The Ashley Ventrice Show | Toddler Parenting & Child Development

What if the secret to raising emotionally intelligent kids was hiding in a picture book? This week, I’m joined by sisters Eunice and Sabrina Moyle — the creative duo behind Hello!Lucky, the bestselling children’s book brand known for My Mom Is Magical!, My Box of Feelings, and other joy-filled, pun-loving reads that help kids name and navigate big emotions.
 
As a Child Development therapist, I geeked out with them on how storytelling shapes emotional development in toddlers and preschoolers — and how parents can use books as everyday tools for building resilience, self-awareness, and connection at home.
In this episode, we cover:
How Hello! Lucky designs books that teach real emotional regulation skills
Age-appropriate ways to talk to toddlers about feelings (without the meltdown)
Using humor and play to make hard topics (potty training, transitions, big emotions) easier
What Child Development-backed research says about emotional development in early childhood
Practical takeaways for building your child’s “feelings vocabulary” starting today
Whether you’re a toddler mom looking for your next favorite bedtime read or you just want simple tools to help your child understand their emotions, this conversation is packed with warmth, expertise, and laugh-out-loud moments.
 
Hello! Lucky:
👉 Website https://www.hellolucky.com
👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/helloluckykids/
👉 Purchase “My Box of Feelings” https://amzn.to/44F1tTi 
 
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You pushed out a human. You’re chasing a toddler. And your body still doesn’t feel like yours.
If you’ve been dealing with leaking when you sneeze, a heavy feeling in your pelvis, pain during sex, or a belly that still doesn’t look or feel right — this episode is for you. And before you tell yourself “it’s fine, it’s just part of having kids”… I need you to press play first.
I sat down with Youstina Gerges, pelvic floor physical therapist and owner of A Rise Above Physical Therapy in Wyckoff, New Jersey, and we had the most honest, no-fluff conversation about what’s actually happening in your body after birth — and what you can do about it.
 
In this episode, we cover:
Why so many moms are still dealing with postpartum symptoms years after having their baby
What diastasis recti actually is and how it affects more than just your abs
The real reason sex doesn’t feel the same (and what to do about it)
What that heavy, dragging pelvic feeling actually means — and why it’s not something you just “push through”
Pelvic organ prolapse: what it is, what it feels like, and when to get help
Why leaking when you sneeze, jump, or laugh is common but NOT normal
When to see a pelvic floor PT and what to expect at your first appointment
Whether you’re 6 weeks postpartum or your “baby” just started preschool — it is never too late to get support for your body.
 
Enjoyed this episode? Screenshot it, share it to your stories, and tag me @ashleyventriceco — I love seeing who’s listening. And if you have a mama friend who needs to hear this, please send it her way. This is exactly the kind of conversation that changes things.
 
Connect with Youstina: Youstina Gerges — A Rise Above Physical Therapy Location: Wyckoff, New Jersey
👉 Website: https://riseabovept.com
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riseaboveptnj/
 
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Not all kids’ shows are created equal — and as a licensed Child Development Therapist, Ashley Ventrice is here to tell you exactly which ones are worth your toddler’s screen time and which ones are doing your child’s developing nervous system absolutely no favors. In this episode, Ashley breaks down her personal favorite shows for toddlers and young children — Little Bear, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Sofia the First, and Bluey — explaining the real developmental reasons why these shows are different from the rest. She also introduces two more mom-approved hidden gems you may not have on your radar yet. And yes, she has some thoughts about Cocomelon and Miss Rachel. Loving thoughts. Mostly. If you’re a toddler mom who wants to feel confident about what’s playing on your TV, this episode is your new best friend. Topics include: best TV shows for toddlers, toddler brain development and screen time, slow-paced shows for toddlers, Daniel Tiger social-emotional learning, Bluey developmental benefits, Little Bear toddler show, Sofia the First kindness lessons, Child Development Specialist-approved kids’ shows, toddler screen time tips from a Child Development Specialist.
 
