The Ashley Ventrice Show | Toddler Parenting & Child Development
- Episodes
- 40
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- Nov 10, 2026
About the podcast
Welcome to The Toddler Life Coach Show — the podcast that helps you understand your toddler’s behavior, regulate your own emotions, and build a calmer home.
I’m Ashley, a child development specialist and mom of two, here to make sense of the chaos and bring peace back into parenting.
👉 Subscribe to The Ashley Ventrice Show for weekly episodes on raising emotionally healthy kids.
👉 Share this episode with a parent friend who needs a tantrum toolkit in their back pocket.
👉 Download your free Calming Toolkit for Toddlers at [https://payhip.com/b/IeRcM] to start practicing today.
👉 Check out Hands are not for Hitting at [https://amzn.to/48eX0tt] to start reading it to your toddler.
👉 Join my Emotional Regulation Master Course for Toddler Parents at [https://ashleyventriceco.podia.com/emotional-regulation-master-course-for-toddler-moms] to start the new year using proven tools with confidence.
👉 View my blog on How to Create a Cozy Calm Down Corner with my favorite products [https://ashleyventriceco.podia.com/blog]
Follow Me:
👉 Visit my website https://ashleyventriceco.podia.com
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Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
Each episode is packed with real-life examples, emotional regulation tools, and gentle, grounded advice for parents who want to raise emotionally healthy kids — without guilt, pressure, or perfection.
If you’re ready to grow forward with your toddler, hit play. 💛
Episodes 40
The Mental Load of Motherhood: How Zivile Built a System That Works
If you've ever felt like you're carrying the entire household in your head, this episode is for you. Doctor's appointments, snack runs, nap schedules, birthday gifts, the almost-empty diaper box: the mental …
Show notes
If you've ever felt like you're carrying the entire household in your head, this episode is for you. Doctor's appointments, snack runs, nap schedules, birthday gifts, the almost-empty diaper box: the mental load of motherhood is real, and most of it happens where no one can see it.
In this conversation, I sit down with Zivile, who felt that same weight and decided not to just push through. She built a system that works for her family, and she shares how it works so you can try a piece of it this week.
Whether you're deep in the toddler trenches or just feeling worn thin, you'll walk away feeling seen, with something practical to try.
In this episode:
- Why the mental load is so exhausting, and why it's so easy to miss
- How Zivile built a system that fits her family
- One small step you can take this week without overhauling everything
Connect with Zivile:
Follow Me:
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A Pediatrician Answers the Questions Keeping You Up at Night
Ever find yourself staring at your phone at night, wondering if what your little one is doing is normal? You're not alone. In this episode, I sat down with pediatrician Dr. Meaghan Andre- Brown to answer the …
Show notes
Ever find yourself staring at your phone at night, wondering if what your little one is doing is normal? You're not alone. In this episode, I sat down with pediatrician Dr. Meaghan Andre- Brown to answer the questions all moms are thinking at home. She shares calm, reassuring insight to help settle your worried mind, plus when to trust your gut and when to call your doctor. Grab your coffee, take a deep breath, and press play.
Meet Dr. Meaghan Andre- Brown!
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Toddler Sleep Tips: Setting Boundaries and Expectations for Better Sleep with Diana Zales
Struggling with toddler bedtime? In this episode, I sit down with Diana Zales, a sleep consultant, mom of two little girls, and recent graduate of a parent coaching course. We talk about how setting clear …
Show notes
Struggling with toddler bedtime? In this episode, I sit down with Diana Zales, a sleep consultant, mom of two little girls, and recent graduate of a parent coaching course. We talk about how setting clear boundaries and expectations helps toddlers get the healthiest sleep, so you can get the rest you need too. Diana shares the loving, practical methods behind her sleep sessions, and I promise she's as sweet as they come. Whether you're dealing with bedtime battles, night wakings, or early mornings, this conversation will leave you feeling encouraged and ready to try something new tonight.
Check out her Instagram Account
Follow Me:
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Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
Making Mom Friends & Finding Your Village: NJ Stay at Home Mom Founder Ali on Motherhood and Mom Events
Motherhood can be beautiful, messy, overwhelming, and sometimes surprisingly lonely. But finding your village can make all the difference! In this episode of The Ashley Ventrice Show, I’m joined by Ali, the …
Show notes
Motherhood can be beautiful, messy, overwhelming, and sometimes surprisingly lonely. But finding your village can make all the difference!
In this episode of The Ashley Ventrice Show, I’m joined by Ali, the founder of NJ Stay at Home Mom, an online community with 10,000 Instagram followers dedicated to helping moms connect through free mom events and activities throughout Northern New Jersey.
We talk about the special events Ali shares and hosts, why building friendships as a mom can feel so difficult, and what motherhood looks like in today’s world. If you’re a toddler mom who wants to meet other moms but feels shy, nervous, or intimidated about showing up to a group where you don’t know anyone, this episode is for you! We share encouragement and practical tips to help you take that first step toward finding your people.
Ali and I also have so much in common! We were both teachers who decided to take our passion for helping families and turn it into an online platform to bring people together.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a working mom, or a mom navigating the toddler years, you deserve connection, support, and friendships that remind you you’re not alone.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How NJ Stay at Home Mom helps mothers find free events and connect with other moms in Northern New Jersey
- Why making mom friends can feel so hard in adulthood
- How to overcome shyness and attend your first mom group or event
- The challenges of being a mom in today’s busy, demanding world
- How two former teachers turned their passion into online communities
- Why finding your village matters, especially during the toddler years
If you’re ready to get out of the house, meet new friends, and find your mom village, tune in!
Enjoyed this episode? Follow The Ashley Ventrice Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with a mom who could use a little connection and encouragement.
Because raising emotionally resilient children starts with supporting the moms raising them, too.
Connect with Ali at thenjsahm
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What Hayden Panettiere's Story Teaches Us About Postpartum, Childhood Wounds, and Why You Did Nothing Wrong**
In memory of Hayden Panettiere, who spent years speaking openly about her postpartum depression and the complicated relationship with her mother-slash-manager — this episode is about the thread that connects …
Show notes
In memory of Hayden Panettiere, who spent years speaking openly about her postpartum depression and the complicated relationship with her mother-slash-manager — this episode is about the thread that connects the two. An OT mom breaks down the real research on childhood adversity and postpartum risk, how long postpartum actually lasts (hint: way longer than six weeks), the warning signs to watch for during pregnancy, and why medication isn't one-size-fits-all. You did nothing wrong. Let's talk about it.
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Teaching Kids Big Feelings with Hello!Lucky’s Sabrina & Eunice Moyle
What if the secret to raising emotionally intelligent kids was hiding in a picture book? This week, I’m joined by sisters Eunice and Sabrina Moyle — the creative duo behind Hello!Lucky, the bestselling …
Show notes
What if the secret to raising emotionally intelligent kids was hiding in a picture book? This week, I’m joined by sisters Eunice and Sabrina Moyle — the creative duo behind Hello!Lucky, the bestselling children’s book brand known for My Mom Is Magical!, My Box of Feelings, and other joy-filled, pun-loving reads that help kids name and navigate big emotions.
As a Child Development therapist, I geeked out with them on how storytelling shapes emotional development in toddlers and preschoolers — and how parents can use books as everyday tools for building resilience, self-awareness, and connection at home.
In this episode, we cover:
- How Hello! Lucky designs books that teach real emotional regulation skills
- Age-appropriate ways to talk to toddlers about feelings (without the meltdown)
- Using humor and play to make hard topics (potty training, transitions, big emotions) easier
- What Child Development-backed research says about emotional development in early childhood
- Practical takeaways for building your child’s “feelings vocabulary” starting today
Whether you’re a toddler mom looking for your next favorite bedtime read or you just want simple tools to help your child understand their emotions, this conversation is packed with warmth, expertise, and laugh-out-loud moments.
Hello! Lucky:
👉 Website https://www.hellolucky.com
👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/helloluckykids/
👉 Purchase “My Box of Feelings” https://amzn.to/44F1tTi
Follow Me:
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Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
Follow Me:
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Join:
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Your Body After Baby: Pelvic Floor Problems, Prolapse & Why ‘That’s Just Mom Life’ Is a Lie
You pushed out a human. You’re chasing a toddler. And your body still doesn’t feel like yours. If you’ve been dealing with leaking when you sneeze, a heavy feeling in your pelvis, pain during sex, or a belly …
Show notes
You pushed out a human. You’re chasing a toddler. And your body still doesn’t feel like yours.
If you’ve been dealing with leaking when you sneeze, a heavy feeling in your pelvis, pain during sex, or a belly that still doesn’t look or feel right — this episode is for you. And before you tell yourself “it’s fine, it’s just part of having kids”… I need you to press play first.
I sat down with Youstina Gerges, pelvic floor physical therapist and owner of A Rise Above Physical Therapy in Wyckoff, New Jersey, and we had the most honest, no-fluff conversation about what’s actually happening in your body after birth — and what you can do about it.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why so many moms are still dealing with postpartum symptoms years after having their baby
- What diastasis recti actually is and how it affects more than just your abs
- The real reason sex doesn’t feel the same (and what to do about it)
- What that heavy, dragging pelvic feeling actually means — and why it’s not something you just “push through”
- Pelvic organ prolapse: what it is, what it feels like, and when to get help
- Why leaking when you sneeze, jump, or laugh is common but NOT normal
- When to see a pelvic floor PT and what to expect at your first appointment
Whether you’re 6 weeks postpartum or your “baby” just started preschool — it is never too late to get support for your body.
Enjoyed this episode? Screenshot it, share it to your stories, and tag me @ashleyventriceco — I love seeing who’s listening. And if you have a mama friend who needs to hear this, please send it her way. This is exactly the kind of conversation that changes things.
Connect with Youstina: Youstina Gerges — A Rise Above Physical Therapy Location: Wyckoff, New Jersey
👉 Website: https://riseabovept.com
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riseaboveptnj/
Follow Me:
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Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
Follow Me:
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👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco
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Join:
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The Toddler Mom’s Guide to Actually Good Kids’ TV: Little Bear, Daniel Tiger, Bluey, Sofia the First, and Why I’m Not Sorry About What I Said About Cocomelon
Not all kids’ shows are created equal — and as a licensed Child Development Therapist, Ashley Ventrice is here to tell you exactly which ones are worth your toddler’s screen time and which ones are doing your …
Show notes
Not all kids’ shows are created equal — and as a licensed Child Development Therapist, Ashley Ventrice is here to tell you exactly which ones are worth your toddler’s screen time and which ones are doing your child’s developing nervous system absolutely no favors. In this episode, Ashley breaks down her personal favorite shows for toddlers and young children — Little Bear, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Sofia the First, and Bluey — explaining the real developmental reasons why these shows are different from the rest. She also introduces two more mom-approved hidden gems you may not have on your radar yet. And yes, she has some thoughts about Cocomelon and Miss Rachel. Loving thoughts. Mostly. If you’re a toddler mom who wants to feel confident about what’s playing on your TV, this episode is your new best friend. Topics include: best TV shows for toddlers, toddler brain development and screen time, slow-paced shows for toddlers, Daniel Tiger social-emotional learning, Bluey developmental benefits, Little Bear toddler show, Sofia the First kindness lessons, Child Development Specialist-approved kids’ shows, toddler screen time tips from a Child Development Specialist.
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Join:
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The Screen Time Truth: How Much Is Too Much, Meltdowns When You Turn It Off, Educational Apps, and Why Your Toddler Watches the Same Show 47 Times
If you’ve ever Googled “how much screen time is okay for toddlers” at midnight while your child was mid-meltdown over the TV turning off — this episode is for you. Licensed Child Development Therapist Ashley …
Show notes
If you’ve ever Googled “how much screen time is okay for toddlers” at midnight while your child was mid-meltdown over the TV turning off — this episode is for you. Licensed Child Development Therapist Ashley Ventrice breaks down everything toddler moms actually want to know about screen time and technology. In this episode, Ashley answers four of the most common screen time questions she gets from real moms: how much screen time is developmentally appropriate, why toddlers completely fall apart when screens turn off and what to do about it, whether educational apps are actually beneficial or just a marketing trick, and why your toddler needs to watch Bluey on repeat for the 47th time. This is the honest, judgment-free, evidence-based screen time conversation you’ve been needing. No shame, no scare tactics — just real information from a licensed Child Development Specialist who gets it.
Follow Me:
👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com
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Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
Join:
👉 Screen-FREE play pack https://ashleyventriceco.podia.com/b25587c8-c6b3-4e72-aaeb-ce13ced75166
Follow Me:
👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com
👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco
👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco
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Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
A Letter to the Mom in the Thick of It
If you’re a tired toddler mom who hasn’t slept a full night in what feels like years, this episode is for you. Child Development Specialist and mom Ashley writes a heartfelt letter to the moms in the hardest …
Show notes
If you’re a tired toddler mom who hasn’t slept a full night in what feels like years, this episode is for you. Child Development Specialist and mom Ashley writes a heartfelt letter to the moms in the hardest season of early motherhood — the ones who love their kids fiercely and are also, if they’re being honest, a little lost in it.
As a 40-year-old looking back on her toddler years, Ashley shares what she wishes someone had told her: what the “thick of it” actually feels like (without sugarcoating it), the ordinary moments that matter most developmentally, the specific things she misses that nobody warned her about, and the letter she needed to hear back then.
This one isn’t a framework or a strategy. It’s a permission slip. For the mom crying in the bathroom with the fan on. For the mom who loves her kids so much it scares her. For the mom who just needs someone to say: you’re not failing. You’re in the thick of it.
Topics covered: toddler mom burnout, mom identity loss, mom guilt, emotional regulation in toddlers, secure attachment, savoring motherhood, the bittersweet of kids growing up.
🎧 Share this with a toddler mom who needs it today.
Follow Me:
👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com
👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco
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Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
Follow Me:
👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com
👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco
👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco
👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleyventriceco
👉 Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ashleyventriceco
Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
The Truth Behind the “Perfect” Toddler Mom Feed
Are you a burned-out toddler mom who can’t stop comparing yourself to what you see on Instagram? A Child Development Specialist gets real about what social media comparison is actually doing to your nervous …
Show notes
Are you a burned-out toddler mom who can’t stop comparing yourself to what you see on Instagram? A Child Development Specialist gets real about what social media comparison is actually doing to your nervous system — and why it’s affecting your parenting more than you realize.
In this episode, Ashley (licensed Child Development Specialist and mom) breaks down the science behind mom- comparison culture, the hidden toll it takes on your nervous system, and why your stress response doesn’t know the difference between a real threat and a picture-perfect Instagram feed.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
•Why chronic social media comparison creates chronic low-grade stress — and what that means for your parenting
•The gender comment story that stopped Ashley cold: how Instagram is now influencing family planning decisions
•What a Child Development Specialist sees behind the scenes that curated feeds will never show you
•Why you CANNOT co-regulate a dysregulated toddler when your own nervous system is fried
•A full permission slip to be a good mom in invisible ways — the ways that actually matter
This episode is for you if:
•You scroll Instagram and feel like every other toddler mom has it more together than you
•You’ve ever felt guilty about losing it with your toddler after a morning of comparison scrolling
•You’re exhausted by the performance of “perfect” motherhood and desperate for something real
•You want to understand the actual science of why social media affects your mood and your parenting
Resources mentioned:
Follow Me:
👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com
👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco
👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco
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👉 Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ashleyventriceco
Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
Follow Me:
👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com
👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco
👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco
👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleyventriceco
👉 Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ashleyventriceco
Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
Naysayers, Barefoot Babies & the Unsolicited Opinion Epidemic
Ashley shares a real backyard conversation with her neighbor — a first-time mom who somehow radiates calm — and unpacks why new moms lose their instincts to the chorus of unsolicited opinions. From barefoot …
Show notes
Ashley shares a real backyard conversation with her neighbor — a first-time mom who somehow radiates calm — and unpacks why new moms lose their instincts to the chorus of unsolicited opinions. From barefoot babies to formula side-eyes, if you’ve ever been audited as a mom in public, this episode is for you.
In This Episode:
•The neighbor moment that stopped Ashley cold
•Why even a Child Development Specialist second-guessed herself as a new mom
•The real reason unsolicited advice is so hard to shake — even when you know better
•The “Greatest Hits” of comments every mom has heard (and what the research actually says)
•Why protecting your peace isn’t selfish — it’s parenting
•What to do the next time someone has an opinion about your barefoot baby
Key Takeaways:
Simplicity is a strategy. Ashley’s neighbor wasn’t calm because parenting is easy. She committed to one rule: keep it simple and listen — to herself and to her baby.
Intent doesn’t equal impact. Most people offering unsolicited advice aren’t trying to undermine you. But whether the intent is good or not, the impact is the same: it chips away at your confidence and your instinct.
Barefoot babies are fine. As a Developmental Interventionist, Ashley is here to tell you: babies have navigated life barefoot for the entirety of human history. You are not in a crisis.
Your nervous system is talking to your child’s nervous system — all day. When you are calm, they feel it. Holding onto your peace is one of the most powerful things you can do for your child’s development.
You don’t owe anyone an explanation. You are allowed to smile, nod, and let it go.
Follow Me:
👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com
👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco
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Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
Follow Me:
👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com
👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco
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Join:
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How Many Words Should My Toddler Have? Speech Milestones Explained
If you’ve ever wondered, “How many words should my toddler have?”—you’re not alone. This is one of the most searched parenting questions, and in this episode, we’re breaking it down in a way that’s clear …
Show notes
If you’ve ever wondered, “How many words should my toddler have?”—you’re not alone. This is one of the most searched parenting questions, and in this episode, we’re breaking it down in a way that’s clear, realistic, and not fear-based.
Using research-backed guidance from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and other pediatric developmental sources, we walk through toddler speech milestones by age, including what’s typical at 12 months, 18 months, 2 years, 3 years, and beyond.
