Getting kids to actually try new foods can feel like an Olympic sport. In this solo episode, TWP host Kiyah Duffey shares playful, practical ways to turn “No thanks!” into “Okay, I’ll try it.” From the magic of repeated exposure to the power of sauces and dips, she shows parents how to make tasting fun, pressure-free, and—believe it or not—something kids might look forward to. Maybe.

** Free Resources **

📥 Descriptive Terms for Mealtime: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/mealtime-terms⁠⁠

🥦 Guide to Picky Eating: ⁠⁠https://drkiyahduffey.com/picky-eating/⁠⁠

✅ Meal Planning Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠https://drkiyahduffey.com/meal-planning-tips-2/⁠⁠

😋 50 Snack Ideas (for You AND Your Kids): ⁠⁠https://drkiyahduffey.com/50-snack-ideas/⁠

** Key Takeaways**

Encouraging kids to taste new foods is essential for health.

Exposure to new foods should be non-pressuring.

Kids need about 15 exposures to a food before acceptance.

Contextualizing new foods helps kids feel more comfortable.

Using dips and sauces can make foods more appealing.

Taste tests can build trust and willingness to try new foods.

Modeling tasting behavior is important for kids.

Engaging kids in food preparation increases their interest.

Variety in diet is linked to better health outcomes.

Parents should share their own strategies for encouraging tasting.

** Chapters**

00:00 Strategies for Encouraging Kids to Taste

02:54 Creating Context for New Foods

05:12 Making Foods More Appealing

06:22 Building Trust Through Taste Tests

** About **

Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhDfrom UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years ofexperience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves andtheir children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker andentrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to helpyou transform your family’s relationship with food.

** Keywords**

tasting new foods, kids nutrition, food variety, parenting tips, healthy eating, food exposure, kids food preferences, encouraging kids to eat, food strategies, health outcomes

In this solo episode of The Weekly Parent, Dr. Kiyah Duffey unpacks why food variety matters for kids’ long-term health and how parents can actually make it happen without stress. From the daily struggle of picky eating to the subtle ways our own habits shape what kids are willing to try, Kiyah shares simple, practical strategies to expand your child’s palate. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas for turning mealtimes into a fun, low-pressure place where curiosity and healthy habits can grow.

** Free Resources **

📥 Descriptive Terms for Mealtime: ⁠https://bit.ly/mealtime-terms⁠

🥦 Guide to Picky Eating: ⁠https://drkiyahduffey.com/picky-eating/⁠

✅ Meal Planning Cheat Sheet: ⁠https://drkiyahduffey.com/meal-planning-tips-2/⁠

😋 50 Snack Ideas (for You AND Your Kids): ⁠https://drkiyahduffey.com/50-snack-ideas/

** Key Takeaways **

Eating a wide variety of foods leads to better health outcomes.

Kids are naturally skeptical of new foods due to evolutionary habits.

Establishing a habit of diverse eating takes patience and practice.

Color-themed meals can encourage creativity in food choices.

Serving familiar foods at different times can break eating habits.

Different textures can make familiar foods more appealing.

Involving kids in meal planning can increase their interest in food variety.

Modeling diverse eating habits is crucial for influencing children.

Buying different brands of the same food can introduce variety.

Encouraging kids to taste new foods is essential for expanding their diet.

** Let's Connect **

📩 Read the Newsletter: ⁠⁠https://theweeklyparent.com⁠⁠

📷 Follow Dr. Kiyah on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/kiyahduffey/⁠

** About **

Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years of experience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves and their children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker and entrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to help you transform your family’s relationship with food.

Co-parenting isn’t easy — and no two parents bring the same history, habits, or instincts to the table. In this episode, Kiyah talks with Dr. Emily Racic about why parenting styles often clash, how family of origin shapes our responses, and what it really takes to parent as a team. From building emotional awareness to modeling healthy conflict resolution for kids, we unpack practical strategies and the mindset shifts that can make co-parenting less about battles and more about balance.

** Let's Connect **

Learn about Capital Crescent Collective

Read The Weekly Parent Newsletter

Follow Kiyah on Instagram

** Resources Mentioned **

Good Inside

No Drama Discipline

Dr. Dan Siegel's other books

** Key Takeaways **

• Co-parenting is challenging due to differing backgrounds and perspectives.
• Communication is key in navigating parenting differences.
• Differences in parenting styles can be strengths rather than weaknesses.
• It's important to approach parenting as a team, not asadversaries.
• Understanding family of origin can help explain parenting styles.
• Emotional awareness is crucial for effective co-parenting.
• Modeling healthy conflict resolution is important forchildren.
• Taking time to reflect on parenting decisions can reduce anxiety.
• Resources and support can aid in co-parenting efforts.
• Parenting is an ongoing journey that requires adaptability and teamwork.

** Chapters **

00:00 Introduction to Co-Parenting Challenges

01:21 Understanding the Difficulty of Co-Parenting

03:15 Common Conflict Areas in Co-Parenting

05:28 Navigating Parenting Differences

08:49 The Importance of Communication in Co-Parenting

12:13 Shifting Perspectives on Parenting Differences

16:19 Effective Communication Strategies

20:02 Utilizing External Resources for Parenting

22:42 The Role of Time in Resolving Conflicts

25:13 Reframing Stories in Co-Parenting

26:53 Navigating Co-Parenting Dynamics

29:08 Parenting Styles and Family Origins

31:12 Understanding Childhood Needs

33:30 Self-Reflection in Parenting

37:06 The Importance of Communication

39:35 The Ongoing Journey of Parenting

42:08 Managing Anxiety in Parenting

44:01 Resources for Parenting Growth

44:30 Active Parenting: Taking Ownership

** Keywords **

#coparenting, #parentingchallenges, #parenting #communication, #teamwork, #familydynamics, #emotionalawareness, #conflict #conflictresolution, #parentingresources, #familyoforigin, #selfreflection

** About **

Dr. Emily Racic is the owner of Capital Crescent Collective (formerly Emily Cook Therapy). From 2010 through 2022, Emily practiced as a licensed marriage and family therapist. Now practicing as a life and relationship coach, she continues to help clients within an evidence-informed, trauma-sensitive, and client-centered coaching framework. She is able to work with clients worldwide, especially if you and your partner or family member live long-distance. In 2018, Emily’s first relationship workbook was published by Althea Press. The Marriage Counseling Workbook: 8 Steps to a Strong and Lasting Partnership contains some of her best ideas, strategies, and metaphors to help couples pinpoint the cause of their troubles and recreate deep, lasting connections without therapy.Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years of experience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves and their children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker and entrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to help you transform your family’s relationship with food.