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How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt | Dr. Siggie Cohen on Discipline, Saying No & Raising Confident Kids

Why is it so hard for parents to say no? Have we become so focused on our children's feelings that we've forgotten the importance of boundaries?

In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, pediatrician Dr. Jessica Hochman welcomes back parenting expert and child development specialist Dr. Siggie Cohen, author of You Are the Parent.

Dr. Siggie shares her refreshing approach to parenting—one that balances empathy with confident leadership. She explains why children don't always need explanations, why discipline isn't the same as punishment, and why parents don't need to fix every uncomfortable emotion.

Together, we explore everyday parenting challenges, including:

• Saying no: Why parents shouldn't feel guilty about setting boundaries.
• Discipline: How to guide children without relying on punishment or rewards.
• Sibling rivalry: How to help children navigate conflict and develop problem-solving skills.
• Social media: What to say when your child insists they're the only one without Snapchat or other social media.
• Lying and sneaking: Understanding what's driving the behavior instead of simply punishing it.
• Bragging: Helping children feel proud of themselves without putting others down.
• Parenting confidence: Why staying calm and resisting the urge to fix everything can make such a difference.

Dr. Siggie reminds us that our children don't need perfect parents. They need parents who are confident, compassionate, and willing to guide them through life's challenges.

One of my favorite takeaways: We can validate our children's feelings without accommodating every request.

If you've ever struggled with setting limits, managing sibling fights, or knowing when to step in versus step back, this conversation is for you.

About Dr. Siggie Cohen:

Dr. Siggie Cohen is a child development specialist, parenting expert, and author of You Are the Parent. She is known for her practical, compassionate approach to helping parents understand their children's behavior and respond with confidence.

Instagram: @dr.siggie

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube: Ask Dr Jessica

Shop my favorite products for kids on Amazon here

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals. If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.

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Why are so many kids picky eaters, and what can parents do about it? Should you make a separate meal when your child refuses dinner? Is it okay for a child to go to bed hungry? And how can we make family meals less stressful?

In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, I’m joined by Dr. William G. Wilkoff, MD, a pediatrician who practiced for decades in Maine and has spent much of his career helping parents navigate everyday challenges of raising children. He is the author of Coping with a Picky Eater: A Guide for the Perplexed Parent, a practical guide to managing picky eating and reducing mealtime battles.

We discuss why children become picky eaters, how parents can encourage children to try different foods without turning meals into a struggle, and why a parent’s job is to provide food rather than pressure a child to eat it. We also talk about second dinners, desserts, family meals, screens at the table, and when picky eating may deserve closer attention.

One of Dr. Wilkoff’s central messages is that the goal isn’t to force children to eat. It’s to offer food in a pleasant environment, set reasonable expectations, and take the conflict out of mealtimes.

If feeding your child has become a daily source of stress, this conversation offers a thoughtful perspective on how to approach picky eating with more patience and less pressure.

About Dr. Wilkoff’s book: Coping with a Picky Eater: A Guide for the Perplexed Parent by William G. Wilkoff, MD.

Thanks for listening to Your Child Is Normal! If you find this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube: Ask Dr Jessica

Shop my favorite products for kids on Amazon here

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals. If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.

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Why do some children snore or breathe through their mouths while sleeping? When is it normal, and when might it be a sign of a problem?

In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, I’m joined by Dr. Reddy, a pediatric ear nose and throat (ENT) specialist, to talk about noisy breathing, snoring, and sleep-disordered breathing in children.

We discuss the signs parents should pay attention to, when it may be reasonable to wait and see whether symptoms improve with time, and when further evaluation or treatment is important.

We also take a closer look at popular airway-focused treatments, including palate expanders and tongue-tie and lip-tie releases. With so much information circulating on social media, how can parents tell what is supported by good evidence?

Dr. Reddy shares a thoughtful perspective on balancing parental concerns with evidence-based care, and why children with suspected sleep apnea should receive appropriate medical evaluation rather than delaying care for alternative treatments.

As always, the goal is to help parents understand what may be a normal part of childhood, what deserves attention, and how to make informed decisions for their families.

Connect with Dr. Reddy: IG: @pedsentdoc

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube: Ask Dr Jessica

Shop my favorite products for kids on Amazon here

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals. If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.