Calm Connection Parenting | Neurodivergent, Meltdowns, Emotional Regulation, DMDD, Tantrums, SPD, Defiance, Angry Behaviors

What should you do before, during or after a meltdown when parenting an ADHD, DMDD, neurodivergent or emotionally intense child? If meltdowns leave you feeling panicked, unsure, or afraid of doing the wrong thing in the moment, this episode offers a clear, practical roadmap for navigating emotional dysregulation with calm and confidence. In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast , y...

How do you calm a neurodivergent or strong-willed child when nothing seems to work — especially during meltdowns and emotional dysregulation? If your child’s big emotions escalate no matter how consistent, calm, or prepared you try to be, this episode explains why . The issue often isn’t your parenting — it’s timing. In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast , you’ll learn: Why reas...

Emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, and neurodivergent kids can make even well-intended parenting responses backfire, especially when you tell your child to “calm down” and everything escalates. In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast , we explore why common phrases like “calm down,” “stop crying,” or “it’s not a big deal” often intensify meltdowns for emotionally intense and neur...

Is your child having a tantrum… or a meltdown? And does that distinction actually matter? For parents raising a neurodivergent child or an emotionally intense, strong-willed child, confusing a tantrum with a meltdown can quietly turn everyday moments into escalating power struggles. In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast , we’re breaking down the difference between tantrums and m...

Parenting a child with emotional, medical, or mental health needs can quietly affect your own mental health too. When uncertainty is constant, anxiety can build — and it can feel like you’re always bracing for the next hard moment. Whether you are managing sensory processing issues, executive functioning issues, a diagnosis such as ADHD or DMDD, or simply trying to manage your mom-sense that somet...

If you’ve ever looked at your child’s meltdowns or emotional outbursts and thought, “I must be doing something wrong,” this episode is for you. We’re talking emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, and why common parenting advice often backfires with neurodivergent kids. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why emotional dysregulation is often mistaken for defiance How your child’s unique wiring impacts beh...

Why does your child have huge reactions to things that feel small? The wrong color cup. A change of plans. A simple “no”… and suddenly it’s full emotional overload. In this episode, we’re unpacking emotional dysregulation in kids and why emotionally intense, highly sensitive, and neurodivergent children can struggle to manage big feelings - even when they’re trying their best. Whether you are mana...

Feeling like you’re doing all the research and your partner is on a totally different timeline? Parenting gets lonely fast when you’re raising a child with big emotions - and you’re not on the same page. In today’s episode, I’m answering a listener question about what to do when one parent wants help, tools, and support… and the other feels hesitant, resistant, or shut down. In this episode, you’l...

As the year comes to a close, many parents find themselves exhausted by resolutions that promise change but add more pressure. If you’re parenting emotional dysregulation or big emotions, this episode offers a different way forward. In this final episode of the year, we reflect honestly on the year behind us, walk through a gentle RESET framework, and explore how choosing a word for the year can g...

What if the very first Christmas didn’t look anything like the peaceful, picture-perfect scene we often imagine? In this special Christmas episode, I reflect on the birth of Jesus through Mary’s eyes… a young mother whose journey into motherhood unfolded in ways she never could have planned or predicted. If your holidays feel different than you imagined… quieter, heavier, more complicated… or shap...

The holidays can bring extra pressure when you’re parenting a child with big emotions, intense reactions, or unique needs… especially when extended family doesn’t understand what your child is facing. If you’ve ever walked into a family gathering feeling judged, misunderstood, or on edge about how things might unfold, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I’ll share a simple idea to help...

The holidays can feel especially heavy when you’re parenting a child with emotional dysregulation. Love runs deep, but so does exhaustion, anticipation, and the pressure to hold everything together. In this episode, we gently discuss the emotions many parents carry quietly and create space to release what steals peace during the holiday season. This is not about fixing your child or forcing joy. I...

