How This Speech Therapist Mom Boosts Language Skills at Home - Jessie’s Story (E14)

BoldLittleMinds MomCast
Written By Mom Identity Project

In our latest episode, I sat down with Jessie, a mom and speech pathologist who went from high school English teacher to toddler language expert—and she’s got all the real-talk advice parents need on speech development. Jessie’s story and her down-to-earth approach to supporting kids’ communication skills bring a fresh, empowering perspective for parents wading through the world of toddler talk.

From Teaching Teens to Toddler Talk

Jessie didn’t start out in speech therapy. She was actually a High School English teacher —until she found herself fascinated by the challenges some of her students faced with language. So, she took a leap, got her credentials in speech pathology, and here she is today, helping our littlest ones find their voices.

Discovering Her Passion for the Toddler Years

After working in schools and discovering her sweet spot with the toddler age group, Jessie knew she’d found her calling. Her work with toddlers is informed by her experience as a mom, and she gets how challenging (and rewarding) it is to support early language while keeping it low-pressure.

Practical Tips for Everyday Speech Support

Jessie shared some gems for all of us to use right now:

  • Modeling Language in Daily Routines: Talk through the little things—diaper changes, bath time, getting dressed. These are perfect chances to introduce new words and connect through conversation.

  • Context Clues: When words don’t come out perfectly, use context to understand what your child means and encourage them to use gestures or other cues to help bridge the gap.

  • Naming Emotions: During big (or little!) moments, name emotions. It teaches kids to identify their feelings and start expressing them with words.

Signs & Symbols to Ease Communication ✋🗣️

Jessie’s a fan of simple sign language as a bridge to speech. It’s a lifesaver for reducing frustration for both parents and kids and helps them pick up words faster! Check out Jessie’s new Baby Sign Language Course!

Connect with Jessie for More Tips 📲✨

Jessie’s all about making life easier for parents with simple tools for speech support. Check her out on Instagram at @simplyspeech_ or her website at simplyspeechtherapy.org.

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And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, review, and share it with other parents who might love these tips! Join me for a bonus episode where Jessie dives into her experience starting her own business, screen time strategies, and fun language-boosting activities with household items.

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For Your Binging Enjoyment…

Transcript

Krissy: [00:00:00] Thank you so much for joining me on the Bold Little Minds Momcast. My name is Krissy I am a stay at home mom to two young boys and I am so excited to have Jessie here with me today. Jessie is a mom to a one and a half year old with another one on the way and by the time this episode comes out, who knows that little one might be here.

She might be a mom of two, which is so exciting. Jessie is passionate about supporting parents and feeling empowered to support their toddler's speech language development. She is a speech language pathologist on who has a private practice in Southern California, but she supports parents and coaching throughout the U.

S. Thank you so much for being here with me today, Jesse.

Jessie: Yeah, I'm super excited to be here in chat. 

Krissy: The content that you post online is also like really accessible. It makes speech not feel so scary and like this big scary thing to support. So I'm really excited to hear about your expertise, how you've gotten here and how you use that in your parenting and some of your tips and tricks. So I'm excited for 

Jessie: Awesome. Thank you. Yes, that's my, my goal is to create [00:01:00] content that.

really simplifies what can seem really overwhelming sometimes. 

Krissy: definitely it sure can, especially if you have somebody who has some sort of a speech delay, it's, it's, it feels like a web that you're trying to cut through. So tell me what. brought you here? Who were you before you became a mom? 

Jessie: Before I became a mom?

goodness, I started out actually as a high school English teacher. And so I started out my journey in the schools I decided to go back to school to be a speech pathologist. And really stayed in the schools, that's where I was comfortable, I love working in school districts.

Until my second year. Son was born. And that really gave me the push. I knew I wanted a more flexible schedule. I knew I had always dreamed of opening my own practice. And so while I was on maternity leave with my first son I started my private practice. 

Krissy: Wow, that's so exciting and scary and all these things while you have a little one at home. What, what brought you [00:02:00] to speech? What was that? What was the draw for you to go there from teaching?

Jessie: I, I was, like I said, I was an English teacher and I was seeing my students and I was like, hey, you know what? I love students. I love teaching. I love working with this population. But I feel like I can keep learning more. And so I kind of started looking into master's programs. I had debated if I wanted to go into administration in the school districts.

And then I kind of landed on. speech. And I was like, Ooh, wait a second. This is really interesting. And I can niche down a little bit more and just impact those students that need that support. So I, I just kind of dove headfirst in.

Krissy: love it. And what you, so you were a high school English teacher, right? And now you're working with toddlers. Was it through your classes like internships? What brought you to toddlers from 

Jessie: Yeah. I feel like I slowly worked my way down. I started teaching high school. When I was working as a speech pathologist in schools, I was in a middle school [00:03:00] and then now I'm working with toddlers. So slowly made my way. But it was, I interned while I was still in grad school. school at a private practice.

I had an amazing speech pathologist that really showed me the joy of working with toddlers. And I kind of kept that up on the side. I always worked private practice, you know, summer breaks and on Christmas vacation when I was in the school district. And then when I decided to start my own practice, that was really where a lot of my interest was in.

