The Parentologist

The Parentologist Hi! I'm Dr. Kim, founder of The Parentologist w/Dr. Kim �. I am a mom of two, a licensed therapist

We have a new addition to our family and it’s been one month of our puppy, Nova Grace, living in her forever home! 🐶 We ...
03/02/2026

We have a new addition to our family and it’s been one month of our puppy, Nova Grace, living in her forever home! 🐶

We adopted this itty bitty Lab Australian Shepherd mix puppy at - our favorite non-profit animal shelter in Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego. This no-kill facility that receives no government funding and relies heavily on tax-deductible contributions from private donors to continue our life-saving mission.

Nova is our 3rd dog adopted from Helen Woodward. Nova is the perfect addition to our family. Nova means “new” and “bright star” since she is the new bright star in our family - especially with her bright green eyes! ⭐️

She is soft, sweet, and smart - and also a little sassy, spicy, and stubborn - a perfect fit for our family!

We haven’t had a puppy in 14 years, so leave any and all tips below! 👇🏻

We tend to think of play as something extra.Something we’ll get to after the chores, the homework, the emails, the emoti...
02/28/2026

We tend to think of play as something extra.
Something we’ll get to after the chores, the homework, the emails, the emotional labor.

But neuroscience tells us something different.

Play is one of the fastest ways to calm a dysregulated nervous system — for children and for parents.

When we engage in playful connection:
• The amygdala (alarm system) quiets
• The prefrontal cortex (regulation center) re-engages
• Oxytocin increases
• Cortisol decreases
• The vagus nerve activates

In simple terms?

Play shifts the body out of survival mode and into safety.

And safety is where listening improves.
Safety is where cooperation grows.
Safety is where attachment strengthens.

This is why a 5-minute dance party can do more than a 20-minute lecture.
This is why silly voices can soften defiance.
This is why wrestling on the living room floor can reset the entire evening.

Regulation happens in relationship.

And here’s the part we don’t talk about enough:

So many mothers are trying to regulate their children while being completely dysregulated themselves.

Play heals both.

Not because it avoids hard feelings —
But because it builds the safety needed to move through them.

If your home has felt tense lately, try less control and more connection tonight.

You might be surprised what shifts. 🤍

ParentingWithIntention

Some children explode. Some implode. The quiet ones still need help unpacking. Try the “suitcase check-in” this week and...
02/27/2026

Some children explode. Some implode. The quiet ones still need help unpacking. Try the “suitcase check-in” this week and notice what shifts.

For more therapeutic parenting tips, please preorder my book “Parenting Through Play: Creative Strategies for Building Better Behavior, Deeper Connection, and Positive Communication” where I unpack (pun intended) more emotional behaviors and practical solutions for parents and their children as well as evidence-based strategies for building better parent-child relationships through creative play-based communication and behavior management techniques. (link in bio/profile).

Don’t get me wrong, these playful moments where you engage in active dialogue with dolls, cars, or stuffies eye to eye o...
02/26/2026

Don’t get me wrong, these playful moments where you engage in active dialogue with dolls, cars, or stuffies eye to eye on the floor making silly faces and pretend voices are important, and there is a time for this type of connection….

…and it’s not the only way to engage in play.

A lot of times just the thought of playing in this fashion exhausts us, and then we play halfhearted or resentfully. What I suggest is instead of doing it begrudgingly or avoiding it all together, sprinkle in the play throughout the day instead of in one big chunk. It can be as simple as giving them tongs instead of a fork to eat with at mealtime, talking like a robot instead of a parent when you’re doing homework together, or maybe it’s playing rock-paper-scissors and the winner doesn’t have to take the trash out.

I talk more about practical ways you can be a “Play-It-Out” parent in my book “Parenting Through Play: Creative Strategies for Building Better Behavior, Deeper Connection, and Positive Communication” that is on PREORDER now!! (Link in bio/profile)

02/25/2026

New game unlocked!! 🔓 Thanks Nintendo of America for sending us Mario Tennis Fever! 🎾

It’s family game day and we are hitting the courts and playing Mario Tennis Fever from 🏸

This action packed game just launched this month and not only is it super fun, it keeps your body moving and your belly laughing! Play alone, on the same team, or rally against each other on the big screen or on the handheld!

We all loved playing various different modes and unlocking new rackets, new courts, and new characters! Get ready to unleash a bunch of Fever Shots - if you know you know!! And if you don’t know, it might just be your favorite part of the game once you start playing! 😉

There are 38 characters to choose from - the most is series history - who would you play as? 👇🏻

Mario Tennis Fever is available now only on Nintendo Switch 2 system.

Did you know that about 30 million Americans (about 9% of the U.S. population) will experience an eating disorder in the...
02/24/2026

Did you know that about 30 million Americans (about 9% of the U.S. population) will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime? 

It’s National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW), which highlights eating disorders’ impact on individuals across the United States, and we and - two psychology experts who both have a passion to support this cause, would like to share some helpful tips on how to shift our mindset and language when it comes to body image, weight, dieting, our relationship to food, and MORE.

What we say as parents influence our children. Our children are always listening and watching. We are their role models and they look up to us. It’s important that we are mindful of not only our actions, but also our words in front of them. Words have power!

Swipe through for examples of some common statements, and more helpful ways to talk about our bodies and food. Make sure you save this to refer back to and share it with a friend who may also find it helpful.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing disordered eating or body image challenges, we encourage you to seek professional assistance. Additional resources can be found on the last slide. 

We care about you! 🫶🏼

02/23/2026

This week on I am talking with - a boy mom of three and ADHD educator about how to support children with ADHD symptoms at home and at school.

Dr. Kelly Cagle is a boy mom of three, ADHD educator, and the host of the 🎙️ With a passion for helping moms create refreshing rhythms, she specializes in supporting families navigating ADHD at home. Whether she’s homeschooling her boys, researching behavior management, or sharing practical wisdom online, Dr. Kelly offers research-backed strategies rooted in connection, simplicity, and legacy.

Episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Whoo hoo!! 🎉 So grateful and excited to see my name pop up in the 2026 Top 90 Parenting Influencers on FeedSpot! Always ...
02/23/2026

Whoo hoo!! 🎉 So grateful and excited to see my name pop up in the 2026 Top 90 Parenting Influencers on FeedSpot! Always such an honor to be noticed and chosen for this type of recognition. I have always strived to have professional and relatable quality content that is also meaningful, inspiring, motivating, and relevant! Thank you FeedSpot! 🔥

Do your children have textured sensory driven food aversions? If so, let’s talk about it! More than 50% of textured food...
02/19/2026

Do your children have textured sensory driven food aversions? If so, let’s talk about it!

More than 50% of textured food aversions in childhood is due to sensory sensitivities and preferences. Children may reject foods based on texture, if a food is too crunchy or too soft - preferenced around their senses and how the food looks, smells, tastes, and feels. Although it is somewhat common, there are solutions to help your children love more foods solely based on how you prepare and present them.

Scroll through these ideas and let me know if you’ve tried any of them or if they have inspired you in some way to help your support your child in picky eating. And if you have any ideas I missed please let me know those as well so I can add them to my list!

What textured food aversions do your children have, if any? 👇🏻

Parents and children can become dysregulated - it’s a human behavior, reaction, and response thanks to our nervous syste...
02/19/2026

Parents and children can become dysregulated - it’s a human behavior, reaction, and response thanks to our nervous system being activated when we are overtired, overstimulated, overworked, and overwhelmed. Scroll through and tell me if you can relate and if what I said resonates with you.

Address

500 SeaWorld Drive
San Diego, CA
92109

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Parentologist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to The Parentologist:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram