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The Parenting Brief

The Parenting Brief

By: Strong Families AZ
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Useful tips and advice for moms of children ages 0-5, delivered every other Wednesday by a mom who loves her job raising her own kids, Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez, an expert in early childhood development.2020 Strong Families AZ Parenting & Families Political Science Politics & Government Relationships
Episodes
  • Why Toddlers Hit, Bite, and Throw
    Jan 28 2026

    Toddlers have big feelings but haven't learned how to talk about them yet. Hitting, biting, and throwing are normal for their age and usually stop as they get older and better at communicating. Parents play a huge role in teaching their children how to handle their emotions.

    Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Mirna Tomic, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to discuss these behaviors, how working together (co-regulation) can teach kids to manage their own feelings (self-regulate), and more!

    Host:

    Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV. She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

    Links:

    Strong Families AZ

    Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

    Guest: Mirna Tomic, MAS-IFP, MSW, LCSW

    Circle of Security International Blog and other parent resources

    Birth to Five Helpline - resources, referrals

    Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) - developmental screenings and evaluations

    Book: “Emotional Life of the Toddler” by Alicia Lieberman

    Book: "The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel Siegel

    Book: "No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel Siegel

    Book: “Parenting from the Inside Out: How A Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive” by Daniel Siegel (the title says it all)

    Book: “Raising a Secure Child” (Circle of Security) by Hoffman, Cooper, & Powell

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    10 mins
  • Understanding Primitive Reflexes
    Dec 17 2025

    Primitive reflexes are involuntary responses that a newborn is born with to help them survive. These reflexes naturally disappear as your baby’s brain matures. In cases of injury, these reflexes can show back up and are a sign of a larger issue.

    Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Karen Pryor, a physical therapist, to cover what parents need to know about primitive reflexes.

    Host:

    Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

    Links:

    Strong Families AZ

    Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

    Guest: Dr. Karen Pryor

    List of Primitive Reflexes

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    6 mins
  • Do you know Group B Strep?
    Nov 12 2025

    Strep is more than just a sore throat. Today we’re talking about Group B Strep (GBS), which usually isn’t serious for adults, but it can hurt newborns. Learn what it is, how to test for it, and the importance of treatment.

    Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Sarah Sams, a family physician and American Academy of Family Physicians board member, for a comprehensive guide to prepare moms for the safest possible delivery.

    Host:

    Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

    Links:

    Strong Families AZ

    Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

    Guest: Dr. Sarah Sams

    Familydoctor.org

    The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

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    8 mins
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