parenting Archives - Piano Parent Podcast

12 Jan 2026

PPP 373: What Black Beauty Teaches Us About Parenting

Mom to Mom, PodcastBlack Beauty, Classic Literature, horses, New Year's Resolutions, parenting

Tight Reins, Loose Hands & Steam‑Engine ExpectationsAs part of my New Year’s resolution to read more classic literature, I’ve been listening to Black Beauty by Anna Sewell on Audible — and I’m continually struck by how this 19th‑century story about horses mirrors the ways we parent today.In this episode, we explore how different driver styles in Black Beauty reflect common approaches to parenting — from controlling every move to disengaged oversight to relentless pressure. What books are you reading this year? Share your insights and takeaways with me here. Listen to the full episode here Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/76ERRJ65ktE Episode Highlights…

31 Jul 2023

By Shelly Davis

PPP 344: “Make Space for Your Child’s Experiences” A Parenting Do Over with Ashlee Young

Mom to Mom, Podcast, Summer Mini EpisodeAshlee Young, parenting, Parenting Do Over, piano lessons, Summer Mini episode

Back in March, I interviewed Ashlee Young (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/324). When the official interview was over, I asked Ashlee if I could ask her one more question."Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a 'Do Over'?"So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to listeners. The reality is that most of my guests are parents just like you. They are…

24 Jul 2023

By Shelly Davis

PPP 343: “Navigating Different Perspectives” A Parenting Do Over with Thomas Grayston

Podcast, Summer Mini EpisodeNote Rush, parenting, Parenting Do Over, piano lessons, summer, Thomas Grayston

Back in February, I interviewed Thomas Grayston (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/321). When the official interview was over, I asked Thomas if I could ask him one more question.“Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a ‘Do Over’?”So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to listeners. The reality is that most of my guests are parents just like you. They are…

17 Jul 2023

By Shelly Davis

PPP 342: “Extend Compassion….to your children and to yourself” A Parenting Do Over with Dr. Fernanda Nieto

Podcast, Summer Mini EpisodeFernanda Nieto, parenting, Parenting Do Over, Summer Mini episode

Back in October, I interviewed Fernanda Nieto (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/314). When the official interview was over, I asked Fernanda if I could ask her one more question.“Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a ‘Do Over’?”So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to listeners. The reality is that most of my guests are parents just like you. They are…

10 Jul 2023

By Shelly Davis

PPP 341: “Avoid Misinterpretations” A Parenting Do Over with Stephen Hughes

Podcast, Summer Mini Episodeparenting, Parenting Do Over, Stephen Hughes, Summer Mini episode

Back in August, I interviewed Stephen Hughes (You can catch that interview at www.PianoParentPodcast.com/304). When the official interview was over, I asked Stephen if I could ask him one more question.“Is there a moment in your parenting that you can share where you would really like a ‘Do Over’?”So often on social media and in my interviews with guests, we try to put our best foot forward. That is as it should be. We want to offer professional, succinct information that will be helpful to listeners. The reality is that most of my guests are parents just like you. They are…

05 Apr 2021

By Shelly Davis

PPP235: “My first-grader doesn’t practice like I thought she would.” Is this a practicing issue or a parenting issue?

Mom to Mom, Podcastparenting, practicing

One of the reasons I started this podcast almost five years ago is that I wanted to help parents understand the ins and outs of piano lessons. When I saw this topic come up on an online teacher forum recently, I knew it should be addressed here on the podcast. Listen to the full episode here Is this a practicing issue or a parenting issue? Here is the basic idea: The parent of a first-grader who just started lessons this year is letting the teacher know they will not be taking lessons over the summer because the first-grader isn't practicing like…

30 Oct 2017

By Shelly Davis

PPP066: Major and Minor – The Powerful Effect Music has on Our Emotions

Music Theory, Podcastemotion, Halloween, happy, Haydn, Major, minor, movies, music, parenting, piano, sad, Surprise Symphony, YouTube

Music is everywhere and it has a powerful affect on our emotions This time of year, unusual sounding music is all over shopping malls, television shows, and even commercials. Those sounds can be frightening for young children. While I am not a child psychologist, I do want to share, mom to mom, some of my experiences working with children and music. Parents are the filter for their children First of all, you must decide what types of music you allow your child to hear. Protect them from sounds and lyrics that will be too frightening for them. Even when you…

05 Dec 2016

By Shelly Davis

PPP019: Parent Interview with Sanette Brems

Parent Interviews, Podcast, Practicing and Motivation10000 hours, confidence, parenting, piano lessons, Tran-Siberian Orchestra

Sanette Brems is the mom of six daughters, five of whom I get to work with every week. The Brems family realized the importance of piano study as a basic, foundation instrument. Kids need a hobby, something to do that gets them excited, and piano is something they could do year-round. They invested in a quality piano their girls could practice on rather than trying to arrange practice at a friend's house. (more…)

21 Nov 2016

By Shelly Davis

Episode 017: Be Your Child’s Biggest Cheerleader

Communication, Podcast, Practicing and Motivationcheerleader, football, parenting, piano, thanksgiving

Listen to the full episode here Episode Highlights: 45 Gratifying Facts about Thanksgiving A little more about Sarah Hale, the Mother of Thanksgiving Thanksgiving makes me think of food, family and football. Football makes me think of the Parent/Teacher/Student relationship (Episode 002) (more…)

Tag: parenting