Parenting Through Play: The Secret to Better Behavior

Are tantrums, power struggles, sibling fights, and bedtime battles wearing you down? In this episode of The Running Wine Mom, Samantha sits down with Dr. Kim Van Dusen—licensed therapist, registered play therapist, host of The Parentologist Podcast, and author of Parenting Through Play—to discuss why play may be the most powerful parenting tool you're not using. Dr. Kim shares practical strategies that help parents reduce defiance, improve communication, strengthen family connection, and create more peaceful homes. You'll learn how play helps children process emotions, why connection improves discipline, and simple techniques you can start using today. Whether you're parenting toddlers, tweens, or neurodivergent children, this conversation is packed with real-world advice and easy-to-implement tools. ✨ Topics Covered: Play-based parenting Toddler tantrums Child behavior challenges Positive discipline Picky eating solutions Emotional regulation Sibling conflict Parenting neurodivergent children ADHD and autism support Building stronger parent-child relationships 📚 Learn more about Dr. Kim: The Parentologist Website 🎙️ Follow The Running Wine Mom for more parenting conversations, expert interviews, and real-life motherhood insights. #ParentingThroughPlay #ParentingPodcast #ToddlerTantrums #PositiveParenting #TheRunningWineMom