Be A Better Parent | For Every Child It Takes A Village... The Same Goes For Every Parent!

The holidays are supposed to be about making memories, spending time together, and enjoying special moments with the people we love. So when did they become a never-ending list of decorations, themed activities, homemade treats, elaborate traditions, and expectations that leave parents completely exhausted?

In this episode of Raising Eyebrows, Celia Kibler and Dr. Kailey Buller take a humorous and honest look at the pressure parents—especially moms—feel to make every holiday magical. From boo baskets and Elf on the Shelf to elaborate Christmas decorations, baking, advent calendars, and endless social media inspiration, they explore how simple traditions can turn into overwhelming obligations.

With social media constantly showing us what other families are doing, it's easy to start comparing, feeling guilty, and wondering whether we're doing enough. But does every holiday need to be a major production? And are our kids really missing out if we skip the extra decorations, activities, or traditions?

Celia and Kailey share personal stories about holiday expectations, mom guilt, the mental load, and the pressure to make everything happen. They also discuss why it's important to share responsibilities, involve children in planning and household tasks, and teach them valuable life skills along the way.

And here's the reminder every overwhelmed parent may need: The simplest moments can become the most meaningful memories. Sometimes, two drops of food coloring in pancakes can make a child's entire day. It doesn't have to be elaborate, expensive, or picture-perfect.
In this episode, you'll hear:

Why holiday traditions can start feeling like obligations instead of something enjoyable

How social media fuels comparison and mom guilt

Why parents don't have to participate in every holiday trend

The pressure on moms to create magical memories and manage the family's mental load

How to let go of expectations and choose traditions that actually matter to your family

Why simple activities and quality time often mean more than elaborate productions

How to involve children in planning, cooking, chores, and family responsibilities

Why sharing the workload teaches children important life skills

How to give yourself permission to do less without feeling like a bad parent

Celia and Kailey aren't saying you should stop decorating, baking, crafting, or celebrating. If those things bring you joy, absolutely enjoy them! The point is to stop doing things simply because you feel guilty when you don't.

You are allowed to change your mind, simplify your traditions, ask for help, and take something off your plate. Your children don't need a perfect holiday. They need connection, love, and time with you.

So here's your permission slip: Do less. Let go of the guilt. Make room for what matters.

Welcome back to Raising Eyebrows—your weekly dose of sanity in a world of parenting clickbait!

When parenting advice creates fear, guilt, and doubt… who’s really benefiting?

Parenting advice is everywhere. One person tells you what your child needs, another warns you about what could go wrong, and before you know it, you’re questioning every decision you make. But are these experts really helping you solve a parenting problem—or convincing you that you have one?

In the Season 2 premiere of the Raising Eyebrows Miniseries, Celia Kibler and Dr. Kailey Buller take a closer look at how fear, guilt, and anxiety can be used to sell parenting products, programs, and advice. From baby monitors and sleep products to parenting methods and developmental tools, they explore how marketing can make parents feel that they need more things to raise happy, healthy children.

Celia and Kailey discuss how some companies exaggerate potential problems or present situations as black and white, leaving parents feeling as though they’re doing something wrong if they don’t buy the recommended solution. They also talk about the pressure parents face when conflicting advice online makes it seem like there’s only one right way to raise a child.

But parenting isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every child is different, every family has its own circumstances, and what works for one household may not work for another. Celia and Kailey encourage parents to look beyond clickbait, consider the qualifications and experience behind the advice they receive, and recognize the difference between helpful guidance and fear-based marketing.

They also explore why the modern internet has become a kind of replacement village for parents who may not have the same access to family support and trusted guidance as previous generations. With so many voices competing for attention, finding reliable information can feel overwhelming.

Their reminder? You don’t need every product, program, or parenting trend to be a good parent. Children need love, connection, play, and caregivers who are doing their best—not parents who feel pressured to do everything perfectly.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
How fear and guilt can be used to sell parenting products and advice

Why some marketing creates problems parents may never have considered

How conflicting advice can increase anxiety and self-doubt

Why parenting products and tools should be considered in context, not treated as universal necessities

The difference between medical expertise and lived parenting experience

How to evaluate the credibility, qualifications, and motivations behind online advice

Why social media has become a substitute for the traditional parenting village

How simple play, connection, and everyday experiences support children’s development

Why less is more when it comes to parenting—and why perfection is an impossible standard

Celia and Dr. Kailey Buller aren’t telling parents to ignore every expert or dismiss every product. They’re encouraging you to think critically, ask questions, seek reliable information, and take what’s genuinely useful for your family.

