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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 11: The Gift of Enough: What Children Teach Us About the Magic of the Holiday Season

Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
Full Transcript

Rebecca Walsh reflects on a deeply sweet holiday moment: her young son’s first meeting with Santa. Rather than asking for toys, he simply wishes for Santa himself — a reminder of the pure innocence, contentment, and wonder that children bring to this season. Through this story, the conversation explores how modern holiday traditions (like wish lists) can cloud that simplicity, and how much we can learn by honoring the small, powerful moments in childhood.

Questions Answered / Themes Explored:

  • What does a child’s reaction to Santa reveal about how they understand happiness?

  • How does the act of making a “wish list” shift the focus of the holidays from joy to materialism?

  • Why do moments of childhood innocence have deeper meaning for us as adults?

  • What can parents do to preserve simplicity and gratitude during gift-giving seasons?

  • How can we reframe holiday traditions to emphasize presence, not presents?

Key Insights:

  • Children are often satisfied with what they have and don’t need much more to feel joy.

  • The pressure to create “the perfect Christmas” can distract from real connection.

  • Slowing down and noticing little experiences (like meeting Santa) offers more lasting value than the gifts themselves.

  • Holidays can be an invitation to reflect on values — like gratitude, generosity, and being present.

  • Cherishing innocence doesn’t mean denying reality — it means creating space for its beauty.

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 

 

Supporting families on the road to connected and effective parenting.

parenting workshops * parent/toddler playgroups * presentations * private consultations

Email kellam@earlychildhoodmatters.org if you are interested in finding out about sliding scale tuition for our parenting series, mom’s groups, and playgroups. We are happy to help support parents who are in a situation where these courses might otherwise be cost prohibitive.

Our cancellation policy:

Full refund 30 days or more (less a 20% transaction fee), less than 14 days before the start of class a 40% refund will be granted, unless the participant finds a replacement to fill their spot, less than 7 days participants will be responsible for paying the full amount of the class/series price, unless they find a replacement participant to fill their spot. Please note that Summer camps are non-refundable.