Raising Good Humans

I answer four listener questions—toddler biting, potty training pressure, emotional daycare drop-offs, and early “lying” in preschoolers—breaking down what’s developmentally normal, what to do in the moment, and the practical, compassionate strategies that actually help (without shame, power struggles, or panic).I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Pique Tea: Secure 20% off your order and begin your intentional wellness journey today at Piquelife.com/humansKa'Chava: Go to https://kachava.com and use code HUMANS. New customers get twenty dollars off an order of two bags or more, January 1st through 31stZip Recruiter: Go to ZipRecruiter.com/HUMANSWayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things homeBetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/humansSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by education expert Lizzie Assa to talk about independent play—why it matters, what it actually builds in kids, and how to make it work in real life. We break down the difference between independent play and ignoring your child, how to respond when kids say “I’m bored,” and simple ways to set up your home so play can happen more naturally. Lizzie shares practical strategies like play prompts, play pockets, and quiet time, along with reassurance for parents who feel guilty stepping back. This conversation is all about helping kids build confidence, resilience, and creativity—while giving parents a little more breathing room too.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Suvie: Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their saleAvocado Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humans.Bobbie: If you want to feel good about what’s in your baby’s bottle, get 10% off with code humans at hibobbie.comOsea: Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code HUMANS at OSEAMalibu.comQuince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365 day returnsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Amy Griffin for a deeply personal conversation about what it means to re-parent yourself—and how that inner work quietly transforms your parenting. We talk about the pressure to be perfect, the role of control and trust in family relationships, and how healing your own story can create more safety for your kids. Amy shares how telling the truth, setting boundaries, and staying in the light reshaped the way she shows up as a mother, partner, and person—and why parenting isn’t about having the answers, but about doing the work with honesty and compassion.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Monarch: Use code HUMANS at monarch.com in your browser for half off your first yearSkims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.comSuvie: Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get 16 free mealsAvocado Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humans.Jones Road Beauty: Use code HUMANS at jonesroadHUMANS.com to get a Free Cool Gloss with your first purchase! These sell out fast so get them while they last! #JonesRoadHUMANS #adBobbie: If you want to feel good about what’s in your baby’s bottle, get 10% off with code humans at hibobbie.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode I am joined by Dr. Darby Saxby, a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Southern California as we delve into the transition to parenthood, particularly focusing on fathers and the concept of the 'dad brain.' We discuss how fathers experience physiological and psychological changes despite not giving birth, the vulnerability and opportunities for growth these changes bring, and how societal structures often fail to support new parents adequately. Dr. Saxby shares insights from her research, including how caregiving impacts brain structure in both mothers and fathers and the importance of fathers being involved at various stages of a child's development. I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Avocado Green Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! That’s an extra $25 off their current sale at AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humansOsea: Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code HUMANS at OSEAMalibu.comWayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things homeSuvie: Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their saleLaundry Sauce: Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code HUMANS at https://laundrysauce.com/HUMANS #laundrysaucepodTia: Go to bit.ly/asktia-humansPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek to rethink what learning actually looks like—and why play is at the center of it. We break down the science behind playful learning, the Six Cs kids need to thrive in a rapidly changing world, and why pressure, perfectionism, and early achievement often get in the way. Kathy and I talk about how play builds resilience, creativity, and real problem-solving skills, and why boredom is not a crisis but a developmental gift.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Gruns: Visit gruns.co and use code HUMANS at checkout for up to 52% off your first orderClean Safe Products: Go to cleansafeproducts.com/HUMANS now to get $15 off the Green Mitt KitBobbie: Get 10% off with code humans at hibobbie.comQuince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365 day returnsiRestore: Reverse hair loss with @iRestorelaser and unlock HUGE savings on the iRestoreElite with the code HUMANS at https://www.irestore.com/HUMANS!Avocado Green Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! That’s an extra $25 off their current sale at AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humansPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.