Tina Hanson, MS, BCBA

What if the thing keeping your toddler awake overnight wasn't a sleep problem at all. It was just a habit that needed a gentle nudge in a new direction, anchored by a consistent sleep schedule? I want to share a story about a family I worked with recently (names and details changed to protect their privacy, consent given to share data anonymously) because their journey is one I think so many parents will recognize. Their 3-year-old was sweet, brave, curious, and completely capable of...

Calmer days. Smoother routines. Few tantrums. It starts with six simple skills-and you can teach them at home, in everyday moments. If you have a toddler, you already know: some days feel like one long negotiation, interrupted by tears, followed by a meltdown at the grocery store, then a standoff at bedtime. You are not doing it wrong. Your child is not a handful. They are simply missing a few key skills — and those skills can be taught. That is the whole idea behind the Calm Start 6™...

One day it happens. Your toddler, who used to drift off after lunch without a second thought, suddenly has other plans. The crib acrobatics start. The singing. The calling for water, then more water, then "just one more hug." The nap that once gave you a guaranteed chunk of time to breathe — or fold laundry, or simply sit in silence — is slipping away. Signs your child may be ready to drop the nap: It takes longer than 30 minutes for them to fall asleep at nap time They're skipping the nap...