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In this episode, therapist and play therapy expert Dr. Kim Van Dusen explains why play may be one of the most powerful parenting tools we have: play strengthens parent-child relationships, reduces power struggles, supports emotional regulation, encourages independence, and helps children learn important life skills.

She shares practical ways to incorporate play into everyday routines, including chores, homework, transitions, mealtimes, and even those moments when parents are completely exhausted.

We also discuss the importance of independent play, why boredom can be beneficial, and how families can create more connection and joy without spending more money or adding more activities to their schedules.

Whether you have toddlers, school-age children, or teens, this episode offers simple strategies to make family life feel a little lighter and a lot more fun.

Learn more about Dr. Kim Van Dusen and her book at TheParentologist.com.

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

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Divorce is one of the most significant transitions a family can experience—but how does it affect children, and what can parents do to minimize the emotional impact?

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, and bestselling author Erica Komisar to discuss the developmental and emotional effects of divorce on children. They explore why certain ages may be more vulnerable than others, how attachment influences children's reactions to separation, common mistakes parents make during divorce, and practical ways parents can help children feel secure during times of change.

They also discuss custody arrangements, co-parenting, dating after divorce, and what children need most from their parents during difficult family transitions.

Whether you're navigating divorce yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers thoughtful, compassionate guidance focused on children's emotional wellbeing.

About Erica Komisar

Erica Komisar, LCSW, is a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst, parent guidance expert, and bestselling author. She is the author of Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters, Chicken Little the Sky Isn't Falling: Raising Resilient Adolescents in the New Age of Anxiety, and The Parents' Guide to Divorce: What to Expect, How to Prepare, and How to Move Forward.

Learn more about Erica and her work at:

Erica Komisar's Website

The Parents' Guide to Divorce:

The Parents' Guide to Divorce Book

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

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Many parents worry about reading: Is my child reading early enough? What if my child doesn't like books?

In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica sits down with a very special guest—her mother-in-law, a speech-language pathologist and reading specialist with decades of experience helping children develop language, literacy, and learning skills.

Together they discuss the difference between speech and language, why comprehension matters more than reading words early, how parents can make reading aloud more meaningful, and the signs that may suggest a child needs additional support.

They also discuss dyslexia, stuttering, tongue ties, audiobooks, screens, homework, sustained attention, and why reading should never feel like a test.

This conversation is full of practical advice, strong opinions, and reassuring reminders that every child develops on their own timeline.

For questions or resources, contact:
languageisaccess@gmail.com

Follow Ruth on Instagram @languageisaccess

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

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Skincare has become a major part of teen and tween culture. From Sephora shopping trips to elaborate nighttime routines, many kids are using more skincare products than ever before. But what do young people actually need for healthy skin?

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with dermatologist Dr. Angela Casey about the rise of skincare among children and teens and how parents can help their kids make smart choices.

They discuss:
• Why skincare has become so popular among tweens and teens
• What products kids actually need—and which ones they don't
• The benefits of a simple skincare routine
• When children should start using sunscreen
• Common skincare mistakes that can irritate young skin
• How to approach acne treatment
• The truth about retinols, exfoliants, toners, and pimple patches
• Whether diet really affects acne
• How parents can navigate skincare marketing and social media trends

Dr. Casey is a board-certified dermatologist, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, and founder of Bright Girl, a skincare line designed specifically for tweens and teens.

Learn more about Dr. Casey and Bright Girl:
Website: www.brightgirl.com
Instagram: @brightgirlbeauty

This episode offers practical, evidence-based advice to help parents support healthy skin habits without getting overwhelmed by skincare trends.

06:56 Simple Routine Wins

09:46 Sunscreen Starts Early

13:49 Teen Skin Care Basics

21:28 Acne Treatment

27:55 Body Acne Tips

29:38 Pimple Patches

32:11 Diet Genetics Hormones

36:44 Why Bright Girl Exists

40:15 Lightning Round Wrap

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send us Fan Mail

Food allergies can feel incredibly overwhelming for parents — especially during infancy when introducing new foods for the first time. What does a true allergic reaction actually look like? And what should families know about new treatment options for food allergies?