And also I, I'm already kind of living that?

young toddler world. So it's It's just been a perfect fit. So initially when I started my practice, I didn't like niche down right away. But really quickly I started seeing like, this is the population that I'm excited about. This is the population I'm like living and breathing in already anyway.

So I've really just kind of dove in and kept in that, in that area. 

Krissy: What a perfect way to tiptoe into a private practice, doing it on your breaks because teaching allows you that flexibility. That's so neat. Now, [00:04:00] were you finding as you were doing that in your off times that, there's really a need for this, I can go for it, or was it like a super leap of faith?

Jessie: It was a little bit of both. When I was still at the schools, I worked for someone else. I didn't start my own practice until my son was born. And I can tell you that having a baby and starting your own company and quitting your full time job is not everyone's like go to move. It was definitely a little scary but it was really great too, because I got to make my own schedule and my, like the flexibility that I needed.

And it's something I was just really passionate about. So it's, you know, I didn't mind losing a little extra sleep to like put into my company and into my business because I was so excited about it. So it, it just worked. And it turned out there was a huge need in my area. And, you know, just kind of as I keep talking to parents which has been great.

So what started out as like, I'll start part time. We'll see has grown [00:05:00] into, I took on as many clients as I could handle. I have two therapists working with me now. And I love it. 

Krissy: That's incredible. So much growth in a year and a 

half, right? 

Jessie: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. My, my first little one's a year and a half, So it's, it's been pretty fast paced and really honestly a fun journey. 

Krissy: can imagine. Wow. And I, I see what you're saying. There is a huge need, I think for all services that you there's wait lists. Like I've been on an OT wait list, I think for five or six months and I haven't even heard a word. And my, my schedule is wide open. I'm like, we can come anytime it's not after school.

So how many people are just lining up to get services. It's great. I'm glad that people are seeking them, but What an obstacle. Are you finding people are frustrated when they get to you?

Jessie: Most of the time, no, most of the time, at least in my area, People are able to get services fairly quickly. Now, the process always takes a little bit, you?

know, but at [00:06:00] least in my area, they're fairly quick. So that's been great. But I know that that's not the case everywhere. Which is kind of why I started diving into coaching parents, because it was like, okay, I know my child might need speech and there's like a six month wait list.

And so I was like, Hey, maybe I can start helping in these, in these other areas or areas that, you know, do you need more support? 

Krissy: When you got pregnant, was this a plan that started developing as throughout your pregnancy and a dream? Or was this something that when you were on maternity leave that you're like, I need to do something else?

Jessie: It was definitely throughout my pregnancy. My, my mom was laughing a couple of days ago. Cause I seem to have these huge perspective shifts when I'm pregnant. I tend to take on a new project. So I'd kind of been thinking about this before my first son was born. And then I've noticed myself making kind of.

changes in my career and in my company, this second pregnancy also. So I feel like I get to this stage of my pregnancy and I realize, [00:07:00] okay, I have a baby coming and what do I want my day to day to look like? So the planning started early.

Krissy: So you take nesting to a whole different level.

Jessie: Yes, I hang curtains. I clean the house and also I redo my entire business. Yes. 

Krissy: a business plan and a nursery all at the same time. 

I love that. 

Jessie: Yes 

Krissy: tell me what your transition to becoming a mom was like. I know it rocked my world, but for a lot of people, it feels really natural. How was it for you?

Jessie: Oh, goodness. I don't know a little bit of both. I, it took my husband and I a couple years to get pregnant. So when we did get pregnant, we were just beyond ecstatic. I think pregnancy was a lot more challenging than I anticipated. But then when my son got here, It was like, Oh, good. I don't have, I don't have to be pregnant anymore.

I'm definitely one of those people that pregnancy is not my favorite, but I love when that baby gets here. So, so that, you know, and I'm [00:08:00] kind of counting down now too. I've got, I'm like, okay, two months left. And then that baby's going to be here. But yeah,

it definitely. rocks your world. It's. It's, you know, all of a sudden everything changes and you're exhausted and time looks so different and adjusting to that and, you know, just kind of figuring out your new normal I think takes time.

Krissy: definitely. Yes. Especially with all these other things. Now, you started this business, you started these things, then you had the baby, right? You know, it's going to be hard, but you don't know how hard it is until you're actually in it. It's just a whole different level of, you can't even prepare other people for it because it's just, You know, ingrained and innate, but what your feelings like for starting a business at that point?

Were you like, Oh, what did I do? Where am I? Or, or was it a good distraction?

Jessie: I think it, for me, it was a good distraction. It kept me super, you know, motivated and excited. I [00:09:00] have a lot of support, which I think is so big. My husband is amazing. And then my mom watches my son a couple of days a week while I am working. And so I, not everyone is able to do that, but that has just saved me.

So I was able to kind of jump in and build my practice slowly. Without just totally, completely losing my mind, I guess. But it's, it's hard, you know, it's, it's definitely hard to balance lots of things. It's hard to, I'm a morning person, so I typically will work in the morning before my son gets up and then switch to mom mode and then switch back to work mode.

And then, you know, so you're, you're switching hats all the time. And that is that's not easy. 

Krissy: no, it's definitely not. Going from one thing to the next, it's like a, it's like a mind game.

Your, your identities, it's exhausting.

Jessie: Yeah, definitely. And, and you know, my little one, he's like, he's getting close to two and we're, we're definitely hitting those, those really terrific tantrum stages. And so I'll, I'll have like a [00:10:00] toddler tantrum and then I get in the car and it's like, okay, shake it off. And I have a speech session. And so it's it's always busy and it's, yeah, it keeps you on your toes. 

Krissy: for sure. Oh my goodness. So tell me about little one growing up and how your background now of being a speech therapist has changed. Maybe, maybe your perspective changed as you were watching your little one growing up, or maybe it impacted your parenting decisions. Like how has that been?

Jessie: I think so much of me being a speech pathologist and me being a parent are very, like, interconnected all the time. How I am with my son is really similar, honestly, to how I am with my toddler clients. And when I talk to families and I've realized it's given me so much more like empathy and understanding when I'm having conversations, because it's not just like, here's what I learned in grad school.

And here's what I've learned through research. It's like, here's what I learned in grad school. And then I'm living and breathing it right. alongside you at the [00:11:00] same time. And so I realized now more Like what is realistic for families? Like what can we actually get done in a day? What can I you know, what tips and strategies can I give a family that's not going to just send them into total overwhelm?

And, and so it's like, it's impacted how I work with my clients and my families. And then, you know, my husband will probably laugh because it's also how I talk to my toddler all day long without even realizing it. Like I, I talk to my toddler, you know Like a speech therapist because that's just what I do and so it's been nice to, to kind of build that into just day to day life.

Krissy: I mean, we all know, I mean, cause I was a teacher too, like that every kid is different. The development is going to change that what's right for one family isn't necessarily right for the next, but we're all just doing our best, but then you're doing it and you truly see that every child is different and what's good for one family truly doesn't work for [00:12:00] another.

And like, we make these decisions as parents that before we were like, never do that. Like, okay, I see what, whatever, but that's not for me. And now, and now my kids watch a movie to go to sleep every night. And I'm like, how, how am I here? But it's what's working. 

Jessie: Yeah, yeah, I see that every day with my own son with my clients and their families. Yeah, it's, it's much more realistic now when I'm giving. I'm giving feedback because exactly, you know, I left a screaming toddler tantrum right before I went to work. So if I get to a client's house and their toddler's having a screaming tantrum, I'm like, this is normal.

Okay. We got this. Let's, let's, you know, work with it. And I

can look at my son. My son, as a good example of, you know, everyone's so unique. My son was definitely an early walker. He was like, motor everything, gross motor skills and then, you know, as a speech pathologist, I'm like, okay, well, I need to make sure he's talking [00:13:00] too.

And he is and he's meeting all those milestones. But as a parent, it's so easy to compare and to worry. So to be able to look at your own son and just see like, Hey, these are his really great areas of strength. And these are his areas that are doing just fine too. And not get really nervous about it is.

is very nice.

Krissy: can totally relate because my kids have. All have both been super advanced with their gross motor skills. Like, I think these boys just want to be in the space. Like they just want to climb as high as possible and do all these things as quick as they can, but then it's hard to see this child walking and running and doing all these things and not put expectations on them that are.

of an older child. So like you said, they're not weaker in those other skills. They're doing just fine in them, but they feel weaker by comparison. Does that make sense?

Jessie: Yeah, yeah. And I see that either, exactly, they have like, some of my [00:14:00] clients, they have, you know, they're, they're really strong motor skills and then they worry about their language. Or you have a child that's just happens to be tall or happens to be, look a little bit older. And then I have parents that are worried like, okay, but maybe their language doesn't match that.

And, and that's okay. You know, it's, it's okay. And that's just part of the process. 

Krissy: Right. I, I feel like a lot of people forget what it's like to have the really, really little toddlers and they remember like four or five on, like whenever they start to be super duper cute humans. Now, I mean, they're cute babies, but now they're cute. like people and they remember those things. So they treat them as such.

And they have these expectations that to be able to logic and reason or do all of these things or speak. So, it's tough to feel that pressure from other people who aren't necessarily experts. Even if your gut is saying everything's okay. Do you see that happening?

Jessie: Yeah, yeah, [00:15:00] absolutely. I have, I feel like that's the conversation I have, you know, at the park with a mom who's like, Oh, you're a speech therapist. Okay. So I've been worried about this. And most of the time, you know, their, their kiddo is doing great, but it's so easy to compare. It's so easy to get nervous about, well, the in laws were, you know, saying, I don't, you know, they can't understand them or, you know, just kind of hearing input from everyone or social media.

And it's, it can be overwhelming. 

Krissy: Yeah, it really can be. Working with other kids is so much different than working with your own child. Like, you can do the exact same strategies and, and it never works for your own kid. And then that like magic time it does, it's, you feel like a superhero. But when you do end up at somebody's home for services and their child is throwing the tantrum, throwing the fit, what are your tools?

What are the things that you do that seem to be magic for other people's kids? 

Jessie: It's so different working with your own. It's so different. When I start seeing a client for [00:16:00] therapy, the first before I even get to, I do in home therapy, so I'm going into my client's homes and Before I even get to that home, I tell the parent my goal is to be your child's friend. Like, I want them to think, oh, their good friend is coming to play because it should be, especially for those little ones, it should be super play based and super fun and engaging.

So honestly, The tricks that I use with other people's kiddos is very different than what I use with mine. Because I, you know, I bring fun toys and I'm super engaging and I'm super like, let's just play. Let's, you know, change the topic. Let's, I'm a new person coming in. So I can kind of engage them through play, even if they're having a tough time.

Whereas like with my son, sometimes I feel like you just, you've just got to go through it. 

Krissy: Right. Be with them, sit with them and just like wait the time to go by or whatnot. Does that, is that hard for you to go to other people's houses and feel like [00:17:00] a parenting expert rockstar and then go home and be like, I am actually clueless. I don't know how to deal with this situation. 

Jessie: No, because I am really transparent. I, I, I'm very open with my families. I, if, if my kiddo had a tantrum before I got to them, I will tell them. And I, I just, like, I don't really want to sugarcoat anything. I don't want them to necessarily like, yes, speech is an area that I know a lot about and I want to share information, but we're literally going through the same toddler chaos every single day.

And so I mostly just. I try to say like, I get it. I'm going through it with you. It's, you know, there's no magic button. There's nothing that I'm doing, you know, shockingly different in my home. These day to day experiences just look really similar. So I try to just be really honest and open and share our struggles and then they feel more comfortable sharing their struggles.

Yeah, 

Krissy: it feels so good because it's [00:18:00] scary working with an expert. You feel like you're going to be judged, like you're doing all of these things wrong, but then to hear that, no, we're all doing just the best that we can. We can love this no matter how hard it is, but we're not doing the wrong thing.

Like that's so great that you're sharing that with your, with your clients, because I'm sure they appreciate it. I have a friend whose daughter was in speech and coming to the house and whatnot, and She found this connection with the therapist that was great. It wasn't just like speech anymore, you know, it was speech for the child for sure.

But there was so many parenting tips and tricks that were given, or maybe you should try this. This has worked for me in like every area of, of their, their development, eating or tantrums or wearing clothes. Are you finding that people are looking to you for advice in a lot of ways?

Jessie: I think so. A lot of times speech kind of comes first in services. So, you know, I'm literally walking into people's homes [00:19:00] and they're new to services and they're new to therapies and they have a lot of questions and I'm just like, I'm the one that's there. So I feel like, You are kind of problem solving with them, not only just in speech.

And, and there's so many things That kind of come along with speech sometimes. So like, if your child is struggling with speech and language, they're going to be frustrated because they can't communicate. So you tend to see more tantrums and more behaviors. And so it's almost like that natural progression to, to talk about those things.

And then even, you know, communication again, it just impacts everything. So if you're a toddler struggling to understand or struggling to communicate, then they're going to be more frustrated, you know, during bath time or when their, their routine changes and they don't know why. So I do feel like.

I Go into these homes and you get to know these families really well, and you kind of start to like troubleshoot with them, you know, much beyond just like, what is my child understanding? Like, what are they saying? 

Krissy: That's so [00:20:00] interesting. You're so right. Because so much frustration comes from not being able to communicate effectively. Like I see it with my what is he now? 22 months, 23 months, something like that. He, he almost 2, he's, he wants to be able to say what he wants because he now can visualize it.

He now can see it. He has these desires, but like not being able to get it across that's, that's like devastating. It's like the end of the world. 

is your 

one and a half year old at with this? Is he at that so frustrating phase?

Jessie: Oh, yeah. Yeah, he's there. He's, he's in like the, I like, almost call it like my husband and I are joking. He's been like the parrot phase?

where he imitates. It's everything that I say, but he's still really tough to understand, which is 100 percent normal but really frustrating for him because he's, you know, standing here and he's telling me exactly what he wants.

And I have no idea. And that's, you know, that's coming from a speech pathologist, and that's totally normal. But it's still frustrating, [00:21:00] and he still gets frustrated. Oh yeah, we are, like, I think I had said, we're, I think we're, like, inching to those terrific twos. And you can see how communication just plays such a big role, because he wants to be able to say more than he can.

And he understands so much of what you're saying. So it's, it's a tricky time, I feel like. 

Krissy: Now, do you have any good strategies for trying to figure that out? Or are you still playing that game of like, Is it this? Is it this? going on?

Jessie: Both. I would say both. I do have some strategies and also usually I, so I tell parents like, if you don't understand what your toddler is saying, use context, right? As much as possible. Don't be scared to guess, you know, they will tell you if you get it right. Ask them to show you if they can, you know, a lot of times my son, if he wants a certain snack or, you know, he can lead to it.

And so using that is great. And also sometimes it's okay to just say, I'm so sorry, [00:22:00] I don't understand you. You know, like we want to acknowledge their attempt, but we're not going to get everything. And that's just part of them learning. 

Krissy: Yeah. Yeah. That's so true. And it's like preparing them for the long haul because like, I still don't understand my three and a half year old sometimes. And I can just say to him, I don't know what you're saying. And even more so when he's whining and that's the reason you don't understand because they're not using their actual voice.

So I feel like being open with it early and saying, I don't understand you normalizes it. So you can really use your regular voice and maybe I will understand you. That helps a lot. 

It doesn't 

Jessie: Yeah. Yeah. 

Krissy: but the whining 

Jessie: no no It's, it's definitely, and any sweep strategies that any therapist, it's like, we're, we're long game. It's the long game here. Nothing is like a quick fix. I can't tell you on this podcast, this is exactly how to get your toddler talking perfectly. It [00:23:00] doesn't exist. And so getting them to the point where, where they under, you know, you want them to be heard and also getting them to understand, like, That doesn't mean you're going to understand what they're saying every single time, or it doesn't mean that they get what they say every single time either.

You know, that could be a conversation too with families. 

Krissy: Right. Totally agree. I'm curious how you started your practice. You, you, you started it with the baby steps when on your off breaks, but how did you, like, what did you do to make this dream come true? What were some of the big things that you had to make this 

Jessie: Yeah. So there's so much that goes into opening your own business. Grad school did not prepare me for all of those things. I actually worked with a coach that was a speech therapist that had opened her own private practice and she helped coach me. So That was a game changer. If you Can

like figure out how to [00:24:00] not recreate the wheel, I feel like that's the way to go.

So they helped me get through like, okay, you need a website. Okay. Now you need, you know, your company name and you need a corporation. And so all of those steps that just take time and like understanding the process. But so I did all of those steps. And then the biggest thing for me is that I became a vendor with our regional center.

So. Every state has early intervention services that provide support for like those zero to three year olds. 

Krissy: Kids screaming? I'm so 

Jessie: no, you're fine. I think that was like right on cue. It was perfect. 

Krissy: This is the first episode, I think, where they've actually done this. So I'm feeling pretty lucky.

Jessie: They're doing great. 

So anyway, I kind of all the just business side of things, I got that done. And then I got in with the regional center in my area. And so that's really where I got the bulk of my [00:25:00] clients. Initially, all of those clients go through the state to get services. And then the state reaches out and is like, Hey, we need someone to work with this 2 year old.

So it was a really. quick way to kind of grow my caseload. And that's been a huge, you know, just, I don't know, growth, I guess, for my, my company. 

Krissy: a great service to have. So that way you're not making these cold calls and putting all your, you're just getting your name out there. We're doing all of that. That's amazing. It's almost like a safety net that you always have that database there. Should you feel like you need 

Jessie: Yeah, it's, it's been great. And it's also when families call me now for services, I get to point them in that? direction because they offer so many great things. And a lot of times early intervention services will pay for services and pay for support for you. And so it's like, even if I get someone that wants to pay me private pay, I'm like, go check that out first, see if you're a good fit.

And then if not come back because I want families to take advantage of, you know, [00:26:00] what their state is offering. 

Krissy: That's great to know that at least in California, I don't know about anywhere else, that if you find somebody that is a good private practice match for you, you might still be able to get coverage through the state. Then you're not just dealing with whatever might not be a good match for you.

Jessie: Yeah, it definitely depends on the state and it depends on your area and how many service providers there are. I know there's, you.

know, it can get so tricky, but at least in my area, Yeah, absolutely. Like, they'll call me, they'll want to work with me, and they can still go through channels to make sure that it's covered, you know not having to pay out of pocket.

Krissy: that's fantastic. So if you're thinking about services, look that up so that way you could do your research and not just be at the mercy of fate, whatever drops in your lap, you can find somebody that feels like a good fit. in your experience, what is more challenging, naming a child or naming a business?

Jessie: Ooh, that's tricky. Naming a child. 

It's trickier. Than [00:27:00] naming a business. I think for sure. Naming our sons. I have another boy on the way. Naming our sons, like, that is a process. And it is not easy. 

Krissy: names are so hard. Are you finding that 

Jessie: Yes, yes. I feel like we've gone through so many. And being a teacher and a speech pathologist, I work with so many children also. And so it's like, every name reminds me of someone in good ways and in, you know, funny ways sometimes. But names, names are hard. 

Krissy: Right? I, yes, there were so many names that were just automatically on the do not use list because of experiences that I had. You're right, positive or negative, but like, I couldn't get that person out of my mind. And I've experienced so many people that it made it a challenge. 

Jessie: Yes. Yeah, I agree. 

Krissy: is a mile long. I've got girl names for ages, but I, like, I'm not trying again for another one. Those are just go by the wayside. But, do you have a lot of girl names on your [00:28:00] 

hoping? 

Jessie: I do. 

Krissy: Yeah.

Jessie: I have girl names, which is funny, but I also feel like I had boy names until I got pregnant with a boy. And then it, it really, I rethought everything. So my like hypothetical girl names, I don't know if they would stick if I actually did, you know, have another baby and have a girl. So I, who knows. 

Krissy: That's a good point and that actually makes me feel better about this like loss of names, right? This imaginary loss of a child that you have that's like not going to come to fruition. It's like, okay, well that might have not actually happened anyway. It's a good perspective.

I like it. Do you, I'm not asking the name because I know that's a very private thing, but do you have a name for this next baby?

Jessie: We, we think we do. We're not 100 percent sure. I feel like there's a little bit that, like, you have to, like, look at the baby and then, okay, yes, you're right, that fits. But I think, I think we have a name. 

Krissy: Are you telling people in your life what that name is? Are you saving [00:29:00] 

Jessie: Yeah I'm a horrible secret keeper. I'm pretty much an open book. So as soon as we kind of landed on it, we were, we were telling people it wasn't, you know, a huge secret. But it?

is scary when you tell people like, I'm thinking about this name because you're, you're opening up to all these opinions. So that's been, honestly, it's been fine.

I, we have very supportive friends and family, but it can be a little scary. 

Krissy: I did not tell people because I didn't want whatever the knee jerk reaction was, because I wanted there to be a person like, this is the name. So like people are a little more cautious what they say when somebody actually, like, that's not changing. So I might not say what I thought was, or tell you who that bad experience I had with somebody was.

Jessie: Yeah. I think that's smart. It's not a bad way to go. 

Krissy: How are you preparing for baby two? I mean, that's a big transition.

Jessie: Yeah I, I feel like I'm just kind of assuming everything's going to be fine. It's hard for me to picture exactly what life is going [00:30:00] to look like, and I just assume we're going to figure it out. We're getting our new crib and nursery furniture delivered tomorrow. So we're, we're getting like the, I don't know, all the, The day to day stuff sorted but like actually juggling two kiddos at the same time.

It's still hard for me to wrap my head around. 

Krissy: one of those things that part of it is one of those things that like you just figure out in real life because you can only live it to go through it. So I get that for sure. Are you doing anything with your toddler to help him prepare for being a big brother?

Jessie: We have a couple books. My son loves books. We read books, you know, every night. And so we have a couple books about like being a big brother. You know, if I ask him where his baby brother is, he'll point to my stomach. Sometimes his stomach. but it's cute. 

He also has a cousin that is very close who I'm grateful for.

So he's around younger babies. And and so I'm, I'm hoping that that is helpful. But other than that, I think we'll [00:31:00] just kind of figure it out as we go. 

Krissy: I don't I understand. We read this one just I'm going to be a big brother book every single night and it was the sweetest thing and we would use that book because it would say like, baby is here, you know, and we would try on our names. We would like say the name instead of baby. And he was young enough.

He was 19 months when my other one was born there, 19 months apart. So he was young enough that we could say the name and he wasn't going to like go around and tell people he wasn't going to remember it the next day. So it was like a S a nice safe spot to try it on because I feel like in use, the names are different when you start using them.

what's really special is we only used. The name that we ended up picking when we read our book, I think once, maybe twice like, he knew it right away when we brought him home. It was just so sweet. He was saying the name and, and at that point, it was 19 months. So he wasn't too verbal, but he, you know, he had words.

And strings of words and whatnot, but he was saying this name and it was [00:32:00] just the sweetest little thing. So, I definitely recommend reading a book with that because it's just, just so cute. He, he gravitated towards 

Jessie: That's, that's so great. You know, and I don't think I have, I mean, we've definitely, we have like, exactly like you, we have one or two books that.

we're just, we keep reading over and over, and it's cute because he keeps picking them, you know, out of all the books, he loves these big brother books. But, I haven't really put in the baby's name, so I might have to do that for the next month or so before, before this one gets here. 

Krissy: Because when they know it and say it, it's like your postpartum heart just like breaks in two and it's like wonderful. moment of love and like, we are going to be okay.

Jessie: I can see those being really good moments. 

Krissy: One of the things that we as moms need all the time is a go to activity. We need something to, our children when we, when we're losing our minds and we're at its end.

So what are some of the things that you pull [00:33:00] out when you are like last ditch effort? This is give this a shot and make it work.

Jessie: Yeah.

First of all, even though I was a teacher and I'm a speech pathologist, I am not, like, a cutesy craft person. I wish I was, and I love it, but I don't, like, prepare things. Basically, my go to's are go outside. We are outside as much as possible. And lately Stickers

like stickers have been like my, I use them for sleep sessions.

So I always have them in my purse. But I'll like pull them out if we're at a restaurant or I'll pull them out of for somewhere we have to wait. And my son can just like stick them on a piece of paper. So like simple, easy, nothing that's going to make this huge, disastrous mess. Like that has been my go to lately. 

Krissy: is such a fun one. What do you do? Do you like give any direction whatsoever or is it just like have at it? Have fun with them.

Jessie: It depends. Sometimes, you know, if I'm really trying to keep our attention a little longer and if, like, I bring out car stickers and we'll draw a road and we'll put them on the road and it's just, [00:34:00] like, things that you can do right in that moment super easy. And sometimes it's literally, like you know, we were at Olive Garden last week and my son's sticking them on the children's menu wherever he wants, so it depends. 

Krissy: Yes. I I love that. Draw a little scene. Like if you have farm animals, you can quickly draw a little barn or like a pond and, and they can stick them on there or not. And it's so cute. I love to with stickers, letting them peel them off because that takes so much energy that like telling them now, okay, now take them all off.

They are like so focused and they want to do it.

Jessie: Yeah, yeah, exactly. It's, like, from taking them off of the pack to putting them on the paper to that whole process is great. 

Krissy: So I have to ask your, ish months now, you must be so tired. What are some of the things, real life, real mom life, that you're doing to get through this with your, with your toddler who I'm sure has a ton of energy that doesn't match yours? What, what are some of your things that you're doing to get through?[00:35:00] 

Jessie: Yeah I wish I had his energy. I really do. But I don't, yeah, I definitely, I can feel that third trimester. My energy is like, it's going down. I try to stay as active as possible. Whenever I can, I get to yoga or my son and I do, and I know this is probably different in every state, but we do something called stroller strides where I bring him and moms all work out.

And so those have been amazing because. I feel like I need to stay active to keep up with my job and to keep up with my own toddler. And also my new thing is I do not say no to a nap. Like my husband will be like, Hey, go take a quick nap. And I used to argue him on it. Like, no, I have so much to do.

And now I'm like, Nope, you're Right.

You're here. I'm going to go take a nap. So I just take all the little moments of rest throughout the day as much as I can. And you know, the occasional cup of coffee. 

Krissy: Right. where are you at screen time? I'm really curious about that because I think that's something everybody worries about with speech is like, if I'm putting my kid in front of the [00:36:00] TV, are their brains rotting and they're not going to learn how to talk, like what's going on?

Jessie: Yeah I definitely have noticed my son has watched a little bit more screen time as I've gotten more pregnant. And I, I think you just have to be realistic. As much as I can, I like to co watch. So like, you know, if I need to rest, I can sit and like cuddle up on?

the couch with my son and we can put on a show that he's interested in.

That's. My favorite way to do it. And really that's the best way because then you can kind of be talking with your toddler about what you're seeing. You're still getting some good language time. You're getting like that good cuddle time in. So that's my favorite way to use screen time. Also, just realistically, sometimes screens are really helpful, and, and I think you just have to be mindful, obviously, and kind of make your own choices about how you use them, but, but, yeah. the, the screen time, I think, as I

get more uncomfortable and I get a little bit more tired it's, it's definitely inching up there a bit. 

Krissy: love that phrase, the, the, what did [00:37:00] you say, like language time, because it is, it can be like when you don't have anything else or any mental energy, it can be something just to talk about. Like, do you see the duck or whatever that thing is, the Daniel Tiger's on, where's the trolley? You know, it's, language, but you, it's kind of there for you.

You don't have to be on the ground playing, you can be talking about it. So it's a great way when you have nothing left to be 

building. Okay.

Jessie: Yeah. Yeah, Absolutely. It's like, if you need to take a brain break, if you need to put your feet up I don't think it has to be all or nothing. I think, you know, a lot of times you can kind of find a good middle ground and, you know, if you need to take that pause and cuddle up with your son and, or, you know, your kiddo and, and put something on TV, I think like, that's what you need to do.

Krissy: you love to coach parents to be able to use speech developing development strategies in their day to day life So it's not this big scary thing. Do you have any tips for our listeners for how they can incorporate this in their lives?

Jessie: [00:38:00] So there's lots of strategies, but kind of the biggest ones are you are your child's model all day long. And it doesn't have to be complicated. So my favorite strategy is to just model language,

so I like to use daily routines, and That's super simple because you're doing them already.

So you get your, your, you know, child out of bed and maybe you sing a good morning song. Or you change their diaper and you talk through what you're doing while you're changing their diaper. Bath time is great, you know, turn on the water, turn off the water, you know, pour the water. You can just, you know, Just talk about what you're doing and it doesn't mean adding on all this play or adding on all these other activities.

So modeling language, especially for our little ones, keeping that language somewhat simple, you know, two, three word phrases, turn on water turn off, you know, those can be really great. And like I said, you can just throw them into what you're already doing. You don't have to feel like you have to get this [00:39:00] perfect toy in this perfect setting in this perfect, you know, moment to, to show a lot of language. 

Krissy: I love that. And I love that you said the songs thing, because that takes me back to when my son was smaller and having a hard time with getting his diaper. I would sing who's getting a diaper, who's getting a diaper. And I'd say his name, you know, dad, dad, dad, dad, dad, dad. Yes, he's getting a diaper.

He's two years old. He's two years old. Like just this random song that I came up with and he loved it. And from that, he was like. He learned his name, he learned his age, and like, I didn't even try to do that. It was just kind of this thing that popped into my mind, but I was like, yes, I am doing this intentionally.

This is wonderful, but yeah, music songs just about your day that you repeat over and over again are so powerful for language development.

Jessie: Mm hmm. And it, it helps with those things, just like what you were saying, you know, my, my son getting dressed in the morning is a challenge. So [00:40:00] I'm. You know, basically a Disney princess in the morning and I am like I had said I am not a cutesy person I am not a person that goes around their regular life singing but with my toddler if he's having a tough time I'm probably gonna make a song out of it because it it does just help with that frustration And it's such a good language opportunity.

So Yeah.

i'm singing about putting my kiddo's pants on i'm singing about put his shirt on I'm seeing you know Make it fun. The more you make language fun, the more they remember it, the more they want to use it. So singing about it, playing yeah, it's all, it's all awesome. 

Krissy: I love it. And one thing that I talked about in an episode that I did with Andrea McGrath was she's passionate about psychology and supporting mental health. And she talked about narrating. So you're talking about narrating like your day to day tasks, but she mentioned narrating your thought process when you're having a hard time.

Or when you're feeling stressed, like, my shoulders are getting tense, I should probably relax them, I'm feeling really [00:41:00] flushed, I should probably take some deep breaths. And it's the same idea if you're teaching, you're being like the sportscaster of your life for your kids to model what's going on in your head because they can't see that.

But what you have up here is so important for their development.

Jessie: Yeah, absolutely. I love that. I love that. I should start doing that when I'm working through, like, tough moments or my son is. Yeah, and there's kind of, like, two ways that you can think about modeling language. You either Talk about what you're doing. So, you know, I'm washing the dishes, I'm putting away the plate, I'm doing this, or you talk about what your child is doing.

And both of those are just really, really awesome. And give them all that language that then they get to learn and use. 

Krissy: I love it. And talking about what they're doing from a psychological perspective too is reinforcing because you're probably not going to talk to them through like when they're doing something naughty. Like, Oh, you're throwing the blocks. Oh, you're not going to do that. It's going to be during a good moment.

So you're [00:42:00] positively reinforcing. without even necessarily trying. It's like all these two birds with one stone. You're showing them like, I love what you're doing right now. This is fantastic. But they're hearing the language through it too. So great. I love that strategy. 

Jessie: Yeah, absolutely. 

Krissy: Andrea also shared the, for emotional regulation, 1 strategy, like when you're having a panic attack or not regulated to look around, what are the five things you can see, four things you can smell, those kinds of things.

But she also mentioned it in a way of when you're noticing your kids getting off their, off their. Like cycle and they're like moving off to use it. Like what are five red things that we see who can find the most red things? So not necessarily having to go through this checklist of things, but using it as like a language development there too.

You can use it with these little ones to help them build language. What are all the red things that we see, but at the same time, it's also. and their sensory needs. So I think I wanted to mention that so [00:43:00] that way people can have that again back in their toolbox because I think it's so powerful because it's something that you don't need anything special.

You have it with you all the time.

Jessie: Yeah. I love that. I love that. Anything, anything that you can just pull out in a moment's notice when you see, you see your kiddo kind of going down that trajectory is amazing. 

Krissy: If you can catch them and get them off the loop as fast as possible, let's do it. So it's a good one to have in your tool belt. So what's coming up for you?

What are some of your projects that we can find from 

Jessie: Yeah, so I have a couple of projects. I think like I mentioned before, apparently me being pregnant is like when I have big ideas. So that's right now. So right now what I'm working on is two courses that parents can kind of work their way through on their own time. One is for our children that are not talking yet, you?

know, teaching kind of those basic toddler signs.

That can be so helpful in reducing frustration and kind of that like baby step to talking. So I'm working on that and then I'm also working on a course that's just all of my favorite speech [00:44:00] strategies just really explained for parents because I feel like they're not tricky, but they can make such a big impact in a short amount of time.

And so I just want to share all of that with families. 

Krissy: that's great. Yeah. ASL is so important to learn for so many reasons. I have friends who post a lot of ASL content, like the mommy toolkit Reem, who's one of my first guests. Her son has it's, I mean, I think it's a speech delay, but she, he has medical needs that he is on. He's not speaking at the moment and they use sign language, but they're finding even with their older children who are speaking that when they're in a busy place now having this skill, they can talk to each other across the room.

So what an amazing gift to give to yourself and your family, whether the speech is a challenge or not.

Jessie: Yeah, my husband will, like, sign all done if we're at a party and he's across the room because those signs are great and they can, you know, you can communicate so effectively. And really, it just, for [00:45:00] our little ones, can, can cut down on that frustration because talking is hard. And for a child to learn how to talk, it takes time and it takes a lot of effort.

And, and so you're basically just giving them a baby step, like, Oh, I can use this and I can get my point across. And so it's, it's been a huge support for my son. And so I just want to share that more with families. 

Krissy: I can't wait to see what you come up with and put that in the world. So tell me, where can people find you?

Jessie: Yeah, so I'm pretty active on Instagram. My handle is simply speech underscore, so you

can follow me there. You can, you know, see my little, my own little kiddo. He's like my model for all my content and just kind of day to day life and a ton of speech strategies and milestones and all that good stuff.

And then you can also go to my website, which is simply speech therapy. org. 

Krissy: Fantastic. And you again, I want to repeat it. You work with people across the country and coaching. So if you're really connecting here with Jesse, please reach out to her and she you or somebody on your [00:46:00] team will probably be able to work with you. So I think that's a great connection to 

Jessie: Yeah, absolutely. Thank you so much for having me. 

Krissy: If you like this episode, please leave a quick rating and review. You can leave the five stars over on Spotify and Apple and make sure that you subscribe on whatever platform you're listening on. Can go over to my free sub stack to listen to bonus content from our conversation.

What you're hearing is just part of what we talked about today. So please go on over there and subscribe totally for free. And then your episodes will come directly to your mailbox. So that's there for you. And please share this episode with a friend that you think might be interested. The more that we rate, review, and share, the more moms that we can bring into our community and share this with.

If you'd like to share your story, you can reach me at BoldLittleMinds at gmail. com, or you can send me a message on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, wherever that you can connect with me. I'm at BoldLittleMinds on all of those things as well. Thank you so much for listening today. I hope you enjoyed it and we will see you next time.

​[00:47:00] 

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