Thriving Child Center

Thriving Child Center Watching your child struggle is very hard and causes parents to feel alone and helpless.

We are licensed psychologists who specialize in helping children, adolescents, and their families with treatments that really work and are supported by science and research. We can help by providing personalized, research-backed treatments that address both the immediate concerns and long-term well-being of your child. Our experienced team is here to guide you and your family toward a path of growth and healing, ensuring your child thrives emotionally, socially, and academically.

04/07/2026

When your child is learning to read... it can be hard to know if they're reading normally or struggling under the surface.

This is a new experience for the reader and the parent. So figuring out what’s “normal” vs. a concern can feel really unclear.

In this week’s episode of the Educated Parent, we discuss “How to Know If Your Child Is Learning to Read Normally” with expert, Dr. Diana Viesca, Owner of Katie's Psychological Services.

🎧 Listen to this episode to gain insight into what’s typical in early reading . . . and when it might be time to take a closer look. 🔍 Available wherever you get your podcasts!

04/03/2026

Store meltdowns don’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

Instead, they can be a signal that:
🚦 Your child is overwhelmed
🚦 Expectations weren’t clear
🚦 Your kiddo needs a little more support in that moment

Guess what? With the right tips, those stress-filled trips can actually become enjoyable (some of the time 😉).

Join us as host, Dr. Leah Clionsky, discusses “The Secrets to Better Behavior in the Grocery Store” on the Educated Parent . . . wherever you get your podcasts!

04/01/2026

Does going to the store with your littles feel like battling bears uphill in a blizzard?

You’re not alone.

🍭 While constantly chasing little fingers grabbing at candy . . . tiny feet running down aisles . . . and major meltdowns over anything and everything, just know: it happens to all of us.

The fact is, a lot of these moments come down to something simple ➡️ kids can’t meet expectations they were never given.

On this week’s episode of the Educated Parent podcast, Dr. Leah Clionsky breaks down “The Secrets to Better Behavior in the Grocery Store.”

Learn how to make store trips feel a little less chaotic (and A LOT more manageable). Listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧

03/31/2026

One of the biggest mistakes we make before going into a store?

➡️ We don’t tell our kids what we expect.

In today’s episode of the Educated Parent podcast, Dr. Leah Clionsky walks you through how to discuss clear expectations with your kiddos and how to shift those terrifying tantrums into calmer connections while in the store.

🎧Listen to “The Secrets to Better Behavior in the Grocery Store” today, wherever you get your podcasts, and be on your way to a better shopping experience tomorrow.

03/27/2026

This week’s episode of the Educated Parent podcast covers a topic that many parents are terrified of . . . “How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex”.

I sit down with Guest Expert, Melissa Goldberg Mintz, who gives us the ins-and-outs of how to have these discussions with your kids in a way that keeps them comfortable and engaged while staying age-appropriate.

The best way to start?

Check in with yourself:
☑️ Learn and use correct anatomical terms
☑️ Practice talking about bodies without embarrassment
☑️ Stay calm and matter-of-fact

Next? 🎧 Listen to the Educated Parent podcast to ease into these convos with your kiddos. You’ll be better off for it, and even more importantly . . . so will they!

03/25/2026

There’s no single right time to have “The Talk” with your kids because it’s never just one conversation.

It’s a series of small chats over time that grow with your child.

And if you aren’t sure where to start: that’s okay!

The Educated Parent podcast is here to guide you through all types of parenting challenges. In this week’s episode, Guest Expert Melissa Goldberg Mintz and I dive further into “How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex”.

👆🏼Remember: When it comes to this parenting thing . . . you don’t have to get it perfect; you just have to stay open. We’re here to help you with the rest!

🎧 Learn how to get started with awkward convos in this episode ➡️ wherever you get your podcasts.

03/24/2026

Let’s be honest; Talking with your kids about s*x can feel . . . uncomfortable.

You might worry about saying the wrong thing, saying too much, or saying it too soon.

But avoidance doesn’t stop curiosity, it just means your child will look for answers somewhere else.

An easy way to fix this: let your child’s questions lead the way.

💬 Open, age-appropriate chats with your kiddos not only ensures they’re getting accurate information, it also shows them you are a trusted, safe space when those awkward questions pop up.

🎧 Join us for today’s episode of the Educated Parent podcast where we continue to cover “How to Talk to Your Child About Sex” with Guest Expert, Melissa Goldberg Mintz. Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

03/20/2026

Brrreeeaaattthhheee . . .

Yes, it’s the 17th time your child has guessed this word wrong without sounding it out.

Yes, you keep asking yourself, “Is this normal?”

The answer? Maybe.

➡️ Or it could be an underlying sign that your little one needs a bit more help.

🎧 Tune into the Educated Parent for answers to this question and to become a well-educated parent on all the big things (and little ones too).

03/18/2026

Wondering if it might be time for a learning evaluation for your child?

Here are 3 signs to watch out for:
📖 A family history of dyslexia or learning struggles: If parents, grandparents, or siblings had difficulty learning to read, it’s worth paying attention.

📖 Ongoing speech or articulation challenges: Difficulties with pronunciation, sound blending, or speech development can sometimes overlap with early reading concerns.

📖 Persistent guessing instead of decoding: If your child frequently skips words, guesses based on pictures, or struggles to build a reliable “sight word” memory bank, it may signal they need extra support.

Evaluations can give your child the tools they need to thrive and provide peace of mind for you.

➡️ Want more parenting tips on raising healthy and happy kids? Subscribe to the Educated Parent podcast today!

03/17/2026

Has bedtime reading started feeling like a slow-motion spiral into . . .

“Is this normal?”
“Am I overthinking?”
“Should I be worried?”

On today’s episode of the Educated Parent podcast, Dr. Leah Clionsky chats with Dr. Dyanna Martinez Villesca as we dive into the right questions to ask yourself before you start worrying about whether the reading rainbow has lost its luster, or it just needs a little patience and understanding to shine.

🌈 HINT: The latter is always true!

The path to that pot of gold is different for every child. If you’ve ever wondered whether to “wait and see” or book an evaluation for learning differences, this

03/13/2026

So you’re sitting in traffic, and out of the blue . . . suddenly you’re Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop:

“Mommy, what’s a (fill in the body part)?”

Are your palms sweating yet? We get it. Conversations like this can feel scary.

But it’s actually an honor to be able to teach your young ones about s*x in a healthy, age-appropriate way.

🎧 Learn how on the Educated Parent podcast!

03/11/2026

What’s the FIRST thing you should do before talking with your child about s*x?

➡️ Choose a moment when you feel calm and comfortable.

Kids can sense our energy. When we treat these conversations as normal (and not high-stress topics), even something as simple as using the correct words for body parts gives our children permission to ask questions and become comfortable in their own bodies.

Plus, your kids are going to hear about it somewhere. By choosing to talk to them early and honestly, you can ensure your children receive accurate s*xual education that’s appropriate for their age and your family’s values & expectations.

Want to learn more tips on talking with your kiddos about s*x? This week’s episode dives into the conversation; listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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