Learn With Ashley:
👉 Printable Worksheet Membership
Toys I love:
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Stay Home or Go Back to Work After Baby? What Research Really Says (And How to Make the Best Decision for Your Family)
You had it all planned out. You knew exactly what kind of mom you were going to be - whether that meant confidentiality heading back into the office or blissfully staying home with your baby. Then they placed …
Show notes
You had it all planned out. You knew exactly what kind of mom you were going to be - whether that meant confidentiality heading back into the office or blissfully staying home with your baby. Then they placed that tiny human in your arms...and everything you thought you knew went out that window.
If you're wresting the "working mom" vs. the "stay-at-home mom" decision or the decision was made for you and you're grieving it- this episode is for you.
In this episode, your host, Child Development Specialist breaks down:
- The real developmental research of working mom vs. stay-at-home mom
- The staggering cost of childcare in 2026
- Why your mental health is your child's developmental environment
- Permission to stop chasing "balance" and start chasing alignment
Learn With Ashley:
👉 Printable Worksheet Membership
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I Wasn’t Always a Child Development Specialist… (My Full Story)
Before the credentials, the podcast, and the toddler advice — there was a girl who started in fashion and found her calling by accident. This is the real story of how I got here, and why nothing in your path is …
Show notes
Before the credentials, the podcast, and the toddler advice — there was a girl who started in fashion and found her calling by accident. This is the real story of how I got here, and why nothing in your path is ever wasted.
You’ve heard the advice. You’ve seen the credentials. But today, I’m pulling back the curtain on the full journey — because I think you need to hear how I actually got here.
In this episode, I’m sharing my honest, unfiltered origin story — from fashion merchandising at Marist College, to teaching in an urban district, to becoming a mom whose daughter needed Early Intervention, to opening my own childcare center, and eventually landing right here… in your ears.
This one is personal. And I think it’ll hit different if you’ve ever felt like your path was “wrong,” or like you’re way behind where you thought you’d be.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
•Why I left a stable fashion career in my 20s with zero plan
•The volunteer experience in my last semester of college that changed everything
•How becoming a mom — and my daughter’s speech delay — pointed me toward Early Intervention
•What I actually did as a developmental specialist (and why it’s different from OT, PT, and speech)
•The decision to leave teaching and stay home — and the math that made it make sense
•Why I eventually opened a childcare center, and what led me away from it
•And the chronic illness chapter I don’t talk about enough
If you’ve been wondering why I give the advice I do, or whether you can actually trust me with your child’s development — this episode is for you.
Because everything I teach comes from classrooms, from homes, from my own kids, and from years of hands-on experience. Not just a textbook.
💛 If this resonated, send it to a friend who’s in a “what am I even doing” season. She needs it.
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Why Your Kids Fight — And What to Do About It ft. Toddler Toolkit’s Heather Schalk
Do your kids have the same fight on repeat and you have no idea how to break the cycle? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Heather Schalk from the Toddler Toolkit Podcast to talk all things sibling …
Show notes
Do your kids have the same fight on repeat and you have no idea how to break the cycle? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Heather Schalk from the Toddler Toolkit Podcast to talk all things sibling relationships — how to identify the patterns showing up in your home, what’s actually driving them, and practical ways to help your kids genuinely get along. As a Pediatric OT, I’m bringing the developmental lens, and Heather is bringing the toolkit. This one is for every mom who’s tired of playing referee.
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Mom Guilt, POTS, and MCAS: When Chronic Illness Meets Motherhood (And Why You Need to Let Go of the Guilt)
What happens when you’re managing a chronic illness and drowning in mom guilt? In this episode, I’m getting personal about my diagnoses — POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and MCAS (Mast Cell …
Show notes
What happens when you’re managing a chronic illness and drowning in mom guilt? In this episode, I’m getting personal about my diagnoses — POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) — and why I’m talking about it openly. More women than men are diagnosed with autoimmune and chronic illness conditions, and awareness matters.
I share a conversation I had with a nurse at my cardiologist’s office — a mom of a toddler and a kindergartner — who was carrying a guilt so many of us know way too well: the guilt of choosing one kid over another, of working, of not being everywhere at once. Sound familiar?
We’re also talking about the noise — the opinions from parents, friends, family — and how it all piles on top of an already heavy load. I’m sharing how hitting my 40s (and finally getting answers about my health) pushed me to get intentional about ditching guilt and building a life that actually works for me and my family.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of everyone else’s opinions pulling you in every direction, this one’s for you.
Topics covered:
∙What POTS and MCAS are and why more moms need to know
∙The real story behind mom guilt vs. a new life pattern
∙How chronic illness changed the way I show up as a mom
∙Why your 40s might just be your most intentional decade yet
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I Left My Kids for the First Time and It Changed Everything — On Mom Identity and Marriage
In this deeply personal episode, I share why I took my first flight away from my children — and why it was about more than just a vacation. We talk about mom guilt, trusted caregivers, marriage health, nervous …
Show notes
In this deeply personal episode, I share why I took my first flight away from my children — and why it was about more than just a vacation. We talk about mom guilt, trusted caregivers, marriage health, nervous system regulation, facing fears after trauma, and the quiet identity shifts that happen in motherhood.
If you’ve ever felt pressure about leaving your children, struggled with anxiety about flying, or felt like you’ve “lost yourself” in parenting — this episode is for you.
We’ll unpack:
• Why time away can strengthen your children’s resilience
• The nervous system impact of chronic self-sacrifice
• How healthy marriages benefit children
• Processing fear after trauma (including 9/11)
• The truth about identity loss and rebirth in motherhood
This isn’t about escaping your kids.
It’s about modeling courage, balance, and emotional health.
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👉 Skylight Calendar https://tidd.ly/4qs78VP
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Is My Child Highly Sensitive? Signs, Strategies, and What a Child Development Specialist Knows
Is your child deeply emotional, empathetic, or easily overwhelmed by loud or chaotic environments? They may be a highly sensitive child. In this episode, we explore the science behind highly sensitive children …
Show notes
Is your child deeply emotional, empathetic, or easily overwhelmed by loud or chaotic environments?
They may be a highly sensitive child.
In this episode, we explore the science behind highly sensitive children (HSCs), a temperament trait found in roughly 15–20% of the population. These children process emotions and sensory information more deeply than others, which can lead to big feelings—but also incredible strengths.
You’ll learn:
• What highly sensitive babies, toddlers, and children often look like
• Signs your child may be highly sensitive
• How sensitivity shows up in adulthood
• Parenting strategies that help sensitive kids thrive
• Why sensitivity can become a powerful advantage later in life
We also talk about personal experiences raising sensitive children and growing up sensitive ourselves.
If you’re raising a child who feels everything deeply, this episode will help you understand their brain and support them with compassion and confidence.
Read the blog post about how to support your highly sensitive child further.
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Today’s Sponsor:
👉 Skylight Calendar https://tidd.ly/4qs78VP
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How to Talk to Toddlers About Death — Mom’s Honest Guide
What if one of the most powerful ways to raise emotionally intelligent children is through loving — and eventually losing — a pet? In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with author Kristen Griffin to talk about …
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What if one of the most powerful ways to raise emotionally intelligent children is through loving — and eventually losing — a pet?
In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with author Kristen Griffin to talk about her beautiful children’s book Magnum’s Final Goodbye, a story that gently guides families through pet loss.
Kristen and I connected instantly over our lifelong love of animals and our shared belief that growing up with pets teaches children empathy, responsibility, compassion, and emotional depth.
We talk about:
•Why pets help build emotional intelligence in children
•How caring for animals fosters empathy and responsibility
•How to prepare children for pet loss in healthy, age-appropriate ways
•Why grief is not something to avoid — but something to walk through together
If you’ve ever wondered how to talk to your child about losing a pet — or why animals play such an important role in emotional development — this episode is for you.
Because raising emotionally healthy children doesn’t mean protecting them from grief. It means walking beside them through it.
🎧 Listen now and share with a fellow animal-loving parent.
Connect with Kristen:
👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/magnumsbridge/
👉 Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/magnumsbridge/?etsrc=sdt
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What You Do With Your Toddler Now Matters More Than You Think — A Child Development Specialist's Honest Take
If you’ve ever wondered whether the daily power struggles, tantrums, and boundary battles actually matter long term — this episode is for you. In today’s episode, we zoom out. You are not just managing a …
Show notes
If you’ve ever wondered whether the daily power struggles, tantrums, and boundary battles actually matter long term — this episode is for you.
In today’s episode, we zoom out.
You are not just managing a toddler. You are shaping a future adult.
The way you respond to whining, frustration, big emotions, and independence today wires your child’s nervous system, self-concept, and resilience for tomorrow.
We’ll talk about:
•How toddler boundaries build teenage self-regulation
•Why emotional coaching now prevents emotional shutdown later
•The difference between compliance and internal discipline
•How repair builds secure attachment (even when you mess up)
•Practical scripts and examples you can use this week
If you want to raise an emotionally healthy, capable adult — it starts in the toddler years.
This episode will help you parent with long-term vision instead of short-term survival.