So the next time you see a parenting post that leaves you feeling afraid or guilty, pause and ask yourself:

“Are they solving a parenting problem—or convincing you that you have one?”

You know your child, your family, and your circumstances best. Stay curious, do your research, and remember that there’s more than one way to be a great parent.

Welcome back to Raising Eyebrows Season 2—your weekly dose of sanity in a world of parenting clickbait!

What if one small change to your child’s bedtime routine could make their sleep space feel more comfortable, calming, and inviting?

In this episode of the Be A Better Parent Podcast, Celia Kibler sits down with Brad Edward Zakrzewski, co-founder and CEO of DreamJellie, to talk about something parents may not think about very often: their child’s pillow. While we invest in mattresses, stuffed animals, and other bedtime comforts, the pillow itself can easily become an afterthought.

Brad shares how he and his co-founders came up with the idea for DreamJellie after noticing the worn-out pillows their own children were using. They wanted to create a pillow designed specifically for kids—one that combines comfort, support, durability, and a fun, squishy feel that children would actually love.

The conversation explores how a comfortable sleep environment and a consistent bedtime routine can work together to support better rest. Brad explains why DreamJellie uses natural Talalay latex, what makes the pillow different from traditional children’s pillows, and how its soft, responsive feel can make it a comforting part of a child’s nighttime routine.

Celia and Brad also discuss why sleep matters so much for the entire family. When children don’t get enough rest, they may become more irritable, emotional, or prone to tantrums—and tired parents can struggle, too. They talk about the importance of consistency, creating a calming environment, and sticking with bedtime routines even when the results aren’t immediate.

Whether you’re looking for ways to make bedtime more comfortable or simply want to rethink the everyday items your child uses, this episode offers a fresh perspective on an often-overlooked part of sleep.
In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why a child’s pillow deserves more attention

How the idea for DreamJellie came from Brad’s experience as a parent

What makes the DreamJellie pillow different from traditional kids’ pillows

How comfort items can become part of a consistent bedtime routine

Why sleep is connected to children’s moods, behavior, and well-being

How consistency can help families establish better bedtime habits

Why the DreamJellie pillow is recommended for children ages four and up

How to make bedtime feel more comfortable and inviting for your child

A special gift for our listeners!
Brad is offering 15% off your entire order at DreamJellie with the promo code BEABETTERPARENT15 at checkout.
Visit: https://dreamjellie.com/ and enter BEABETTERPARENT15 to receive your discount.

Remember, no single pillow can solve every sleep challenge, but thoughtful choices and consistent routines can help you create a more comfortable environment for your child.

Visit: https://TimeForSkool.com/ and take the Parenting Success Snapshot. This quick assessment will help you better understand your family’s unique strengths and challenges so you can begin identifying the parenting shifts that may create the greatest impact.

What if confidence isn’t something our children need to have before they try but something they build because they were willing to try?

In this episode of the Be A Better Parent Podcast, Celia Kibler talks with Luba Patlakh, founder and CEO of Kidology, a pediatric therapy organization, speech-language pathologist, entrepreneur, and advocate for children’s development. Luba shares her journey from coming to America as a young immigrant to building a career centered around helping children discover their abilities and believe in themselves.

A major focus of their conversation is the relationship between courage, bravery, and confidence. Luba and Celia explore the idea that confidence doesn’t necessarily come first. Children—and adults—often have to be willing to take the first step, try something difficult, and even risk failing. Through those experiences, confidence begins to grow.

Luba also shares the story behind her book, Bobo Wears a Bow Tie, which was inspired by the encouragement and belief she received from her late mother. Bobo’s magical bow tie represents the mindset we can turn on when we face something challenging. Whether a child is learning to ride a bike, starting school, baking a cake, or working through a developmental challenge, the message is simple: believe in yourself and take the next step.

