Episode #26: 5 Things We’re Glad We Did When Our Kids Were Little (and 5 We Wish We Did More Of)
Release Date: 09/15/2025
Talk it Out with Wee Talkers
Parenting little ones is full of trial and error. Some choices you look back on and think, I’m so glad we did that. Others? You wish you’d done a little differently. In this episode, we’re reflecting on those early years now that we have school-aged kids and sharing: 5 simple habits we’re thankful we stuck with — like making room for open-ended play, encouraging a love of books, and keeping quiet time even after naps were long gone. The everyday choices that paid off more than we realized at the time 5 things we wish we had done more of (still kicking ourselves for not writing down...
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Is your 18-month-old not talking yet, but clearly understands so much of what you say? You’re not alone. And the fact they understand so much is a very encouraging sign! In this episode, Katie and Carly (speech-language pathologists and moms) break down: The difference between receptive (understanding) and expressive (talking) language What language milestones to expect around 18 months What actually counts as a word (hint: more than you think!) Three simple ways you can support your toddler’s talking right now When to seek extra support and why “wait and see” isn’t always...
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Starting preschool or daycare? We’ve been there—more than six times between us! In this episode, we share our best tips for easing the preschool transition, from choosing books that prepare your child to creating goodbye routines that actually work. You’ll hear real stories from our own kids, easy role play ideas, a simple connection routines for drop-off, and a preschool playlist to help your preschooler start the day feeling brave and confident. Links & Resources: Shop our favorite books for starting school: |
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You’ve probably heard of kids having their tonsils or adenoids removed—but how do you know when it’s actually necessary? In this episode of Talk It Out, we’re joined by to break down everything parents need to know about tonsils and adenoids in children. From their role in the body to the signs that they might be causing problems, Dr. Gans helps make sense of this often confusing part of pediatric health. Dr. Gans is an attending physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and the founder of Resilient...
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Picky eating is one of the most common concerns for parents of toddlers—but how do you know if it’s a normal phase or something more serious? In this episode of Talk It Out, we’re joined by Jenny Friedman, a pediatric dietitian, picky eating specialist, and mom of three. Together, we dive into what picky eating looks like in toddlers, how to reduce mealtime stress, and what actually works when your child refuses to eat. Whether your toddler is down to just a handful of foods or you’re dealing with a new wave of food refusals, this conversation is filled with practical, low-pressure...
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If your toddler has had multiple ear infections, you’re not alone—and if you’ve ever wondered how those infections might impact their speech or language development, this episode is for you. We’re joined by , a board-certified pediatrician with over a decade of experience, an attending physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania. She’s also the creator of , where she shares evidence-based, down-to-earth advice on pediatric health—and she’s a mom of two. We’ve learned so much from Dr....
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In this episode of Talk It Out, Carly and Katie are tackling a topic that so many families face: toddler frustration—especially when it’s linked to speech and language delays. If you’ve ever watched your child melt down because they can’t quite say what they’re trying to express, you are far from alone. This episode explores why late talkers tend to show more frequent or intense frustration and how parents can both understand and support them. Carly and Katie, pediatric speech language pathologists, explain the natural mismatch that often happens in toddlers who understand more...
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Thumb sucking super common and a very natural things for babies to do—but when is it time to start guiding them away from it? In this episode, we’re covering: The pros and cons of thumb sucking How prolonged thumb sucking can affect speech and tooth development Gentle, practical strategies to help your child break the habit when they’re ready Carly’s personal experience with her daughter’s thumb-sucking journey If you’re wondering when or how to support your child through this transition, this episode will give you ideas you can tailor to your family’s...
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Feeding a toddler can feel like a wild ride—one minute they love broccoli, the next they won’t touch it. Sound familiar? In this episode, we’re joined by Jess and Nita from —two Registered Dietitians (and fellow moms!) who make baby and toddler feeding feel a whole lot more doable. We love their work, and wanted to bring the conversation here to Talk it Out! In the episode we cover: Why toddlers suddenly get more picky What to do when they won’t eat veggies How to keep them sitting at the table Easy snack ideas Tips for handling different-aged siblings at mealtimes ...
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Ever wonder when your baby will start babbling—or what to do if they aren’t yet? Babbling is more than just adorable baby chatter—it’s a key milestone that lays the foundation for talking. In this episode, we’re covering: The stages of babbling and how they build toward first words Why some babies start babbling earlier than others Simple, everyday ways to encourage more babbling at home What to do if your baby isn’t babbling yet By the end of this episode, you’ll know what to expect, how to support your baby’s early language development, and when to seek extra...
info_outlineParenting little ones is full of trial and error. Some choices you look back on and think, I’m so glad we did that. Others? You wish you’d done a little differently.
In this episode, we’re reflecting on those early years now that we have school-aged kids and sharing:
- 5 simple habits we’re thankful we stuck with — like making room for open-ended play, encouraging a love of books, and keeping quiet time even after naps were long gone.
- The everyday choices that paid off more than we realized at the time
- 5 things we wish we had done more of (still kicking ourselves for not writing down all those funny kid quotes!)
- Why you don’t need to do everything perfectly for it to really matter
As speech language pathologists and moms, we bring both our professional lens and the honest, behind-the-scenes perspective of real parenthood. Our hope? That you walk away with a new idea to try or the reassurance that what you’re already doing is enough.
👉 Don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who could use a little encouragement.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Want to create a screen time plan for your family that you feel really good about? Listen to episode 13 to hear more about what we think about when it comes to screen time for toddlers and preschoolers.
- More about baby + toddler play plus our favorite toys to encourage talking at weetalkers.com/blog
- Try our intentional screen time for preschoolers + toddlers (for free) at weetalkers.com/trial
- Find the chew proof, rip proof books we mentioned in our Amazon or Bookshop store.
- More free resources and programs at weetalkers.com