Join me, Jess VanderWier, a registered psychotherapist, mom of three, and founder of Nurtured First, along with my husband Scott, as we dive deep into the stori...
In this episode, Scott and Jess discuss raising resilient children who are not entitled, a common concern they hear from people who are skeptical about the style of parenting Jess teaches.They explore how allowing children to experience natural disappointments and frustrations - while providing emotional support - actually helps develop crucial coping skills. Through practical examples like saying no to extra juice boxes and managing screen time boundaries, they demonstrate how parents can validate feelings while still maintaining limits.Key takeaways from this episode include: The importance of letting kids engage in appropriate risky play Avoiding the trap of constantly trying to make children happy Understanding that building frustration tolerance is a vital life skillJess and Scott also challenge the narrative of "entitled generations," highlighting how modern kids face unique challenges that require parental understanding rather than judgment.Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: [email protected]:Editing by The Pod CabinArtwork by Wallflower StudioProduction by Nurtured First
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43:15
Should We Tell Kids Santa Is Real?
In this episode, Jess and Scott tackle the polarizing topic of Santa Claus and holiday traditions as they answer the question: "Should we tell kids Santa is real?” They explore different approaches to discussing Santa with children - from treating him as a real person to presenting him as an imaginative character - all while emphasizing the importance of maintaining trust and connection with our kids.Jess and Scott share valuable insights on fostering genuine gratitude during gift-giving, managing children's expectations and behaviours during holiday celebrations, and navigating family dynamics when different belief systems clash.They also discuss why using Santa as a behaviour management tool can backfireand provide practical tips for making the holiday season magical regardless of your approach.This must-listen episode provides thoughtful guidance for parents seeking to create meaningful holiday traditions while staying true to their values.Jess mentions an episode where she introduces her hand puppet, “Grumpy Sean.” You can listen to the full episode about playfulness and teasing here.Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: [email protected]:Editing by The Pod CabinArtwork by Wallflower StudioProduction by Nurtured First
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37:56
The Hidden Cost Of Keeping Kids Busy
In this episode, Scott and Jess explore the importance of creativity and play - both for children and adults.From strategies for protecting children’s creative spirits to understanding how play helps kids process their experiences to how they are beginning to rekindle their own sense of playfulness as busy parents, this episode is full of practical strategies and insights into the importance of play and creativity both for kids and adults.Jess finishes off the episode with a guided mindfulness exercise, offering a moment of calm reflection on finding a balance between productivity and creative expression in today's fast-paced world.If you want to hear more from Jess and Scott about how you can encourage playfulness with your kids, check out “Is It Ok To Tease Your Kids?”Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: [email protected] more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.Credits:Editing by The Pod CabinArtwork by Wallflower StudioProduction by Nurtured First
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49:30
How To Talk To Kids About Food And Body Image
In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, hosts Scott and Jess explore the complex relationship between food, parenting, and childhood development. Inspired by a viral social media post about body image and food messaging, they explore how parents can foster healthy relationships with food by focusing on family rituals, mindful eating, and meaningful connection rather than restriction.Jess and Scott share personal experiences, including their own family dinner traditions and weekend donut rituals. They reveal how food struggles often point to unmet relational needs and offer practical ways to approach these challenges with empathy and understanding.Some important topics discussed in the episode include: Food as Connection: Discover how food issues often reflect underlying relationship dynamics. Positive Memories: Learn how to create meaningful rituals that build healthy associations with food. Mindful Eating: Equip your children with tools to develop a balanced and intuitive approach to eating.This episode offers valuable insights for parents looking to nurture a happy, healthy attitude toward food in their families.If you want to hear more from Jess and Scott about food and eating, listen to “Is It Healthy Eating, Or Is It Trauma? Unpacking Scott’s Relationship With Food”. Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: [email protected] more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.Credits:Editing by The Pod CabinArtwork by Wallflower StudioProduction by Nurtured First
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36:59
Is Teaching Your Partner About Parenting Exhausting You?
In this episode, Jess and Scott answer a listener's question about sharing the mental load of parenting. Jess talks about times when she felt like she carried most of the mental load and how Scott and her now split the work of parenting. They discuss the challenges of balancing roles, especially when one parent feels like the default decision-maker, educator, and emotional support.Key takeaways for listeners include: How to approach conversations about mental load in a way that strengthens your partnership. Strategies to encourage reluctant partners to engage more fully in the parenting journey. Ideas for setting boundaries and creating shared responsibilities so neither parent feels solely responsible.Whether you feel overwhelmed as the default parent or want to be a more engaged partner, this episode offers practical wisdom for creating a united parenting team. Don't miss Jess and Scott's candid discussion of their own parenting journey and struggles!During the episode, Jess mentions an episode with Josh, a skeptical dad. You can listen to his episode here.Want more support on your parenting journey? Check out our incredible blog full of articles & advice here. Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: [email protected] more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.Credits:Editing by The Pod CabinArtwork by Wallflower StudioProduction by Nurtured First
Join me, Jess VanderWier, a registered psychotherapist, mom of three, and founder of Nurtured First, along with my husband Scott, as we dive deep into the stories of our friends, favourite celebrities, and influential figures.In each episode, we skip the small talk and dive into vulnerable and honest conversations about topics like cycle breaking, trauma, race, mental health, parenting, sex, religion, postpartum, healing, and loss.We are glad you are here.PS: The name Robot Unicorn comes from our daughter. When we asked her what we should name the podcast, she confidently came up with this name because she loves robots, and she loves unicorns, so why not? There was something about the playfulness of the name, the confidence in her voice, and the fact that it represents that you can love two things at once that just felt right.
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