In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ questions about the intense stress that can come with raising young children. Inspired by his recent conversation with pediatrician Dr. Lauren Hughes, this episode focuses on the early years of parenting: feeding decisions, sleepless nights, emotional overload, relationship strain, and the pressure many parents feel to do everything “right.”

Dr. Dave also explains how parents can recognize when stress is affecting their mood, relationships, or ability to function — and why asking for extra support is not a failure.

He covers:

• Supporting moms and birthing parents around breastfeeding, formula, and feeding pressure
• Creating emotional safety at home
• Navigating sleepless nights and early infant care
• Avoiding comparison around developmental milestones
• Knowing when to seek early intervention or professional guidance
• Staying connected as a family during the early years of parenting
• Practical self-care habits for overwhelmed parents

Key takeaways

• A parent’s mental health matters, especially during the early years when stress and sleep deprivation can be intense.
• Supporting a partner often starts with asking what would actually help, not making them carry the burden of explaining everything.
• Developmental milestones matter, but children grow at different rates, and variation is normal.
• Self-care does not have to be expensive or time-consuming; small changes in sleep, hydration, movement, relationships, or screen use can help parents feel more grounded.

Further reading

• 8 Self-Care Tips for Parents
• [Video] How can I take care of myself to be the best parent I can be?
• Mindful Parenting

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Lauren Hughes, a board-certified pediatrician, mother of three, and trusted voice for realistic, evidence-based parenting guidance. Together, they explore the stress and pressure parents can face in the first years of raising a child, from navigating developmental milestones to feeding choices and methods for sleep training. Dr. Hughes also offers practical tips on how to support your child’s well-being without neglecting your own. This conversation can help parents separate common worries from real concerns learn to prioritize connection over perfection.

In this episode, they cover:

• Why “weird but normal” child behaviors are often part of healthy development
• When to seek an evaluation or early intervention if something feels off
• Why feeding choices — breastfeeding, formula, or supplementation — should support both you and your child
• How to approach sleep training without one-size-fits-all pressure
• And why repair, connection, and physical and emotional safety are key to raising thriving kids

Further reading
Complete Guide to Developmental Milestones

Choosing a Sleep Training Program That Works for Your Family

The Public Hughesletter

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parent questions sparked by the Orlando Bloom conversation, focusing on dyslexia myths, practical at-home learning strategies, self-esteem, movement and focus, AI tools, and the emotional impact of learning differences. He explains what dyslexia actually is, why evaluation and targeted support matter, and how parents can help kids understand a learning disorder in a way that feels honest, empowering, and grounded in their full identity — not just their struggle.

Show Notes

· What dyslexia really is — and why letter reversals are not required for a diagnosis.

· How schools and neuropsychological testing can identify reading, writing, or math-related learning disorders.

· At-home strategies that may help kids learn, including writing things out by hand, trying creative workarounds, and measuring what actually improves retention or task completion.

· How to protect a child’s self-esteem when they feel “stupid” or defeated by school.

· Why movement breaks can help with focus, and how to talk with teachers about using them thoughtfully and effectively.

· Where the line is between AI as a helpful learning tool and AI as a crutch.

· Whether learning differences can be linked to strengths like creativity, resilience, or big-picture thinking — and what the research can and can’t say yet.

· Signs that a learning disability may be affecting a child’s anxiety, mood, identity, or school engagement beyond academics.

· How parents can talk about a learning disorder in a way that is truthful, supportive, and empowering.

Relevant Links from the Child Mind Institute

· Understanding Dyslexia: Signs of Dyslexia in Kids

· Inside an Evaluation for Learning Disorders

· How to Help Kids Talk About Learning Disabilities

This week on Thriving Kids, I’m joined by actor Orlando Bloom. He talks about growing up with dyslexia, including the challenges he faced paying attention and concentrating in school, and how he developed his own workarounds before many of today’s evidence-based supports existed. We also discuss how movement, mindfulness, good nutrition, and sleep can help kids
(and adults) manage attention and learning challenges — and why every child should discover their area of excellence.
In this episode, we cover:

• Orlando Bloom’s experience growing up with dyslexia
• How learning disabilities can affect confidence and school performance
• Why diagnosis and support matter
• Practical strategies for reading, memorization, and focus
• The role of movement, mindfulness, and routine in mental health
• How parents can help children build resilience and self-belief
• Why neurodiversity includes both challenges and strengths

Further reading from the Child Mind Institute:
• Understanding Dyslexia - https://childmind.org/article/understanding-dyslexia/
• ADHD and Exercise - https://childmind.org/article/adhd-and-exercise/
• The Power of Mindfulness - https://childmind.org/article/the-power-of-mindfulness/

In this Thriving Kids Q&A, Dr. Dave Anderson explains how parents can recognize early signs of dyslexia, ADHD, and learning disabilities, advocate for school support, and protect their child’s self-esteem while they struggle academically. This episode offers practical guidance on evaluations, IEPs and 504 plans, reading intervention, ADHD treatment, and why early support can change a child’s trajectory.

In this episode, we cover:

· Early signs of dyslexia and learning disabilities

· ADHD in kids and why it’s not just about trying harder

· When to ask for a school evaluation

· IEPs, 504 plans, and school accommodations

· The emotional impact of academic struggles

· How early intervention supports confidence and long-term success

· What parents can do when teachers say a child will “grow out of it”

Podcast Links

· Understanding Dyslexia

· Getting Support From Your Child’s School

· Inside an Evaluation for Learning Disorders

What happens when systems built to support kids with learning disabilities change? In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, to discuss the state of learning disability support across the country, from early screening and phonics-based reading instruction to IEP protections and the real concerns parents are raising right now about changes at the Department of Education.
Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone who cares about public education, this conversation is for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) — https://ncld.org/

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) — https://ncld.org/join-the-movement/understand-the-issues/learn-the-law/

Further reading:

· How Kids Learn to Read – Child Mind Institute

· Learning Disabilities and Self-Advocacy – Child Mind Institute

· Quick Guide to Specific Learning Disorder – Child Mind Institute

In this Q&A follow-up to our conversation with Dr. Rubén Parra-Cardona, Dr. Dave answers eight listener questions about building and maintaining warm, positive relationships with your children, from toddlerhood through the teen years.

He covers questions, including:

- How do I stay present during child-led play when I'm bored out of my mind?

- Can I build a positive bond with a child whose personality clashes with mine?

- How do I stop my "inner drill sergeant" from taking over?

- How do I keep the relationship going when my teen won't talk to me?

0Key takeaways

• Being together is the most important thing. You don't have to be endlessly delighted during child-led play — just showing up can fill their emotional cup.

• It's okay to talk about your differences. When personalities clash, explicitly telling your child "I'm devoted to building our unique relationship" goes further than you might think.

• You can be warm without losing structure. Ditching your “inner drill sergeant” doesn't mean abandoning your values — it's a "yes, and" approach: maintain expectations while opening space for connection.

• Instead of questions, try descriptions. With a silent teen, use behavior descriptions, reflections, and praise instead of peppering them with questions — it resets their expectations and opens the door for genuine conversation.

• Positive Parenting Thriving Kids Curriculum

• Family Resource Center

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with[MH1] Dr. Rubén Parra-Cardona, a family therapist and the Roger and Carol Nooe Endowed Chair and Professor[MH2] in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee. They discuss the ethical foundations of parenting and share key principles to guide parents in nurturing resilient children.

They also cover:

• How reflecting on your own history and motivations as a caregiver can lead to more intentional and effective parenting.

• Ethical mandates — your responsibilities for raising another human being — and how they can guide you in making decisions that prioritize the well-being and development of your child.

• Applying the principle of “asymmetry” to parent-child relationships and how it creates a secure environment for children to thrive.

Further reading:
How to Build a Positive Parent-Child Relationship – Child Mind Institute

Tips for Communicating With Your Teen – Child Mind Institute

Tips on Helping Your Child Build Relationships – Zero to Three