Big Little Feelings - Real Support For Parents Of Toddlers
Parenting little ones, especially during those toddler years, can feel like a truly wild ride, a mix of pure joy and moments that really test your patience. It's a time when those tiny humans are growing so fast, learning so much, and, well, feeling so many things, sometimes all at once. For many parents, it feels like a constant puzzle, trying to figure out what your child needs and how to best help them through their big emotions and new discoveries.
There are days, it seems, when you just need a friendly voice, someone who gets it, someone who can offer a bit of practical advice that actually works. You might find yourself scrolling late at night, looking for that spark of insight or a simple trick to make things a little smoother. It's almost as if every parent has been there, needing just a little boost to feel more sure of themselves when dealing with everything from mealtime standoffs to bedtime battles.
That's where a place like Big Little Feelings steps in, offering a warm and approachable spot for parents seeking a helping hand. This website and its related offerings were created to provide folks with children a place to go for trusted guidance. It’s a resource that truly aims to make those early years with your kids feel more manageable and, honestly, more enjoyable, too.
Table of Contents
- Kristin Gallant and Deena Margolin - The Folks Behind Big Little Feelings
- How Did Big Little Feelings Start?
- What Does Big Little Feelings Offer Parents?
- Is Your Child Ready for Potty Training - A Big Little Feelings Guide?
- What About Your Own Feelings - Big Little Feelings and Parental Well-being?
- How Do Big Little Feelings Support Siblings and Big Transitions?
- Getting Help from Big Little Feelings
- The Big Little Feelings Community and More
Kristin Gallant and Deena Margolin - The Folks Behind Big Little Feelings
The whole idea for Big Little Feelings came from two friends, Kristin Gallant and Deena Margolin. They are both licensed therapists, which means they know a thing or two about how people think and feel. These two moms really wanted to give other parents the sort of practical things they could use, along with good advice and a sense of belonging, so parents could really feel like they were doing well during the toddler years, not just getting by.
They are the faces behind the very popular Instagram account that helps you figure out all sorts of things about being a parent. They also have a podcast called "After Bedtime," where they talk about their own experiences, sharing stories that are both honest and funny. They share their advice there, too, which is quite helpful, actually.
Personal Details and Background
| Name | Role at Big Little Feelings | Key Background |
|---|---|---|
| Kristin Gallant | Co-founder | Licensed Therapist, Mother |
| Deena Margolin | Co-founder | Licensed Child Therapist, Mother |
How Did Big Little Feelings Start?
It’s interesting how Big Little Feelings really got going. Kristin and Deena, these two best friends, didn't really know at the time, but their Instagram community for parents of toddlers launched right before millions of caregivers would need extra help. Their page went live on March 1, 2020. Offices and daycares started closing soon after that date. So, it seems, they started Big Little Feelings in March of 2020, just when a lot of people needed what they had to offer, which is pretty amazing, you know?
One night, while someone named Weierman was just looking through Instagram, they came across the Big Little Feelings account. It was run by these "toddler experts," Deena Margolin, who is a licensed child therapist, and Kristin. This shows how people just sort of stumbled upon their helpful content, which is a common way folks find new resources these days, too.
What Does Big Little Feelings Offer Parents?
Big Little Feelings is a website that gives simple, reliable, and useful parenting guidance for toddlers and preschoolers. It was started by two good friends who are also licensed therapists, Deena and Kristin. They talk about Big Little Feelings, their well-liked parenting courses, and their Instagram presence, which is all based on kindness and what science tells us, which is pretty solid, you know?
They offer two main courses on their website. One of them is called "Winning the Toddler Stage." This course focuses on ways to parent toddlers, and many of the ideas it shares are really helpful. There's also "Potty Training Made Simple," "Big Feelers Conquer Toddlerhood + Potty Training," and "Parenting Power Duo." These courses are designed to give parents the practical things they can use, expert advice, and the kind of support they need to really do well during these busy years with little ones.
Beyond the courses, there's also an official merchandise store for Big Little Feelings. You can get clothes and other bits and pieces from your favorite duo there, if you like that sort of thing. It’s a way for people to show they are part of the community, more or less.
Is Your Child Ready for Potty Training - A Big Little Feelings Guide?
Potty training can feel like a big mountain to climb for many parents. It's a significant step, and sometimes it's hard to know when the time is right. Big Little Feelings has a method for potty training that is rather special. It focuses on how emotionally ready a child is and their overall growth, which is quite different from just focusing on physical readiness, you know?
This particular way of approaching potty training was put together by Emily Norton. It really looks at the emotional needs of your child and tries to meet them during this process. Their guide helps you figure out if it's the right moment for your child to start using the potty and helps you get set up for good results, no matter where you are in the process. It's about making sure the child feels comfortable and ready, which is really important.
Their approach helps you identify if it's the right time and sets you up for good results. It’s a Big Little Feelings idea that aims to acknowledge and take care of your child's feelings. This method is an innovative way to approach potty training that truly looks at emotional readiness and how a child is developing, so it seems.