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Follow Me: 👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com                  👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco                                   👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco                                                👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleyventriceco 👉 Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ashleyventriceco   Join:                                                                                                            👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/

If you’ve ever Googled “how much screen time is okay for toddlers” at midnight while your child was mid-meltdown over the TV turning off — this episode is for you. Licensed Child Development Therapist Ashley Ventrice breaks down everything toddler moms actually want to know about screen time and technology. In this episode, Ashley answers four of the most common screen time questions she gets from real moms: how much screen time is developmentally appropriate, why toddlers completely fall apart when screens turn off and what to do about it, whether educational apps are actually beneficial or just a marketing trick, and why your toddler needs to watch Bluey on repeat for the 47th time. This is the honest, judgment-free, evidence-based screen time conversation you’ve been needing. No shame, no scare tactics — just real information from a licensed Child Development Specialist who gets it.
 
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Join:                                                                                                           
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Join:                                                                                                           
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Follow Me: 👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com                  👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco                                   👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco                                                👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleyventriceco 👉 Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ashleyventriceco   Join:                                                                                                            👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/

If you’re a tired toddler mom who hasn’t slept a full night in what feels like years, this episode is for you. Child Development Specialist and mom Ashley writes a heartfelt letter to the moms in the hardest season of early motherhood — the ones who love their kids fiercely and are also, if they’re being honest, a little lost in it.
 
As a 40-year-old looking back on her toddler years, Ashley shares what she wishes someone had told her: what the “thick of it” actually feels like (without sugarcoating it), the ordinary moments that matter most developmentally, the specific things she misses that nobody warned her about, and the letter she needed to hear back then.
 
This one isn’t a framework or a strategy. It’s a permission slip. For the mom crying in the bathroom with the fan on. For the mom who loves her kids so much it scares her. For the mom who just needs someone to say: you’re not failing. You’re in the thick of it.
 
Topics covered: toddler mom burnout, mom identity loss, mom guilt, emotional regulation in toddlers, secure attachment, savoring motherhood, the bittersweet of kids growing up.
 
🎧 Share this with a toddler mom who needs it today.
 
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Are you a burned-out toddler mom who can’t stop comparing yourself to what you see on Instagram? A Child Development Specialist gets real about what social media comparison is actually doing to your nervous system — and why it’s affecting your parenting more than you realize.
 
In this episode, Ashley (licensed Child Development Specialist and mom) breaks down the science behind mom- comparison culture, the hidden toll it takes on your nervous system, and why your stress response doesn’t know the difference between a real threat and a picture-perfect Instagram feed.
 
What you’ll hear in this episode:
 
•Why chronic social media comparison creates chronic low-grade stress — and what that means for your parenting
•The gender comment story that stopped Ashley cold: how Instagram is now influencing family planning decisions
•What a Child Development Specialist sees behind the scenes that curated feeds will never show you
•Why you CANNOT co-regulate a dysregulated toddler when your own nervous system is fried
•A full permission slip to be a good mom in invisible ways — the ways that actually matter
 
This episode is for you if:
 
•You scroll Instagram and feel like every other toddler mom has it more together than you
•You’ve ever felt guilty about losing it with your toddler after a morning of comparison scrolling
•You’re exhausted by the performance of “perfect” motherhood and desperate for something real
•You want to understand the actual science of why social media affects your mood and your parenting
 
Resources mentioned:
•72-Hour Toddler Reset Course 
 
Follow Me:
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Join:                                                                                                           
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Follow Me: 👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com                  👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco                                   👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco                                                👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleyventriceco 👉 Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ashleyventriceco   Join:                                                                                                            👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/

Ashley shares a real backyard conversation with her neighbor — a first-time mom who somehow radiates calm — and unpacks why new moms lose their instincts to the chorus of unsolicited opinions. From barefoot babies to formula side-eyes, if you’ve ever been audited as a mom in public, this episode is for you.
 
In This Episode:
•The neighbor moment that stopped Ashley cold
•Why even a Child Development Specialist second-guessed herself as a new mom
•The real reason unsolicited advice is so hard to shake — even when you know better
•The “Greatest Hits” of comments every mom has heard (and what the research actually says)
•Why protecting your peace isn’t selfish — it’s parenting
•What to do the next time someone has an opinion about your barefoot baby
 
Key Takeaways:
Simplicity is a strategy. Ashley’s neighbor wasn’t calm because parenting is easy. She committed to one rule: keep it simple and listen — to herself and to her baby.
Intent doesn’t equal impact. Most people offering unsolicited advice aren’t trying to undermine you. But whether the intent is good or not, the impact is the same: it chips away at your confidence and your instinct.
Barefoot babies are fine. As a Developmental Interventionist, Ashley is here to tell you: babies have navigated life barefoot for the entirety of human history. You are not in a crisis.
Your nervous system is talking to your child’s nervous system — all day. When you are calm, they feel it. Holding onto your peace is one of the most powerful things you can do for your child’s development.
You don’t owe anyone an explanation. You are allowed to smile, nod, and let it go.
 
