In this solo episode, Katie discusses the importance of resilience and shares some reflective questions for parents and educators to consider:

1. Would you say that your children are resilient?
2. Are you intentionally trying to help them be resilient?

3. When your child has a problem, do you jump in and fix it for them? Or do you provide an opportunity for them to try and resolve it on their own (within reason and age appropriateness).

4. When your child has a problem at school, do you tell them don’t worry I will talk to the teacher and take care of it? Or do you ask them questions and ask them how they responded or how they think they might be able to solve that problem? Children have some really amazing ideas- if you allow them the time and space to process.

5. Do you allow your children to make mistakes? Or do you jump in and try to prevent them from being in a situation where they won’t need to experience mistakes or failure?

Discussion around avoiding shame and blame when you don't do things right as a parent and the importance of community. You are not meant to have all the answers.

Katie shares some practical strategies:

• Building resiliency takes time.
• It's never too late to guide your children to be more resilient
• allow your children to make mistakes
• give children time and space to problem solve on their own first
• promoting independence
• when you need to help your children and when you need to encourage them to do it themselves
• teach children to do their own self- care routines
• allow children to take risks (within reason and age appropriately)

Connect with Katie

@raisethemwithwisdom on Instagram

Welcome to the very first episode of The Proof Is In The Parenting with host Katie Begley, a seasoned early childhood educator with a passion for supporting parents through the ever-changing landscape of raising children. In this warm and encouraging debut, Katie shares her personal “why” behind the podcast and opens up about one of the most powerful yet misunderstood tools in parenting: asking for help. From recognizing signs that it’s time to seek support to understanding the roles of educators, doctors, and gut instinct—this episode offers validation, guidance, and practical steps for parents navigating overwhelm, uncertainty, or developmental concerns.

This podcast is here to remind you that you don’t have to do it all, and you definitely don’t have to do it alone.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the show and the mission behind the podcast

01:00 – Meet your host, Katie Begley: early childhood educator & parent advocate

02:00 – Debunking the stigma around asking for help

03:15 – What “it takes a village” really means

04:00 – Where to seek support: from family to professionals

05:00 – The underutilized role of early childhood educators

06:15 – Who you can turn to first when you're unsure

07:00 – Six signs it’s time to ask for help

07:15 – #1: When you or your child feel overwhelmed or anxious

08:00 – #2: When you notice behaviour or mood changes

08:30 – #3: When developmental milestones seem delayed

09:30 – #4: When behaviours impact daily home life

10:00 – #5: When teachers or educators voice concerns

10:45 – #6: When you simply don’t know what to do

11:30 – Normalizing the parenting struggle

12:00 – The power of being intentional, not perfect

12:30 – What to expect from future episodes and how to support the show

Notable Quotes

“Parenting is difficult for everyone. Some may hide it better than others, but trust me—every parent struggles with something.”

“It takes a village to raise a child. That doesn't mean you aren't the leader—it means you don’t have to do it all alone.”

“Asking for help doesn’t make you a bad parent. It shows you care enough to try your best.”

“There’s no shame in saying: ‘I don’t know what to do.’ That moment can be the start of finding real support.”

Resources & Takeaways

Who You Can Ask for Help:

• Your child’s early childhood educator or teacher
• Your family doctor or pediatrician
• Trusted family and friends
• Community supports and parenting resources

Signs It’s Time to Reach Out:

1. Ongoing anxiety or overwhelm (you or your child)
2. Noticeable behaviour or mood changes
3. Delays in developmental milestones
4. Behavior affecting home life
5. Educator or teacher concerns
6. Feeling stuck without a clear next step

Core Takeaway:

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but it can come with a community. Seeking help is not a weakness—it’s a parenting strength.

Podcast Disclaimer:

The information shared on this podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health provider or mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your well-being or your child’s.The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not reflect those of any affiliated organizations. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or the community. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use the information provided as a...

The Proof is in the Parenting is a podcast for parents, educators and anyone who supports children and adolescents. Your host, Katie Begley has her Master's in Development Psychology, is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and will be hosting expert guests bi-weekly to navigate the journey of parenting. Parenting is not meant to be done alone, this podcast is a community of parents, educators and parenting professionals all working to provide the best opportunities to the children in our world!

Katie Begley, is a Registered Early Childhood Educator, a professor in Early Childhood Studies and Entrepreneur. With 14 years of post-secondary teaching experience, Katie has a wealth of skills and knowledge to share in support of the everyday life and challenges that children and families face. She believes that the home and family are a key part of the foundation of children's growth. Encouraging listeners to be intentional with their behaviours, responses and parenting strategies to be a positive support and model for the young children in their life. New episodes will drop bi- weekly with expert guests discussing a variety of parenting topics; aiming to assist parents with the daily challenges that can arise on their parenting journey.