Your Parenting Mojo - Respectful, research-based parenting ideas to help kids thrive
Jen Lumanlan
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Jen Lumanlan
▶ WebplayerParenting is hard…but does it have to be this hard? Wouldn’t it be better if your kids would stop pressing your buttons quite as often, and if there was a little more of you to go around (with maybe even some left over for yourself)? On the Your Parenting Mojo podcast, Jen Lumanlan M.S., M.Ed explores academic research on parenting and child development. But she doesn’t just tell you the results of the latest study - she interviews researchers at the top of their fields, and puts current information in the context of the decades of wor...
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Sep 28, 2026 · 23:19
You promised yourself you wouldn't become your mother. Then your kid won't put their shoes on for the third time, and the voice that comes out isn't really yours. In this…
Sep 21, 2026 · 49:44
Before my daughter was born, I made a book split into two halves. One cover said 'me.' The other said 'you.' I filled the 'you' side with a list of hopes for who she'd become. I…
Sep 7, 2026 · 21:01
Your child's preschool number shows up on your caller ID, and your stomach drops before you even answer. Preschool never calls with good news. Your kid hit someone at the sand…
Aug 17, 2026 · 53:51
Sara's four-year-old started asking permission for things he used to just do on his own, like grabbing the markers off his own shelf. It was a small request, but it worried her,…
Aug 3, 2026 · 1:00:03
When my daughter Carys was 10, she started a pet-sitting business. She opened a Roth IRA with the income, built a client base of dog walkers and cat owners in our neighborhood,…
Jun 15, 2026 · 18:03
Many mothers go to the doctor because they feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and they aren’t sleeping - and leave with a depression diagnosis and a prescription. The message is: your…
Jun 1, 2026 · 30:01
If you listened to our first episode on ADHD , you already know that the story most parents get about the diagnosis has some significant gaps - in the diagnostic criteria, in the…
May 11, 2026 · 29:34
Most parents have heard that play is how children learn. But in a world full of educational toys (even for babies, preschoolers, and kindergarteners!), enrichment classes,…
Apr 27, 2026 · 47:29
If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, stimulant medication is probably the first thing their doctor mentioned. And if you're trying to figure out whether it's the right…
Apr 20, 2026 · 20:27
If your child holds it together all day at preschool or daycare and then completely unravels the moment they get home - melting down over dinner, refusing to use the potty,…
Apr 13, 2026 · 37:02
If your morning routine for preschool looks less like a smooth routine and more like 21 rounds of "no", "stop", and "not like that" before 8 am, then things aren’t working well…
Mar 30, 2026 · 22:01
If your kids are fighting constantly, you're probably exhausted from playing referee. Maybe they're arguing over whose toy is whose, poking and teasing each other until someone…
Mar 9, 2026 · 45:05
If you've been watching the news and feeling despair because you can’t do anything about it, this episode is for you. The Epstein files, revealing how powerful men think about,…
Mar 2, 2026 · 23:24
When a doctor hands your child a diagnosis, it can be a relief - finally, an explanation for their behavior! But sociologist Dr. Allan Horwitz has spent decades studying how…
Feb 16, 2026 · 28:20
When your three-year-old hits you, their sibling, or another child, it's easy to feel frustrated, embarrassed, or even angry. You might wonder if this challenging behavior means…
Feb 9, 2026 · 1:01:36
Are you exhausted in a way that sleep doesn't fix? Do you find yourself more irritable with your children than you ever imagined possible? You might be experiencing parental…
Feb 2, 2026 · 28:12
When you started parenting, you probably had ideas about the kind of parent you wanted to be. Maybe you imagined patient bedtimes and peaceful mornings. Then reality hit, and you…
Jan 19, 2026 · 21:49
When your child struggles with behavior or attention, doctors might suggest ADHD medication. Before you move forward, you should know what a psychiatric diagnosis actually is -…
Jan 12, 2026 · 23:08
Welcome to 2026! In this episode, we're looking back at what we covered in 2025 and sharing what's coming in the year ahead. A Year of Growth 2025 was a year of evolution for the…
Nov 24, 2025 · 18:25
Have you ever opened a gift from your parent and felt your stomach drop? You've tried everything - wishlists, clear conversations, explicit boundaries about gift giving. But the…
Nov 10, 2025 · 27:08
You've told your parents you're not available during work hours. They keep calling anyway. You've asked them not to comment on your weight. They bring it up again on the next…
Oct 20, 2025 · 42:30
Do you ever wake up with tension in your body because you know your child will want to play the moment you walk out of your bedroom? Do you spend time with your child but think…
Sep 29, 2025 · 27:23
