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Have you ever stood at the door wondering why putting on shoes feels like the hardest part of your day?

In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin speaks with pediatric occupational therapist Stephanie Ford about why everyday tasks like getting dressed, riding the bus, going to school, or walking through a busy store can become overwhelming for children. Its all about how understanding the brain-body connection can completely shift how you respond.

Stephanie helps parents understand that what looks like stubbornness, defiance, or child behavior problems is often sensory overload, anxiety, trauma response, or difficulty with executive functioning skills.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why behavior is often driven by sensory processing challenges, not disobedience
• How sensory processing disorder and overwhelm can trigger fight-or-flight responses
• The difference between “won’t” and “can’t” in child behavior
• How executive functioning difficulties impact routines and transitions
• Practical tools to support emotional regulation in children
• Signs your child may benefit from occupational therapy
• How noticing patterns can reduce daily parenting stress

If your child struggles with transitions, meltdowns in busy environments, inconsistent reactions, school avoidance, or daily power struggles, this conversation will give you clarity — and simple strategies you can start using right away.

About Stephanie Ford

Stephanie Ford is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting children, teens, and families. Her work focuses on helping children improve daily functioning by understanding how the brain, body, sensory systems, emotions, and environment all work together. Stephanie specializes in sensory processing, emotional regulation, trauma-informed care, and practical strategies that reduce family stress.

Find and Follow Stephanie Ford

Website: https://actionforward.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actionforward

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actionforward

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieford

About Dori Durbin

Dori Durbin is a children’s book illustrator, book coach, ghostwriter, and podcast host who helps therapists, educators, and family-focused experts “kid-size” their work into children’s books that truly support kids and parents.

Her work centers on using stories as tools for emotional regulation, shared language, and connection — helping families navigate big feelings with clarity and care.

Connect with Dori

Website: https://www.doridurbin.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dori_durbin

Email: hello@doridurbin.com

Want to help shape future children’s books created by experts?

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club to get behind-the-scenes access to upcoming manuscripts, vote on book concepts, share feedback, and be part of the stories we’re putting into children’s hands:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

Intro for TDP (version 2)

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Have you ever stood in your kitchen wondering why feeding your family feels so overwhelming?

In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin speaks with registered dietitian Aderet Dana Hoch, founder of Dining with Nature with the goal of breaking down why food becomes such a major source of stress for parents . . . and how make food fit real family life.

Aderet helps women nourish their bodies from fertility through pregnancy, postpartum, and family life using holistic, sustainable nutrition. She blends science-based guidance with a natural, relatable approach that supports families in building lifelong, positive relationships with food.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why feeding kids and adults doesn’t require separate meals
• How the plate method helps simplify nutrition without tracking or guilt
• How to support hunger and fullness cues in young children
• Why consistency reduces resistance and mealtime stress
• How to approach meal prep in a realistic, sustainable way
• What nutrition support looks like across fertility, pregnancy, and family life

Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, feeding picky eaters, or simply exhausted by daily food decisions, this conversation will help you rethink nutrition as a tool for support and not just stress.

About Aderet Hoch

Aderet Hoch is a Registered Dietitian and the founder of Dining with Nature. She helps women nourish their bodies from fertility through family life with holistic, sustainable nutrition. Aderet blends science-based guidance with a natural, relatable approach and supports families in building lifelong, positive relationships with food.

Find and Follow Aderet Hoch

Website: https://diningwithnature.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diningwithnature/
Free Bi-Monthly Newsletter: https://aderets-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Email: aderet@diningwithnature.com

About Dori Durbin

Dori Durbin is a children’s book illustrator, book coach, ghostwriter, and podcast host who helps therapists, educators, and family-focused experts “kid-size” their work into children’s books that truly support kids and parents.

Her work centers on using stories as tools for emotional regulation, shared language, and connection and helping families navigate big feelings with clarity and care.

Connect with Dori

Website: https://www.doridurbin.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dori_durbin

Email: hello@doridurbin.com

Want to help shape future children’s books created by experts ?

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club to get behind-the-scenes access to upcoming manuscripts, vote on book concepts, share feedback, and be part of the stories we’re putting into children’s hands:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

Intro for TDP (version 2)

Send us a text

Have you ever returned from a family vacation more stressed than when you left?

In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin sits down with certified family travel coach Laura Rahn to unpack why so many family vacations end in frustration—and how to plan trips that actually bring families closer.

Laura introduces her Dream–Design–Depart approach to family travel and explains why involving kids before booking anything can prevent meltdowns, resentment, and disappointment—especially with tweens and teens.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why most family vacations go wrong before the trip even starts
• How to get kids off screens without constant battles
• What to do when everyone wants a different kind of vacation
• How to plan meaningful trips on a realistic budget
• Why family travel builds confidence, resilience, and lifelong connection

Whether you’re planning a big trip or just dreaming about one, this conversation will help you rethink vacations as a tool for connection—not stress.

About Laura Rahn

Laura Rahn is a certified family travel coach and a military BRAT who loves to involve her family in the vacation planning process, including her two “big kids.” As her family lives by their mantra, Seldom A Dull Moment, Laura has been dreaming, designing and departing on family vacations for close to 20 years.

Find and Follow Laura

website: https://www.seldomadullmoment.com/
instagram handle: laurarahn_travelcoach
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552757152218
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-rahn/

About Dori Durbin

Dori Durbin is a children’s book illustrator, book coach, ghostwriter, and podcast host who helps therapists, educators, and family-focused experts "kid-size" their work into children’s books that truly support kids and parents.

Her work centers on using stories as tools for emotional regulation, shared language, and connection — helping families navigate big feelings with clarity and care.

Connect with Dori

website: https://www.doridurbin.com
email: hello@doridurbin.com

Want to help shape future children’s books created by experts and educators?

Join the That’s Good Parenting Club to get behind-the-scenes access to upcoming manuscripts, vote on book concepts, share feedback, and be part of the stories we’re putting into children’s hands:

https://club.thatsgoodparenting.com/club

Intro for TDP (version 2)