With all of the books out there on parenting, it can be really hard to navigate what to do when you first become a parent. Overwhelming really. So many different strategies all claiming to show you how to “be the best parent” or “raise a child right”. But the reality is, there is no right way. These books are just profiting off of the author’s individual experiences, some of them having never raised a child themselves! No single strategy will work for every child or parent or family. My advice? Get to know YOUR child. 

Thinking about all of this really got me thinking about one of the “nerdiest” things about me, my love for Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). It is what I studied in school and used to practice in my day job and still apply in my every day life. ABA is a science that uses the principles of behaviour to improve socially significant behaviour. It focuses on individual needs not blanket approaches. It is evidence based, meaning it’s application is based on the best and most current research. I hear you, “But Ash, what does this have to do with parenting or putting myself first?”. The short answer, everything. But I am not expecting everyone to become behaviour analysts, let's start with what this episode’s guest, Courtney Bilton recommends - get curious!

Courtney is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) and former colleague of mine. She is a wife and mom of 2 and is presently on her second maternity leave. Courtney loves ABA and created an instagram and facebook account that links and shares a wealth of knowledge. Courtney does a great job of breaking down research and concepts of ABA into smaller easy to understand pieces that are easy to digest and learn from. On this episode, we chat some basics of ABA as well as what Courtney does to prioritize herself while raising little munchkins and things you can potentially do too! 

No matter what you learn or don’t learn today, the bottom line is parenting is hard, life is a crap-shoot, nobody is perfect but you are enough, you are amazing and you are doing a friggin good job!

On this episode we chat:

• What is ABA, simplified
• Strategies that can be used in everyday parenting 
• Why she started Bilton Behaviour
• Self care tips and more!

Where to Find and Follow Courtney:  

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biltonbehaviour/
• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Bilton-Behaviour

Follow along for more:

• Website: www.theselfcenteredpodcast.com
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/theselfcenteredpodcast/