Favorites:
👉 Good Read The Whole Brain Child
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Why Sensory Play Is More Than Messy Fun — A Child Development Specialist Explains What’s Really Happening
Sensory play is one of my favorite forms of play — not just because it’s fun, but because you can almost instantly see a child become calmer. In this episode, I’m sharing why sensory play was the foundation of …
Show notes
Sensory play is one of my favorite forms of play — not just because it’s fun, but because you can almost instantly see a child become calmer.
In this episode, I’m sharing why sensory play was the foundation of my work in Early Intervention, especially with children with autism and nervous system dysregulation. I’ll explain why I began every single session with a sensory bin, how it builds trust and regulation, and why calm always comes before learning.
We’ll talk about the incredible developmental benefits of sensory play — including fine motor, cognitive, language, and early math skills — and how you can easily create sensory experiences at home without spending money or making things complicated.
If you’ve ever wondered how to calm your baby or toddler, encourage independent play, or create a predictable routine that supports regulation, this episode will give you simple, practical tools you can start using today.
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Montessori for Toddlers: What It Actually Is and Why Child Development Specialist's Love It
In this episode, we explore why the Montessori approach is so powerful for toddlers and their parents. Montessori isn’t just a classroom philosophy — it’s a way of life that empowers toddlers to build real …
Show notes
In this episode, we explore why the Montessori approach is so powerful for toddlers and their parents. Montessori isn’t just a classroom philosophy — it’s a way of life that empowers toddlers to build real skills, confidence, independence, and a deep sense of being part of the family. We’ll dive into research-backed benefits, share real examples of practical life activities (like cooking with your toddler), and offer easy ways to implement Montessori principles at home. Whether you’re Montessori curious or already practicing at home, this conversation will help you see everyday routines in a whole new light.
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Why Bedtime Becomes a Power Struggle — and What Kids Are Really Asking For
Why does bedtime turn into a sudden flood of needs — water, snacks, questions, emotions — right when the lights go out? In this episode, I sit down with a pediatric sleep consultant, Brittany, to unpack what’s …
Show notes
Why does bedtime turn into a sudden flood of needs — water, snacks, questions, emotions — right when the lights go out?
In this episode, I sit down with a pediatric sleep consultant, Brittany, to unpack what’s really happening during bedtime resistance. We talk about why children often appear “dehydrated” or emotionally needy at night, how daytime boundaries impact nighttime sleep, and what parents can do to create calmer, more predictable bedtimes without power struggles.
This conversation is especially helpful for parents of toddlers and young children who want gentle, developmentally appropriate sleep support — without rigid rules or crying it out.
If bedtime feels exhausting, chaotic, or emotionally charged, this episode will help you reframe what your child is asking for and how to respond with confidence.
My Favorites:
👉 Sleep tools https://www.amazon.com/shop/ashleyventriceco/list/2WLZ45PFLYFL8?ref_=aipsflist
Resources:
👉 Routine Podcast on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ashley-ventrice-show/id1847402433?i=1000736251305
👉 Visual Schedule https://ashleyventriceco.etsy.com/listing/4403618690/editable-the-neurodiverse-toddler-daily
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Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
👉 Connect with Brittany https://www.instagram.com/brittany_sleepconsultant/
Or https://www.goodnightnursebh.com
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Why Your Toddler Is Always Overwhelmed — What Books Helped Me
Today we talk about five books that have shaped how I think about parenting, child development, and how we show up in family life. These books helped me move from hustle and stress to intention and calm: 📘 The …
Show notes
Today we talk about five books that have shaped how I think about parenting, child development, and how we show up in family life. These books helped me move from hustle and stress to intention and calm:
📘 The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
📘 The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell
📘 The Danish Way of Parenting by Jessica Joelle Alexander & Iben Sandahl
📘 The Hurried Child by David Elkind
📘 Atomic Habits by James Clear
Each one offers timeless wisdom about emotional freedom, connection, play, healthy pace of life, and building habits that stick. Join me as I break down not just what these books say, but how they’ve changed my parenting and my mindset — as a child development specialist and as a mom.
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My Toddler Can’t Sit Still — Indoor Activities That Actually Work (OT Approved)
In this episode we’re sharing fun, therapist-approved movement ideas for toddlers who are cooped up because of winter weather or sick days. We’ll talk playful gross-motor activities you can do in tiny spaces …
Show notes
In this episode we’re sharing fun, therapist-approved movement ideas for toddlers who are cooped up because of winter weather or sick days. We’ll talk playful gross-motor activities you can do in tiny spaces, indoor games like floor is lava with pillows, and the best YouTube movement channels for toddlers (Cosmic Kids Yoga, GoNoodle, Danny Go and more). We’ll also help you track emotions vs. energy so you know when it’s play time — and when it’s snack or nap time. Perfect for parents who need realistic, joyful ways to add movement into the day!
