The Behavior Blueprint with Mandy Grass

Join The Behavior Club for step-by-step plans, live coaching, and a parent community:

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Why does my toddler hit? In this solo episode, Mandy Grass, BCBA and mom of seven, walks through the four jobs hitting usually does: getting something, getting out of something, getting connection, and feeling better. She shares examples from toddlers to big kids, including hitting a sibling, hitting Mom or Dad, and hitting in public or at school.

You'll learn:

How to be a "behavior detective" and spot the job behind the hitting in 3 days

Mandy's Block, Move, Say, Show plan for the first five seconds, whatever the job

What to teach instead for each of the four jobs

Why hitting sometimes does more than one job, and how to plan for it

What to do after: reconnect, repair, and rehearse

If hitting is severe, starts suddenly, or keeps getting worse, talk to your pediatrician or a behavior professional.

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Join The Behavior Club for monthly live coaching, step-by-step plans and a parent community: https://www.thefamilybehaviorist.com/club
Emily and Randi, co-founders of Teaching Sweet Sleep, discuss the connection between sleep and behavior in young children. They share how sleep impacts emotional regulation, tantrums, and everyday challenges, along with practical ways parents can establish healthier sleep habits.
They also discuss how they went from two teachers and moms to building a pediatric sleep consulting business and launching My Sleep Teacher, a personalized sleep support platform for toddlers and preschoolers.
Learn more about our guests:
Teaching Sweet Sleep: https://www.teachingsweetsleep.com/
My Sleep Teacher: https://www.mysleepteacher.com/
Follow Mandy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefamilybehaviorist
Comment BLUEPRINT on Instagram and I'll send you the episode.

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Are you stuck in a cycle of defending yourself against accusations like, "you never let me do anything" or "you love my sister more than me?" On this episode, Mandy explains why simply ignoring these behaviors is a recipe for disaster. Get the blueprint on why negative attention is so predictable, why endless reassurance can accidentally reinforce bad behavior, and how to stop engaging in those extended debates with your child.

Tools & Resources

Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠.

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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Have you ever wondered why your child is an absolute angel for their teacher, coach, and grandparents, but turns into a monster the second they get home with you? On this episode, Mandy validates the frustration of being the "chosen" parent and flips the script to show why this dynamic is actually fantastic behavioral information.

From a six-year-old who only swears at his parents, to a child who begs for a phone at dinner, Mandy uses some real examples as she unpacks the concept of intermittent reinforcement and the dreaded extinction burst. Get the blueprint for tackling this behaviuor head on, by implementing consistent, shapeable boundaries!

Tools & Resources

Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠.

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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On this episode, Mandy dives into the psychology behind the ultimate parenting trap: power struggles. Learn why it takes two to play tug-of-war and why simply telling your child "because I said so" often makes the argument worse. This blueprint reveals that even when a fight starts over access to a toy or escaping a chore, it almost always morphs into an attention seeking behavior. So tune in and find out how to recognize your own role in the reinforcement loop, why your kid follows you when you walk away, and how to finally "put down the rope" without being a permissive parent!

Tools & Resources

Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠.

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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Did you know that by age twelve, a child with ADHD may receive roughly 20,000 more negative or corrective comments than their neurotypical peers? On this episode, Mandy gets brutally honest about how easily parents fall into the trap of overcorrecting kids with ADHD. It is time to get correct about correcting, as Mandy dissects the exact moments where her own anxiety led to unnecessary nagging. So tune in and get the blueprint on how to identify when you are overcorrecting, how to separate an ADHD trait from intentional rudeness, and finally, how to replace constant verbal nagging with visual prompts and positive reinforcement.

Tools & Resources

Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠.

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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On this episode, Mandy welcomes Elizabeth, a mom of three, for a live coaching session to troubleshoot her blended family's chaotic mornings and sibling dynamics. Elizabeth shares the struggles of raising a 5-year-old who is constantly distracted during his morning routine, along with managing the intense conflicts of her husband's 14-year-old twin boys. Get a detailed look at what a parenting coaching session looks like in real time, as Mandy gives Elizabeth a personlized blueprint on this very special edition of the show!

Tools & Resources

Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠.

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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As Mandy continues this month's focus on ADHD, on this episode, she brings back her favorite resident expert, her daughter Lola! Lola recently received a diagnosis of a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) alongside her ADHD and takes the mic to publicly rate Mandy's parenting strategies. From the systems that actually help her get out the door to the ones that just feel like nagging, Lola provides incredible insight into what an ADHD brain truly needs.

Tools & Resources: Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠ Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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Kicking off September's ADHD series, Mandy tackles the frustrating reality of raising kids who constantly lose their planners, forget their soccer cleats, and procrastinate on homework. On this episode, Mandy bridges the gap between her personal life and her professional expertise as a behavior analyst and special education teacher. Learn the crucial difference between simply accommodating an ADHD child (like providing extended time via a 504 plan) versus actively teaching them the missing behavioral skills so they can eventually manage their own time.

Tools & Resources

Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠.

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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If you are exhausted from operating the "Clean Plate Club," acting as a short order cook, or having massive meltdowns over a grilled cheese sandwich, this episode is for you! Mandy steps into the highly controversial territory of picky eating, viewing those mealtime battles through a behavioral lens.

Mandy breaks down the behavioral functions behind why kids refuse food and why parents are so easily conditioned to give in. Find out what a realistic, structured plan to stop the endless negotiating looks like. This episode serves as a blueprint for neutralizing the mealtime embarrassment and slowly expanding your child's food repertoire without sending anyone to bed hungry!