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with allergist Dr. Akansha Ganju of Latitude Food Allergy Care to discuss the latest science around food allergies, eczema, early allergen introduction, and oral immunotherapy (OIT).

They discuss:

• Why early allergen introduction matters
• The connection between eczema and food allergies
• What mild vs severe allergic reactions look like
• Why many first food reactions in babies are usually mild
• Common misconceptions about food allergy testing
• How OIT works and which children may benefit
• The role of Xolair in food allergy treatment
• Why food allergy treatment is changing rapidly

This episode is packed with practical advice, reassurance, and evidence-based guidance for families navigating food allergies.

To learn more about Dr. Ganju and Latitude Food Allergy Care, visit:
Latitude Food Allergy Care

Instagram:
Latitude Food Allergy Care Instagram

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

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In this replay of episodes 31 and 32 of Your Child Is Normal, anxiety expert and psychotherapist Lynn Lyons shares practical, reassuring advice for parents raising anxious kids.

The conversation covers:

• how anxiety shows up in children
• why reassurance can sometimes worsen anxiety
• how avoidance strengthens fear
• ways parents unintentionally accommodate anxiety
• practical strategies to help children build resilience and confidence

Lynn explains the difference between normal worry and anxiety disorders, and offers concrete language and tools families can use at home right away.

To learn more from Lynn Lyons (highly encouraged!), visit lynnlyons.com and check out her podcast Flusterclux.

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send us Fan Mail

What helps children become resilient? How do we raise kids with genuine confidence and self-esteem—while also helping them navigate disappointment, frustration, and uncomfortable emotions?

In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, I am replaying one of my favorite past conversations—originally released as Episode 51—with Dr. Joan Rosenberg, bestselling author, psychologist, TEDx speaker, and expert on emotional resilience and confidence.

In our conversation, we discuss how parents can help children build resilience, develop authentic self-esteem, and learn how to cope with life’s inevitable disappointments. Dr. Rosenberg explains why learning to “sit with” unpleasant feelings is one of the most important emotional skills we can teach children—and why avoiding difficult emotions can actually increase anxiety over time.

We also talk about:

• How children develop emotional strength
• Why discomfort is a normal and necessary part of growth
• Helping kids tolerate disappointment and frustration
• Building confidence without overprotecting children
• The connection between resilience and emotional health
• Practical ways parents can support children through hard moments

Dr. Rosenberg is a California-licensed psychologist, consultant, master clinician, and media host known for her work on confidence, resilience, emotional mastery, and mental health. She is the author of the bestselling book 90 Seconds to a Life You Love, which explores how understanding and managing difficult emotions can lead to greater authenticity, resilience, and lasting confidence.

This conversation is filled with thoughtful, practical advice for parents—and it felt especially worth revisiting. I’m so happy to share this episode again with both new listeners and longtime followers of the podcast.

Thank you for listening to Your Child Is Normal. If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend.

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send us Fan Mail

Parents hear it all the time: kids need routine.
But what does that actually mean—and how do you make it work in real life without becoming overly rigid?

In this episode, we are joined by pediatric occupational therapist Jessica Irwin, founder of Rooted in Routine, to talk about how simple, flexible routines can make a big difference for kids—and parents.

We discuss:

• Why routines help kids feel safer, calmer, and less anxious
• The 5 key anchor points every family can focus on (and why it doesn’t have to be perfect)
• How to balance structure and connection—especially during busy evenings
• Practical strategies for smoother mornings, after-school transitions, and bedtime
• Why sleep is one of the most important foundations for child health
• Common mistakes parents make (and how to avoid them)
• A refreshing take on “gentle parenting,” boundaries, and who’s really in charge

We also dive into potty training, screen time, and how tiny “30-second routines” can strengthen connection in your family.

This episode is full of realistic, doable advice—and a reminder that you’re probably doing better than you think.

Find Jessica Irwin on Instagram: @rootedinroutine. Find her potty training content: @pottybyrooted

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...