The conversation also touches on how children can internalize the words and messages they hear from others, how teasing and negative comments can affect their self-image, and why parents have such an important role in helping children feel capable, supported, and understood.
In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why confidence often comes after taking action, not before
The difference between courage, bravery, and confidence
Luba’s journey from immigrant child to speech-language pathologist and entrepreneur
The story behind Bobo Wears a Bow Tie
How Luba’s late mother inspired the message of believing in yourself
Why children need encouragement when they are struggling or ready to give up
How negative words and teasing can affect a child’s confidence
Why parents should prioritize their children’s development and emotional well-being
How taking small risks and trying again can build confidence over time

The goal isn’t to make sure our children never struggle. It’s to help them understand that struggling doesn’t mean they can’t do something. Sometimes, they simply need encouragement to take the next step.

As Luba’s story reminds us, confidence is built one step at a time.

To learn more about Luba and her work with children, visit KidologyInc.com.

Visit TimeForSkool.com and take the Parenting Success Snapshot. This quick assessment will help you better understand your family’s unique strengths and challenges so you can begin identifying the parenting shifts that may create the greatest impact.

To stay connected with Celia Kibler, visit BeABetterParent.com and explore the Be A Better Parent app and other resources designed to help you create a calmer, more connected family.

What if your baby could communicate when they need to pee or poop long before they can say, “I need to go potty”?

In this episode of the Be A Better Parent Podcast, Celia Kibler welcomes Andrea Olson, author of Go Diaper Free and The Tiny Potty Training Book, and an educator specializing in elimination communication (EC).

Andrea shares how she discovered elimination communication while preparing for her first child and how she went on to use the approach with all six of her children. Together, Celia and Andrea challenge some common assumptions about diapers and potty training while exploring a different way to think about how babies communicate their basic needs.

The conversation isn't about being a “perfect” diaper-free parent. Andrea explains that EC can be done part-time, used simply as an exposure technique, or adapted around a family's schedule and capacity. Parents who work or use daycare can still incorporate it into their routines.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
What elimination communication is and how it works
How babies can communicate their need to use the bathroom
Why certain moments—like waking up, after eating, diaper changes, and transitions—can be natural opportunities to offer the potty
How responding to a baby's signals can strengthen communication and connection
Why parents don't have to go completely diaper-free to benefit from EC
How working parents and daycare families can adapt the approach
Why parents may need to change their own habits when transitioning away from diapers
The importance of boundaries, guidance, and respectful parenting
Why parenting doesn't have to be a one-size-fits-all experience

One of the biggest messages Andrea shares is simple:

You don't have to do everything. Just start with one small thing.

For a newborn, that might mean offering the potty after waking. For an older, mobile baby, it might mean noticing when they're about to poop and giving them the opportunity to finish on a potty. For an older toddler, it may mean intentionally planning a potty-training experience.

The goal isn't perfection. It's paying attention, experimenting, and learning how your child communicates.

Celia and Andrea also talk about the pressure parents face to follow a specific parenting formula. Whether it's diapers, potty training, screen time, sleep, or other parenting decisions, parents can easily feel guilty when they don't follow what everyone else says they “should” be doing.

This conversation is a reminder that you know your family’s capacity best. You can learn, adjust, ask for help, and choose an approach that works for your child and your circumstances.

And perhaps most importantly, you don't have to parent alone. Having people who have been there before can make the learning process easier and give parents the confidence to try something new.

If you've ever wondered whether babies can really communicate their bathroom needs, felt overwhelmed by potty training, or simply want to explore a different approach, this episode is worth a listen.

Take one small step. You don't have to change everything at once.

To learn more about Andrea Olson and her work with elimination communication and potty learning, visit GoDiaperFree.com.

To stay connected with Celia Kibler, visit BeABetterParent.com and explore the Be A Better Parent app and other resources designed to help you create a calmer, more connected family.

Visit TimeForSkool.com and take the Parenting Success Snapshot. This quick assessment will help you better understand your family’s unique strengths and challenges so you can begin identifying the parenting shifts that may create the greatest impact.

You don't have to do it all. Just take the next step.