Tools & Resources

Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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Did the lazy days of summer turn your kids into screen obsessed zombies? On this episode, Mandy gets honest about how technology completely got away from her blended family this summer.

From teens scrolling at full volume in the car to loud video games taking over the family room on a rainy day, Mandy breaks down the behavioral functions behind why kids can't put devices down and why parents are so quick to hand them over. Learn how Mandy lays out the realistic tech boundaries within her own home, while providing a blueprint for a structured technology contract just in time for the new school year!

Tools & Resources

Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠.

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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Are you dreading the morning chaos of repeating "get your shoes on" 14 times before you've even finished your coffee? In part two of her back-to-school series, Mandy tackles the most common morning pitfalls.

On this episode, Mandy breaks down how to identify whether your child is facing a skill deficit (they can't do it) or a performance deficit (they won't do it), and how that distinction completely alters your parenting intervention. Learn how to use behavioral chaining, visual schedules, and strategic praise to slowly fade your prompts and build true morning independence!

Tools & Resources

Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠.

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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Are you trying to squeeze the last drop of fun out of summer, but secretly dreading the chaos of the back-to-school transition? On this episode, Mandy lays out her comprehensive plan for getting the kids ready for the new school year. As the first school bell of the year draws near, Mandy breaks down what it means to rack up sleep schedules and morning routines before the pressure of the first day hits. She also shares some personal experience on the importance of a pre-school year closet purge, why making lunches the night before can save an entire morning, and even some tricks for getting kids excited about chore charts. Plus, she provides a clear breakdown of what independence actually looks like for elementary, middle, and high school students. It is a back to school blueprint for all ages!

Tools & Resources

Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠.

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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On this episode, Mandy takes a left turn from her usual behavior and parenting content to get incredibly vulnerable about a highly requested topic: her divorce. Without holding back, Mandy discusses the reality of carrying the entire mental and physical load for her family, the "final straw" that made her realize nothing was going to change, and the beautiful realization of finally being deeply supported in her current relationship. It is a different type of episode with an extremely honest and close look at how the path a parent takes has its many valleys and peaks!

Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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On this episode, Mandy wraps up July’s emotional regulation series with two very special guests: her daughters, Lola and Parker. This midsummer check-in dives into the reality of emotional regulation from the kids' perspective, sharing specific moments where the girls felt empowered to call out the adults in their lives for their tone and reactions.

Mandy also does an assessment of the family's chore chart, admitting where she dropped the ball and celebrating the systems that are actually working. From navigating the complexities of people pleasing to managing blended family dynamics, this episode showcases what it looks like to create a safe, communicative environment for your children.

Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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This week, Mandy is joined by her sister, Tiff, for an honest conversation about emotional regulation and generational parenting. Tiff brings a grounded perspective from her career as a science journalist, as she and Mandy unpack what growing up a the loud, "shouty" was like. Mandy and Tiff also discuss how they navigate their own emotional triggers, the concept of "generational overcorrection," and the intense guilt that follows a parenting power struggle. This special sibling edition lays out the blueprint for breaking old cycles, discovering the art of the apology, and empowering kids to call out adult dysregulation.

Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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In part two of our emotional regulation series, Mandy shares more real life parenting stories that prove it takes more than just taking deep breaths and maintaining perfect calm. From a sibling standoff over pool floats to managing a 1-year-old's anxiety over new braces, Mandy explains how to look past the misbehavior to find the function. Get strategies for modeling repair, what to do when your kids are dysregulating you by being insanely silly, and why ignoring behavior without providing a replacement is a recipe for disaster.

Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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If you are looking for an expert to simply tell you to "take a deep breath" and never yell at your kids, this is not the podcast for you. In this highly relatable episode, Mandy turns the behavioral lens inward to tackle parent emotional regulation.

Using the same ABCs of behavior (Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence) applied to children, Mandy explains how to identify your own adult triggers and learning history. From screaming over a lost soccer uniform, to delivering an unhelpful lecture when her kiddo did something they shouldn't be doing, Mandy breaks down why our capacity changes from day to day and provides a concrete blueprint for apologizing, taking ownership without blame, and focusing on the 95% of the day you handled beautifully!

Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠.Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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On this episode, Mandy sits down with Julia Dzafic, the creator behind Lemon Stripes and The Medicated Millennial Mom. Julia opens up about her journey as a content creator, balancing flexible but demanding work hours, and managing a household with an 8-year-old, a 4-year-old, a dog, and 11 chickens.

Mandy and Julia dive into what it means to have "Mom Brain" and the invisible mental load that keeps parents constantly spinning. Julia shares her vulnerable experience with paralyzing anxiety after having her daughter and how finally accepting medication changed her life. This episode is not only just a couple of moms being real and honest with each other, it is also jam packed with relatable parenting truths and actionable behavior strategies!

Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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Are you constantly nagging your teen to get out of bed or take out the garbage? On our next summer series epiosde, Mandy dives deep into the teenage brain to explain why natural consequences often don't work, especially when the consequence actually falls on the parent. Learn all about building external motivation when intrinsic motivation doesn't exist, how to successfully "scaffold" independence, and why arguing with your teen might just be giving them the attention they crave. Mandy also takes a look at how single and working parents can normalize their summer schedules and lean on their village.

Tools & Resources Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thefamilybehaviorist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠. Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.

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