Parenting an emotionally dysregulated child during the holidays can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and anything but peaceful. In this episode, we’re unpacking simple, practical ways to reduce meltdowns, create calmer moments, and shape a Christmas that truly fits your child’s needs — and your family’s heart. Whether your child gets overstimulated by lights and noise, struggles with routine changes...

Holiday events can bring excitement, but also overwhelm, refusal, and emotional dysregulation for many neurodivergent and emotionally intense children. In this episode, we answer a heartfelt listener question and unpack a simple, memorable framework to help you protect peace, support your child, and get the M-O-S-T out of the holiday season. If your child struggles with sensory overload, big feeli...

Holidays can bring out both the magic and the meltdowns, especially when you’re raising an emotionally intense child. And while we often focus on surviving the big emotions, the siblings in the family feel these moments deeply too. Hurt feelings, frustration, confusion, and walking on eggshells can quietly shape their holiday experience. In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to create real s...

When you’re raising an emotionally intense or dysregulated child, gratitude can feel like the last thing on your mind. Between meltdowns, misunderstandings, and moments that leave you feeling worn thin (at best), it’s easy to lose sight of what’s good. In this heartfelt and hope-filled episode, Jami shares what it looks like to find gratitude right in the middle of the chaos, even when life feels...

The holidays can bring joy, laughter, and… total overwhelm, especially when you’re parenting a child who struggles with emotional dysregulation. If family gatherings, travel, or changes in routine often lead to meltdowns and stress, this episode is for you. Join me as I share one of our hardest holiday moments and what it taught me about preparing differently. You’ll learn how to establish your Ho...

For many kids, class parties, school spirit days, and holiday activities mean excitement and fun—but for emotionally dysregulated or neurodivergent children, they can mean stress, overwhelm, and meltdowns. In this episode, we’ll unpack why these “fun” days can be so tough and how to help your child stay calm, connected, and confident through it all. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why holiday event...

Have you ever looked at your child’s meltdown and thought, “Why does this keep happening?”  What if those big emotions weren’t just about behavior, but about the way your child’s brain and body process the world around them? In this episode, we’re diving into the fascinating world of sensory processing... what it really means, how it connects to emotional dysregulation, and why understanding it ca...

Bad parenting. Laziness. Can’t focus. Overdiagnosed. Medication is dangerous. You’ve probably heard at least one of these myths before...maybe even all five. But here’s the truth: every single one is a myth that can weigh families down with guilt, confusion, and shame. In this episode, Jami bursts the biggest misconceptions about ADHD and replaces them with truth, compassion, and hope, because whe...

What do you do when your family just doesn’t understand your child’s meltdowns? Or when you start wondering if it’s time to seek professional help? In this powerful Season 2 kickoff of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, Jami answers two real questions from parents walking through emotional intensity, family tension, and the uncertainty of what’s “normal.” If you’ve ever felt judged by family m...

Ever wonder why your child can hold it together all day at school, then completely unravel the moment they get home? You’re not crazy, and you’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll unpack the real reason behind those after-school meltdowns (hint: it’s not bad behavior!) and what you can do to bring calm and connection back to your afternoons and evenings. You’ll discover why your child saves their...

Can you believe it? The Calm Connection Parenting Podcast is officially ONE year old! 🎉 Over 5,000 downloads, listeners in 59 countries, and 50 episodes filled with hope, encouragement, and real-life parenting strategies. In this special anniversary episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes to celebrate what we’ve built together, and to share some fun surprises along the way. Here’s what you’ll h...

Hearing your child say words like, “I wish I were dead” can be the most terrifying moment of parenting. In this episode, we’re talking openly about suicidal ideation in children—why it happens, how to respond, and how to create safety and hope in your home. September is Suicide Prevention Month, but this is a conversation we must keep alive all year long. What you’ll learn in this episode: How to...

Finding out your child has a diagnosis like DMDD, ADHD, anxiety, or other mental health diagnosis can feel overwhelming. One moment you’re standing on steady ground, and the next it feels like the floor dropped out from under you. In this episode, I’m sharing the very first steps you can take to steady yourself, find hope, and begin building a plan forward that works for your child and your family...