Practical Parenting with Dr. Siggie Cohen
Some parenting experts hand out advice that sounds amazing in theory but leaves you thinking, "Cool, but what do I actually say when my kid is screaming at me in the grocery store?" Dr. Siggie Cohen is not one of those experts.
She sat down with us for this episode of What I Wish I Knew and delivered the kind of insight that makes you want to scribble notes in the margins of your actual life. It wasn't about being the perfect parent. It was about staying grounded, saying fewer words, setting boundaries without yelling, and surviving the moments that make you want to lock yourself in the bathroom with a sleeve of Oreos (or a bottle of wine. You do you, boo.)
Here are our biggest takeaways:
Calm isn’t quiet, it’s clarity
Dr. Siggie doesn’t expect you to be a zen monk while your toddler throws yogurt across the room. She reminds us that calm doesn’t mean flatlining your emotions—it means slowing your reaction, getting clear on what you’re trying to communicate, and responding with intention. Don’t give your kid the emotion reaction they’re seeking with their behavior.
name the feeling. then give the words.
When your kid is spiraling, don’t just shut it down. Dr. Siggie suggests naming what they’re feeling and helping them build the language to express it: "You’re angry. You wanted that. Next time, you can say, 'That’s mine.'"
it’s ok to walk away
One of our FAVORITE parts of this episode was the reminder that giving your child space to feel their feelings isn’t abandonment—it’s emotional strength training. You can be nearby, calm, and present without needing to fix it all in the moment. Let’s absolve ourselves from the haunting fear that we’re traumatizing our children by leaving them alone.
boundaries can be kind & firm
"No, you can’t hit. Yes, you can be angry." This is the energy. Boundaries don’t have to be loud or harsh to be clear. And when they’re delivered with consistency and calm, they actually land.
Dr. Siggie isn’t here to judge. She’s here to walk you through the hard parts of parenting, with grace and a little humor. Just listening to her as she role-plays different tantrum scenarios felt calming. We swear.
Listen to Practical Parenting with Dr. Siggie now!
Listen to the episode on Apple
Listen to the episode on Spotify
Follow Dr. Siggie on Instagram: @dr.siggie
