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How to Make Back-to-School Mornings Painless (with Whitney Fosco)
Episode 714th August 2026 • Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting Problems • Dr. Leah Clionsky
00:00:00 00:24:59

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Back-to-school mornings can quickly become the most stressful part of the day. If you're constantly reminding your child to get dressed, brush their teeth, pack their backpack, or put on their shoes, you're not alone. In this episode, I'm joined by child psychologist Dr. Whitney Fosco to share a simple system that helps kids become more independent while making mornings calmer for the whole family. If you're looking for parenting help before the school year begins, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can start using right away.

We discuss why so many children struggle with morning routines, especially those with executive functioning challenges, and how a personalized visual schedule paired with effective rewards for kids can reduce conflict, increase independence, and make school mornings run more smoothly. You'll also walk away with actionable positive parenting tips that are easy to implement, even if you've tried similar systems before.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Why a consistent morning routine for kids can reduce stress for the whole family
  • How to use rewards for kids to motivate without constant reminders
  • Common reasons visual schedules fail and how to troubleshoot them
  • Positive parenting tips for encouraging independence instead of power struggles
  • Practical parenting help to make back-to-school mornings calmer and more successful

If you're preparing for a new school year and want a morning routine for kids that actually works, this episode will give you practical parenting help, effective rewards for kids, and realistic positive parenting tips to help your family start each day with less chaos and more confidence.

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