Parenting with Research, Insight, and Love

Parenting with confidence comes from knowledge. Parenting with grace comes from insight.

I’m a wife, mom of two boys and a child development writer. I may have a Ph.D, but I believe the value of child development research is not in telling us what is “right” or “wrong” with our parenting, but in helping us to see our children with a new lens.

If you are looking for strategies to support your child’s development using research combined with your own innate intuition, this is the place for you.

More about me

Latest Posts

What Parents Need to Know Before Hiring a Sleep Consultant

Sneak peek: If your baby or child is struggling with sleep, it’s good to know that certified pediatric sleep consultants can often help. Before you hire a sleep consultant, however, it’s important to understand the field and what to look for in a professional. For my babies, sleep never came easily. Even beyond the newborn …

The Scientific Reason Babies Love Repetition

Baby language development is fascinating, isn’t it? Our little nonverbal infants go from cooing to babbling and talking in full sentences in the course of a few short years. Amazing! This is one of the most researched aspects of child development and parenting. How does this really happen? Does the language we use with our …

Looking Beyond “Quality vs. Quantity” Time with Kids

As a person trained in the methodology of family science, there is nothing that bothers me more than when the media misinterprets a research article. Researchers know this happens frequently and are often leery of publicizing their work (even interesting work) because of this issue. Case in point—the recent study that was all over the …

How to Give Your Child a 1980s Childhood {and it’s backed by research!}

Sneak peek: Many of us have fond memories of growing up in the 80s and want our kids to experience some of that freedom and exploration. A few research-backed tips for helping our kids get a taste of our childhood while still fostering 21st-century skills My oldest son (almost 10) is at the stage of …

Toddlers Really Do Have Their Own Language

Sneak peek: If it seems like your toddler speaks their own language, that might be the case (sort of). Research gives us insight into how toddlers learn language. If you are a toddler parent (or remember being one), then you know that sometimes it seems like your toddler speaks their own language. They come up …

Why We Feel So Guilty as Parents and How to Overcome It

Sneak peek: Overcoming parental guilt isn’t about doing what others expect or ask of you. It’s about getting in touch with your authentic values. When was the last time you felt guilty about something related to parenting? If you’re like most parents I know it was about…5 minutes ago. I hear all the time from parents how …