotify or Apple
Why Boredom is Good for Your Toddler (Pixel Parenting) - Listen on Spotify or Apple
Joey's Instagram Channel (we don't recommend kids have an Instagram account until high school) - jdubmusic_
Episode 6: Everyone in 7th Grade Was Invited to the Birthday Party Except Me!
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Episode 7: Too Young for Sex Ed? Think again. How to start "The Talk" in Preschool with Konika Wong of Girl Power Science
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.Links:
girlpowerscience.com
Learn more about Girl Power Science’s children's books here.
Episode 8: From Sandcastles to Circle Time: The Summer-to-School Shift
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Episode 9: Baby Makes 4 - Navigating the Transition to a New Sibling
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript
Episode 10: Sibling Rivalry — Rethinking Fairness at Home
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript
Episode 11: The Gift of Enough: What Children Teach Us About the Magic of the Holiday Season
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript
Episode 12: And Mom and Dad Can Hardly Wait for School to Start Again
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript
Eps 13 - Not listening, not getting dressed and tantrums, oh my! - Our most common parenting questions answered
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript
Episode 14: Why You Should Never Ignore Behavior That You Don’t Like
Parenting advice often says to “just ignore it,” but what message does that actually send to a child?
In this episode, we dive into the complexities of responding to challenging behaviors—from tantrums to those small but persistent habits that test every parent’s patience. Learn more about how ignoring certain behaviors can create confusion for children and why our reactions play a powerful role in shaping what they learn. We discuss being present during difficult moments, setting loving but firm limits, and helping children understand boundaries.
Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript
