#395: How to Navigate Power Struggles with Toddlers with Devon Kuntzman

Toddler behavior can feel confusing and overwhelming, but once you understand the root causes behind big emotions, everything begins to make sense. In this heart-opening conversation, parenting expert Devon Kuntzman shares practical tools from her new book, Transforming Toddlerhood, to help you decode behavior, strengthen connection and respond with confidence instead of frustration. She explains why toddlers resist, how to model emotional regulation, what to do during meltdowns, why punishment backfires and how to create real cooperation without bribes or threats. We also dive into picky eating, medical routines like nasal sprays, parent nervous system regulation and how to parent as a team even when partners have different approaches. You will walk away feeling empowered, supported and ready to handle toddlerhood with more ease and compassion. Topics Covered In This Episode: Understanding toddler brain development Picky eating and mealtime struggles Emotional regulation tools for parents Reducing power struggles with toddlers Positive discipline and behavior skills Show Notes: Buy Transforming Toddlerhood Follow @transformingtoddlerhood on Instagram Get Dr. Elana's favorite kids nasal spray here Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell's Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child's number one health advocate! Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD's online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood. Listen to today's episode on our website Devon Kuntzman is a powerhouse in modern parenting and is on a mission to dispel the myth that toddlerhood is a "terrible" stage. Known as the original toddler parenting coach on Instagram and trusted by over 1 million parents and caregivers worldwide, she is dedicated to changing the narrative around toddlerhood. Through Transforming Toddlerhood, she's built a vibrant and close-knit community of parents and offers a lifeline of science-based, easy-to-implement tools, from courses to workshops and an annual conference, to navigate tantrums, power struggles, and emotional development with confidence and joy. Devon is an ICF-Certified coach with a degree in psychology and child development. She has Gentle Sleep Coaching credentials under her belt and is a graduate of the Wonder Weeks Academy Infant Mental Health and Development program. Her debut book, Transforming Toddlerhood (Harper Horizon, Oct. 21, 2025), is the comprehensive parenting manual for every toddler challenge, meant for caregivers with children aged 1-5. Filled with bite-sized, actionable advice, toddler tips, behavior red flags, and real-world scripts, the book blends developmental science with real life to empower parents to navigate the ups and downs of toddlerhood with more calm and connection. Devon's diverse experience ranges from coaching parents to being a former high-profile nanny, and to even managing an orphanage in Rwanda. Devon has been featured across various media, including Great Day Washington,Good Housekeeping,Today's Parent,The Everymom, Healthline, and more! This Episode's Sponsors Enjoy the health benefits of PaleoValley's products such as their supplements, superfood bars and meat sticks. Receive 15% off your purchase by heading to paleovalley.com/doctormom Discover for yourself why Needed is trusted by women's health practitioners and mamas alike to support optimal pregnancy outcomes. Try their 4 Part Complete Nutrition plan which includes a Prenatal Multi, Omega-3, Collagen Protein, and Pre/Probiotic. To get started, head to thisisneeded.com , and use code DOCTORMOM20 for 20% off Needed's Complete Plan! Active Skin Repair is a must-have for everyone to keep themselves and their families healthy and clean. Keep a bottle in the car to spray your face after removing your mask, a bottle in your medicine cabinet to replace your toxic first aid products, and one in your outdoor pack for whatever life throws at you. Use code DOCTORMOM to receive 20% off your order + free shipping (with $50 minimum purchase). Visit BLDGActive.com to order. INTRODUCE YOURSELF to Steph and Dr. Elana on Instagram. They can't wait to meet you! @stephgreunke @drelanaroumell Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only. All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.

You can listen to #395: How to Navigate Power Struggles with Toddlers with Devon Kuntzman online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

#395: How to Navigate Power Struggles with Toddlers with Devon Kuntzman is an episode from "Doctor Mom" Podcast by Elana Roumell.

This episode is 47:08 long.

This episode was published on Jan 20, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from "Doctor Mom" Podcast when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.