Parenting Smarts
Parenting Smarts
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Parenting Smarts! We need them, and sometimes we feel them. Our host, Dr. MaryRuth Hackett, is a mom of four with a doctorate in educational psychology, specializing in child development. Parenting Smarts blends together the science of child development and the realities of family life. Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe, download, and share with the people you know who could use some Parenting Smarts!
133: Popular Questions and Season Wrap
Mary Ruth tackles common questions parents have about spiritual life as she wraps up this season.
Apr 22
37 min
131: Prayer Changes Everything
Shannon Wendt joins Mary Ruth to share how prayer changed everything in her family life as well as encourages us to pray even when it's messy.
Mar 25
37 min
130: Parenting Different Ages - Part 2
Nell O'Leary joins Mary Ruth for an authentic conversation about the realities of family life and offers perspective on how to navigate it.
Mar 11
52 min
129: Parenting Different Ages - Part 1
Emily Jaminet joins Mary Ruth to share tips and experience for parenting kids of different ages.
Feb 25
33 min
128: Forgiveness
Fr. Ignatius Mazanowski joins Mary Ruth to talk about forgiveness - how to live it, to teach it to children and to cultivate it in family life.
Feb 11
48 min
127: Temperaments and Connection
Rose Sweet joins Mary Ruth to help us understand the four temperaments and how they affect family dynamics.
Feb 2
32 min
126: Fostering Connection
Meagan Martinez joins Mary Ruth to share how to connect deeply with our kids at any age.
Jan 14
55 min
125: Recap of first half
Mary Ruth reflects on the first half of the season with a recap of the episodes on connection.
Dec 31, 2025
36 min
124: Connecting Through Community
Jennifer Ellis joins Mary Ruth for a conversation on the importance of belonging and how to build community.
Dec 17, 2025
47 min
123: Connecting through Movement
Shalini Blubaugh joins MaryRuth to discuss the benefits of movement for spiritual, physical and mental well being. 
Dec 3, 2025
55 min
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