What About Your Own Feelings - Big Little Feelings and Parental Well-being?
It’s not just about the kids' feelings, is that right? Big Little Feelings also helps parents look at how their own emotions affect the way they parent. This is a very important part of the whole picture, because how we feel inside definitely shows up in how we interact with our children, you know? They encourage you to explore this connection, which can be quite revealing, actually.
A new study of almost 200,000 women shows that moms are, in fact, not doing okay. This bit of information really highlights why a resource like Big Little Feelings is so needed. It’s a reminder that parents need support for their own well-being, not just for their children's. The founders, Kristin and Deena, even talk about their honest and humorous experiences and advice on their "After Bedtime" podcast, which includes how parenting can sometimes put a strain on marriages and how they managed to work through it. This shows they really understand the whole picture.
Sometimes, you just really need to talk to another adult. The past few years have been a bit of a wild ride and a lot like a rollercoaster, not just for Kristin and Deena, but for so many people. This is why they started Big Little Feelings in March of 2020, to offer that space for connection and support. They understand that parents need to feel seen and heard, too, which is pretty fundamental, you know?
At the end of a very long day with your child, there's nothing quite like hearing your partner say, "You've done so much today. I'll take care of bathtime and bedtime." We don't know who said it first, but it is very true, as a matter of fact. Uttering the words, "It's bedtime," and suddenly your child has a million things to do, is that right? Even though your toddler might fight bedtime, that support from a partner can make all the difference. This shows the kind of real-life situations Big Little Feelings understands and addresses.
How Do Big Little Feelings Support Siblings and Big Transitions?
When a new baby arrives, or when a child is becoming an older sibling, these are truly big changes for everyone in the family. Big Little Feelings helps parents figure out how to make sure all the children feel seen and valued during these times. It’s about helping your older child adjust to their new role and feel good about it, which is a pretty kind approach.
You can also help your toddler feel proud by having them give gifts to the new baby. Your toddler will really enjoy feeling important when they pick out a new gift for the baby, and the gift itself becomes a special thing. This sort of idea helps with those big changes, making them feel a little smoother for everyone involved, so it seems.
They also help you support your "big feeler" through these important changes, like becoming an older sibling. This means understanding that your child might have strong emotions about these shifts and giving you ways to help them work through those feelings. It’s about helping everyone in the family feel secure and cared for, which is a big part of family harmony, actually.
Getting Help from Big Little Feelings
Big Little Feelings offers various ways to get help. Their website and online course are designed to provide practical things parents can use. The founders, Kristin Gallant and Deena Margolin, created Big Little Feelings to give parents the hands-on ideas, expert advice, and backing they need to truly do well during the toddler years, not just survive them. You can find out what their offerings cover, who runs them, and how they can help you get through toddlerhood with a feeling of confidence and ease.
Their online courses are a big part of what they offer. The "Winning the Toddler Stage" course, for example, is a big one, with five main parts and two extra parts. They also have "Potty Training Made Simple" and other combinations like "Big Feelers Conquer Toddlerhood + Potty Training." These courses are meant to give parents strategies for dealing with toddlers, and many of the ideas are useful for a wider age range, too.
From tiny victories to big breakthroughs, you can look at free guides and detailed plans for just about anything your toddler might, well, throw at you (and that includes food!). So, if you lost your cool, for instance, Big Little Feelings has ideas for that. You might just need a little help and a new way of looking at the word "discipline." They explain that certain behaviors are simply not okay, but they give you tools to handle them in a gentle way.
They also suggest printing out a feelings chart and keeping it in a comfortable spot. This helps children and parents name those big feelings, which is a pretty simple but powerful idea. Now, if you recall a time when your toddler had some very strong feelings, you can name them. For example, "Earlier today, I noticed you were so mad when sister took your toy." This helps kids understand what they are feeling, which is a crucial first step.
The Big Little Feelings Community and More
The Instagram page for Big Little Feelings is very popular, and many parents find a lot of useful tips there. While some people might not buy their full course, they really like how rich and practical the posts are. The way they share information is very helpful and easy to use, which is a big reason for their popularity, it seems.
By giving your information and signing up for texts, you agree to get marketing messages from Big Little Feelings at the number you provide. This could include things like promotions or reminders about items left in your shopping cart. It's another way they connect with their community and share helpful bits of information, you know?
The story of Big Little Feelings started in March 2020, and it really took off because of the timing. When children try to go off course, which they will do because it's actually part of their job as little humans, the advice from Big Little Feelings gently guides them in the right direction. It's like having bumpers in a bowling alley, just helping them stay on track, which is a pretty neat way to think about it, too.
They also talk about what to do if talking about feelings makes you feel a little weird. If you are like most parents they talk to, you found their website or Instagram when you were looking for some help. This shows they understand that not everyone is comfortable talking about emotions, and they provide ways to make it feel a little easier, which is very thoughtful.
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