Parenting Pickup Podcast
Need Parenting Advice?
Welcome to the Parenting Pickup Podcast. With over 50 years of experience in early child care and
education, we're here to share all things child-related. Every episode is designed for families' education
and support from parenting tips and tricks, trending topics, fun activities, child development, and so
much more! Special guests in early childhood and education will join our host Cara, share their expertise,
and help answer some of the most challenging questions.
Episode 1 – Managing Meltdowns
At Family First Childcare, we understand that meltdowns are a natural part of childhood. However, many parents struggle with how to respond effectively. To help, we spoke with behavior and mental health expert Kate Wessinger, who shared valuable advice on managing tantrums with confidence and care.
Episode 2: New Siblings
Amaad, Mental Health Specialist at Family First Childcare, shares essential steps to help your child adjust to a new sibling—both before and after the baby's arrival.
Episode 3: Conscious Discipline
Ali Hassan, Conscious Discipline Coordinator at Family First Childcare, explains how teachers, parents, and children can incorporate conscious discipline daily. This self-regulation approach enhances social and emotional learning by improving understanding of brain development, emotions, communication, and intelligence.
Episode 4: Raising Caring Children
Fatima from Doing Good Together highlights the importance of nurturing kindness and compassion in children. She shares valuable insights, practical tips, and helpful resources to help parents instill these essential character traits.
Episode 5: Picky Eaters
At Family First Childcare Center, we spoke with our food and nutrition expert, Aisha Rahman, to address a common concern—how to support children who are selective eaters. She shares valuable strategies and highlights helpful resources like My Plate and Solid Starts to encourage healthy eating habits.
Episode 1 – Managing Hitting Behavior
At Family First Childcare Center, we understand that dealing with a child who hits can be frustrating and concerning. Many parents worry about what it means for their child’s development and their own parenting. However, as Amanda Mason explains, the key lies in how you respond and the steps you take to guide your child toward positive behavior.
Episode 2: Listening
At Family First Childcare, we recognize that being distracted while your child is talking can hinder effective communication. In this episode, MiaLisa from Doing Good Together joins us to discuss why it’s essential to listen attentively, make eye contact, and give your child your full attention during conversations.
Episode 3: Importance of Play
At Family First Childcare, we believe in the power of unstructured play to foster a child’s growth. Play is vital for cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. In this episode, Sara Reichstadt from Kinderberry Hill explains why it’s crucial for children to explore, create, and discover without rigid rules, allowing their imagination and problem-solving skills to flourish.
Episode 1: Raising Inclusive Children
In the premiere of Season 3 at Family First Childcare Center, we are joined by Dianne Haulcy, host of Minnesota Public Radio’s Early Riser’s podcast and CEO of The Family Partnership. Dianne, an expert in supporting families facing cycles of poverty, discusses the importance of early childhood education in addressing topics like racism, bias, culture, diversity, and inclusion.
Episode 2 – Navigating Quality Screen Time
At Family First Childcare Center, we know that in today’s world, it’s hard to avoid screens. With mobile phones, TVs in restaurants, and technology in schools, it’s crucial to ensure what children are watching is age-appropriate. In this episode, Director and Development Researcher at Twin Cities PBS and TPT, joins us to share expert advice on how to manage screen time. She discusses the link between screen time and children’s behavior, how to evaluate the appropriateness of media content, and offers practical tips for fostering quality screen time.
Episode 4: 2025 in Children’s Health
At Family First Childcare, we understand that finding trustworthy health advice for your child can be overwhelming for many parents. To provide guidance, we reached out to Dr. Kelly Lemieux, Head of Pediatrics at Ridgeview Medical Center. In this episode, Dr. Lemieux shares her expertise on various topics, including childcare transitions, readiness, noise pollution, children’s healthcare, and the lasting effects of the pandemic on children’s development.
Khadijah Jameela Badr
Host
Khadijah Jameela Badr is the Vice President of Marketing and Parent Experiences at Family First Childcare. She is the mother of two incredible and full of energy boys—Ben and Will. When not attending her sons’ snowboarding, skiing, and baseball sporting events, she can be found playing board games and reading with her boys. As one of the hosts of Parenting Pickup, she is excited to share helpful hints, tricks, and advice to help parents as the navigate the child-rearing journey.
Yunus Qasim Bari
Producer
Yunus Qasim Bari is the Multimedia Marketing Specialist and Podcast Producer at Family First Childcare . He is a filmmaker/lover, a photographer, and a semi-pro runner (meaning he occasionally makes a couple bucks to spend on more running gear and film equipment). He loves to involve himself with Twin Cities community activism, run clubs, and the local music scene. He is strongly motivated by digging deeper into fundamental questions about human behavior and believes that working with children can really tell us a....
Podcast Questions and Suggestions