Are you tired of feeling guilty every time you get angry as a parent? What if your anger actually contains valuable information about what needs to change in your family systems?…
Sep 22, 2025 · 36:20
Do you find yourself going from zero to a hundred in seconds when your child spills something, refuses to cooperate, or has a meltdown? If you're constantly asking yourself, "Why…
Sep 15, 2025 · 23:09
Every parent knows that harsh inner voice that whispers "You're a terrible parent" when you lose your patience, or "You've ruined your kids forever" after a difficult moment.…
Sep 8, 2025 · 21:10
Does your child's behavior sometimes trigger such an instant, overwhelming reaction that you find yourself yelling before you even realize what happened? That moment when your…
Sep 3, 2025 · 1:01:11
If you've been scrolling TikTok or parenting forums lately, you've probably encountered FAFO parenting - the trending approach that's being positioned as the antidote to ‘overly…
Aug 18, 2025 · 1:14:49
Ever wondered about alternative paths to educate your child outside the traditional school system? My guest today is Laura Moore, who spent 15 years in early childhood education…
Aug 11, 2025 · 51:18
When Sara's four-year-old son started asking permission to use art supplies he'd always freely accessed before, she knew something had shifted. After a year in a (loving,…
Aug 4, 2025 · 57:31
What if the most powerful gift you could give your child isn't a college fund, but the skills to create their own income at age 10? When my daughter Carys started pet sitting,…
Jul 28, 2025 · 18:58
Are you worried that social media is destroying your teen's mental health? You're not alone. Jonathan Haidt's bestselling book The Anxious Generation has parents everywhere…
Jul 21, 2025 · 38:21
In Part 1 , we looked at the evidence for the teen 'mental health crisis.' In Part 2 , we reviewed the evidence for whether social media is causing the so-called 'teen mental…
Jul 14, 2025 · 50:46
This is the third in our series of episodes on Jonathan Haidt's book The Anxious Generation. In Part 1 , we looked at the evidence for the teen 'mental health crisis.' In Part 2…
Jul 7, 2025 · 1:00:25
In Part 1 of this mini-series looking at Jonathan Haidt's book The Anxious Generation , we discovered that the teen mental health crisis might not be as dramatic as The Anxious…
Jun 30, 2025 · 1:04:46
Are we really facing an unprecedented mental health crisis in America, or have we been misreading the data? As parents everywhere grapple with The Anxious Generation's claims…
May 26, 2025 · 47:02
Do you ever feel like your parenting is completely off track from where you want it to be? You promise yourself you won't yell, then find yourself yelling at your kids before…
May 19, 2025 · 51:18
Are you tired of facing family challenges alone? In this powerful episode, we witness the transformative journey of two parents who discovered that joining a parenting support…
May 12, 2025 · 1:02:58
Most parents believe praise is an essential tool for raising confident, well-behaved children. We've been told to "catch them being good" and "focus on the positive." But what if…
May 5, 2025 · 50:10
Is your child's refusal to listen driving you CRAZY? You're not alone! In this transformative episode, mom-of-three Chrystal reveals how she went from constant power struggles to…
Apr 28, 2025 · 51:56
Is gentle parenting just permissive parenting in disguise? This episode reveals a powerful framework for meeting both your needs and your child's, creating cooperation without…
Apr 21, 2025 · 53:11
"How can we get on the same page about discipline?" is one of the most common questions parents face. Before having kids, most couples never realize how different family…
Apr 14, 2025 · 1:06:56
Have you ever shared an observation with your partner or child, only to watch them immediately become defensive or shut down? You meant well, but somehow your words landed as…
Mar 17, 2025 · 1:05:48
In this episode, we explore how to prepare children for the real world without sacrificing their authentic selves. Drawing on research about food habits, screen time, social…
Mar 10, 2025 · 56:22
What truly matters in a baby’s first year? This episode explores the top seven things parents should focus on, helping you set priorities with confidence. Questions this episode…
Feb 17, 2025 · 53:53
Feeling Overwhelmed by Parenting Stress? You’re Not Alone. If you’re exhausted, stretched too thin, and struggling with the stress of parenting, you’re not the only one. Many…
Feb 10, 2025 · 27:08
Struggling to get your child to open up? Discover 8 key reasons kids resist sharing their feelings—and actionable strategies to create real connection. Why Your Child Won’t Open…
Feb 3, 2025 · 1:08:58
How to heal the anger in your relationship with your spouse Parent Laurie was doing really well when she had two kids. She had been with her partner for a long time, she had just…
Jan 27, 2025 · 55:25
Children’s threats: What they mean and how to respond "If you don't give me a lollipop, I won't be your friend anymore.” Said to a sibling: “If you don’t come and sit down, I'll…
Jan 20, 2025 · 37:20
The Problem with Time Outs: Why They Fail, and What to Do Instead Recently, in Part 1 of this two-part mini-series, we began looking at a question from listener Melissa: "Can…
Jan 13, 2025 · 1:00:20
Time Outs: Helpful or harmful? Here’s what the research says Pediatricians and researchers commonly recommend that parents use time outs when kids misbehave. Time outs are…
Jan 6, 2025 · 53:11
What Dog Trainers Know That You Don’t! Ever felt stuck figuring out how to respond to your child’s challenging behavior? What if the key lies in techniques used by master dog…
Dec 16, 2024 · 1:03:35
Expert strategies for baby's growth and development beyond Wonder Weeks In Part 2 of our Wonder Weeks series, we’re exploring how to support your baby’s development once a Wonder…
Dec 2, 2024 · 1:03:36
The Science of Why Babies Cry More and What Parents Need to Know You may have noticed that your baby sometimes seems calm and relaxed…and then goes through a ‘fussy’ phase, where…
Nov 12, 2024 · 1:33:56
How to Raise Kids and Live Our Values in Divisive Times Chances are, if you're thinking of listening to this podcast episode, the 2024 election didn't go the way you hoped it…
Nov 6, 2024 · 59:24
Learn How To Navigate Menopause While Raising Kids Today, we’re diving into a topic that many parents may face but rarely talk about openly: navigating menopause while raising…
Oct 21, 2024 · 49:08
Understanding Emotions: Insights from Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett In our last conversation with Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett [Where emotions come from (and why it matters) Part 1] a…
Oct 7, 2024 · 52:34
Understanding Emotions: Insights from Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett Have you ever wondered where our emotions come from? Do you think that if you look at a person’s face, you can have…
Sep 30, 2024 · 52:02
Learn ways how to overcome parenting triggers I know it can be really (really) difficult to bridge the gap between being the kind of parent we want to be, and the kind of parent…
Sep 23, 2024 · 1:08:12
Understanding & Overcoming Mom Rage There are several books available on mom rage by now. They tend to follow a predictable formula: a journalist interviews a bunch of parents…
Sep 16, 2024 · 1:02:17
Today's episode comes from listener who submitted an emotional voicemail on the Ask Jen a Question button on the Your Parenting Mojo homepage, which boils down to: Am I damaging…
Sep 6, 2024 · 58:01
What to Do When Parenting Tools Don’t Work? I know that when you start using new parenting tools, things don't always go according to plan. Your kids don't say what you think…
Aug 26, 2024 · 1:02:43
Understanding Menstrual Cycle Awareness This episode was...unplanned. :-) A couple of months ago I interviewed Dr. Louise Newson on the topic of menopause . Dr. Newson is a…
Aug 19, 2024 · 1:16:04
How to advocate for the schools our children deserve How comfortable do you feel speaking up about something your child’s school needs? Have you noticed that some parents seem to…
Aug 12, 2024 · 1:04:17
Why Movement Matters More Than Exercise for Kids A few months ago my daughter had a routine checkup at the doctor, who asked how much screen time she gets in a day (which is more…
Aug 5, 2024 · 1:00:02
What your child is learning in school isn’t enough The things your child is learning in school are not the things that are most likely to lead to their success in the future. Who…
Jul 31, 2024 · 12:07
Thanks to those of you who completed the recent survey on how I can serve you better, some changes are coming to the YPM world! While most respondents said they loved the length…
Jul 29, 2024 · 57:11
How Video Games Shape Learning and Children’s Development Last week, parent Nicole and I talked with @TheGamerEducator Ash Brandin about the challenges we can have when our kids…
Jul 22, 2024 · 1:12:02
Why Video Games Aren't as Harmful as You Think for Kids Video games can be tough. Our kids enjoy them so much…but can’t tear their eyes away from them when time’s up without a…
Jul 15, 2024 · 1:01:46
How do I know if I'm perimenopausal? A few months ago a member in the Parenting Membership shared a whole bunch of symptoms she'd had, from fatigue to rage to dry eyes. She'd…
Jul 1, 2024 · 1:13:35
Discover insights on why no one will play with your child and explore effective strategies for building social skills in children Does your child have big emotional blow-ups in…
May 27, 2024 · 1:05:20
Exploring Marriage, Autism, Race, and Parenting Together Want to know how my autism self-diagnosis has affected my relationship with my husband? (I will apologize to autistic…
May 13, 2024 · 1:02:29
Ditch Punishments and Rewards for Respectful Parenting Do you hate punishing (with Time Outs, withdrawing privileges, or even yelling at) your child? Do you feel guilty after you…
May 6, 2024 · 1:01:09
Sustainable Family Change: Parenting Framework for Lasting Results Here's a little thought exercise: think back to what you were doing this time last year, right around Mother's…
Apr 29, 2024 · 1:19:05
Are there parts of yourself that you don't share with other people? Things that you think: "If people knew that about me, they wouldn't love me / they'd think I'm a terrible…
Apr 22, 2024 · 1:13:40