My Favorites:
👉 My Favorite Indoor Gross Motor Finds
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Toddler Routines That Actually Stick — A Gentle Reset for the New Year
Feeling overwhelmed, behind, or wondering “what did I even do all day?” In this New Year’s episode, early childhood specialist and mom shares gentle, realistic organization strategies for moms with babies …
Show notes
Feeling overwhelmed, behind, or wondering “what did I even do all day?” In this New Year’s episode, early childhood specialist and mom shares gentle, realistic organization strategies for moms with babies, toddlers, and young children. Learn how predictable routines, visual schedules, morning meetings, and simple home systems can reduce anxiety, support emotional regulation, and help moms feel calm and capable again—without perfection or pressure. Perfect for stay-at-home moms, working moms, anxious moms, and moms managing chronic illness.
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When Your Body Forces You to Slow Down: Autoimmune Illness, Boundaries, and the Mom Who Had to Change
In this deeply personal episode, I share my journey of living with multiple autoimmune illnesses while navigating motherhood, childcare work, and chronic nervous system overload. We talk about being raised as …
Show notes
In this deeply personal episode, I share my journey of living with multiple autoimmune illnesses while navigating motherhood, childcare work, and chronic nervous system overload. We talk about being raised as the “good girl,” becoming a people pleaser, and how my body eventually forced me to slow down and learn regulation, boundaries, and self-advocacy.
This episode covers practical nervous system tools, vagus nerve regulation, chronic illness warning signs, advocating for medical care, motherhood burnout, raising emotionally healthy children, and how structure and predictability help both toddlers and autoimmune bodies thrive.
If you’re a mother who feels exhausted beyond normal tired, struggles with guilt, lives with chronic illness, or wants to raise kind, resilient children without sacrificing yourself — this episode is for you.
Topics include:
autoimmune illness, MS, POTS, nervous system regulation, motherhood burnout, people pleasing, vagus nerve stimulation, childhood emotional health, gentle parenting, Montessori, advocacy in healthcare, and chronic fatigue.
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👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
Toddler Jealousy When New Baby Arrives — What to Expect and How to Help
Bringing a new baby home can be one of the biggest emotional transitions for a toddler—and for parents. In this episode, we talk about how to introduce your toddler to a new baby in a way that supports …
Show notes
Bringing a new baby home can be one of the biggest emotional transitions for a toddler—and for parents. In this episode, we talk about how to introduce your toddler to a new baby in a way that supports emotional safety, reduces jealousy, and builds secure attachment.
Using a real-life story about introducing a new puppy to an older dog, we explore the surprising similarities between sibling transitions and pet dynamics—and what they teach us about preparation, patience, and grace.
You’ll learn:
•How to prepare your toddler for a new baby before birth
•What to say (and what NOT to say) to avoid pressure and resentment
•The dos and don’ts once the baby is home
•Why toddler regression is normal after a new sibling arrives
•How to give yourself grace during postpartum and early parenting adjustments
This episode is perfect for:
•Expecting parents with toddlers
•Parents struggling with toddler jealousy after a new baby
•Caregivers wanting gentle, emotionally informed parenting strategies
🎧 Share this episode with a friend who’s preparing for a new baby or navigating sibling transitions.
💛 You are raising emotionally resilient children—and that changes the world.
Follow Me:
👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com
👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco
👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco
👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleyventriceco
👉 Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ashleyventriceco
Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
Why Toddlers Fall Apart in December — A Child Development Specialist Explains
In this episode, we talk about the real December toddler patterns no one prepares you for — the clinginess, the schedule slips, the sugar meltdowns, the holiday overstimulation, and the mysteriously large …
Show notes
In this episode, we talk about the real December toddler patterns no one prepares you for — the clinginess, the schedule slips, the sugar meltdowns, the holiday overstimulation, and the mysteriously large emotions that appear the moment you’re already overwhelmed.
You’ll learn:
✨ Why toddlers struggle more in December
✨ How routine disruptions impact their behavior
✨ The surprisingly big effect of holiday foods
✨ How to calm overstimulated little nervous systems
✨ The ONE ritual that helps everything feel more stable
✨ Simple ways to get back on track without power struggles
✨ A gentle mindset shift to carry through the month
If you’ve been wondering, “Is it just us?” — it’s definitely not just you.
Share this with a friend who needs this.
And remember: you are a world changer in raising an emotionally resilient child.
Sign up for the January- May Play Membership HERE
Follow Me:
👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com
👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco
👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco
👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleyventriceco
👉 Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ashleyventriceco
Join:
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
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