Ep. 96: The Modern Dad: Balancing Ambition, Presence, & Playful Parenting with Jeff Hittner
Release Date: 07/10/2026
Ep. 96: The Modern Dad: Balancing Ambition, Presence, & Playful Parenting with Jeff Hittner
The Art of Playful Parenting
In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill welcomes her first dad guest, Jeff Hittner, executive coach, founder of Ambitious Dads, and father of two boys. Together, they explore what it means to redefine fatherhood, balance ambition with presence, and build meaningful connections through play. Jeff shares his personal journey to fatherhood, the lessons he's learned about leadership at home, and why showing up with intention matters more than striving for perfection. They discuss practical strategies for connecting with your child, even when play doesn't come naturally or your play...
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Ep. 95: Simple Summer Rhythms for Kids
The Art of Playful Parenting
Looking for simple summer play ideas that don't require hours of planning? In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores how to create flexible summer rhythms that help children feel calm, connected, and ready to play. Whether your kids are home for the summer or coming home from camp each day, you'll learn how to use play as a tool for regulation, discover easy low-prep play ideas, and build after-camp reset routines that support your child's nervous system. We also talk about the increased mental load parents carry during the summer, why the idea of "bringing back '90s...
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Ep. 94: What to Do When You’re Not at Your Best as a Parent
The Art of Playful Parenting
In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores what it really looks like to parent when you are not at your best. She breaks down why so many parents feel pressure to show up fully resourced, and why real-life parenting often happens in moments of exhaustion, overwhelm, and depletion. Jill shares practical, low-lift strategies for those harder days, including how to lower the “activation energy” for play, simplify daily expectations, and use independent play as a valid and valuable part of the child’s day rather than a fallback. Listeners will walk away with permission to...
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Ep. 93: The Truth About Uneven Giftedness
The Art of Playful Parenting
In this episode, Jill explores what it means to be unevenly gifted and why some children can appear remarkably advanced in one area while struggling significantly in another. She breaks down the concept of asynchronous development, explains why giftedness often coexists with challenges in emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory processing, and social skills, and discusses why these developmental differences can be so confusing for parents and educators. Want to work with Jill privately? The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You’ll learn about foundational developmental...
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Ep. 92: Simplifying Playful Parenting with Beth Rosenbleeth from @DayswithGrey
The Art of Playful Parenting
In this episode, Jill welcomes Beth Rosenbleeth. Beth, creator of the popular blog and Instagram account Days with Grey, simplifies routines and promotes play-based learning for young children. She's a former teacher and a mom of three whose strategies and activity ideas resonate with her 275,000+ Instagram followers. Jill and Beth explore the connection between quality time and independent play, easy ways to encourage creativity using everyday materials, and the value of open-ended toys that grow with children. This episode was also motherhood at its finest. Jill's infant decided to boycott...
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Ep. 91: "Because I Said So" and Other Parenting Advice I Ignore
The Art of Playful Parenting
In this episode, Jill takes a look at some of the parenting advice many of us grew up hearing and why it may not hold up when viewed through a modern understanding of child development. She unpacks the assumptions behind these common phrases and offers a more nuanced, connection-based perspective. This conversation invites parents to move beyond rigid rules and toward curiosity, helping them better understand what may be driving their child's behavior and respond with greater confidence and compassion. Want to work with Jill privately? The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You’ll learn...
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Ep. 90: When Your Child Feels Like Too Much for You
The Art of Playful Parenting
In this episode, Jill explores the deeply tender question many parents quietly carry: “Am I really cut out for this?” She unpacks a conversation with a client whose highly energetic, sensory-seeking son feels like the opposite of her own nervous system, and how that mismatch can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure of themselves. This episode is a must-listen for parents navigating similar dynamics, reminding listeners that difference is not dysfunction, and that connection is built through understanding, not sameness. Want to work with Jill privately? The Playful Parenting...
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Ep. 89: Struggling With the Kindergarten Transition: A Parent’s Honest Reflection
The Art of Playful Parenting
In this episode, Jill shares a personal reflection on her daughter’s upcoming transition into kindergarten and the complex emotions that come with it. She explores what it feels like to navigate modern public school systems as a parent today, including the shifting landscape of early education, the role of play, and the quiet tension many parents feel between excitement and grief during this milestone. It’s an honest conversation about what childhood looks like now and what we hope to preserve as our children grow. Want to work with Jill privately? The Playful Parenting Membership is...
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Ep. 88: The Truth About Picky Eating with Jenny Friedman of @feedingpickyeaters
The Art of Playful Parenting
On today’s episode, Jill is joined by Jenny Friedman, a pediatric nutrition expert and mom of three boys to discuss a topic that so many parents struggle with: extreme picky eating and feeding challenges. They discuss how picky eating can be both normal developmental behavior and potentially indicate underlying issues. Jenny shares strategies Jenny emphasized the importance of parents trusting their instincts and seeking help when needed, while also sharing practical tips about managing snacks versus meals and the challenges of balancing work and parenting responsibilities. The conversation...
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Ep. 87: More Play, Less Screen Time: A Realistic Approach for Families
The Art of Playful Parenting
In honor of Screen-Free Week, Jill breaks down how families gradually end up relying on screens more than they intended and why it can start to feel like the only thing that works. In this episode, she shares a realistic, non-shaming approach to reducing screen dependence by focusing on what matters most: creating more opportunities for play. Jill discusses how to evaluate screen time beyond just the number of minutes, why content and device type matter, how screens impact behavior and independent play, and where to start if you want to make changes without going “all or nothing.” Get your...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill welcomes her first dad guest, Jeff Hittner, executive coach, founder of Ambitious Dads, and father of two boys.
Together, they explore what it means to redefine fatherhood, balance ambition with presence, and build meaningful connections through play. Jeff shares his personal journey to fatherhood, the lessons he's learned about leadership at home, and why showing up with intention matters more than striving for perfection. They discuss practical strategies for connecting with your child, even when play doesn't come naturally or your play style looks very different from theirs.
Whether you're a mom, dad, or caregiver, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into raising connected, resilient kids and creating stronger family relationships.
Learn more about Jeff's work and join the Ambitious Dads community:
- Website: https://www.ambitiousdads.com
- Substack: https://ambitiousdads.substack.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffhittner
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousdads
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ambitiousdads
Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started!
The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You’ll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join!
Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!