Follow Me:
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Join:                                                                                                           
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
 
 
Follow Me: 👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com                  👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco                                   👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco                                                👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleyventriceco 👉 Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ashleyventriceco   Join:                                                                                                            👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/

If you’ve ever wondered, “How many words should my toddler have?”—you’re not alone. This is one of the most searched parenting questions, and in this episode, we’re breaking it down in a way that’s clear, realistic, and not fear-based.
 
Using research-backed guidance from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and other pediatric developmental sources, we walk through toddler speech milestones by age, including what’s typical at 12 months, 18 months, 2 years, 3 years, and beyond.
 
Learn With Ashley:
👉 Printable Worksheet Membership
 
Toys I love:
👉 Speech Boosting Toys
 
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Join:                                                                                                           
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Follow Me: 👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com                  👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco                                   👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco                                                👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleyventriceco 👉 Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ashleyventriceco   Join:                                                                                                            👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/

You had it all planned out.  You knew exactly what kind of mom you were going to be - whether that meant confidentiality heading back into the office or blissfully staying home with your baby.  Then they placed that tiny human in your arms...and everything you thought you knew went out that window.
 
If you're wresting the "working mom" vs. the "stay-at-home mom" decision or the decision  was made for you and you're grieving it- this episode is for you.
 
In this episode, your host, Child Development Specialist breaks down:
- The real developmental research of working mom vs. stay-at-home mom
- The staggering cost of childcare in 2026
- Why your mental health is your child's developmental environment 
- Permission to stop chasing "balance" and start chasing alignment
 
USA Today Article
 
Learn With Ashley:
👉 Printable Worksheet Membership
 
Follow Me:
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Join:                                                                                                           
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Follow Me: 👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com                  👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco                                   👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco                                                👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleyventriceco 👉 Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ashleyventriceco   Join:                                                                                                            👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/

Before the credentials, the podcast, and the toddler advice — there was a girl who started in fashion and found her calling by accident. This is the real story of how I got here, and why nothing in your path is ever wasted.
 
You’ve heard the advice. You’ve seen the credentials. But today, I’m pulling back the curtain on the full journey — because I think you need to hear how I actually got here.
In this episode, I’m sharing my honest, unfiltered origin story — from fashion merchandising at Marist College, to teaching in an urban district, to becoming a mom whose daughter needed Early Intervention, to opening my own childcare center, and eventually landing right here… in your ears.
This one is personal. And I think it’ll hit different if you’ve ever felt like your path was “wrong,” or like you’re way behind where you thought you’d be.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
•Why I left a stable fashion career in my 20s with zero plan
•The volunteer experience in my last semester of college that changed everything
•How becoming a mom — and my daughter’s speech delay — pointed me toward Early Intervention
•What I actually did as a developmental specialist (and why it’s different from OT, PT, and speech)
•The decision to leave teaching and stay home — and the math that made it make sense
•Why I eventually opened a childcare center, and what led me away from it
•And the chronic illness chapter I don’t talk about enough
If you’ve been wondering why I give the advice I do, or whether you can actually trust me with your child’s development — this episode is for you.
Because everything I teach comes from classrooms, from homes, from my own kids, and from years of hands-on experience. Not just a textbook.
💛 If this resonated, send it to a friend who’s in a “what am I even doing” season. She needs it.
 
Follow Me:
👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com                 
👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco                                  
👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco                                               
👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleyventriceco
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Join:                                                                                                           
👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/
Follow Me: 👉 Visit my website http://www.ashleyventrice.com                  👉 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyventriceco                                   👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyventriceco                                                👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleyventriceco 👉 Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ashleyventriceco   Join:                                                                                                            👉 Toddler Community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1641FC2sDa/