How to Raise Emotionally Resilient Kids with Pediatrician Dr Kristen Cook | Episode 107

Parenting can feel overwhelming when you are trying to support your child’s behaviour, emotional development, and mental health while also managing your own stress and anxiety. This episode breaks down practical parenting strategies that help children build emotional intelligence, resilience, and confidence without relying on punishment or shame.

I am talking to pediatrician and child behaviour expert Dr Kristen Cook about effective discipline, strength-based parenting, anxiety in children, picky eating, emotional regulation, and why understanding your child’s temperament changes the way you parent. We also talk about mom guilt, selfcare, communication, and how to create stronger family connection through everyday habits.

Dr Kristen and I talk about:

• Why punishment often does not change behaviour long term
• How to teach children empathy and emotional awareness
   
• Age-appropriate ways to support emotional intelligence
• Why consistency matters more than perfection in parenting
• Strength-based parenting and meeting your child where they are
• Helping anxious children regulate their nervous systems
• A simple five-finger breathing exercise for kids and parents
• Why work-life balance is unrealistic for many mothers
• Practical ways to support picky eaters without pressure or shame
• How comparison affects mothers and parenting confidence
• Strategies to manage mom guilt and anxious self-talk
  
  

Dr Kristen Cook is a pediatrician, child behaviour expert, author, and podcast host with more than 15 years of experience supporting children and families. She helps parents better understand child development, temperament, emotional health, and effective discipline strategies. Dr Kristen is also the author of Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child’s Behaviour to Help Them Thrive.

Episode Links

• Follow Dr Kristen Cook on Instagram
  • Listen to the Mom Doc Talk podcast
  • Learn more about Dr Kristen Cook
  • Purchase Parenting Redefined

Come say hi to me on Instagram

Free Journal: Release Mama, Let Go of Overwhelm, Exhaustion and Depletion in Motherhood 

Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom. 

Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods.

Resources I Am Loving

The Brain Health Movement – Whole Child Healing Roadmap is a science-backed courses that decode the root causes of your child's struggles. Get £200 off with code WILDANDWELL

BON CHARGE – Red light devices. Get 15% off with the code: WILDANDWELL

MamaZen App – Become a happier and calmer mom through cognitive hypnotherapy, CBT, and mindfulness. Use code 9c 

Fertility & Beyond – Natural solutions for your fertility struggles

Wild and Well with Dr Hilary Claire is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, optimal health for women, postpartum recovery, perimenopause, and children’s wellness. It is for holistic-minded mothers who want healthier, calmer, more resilient kids. We explore everything from gut health to pregnancy, functional health for women and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood while creating a foundation for lifelong wellness.

I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend.