Reflective Parenting Podcast

Send us Fan Mail This episode will change how you see conflict. We’re talking about the proven communication patterns that destroy connection and how to replace them with healthier ones. You’ll learn: the Four Horsemen (with real examples) how the demand–withdraw cycle keeps couples stuck the shocking research: negative conflict literally slows wound healing how your nervous system shapes your rea...

Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever wondered why you become a different version of yourself during conflict… this episode is going to change the way you see those moments forever. I’m sitting down with psychologists and authors Rachel Samson and Dr. Jessie Stern to unpack the science beneath conflict: your attachment history, your temperament, your nervous system sensitivity, and how all of this shape...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why some moments with your child feel effortless and deeply connected — while others leave you drained, reactive, or misunderstood? In this episode, we break down the science behind why. Dr. Jessie Stern and psychologist Rachel Samson join Cindy to explore relational savoring — a simple yet powerful way to strengthen your bond by intentionally remembering moments of wa...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, Devon Kuntzman and I dive deep into what’s really happening inside your toddler’s brain when they lose it — and how you can respond without spiralling yourself. We unpack why your child’s meltdowns aren’t your fault, what they’re trying to tell you through their behavior, and the simple mindset shift that will change how you see tantrums forever. If you’ve ever...

Send us Fan Mail Last week, we uncovered how your child’s behaviour is really their nervous system communicating. Today, we’re going deeper, inside the body, to explore the science of interoception , the hidden sense that helps us feel and understand our emotions. My guest, Laura Petix , is back to break down how learning to tune into your body’s internal signals can transform the way you regulate...

Send us Fan Mail You’ve heard the advice: “Teach your child to name their emotions.” But what if the real secret to helping your child (and yourself) regulate emotions starts deeper inside the body? In this episode, I sit down with pediatric occupational therapist Laura Petix (The OT Butterfly) to uncover what’s really going on when kids have meltdowns, get overstimulated, or shut down. Spoiler al...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever hear your child say things like, “I’m such a bad kid” or “I’ll never be good at this” and your heart sinks because you don’t know what to say? You’re not alone. And this episode is about to change the way you respond. Today, I’m sitting down with award-winning science journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer to talk about her latest book Hello, Cruel World, a toolkit...

Send us Fan Mail Parents, this one is big. Today we’re breaking down punishment vs discipline, what science says, how it impacts your child’s brain, and why so many of us feel stuck in the cycle of punishing even when we don’t want to. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t want to yell, spank, or threaten…but it just slips out when I’m overwhelmed,” you are not alone. Here’s what you’ll learn today: Wh...

Send us Fan Mail This episode will change how you see your child’s moods and how you respond to them. If you’ve ever tiptoed around your child in the morning, worried the “wrong” cereal bowl or shirt will set off a meltdown, this conversation is for you. Joining me is Dr. Alex Reed, pediatric clinical psychologist and mom of two , who has spent years helping families understand temperament, moodin...

Send us Fan Mail This episode will inspire you to see music as a powerful tool for connection, healing, and everyday parenting. It’s an invitation to play, sing, and create moments of joy with your children while learning how music can also soothe anxiety, ease transitions, and strengthen emotional bonds. And it’s a behind-the-scenes look at the real science of music therapy – far beyond entertain...

Send us Fan Mail I am going to be taking a short break.  Meanwhile, enjoy this replay of one of my favourite episodes with Dr. Mona Delahooke. If you have a young child that has tantrums or that acts out in ways you don't know how to support, this episode will help you understand how to support your child in these challenging moments.  Learn more from Dr. Delahooke below: https://monadelahook...

Send us Fan Mail Is your child ready for kindergarten from an emotional perspective? In this episode, Cindy discusses the emotional aspects of kindergarten readiness, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness in children. She introduces the tripartite model of parental socialization, which highlights how parents' emotional coping, parenting styles, and conflict r...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the idea of “shifting your lens” — a powerful metaphor grounded in science that helps parents understand how their interpretation of a situation shapes their emotional response. Drawing on the work of psychologist James Gross and his research on cognitive reappraisal, we break down how the lens you’re wearing (like blame, control, or shame) can fuel con...

Send us Fan Mail Are you following positive parenting but your partner is more authoritarian?  This is a common question I receive from parents and so in today's episode, I share a study that was fascinating to me.  In this solo episode, I talk about how you can address parenting differences with your partner without making them feel bad, I chat about the different parenting style and I answe...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever asked yourself this question?  In today's episode, I give you a different perspective on your child's behaviour....understanding how they respond to conflict. This is important because it impacts their behaviour in conflict (which is what we see when they "misbehave").  I hope you enjoy this solo episode! SOURCES: I look back at my conversation wi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Reflective Parenting Podcast, host Cindy Hovington delves into the transformative power of playfulness in parenting. Drawing from personal experiences and expert insights, Cindy explores how embracing play can enhance parent-child connections and support emotional development.  Discover practical tips to integrate play into daily routines, even when it feels...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast episode, I delve into invalidation and its significant impact on romantic relationships. I highlight common invalidating statements such as "Why are you upset?", "You're overreacting," or "Calm down," explaining that these make a partner feel their emotions are wrong, unjustified, or excessive. This can lead to increased frustrati...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever wonder why your child’s big emotions feel so overwhelming—or why small conflicts with your partner can spiral? In this episode, I sit down with psychologist Dr. Caroline Fleck to unpack the skill of validation —what it is, why it matters, and how it can radically change the way you connect with yourself, your kids, and everyone you love. We explore what invalidation re...

Send us Fan Mail with Amy Chiu In today’s fast-paced world, it can be tough to slow down and truly let kids be kids. We often get caught up in schedules, expectations, and the pressure to “make learning happen.” But what if the most powerful learning happens when we pause, play, and simply show up with presence? In this episode, Dr. Cindy Hovington speaks with early childhood expert Amy Chiu about...

Send us Fan Mail In today's solo episode, I share a little more of my personal story with the hopes of helping you feel validated, less alone or even empowered.  Father's Day (or even Mother's Day) can be difficult when you have a parent that is alive yet you have no idea where they are because they left your family decades ago.  They knew you existed and they chose to leave you.  I...

Send us Fan Mail with Daisy Dowling Balancing work and parenting feels impossible sometimes, doesn’t it? Between deadlines, meetings, and the constant demands at home, many working parents feel overwhelmed, guilty, and stretched too thin. In this episode, Dr. Cindy Hovington talks with Daisy Dowling, author of Work Parent , about redefining what work-life balance really means — and why aiming for...

Send us Fan Mail Hi dear friends,  From the number of you that downloaded our last grounding meditation, it seems like you enjoyed it! I decided to created another one for you, this time it is to help you on a day when you feel like you are failing.  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170?i=1000709341181 If there is a specific moment you struggle...

Send us Fan Mail with Erica Diamond Those early days of parenthood can feel like survival mode—your routines are gone, your identity feels blurry, and the overwhelm is constant. Between sleepless nights, mental overload, and trying to “do it all,” it’s easy to lose yourself. In this episode, Dr. Cindy Hovington is joined by Erica Diamond—certified life & career coach and creator of the List Yo...

Send us Fan Mail We often focus on limiting and banning our kids’ screen time—but what if the most effective digital parenting conversations require a completely different approach, one that starts with curiousity, not control? In this episode, Dr. Cindy Hovington is joined by bestselling author Jessica Joelle Alexander to explore how we can reframe and shift from control to curiosity & learni...

Send us Fan Mail The next time you experience a chaotic moment and need to pause, listen to this 5 min audio to help you regulate.  Let me know if you want more of these and please share it with a friend who needs this! Support the show More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron: Join our NEW book club for only $9.99! https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-pare...