Do you have a core group of parent friends who are always there for you? Friends who might not be 100% aligned with your parenting philosophy, but they're close enough that you…
Apr 15, 2024 · 49:07
Do you ever fight with your partner? Do you ever fight with your partner about parenting? (Pretty much all of the couples I work with do both of those things.) And these…
Apr 8, 2024 · 52:44
Do you ever wish that you know the appropriate logical consequence to give your child (aged 1-10) for each different kind of misbehavior you see? When your toddler empties the…
Apr 1, 2024 · 1:12:04
Sometimes when listeners write to me, fun things happen! 🤪 Listener Diana replied to a recent email because she had listened to quite a lot of my episodes (although more of the…
Mar 25, 2024 · 1:22:31
It can be really hard to see what's happening in our struggles with our children. They refuse to go to bed at bedtime; we're at home alone all day with a baby who doesn't like…
Mar 11, 2024 · 58:50
I have to admit, I’m a bit scared to say it… The P-word… “Patriarchy.”(Phew! I did it!)I know some listeners find it hard to hear. I’ve spoken with more than one woman who has…
Feb 19, 2024 · 45:43
Sara has always tried really hard to not just be a good parent, but a really good parent. The best parent. (When I coached her and her partner recently to create some content for…
Feb 12, 2024 · 58:55
Last year I hosted a panel event in Vancouver where four people who have been active in helping us to navigate toward an anti-racist, post-patriarchal, post-capitalist future…
Feb 5, 2024 · 51:29
Listener Roberta submitted a question recently on YourParentingMojo.com/question : What does the research say are the decisions that really matter in parenting? That question…
Jan 29, 2024 · 55:22
My mom died when I was 10, and for a while people in our small village would look at my sister and me as if we were 'special' in some weird way. By the time I was a young adult…
Jan 15, 2024 · 1:01:47
When Carys was about three, I forced a dropper of antibiotics into her mouth to just get her to take it, so she would start to feel better. We were both tired and hangry and I…
Jan 2, 2024 · 1:03:00
When I saw that our 200th episode was coming up, I knew I wanted to do something special to celebrate. Listeners called in with questions for me for our 100th episode , which was…
Dec 11, 2023 · 43:53
Listener Rachel also reached out with some questions, and due to my book tour schedule it took us a little longer to get a call on the calendar, but eventually - on a day in…
Nov 27, 2023 · 57:45
A couple of years ago I was watching a session of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education 's online conference by unschooling advocate Idzie Desmerais . At some point she…
Nov 13, 2023 · 1:16:02
This is the first in a series of 'back to basics' episodes here on the show, where we'll look at the everyday challenges you're facing as a parent. (Have an idea for an episode?…
Oct 30, 2023 · 56:49
Do you worry about the state of the Earth? Climate change perhaps above all else, but also resource extraction, air pollution, and the injustice that goes along with the ways the…
Oct 16, 2023 · 49:08
Hunter Clarke-Fields is back with us again! She's the author of Raising Good Humans , and now the new book Raising Good Humans Every Day (affiliate links). Why does the world…
Oct 9, 2023 · 58:44
Do you ever feel triggered by your partner's behavior? (No? Just me? 😬) Many parents who join the Taming Your Triggers workshop sign up for help navigating their children's…
Oct 2, 2023 · 40:27
In this short episode, I'm going to teach you a real, legit, bona fide magic trick. And unlike most magic tricks which rely on sleight of hand to convince you of something that…
Sep 18, 2023 · 1:19:53
Polyvagal Theory is everywhere these days. Psychologists talk about it; parenting coaches talk about it; if you’re in the mental health field you’re probably referring to…
Sep 5, 2023 · 55:22
Parenting Beyond Power is officially available today! Come join a mini-celebration with me in this podcast episode, and TODAY on Zoom at 11am Pacific/2pm Eastern/8pm Central…
Aug 28, 2023 · 58:25
One of the questions I'm asked most often about Parenting Beyond Power (preorder bonuses are available for just a few more days!) is: So when a group of listeners volunteered to…
Aug 14, 2023 · 51:31
Do you try to give your children messages about gender that are aligned with your values? Do you tell your daughter that she can do anything she wants to do, and look for shows…
Jul 31, 2023 · 27:24
In this episode we hear from listener Lindsay who wonders whether it's safe to delay math learning, since (they've heard) there's a 'critical window' for learning language. Would…
Jul 17, 2023 · 42:43
When you listen to this episode you may get a bit of a sense of deja vu - way back in 2020, listener Kelly reached out to me and asked if I would be willing to do an episode on…
Jul 10, 2023 · 1:02:26
Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are in the middle of summer now, with the whirlwind of cobbled together childcare and kids at home saying: "I'm booored!". What's happening…
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