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

Ever feel like your child’s emotions or impulses go from zero to 200 in seconds...and there’s no stopping it? You’re not alone. In this episode, I share one of my favorite tools for helping kids understand their unique wiring: the Race Car Brain analogy. It’s a simple, memorable picture you can use to explain ADHD, DMDD, or emotional intensity in a way that builds confidence instead of shame. What...

Have you ever wrestled with the question of if, what, when, or how to talk with your child about their unique wiring or diagnosis? Maybe you’ve worried that telling them could hurt their confidence… or maybe you’ve hoped it could actually make a positive difference. Friend, you’re not alone in that tug of war. In this episode, I’ll share why these conversations matter, what signs to look for that...

Hearing that your child has ADHD, DMDD, or another form of neurodivergence can stir up a flood of emotions—sadness, worry, guilt, and maybe even some relief. You might wonder, Why am I feeling this way? Am I supposed to be stronger than this? The truth is… your emotions are normal. And learning how to walk through them is the first step toward leading your child with calm, confidence, and hope. In...

Back-to-school can be a tough transition for any child, but when ADHD, anxiety, or emotional dysregulation are in the mix, it can feel overwhelming for the whole family. The good news? You don’t need another chart or checklist—you need key conversations that build calm and connection. In this episode, I’ll share ten simple but powerful talks you can have that help your child start the year with mo...

Back-to-school can bring excitement, but it can also bring stress...especially if your child has ADHD, anxiety, or big emotions. Early mornings, new routines, and unexpected changes can leave both kids and parents feeling overwhelmed. In this episode, we’ll talk about why transitions can be so challenging for ADHD and emotionally dysregulated kids... and what you can do to make the shift smoother...

A personal story about loss, love, and the legacy we leave as parents. Let this episode encourage you to parent with presence, peace, and purpose...starting today. What kind of legacy are you leaving… not just in life, but in your parenting? This episode comes from a deeply personal place—a month marked by loss, reflection, and a reminder that tomorrow isn’t promised. After unexpectedly losing my...

This week, we’re doing something a little different—and a little special. Life in the Kirkbride home has been full of ups and downs lately… a big family vacation, the heartbreaking loss of my beloved brother-in-law, and the joy of our son’s wedding—all in just two weeks. And now, I’ve lost my voice completely. But instead of skipping this week, we’re pulling together as a family—because I didn’t w...

You’re doing everything you can—books, prayers, redirection, deep breaths—and your child is still melting down, spiraling, or exploding over the smallest things. And now? You’re emotionally drained, spiritually depleted, and wondering if anything will ever work. In this episode, we’re talking about the kind of parenting burnout no one warns you about—and what to do when all your effort still leave...

What if the key to calming your child’s overwhelmed brain isn’t more discipline, more talking, or more appointments...but small, intentional movement?  In this eye-opening episode, Alma Galvan shares her powerful story of healing after a traumatic brain injury and how the tiniest, most overlooked movements can actually rewire the brain and restore peace.  If your child struggles with emotional int...

Does summer break feel like more chaos than calm? If your child struggles with focus, emotional control, or follow-through—especially without the structure of school—this episode is here to help. Today I’m joined by Leslie Josel , a leading expert on executive functioning and student success. Together, we’re diving into what summer looks like for kids with executive function challenges—and more im...

Ever feel like you want to stay calm, respond with empathy, and be the steady one in the storm...but your child is screaming, you’re overstimulated, and you’re about to snap? You’re not alone, and there’s a reason it feels so hard. In this episode, we’re digging into what’s happening in your brain (and your child’s), and what it really takes to parent with empathy in the middle of emotional chaos....

DMDD, ADHD, and anxiety… oh my! If those letters feel like your everyday life and you’re constantly trying to decode what’s really going on behind your child’s big emotions—this episode is your roadmap. We’re breaking down what’s actually fueling those emotional explosions, how these diagnoses often overlap, and why your go-to parenting responses might not be working (through no fault of your own!...

Does the thought of a family vacation leave you feeling more tense than excited? If you’re parenting a highly sensitive or emotionally intense child, even the idea of travel can bring up anxiety, dread, and a fear of public meltdowns. But what if you could take a vacation that builds connection while managing the emotional dysregulation—without sacrificing your sanity? In this episode, I’m sharing...

CalmConnectionParent.com/resource In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, we’re diving into the topic of emotional dysregulation and how you can help your child manage overwhelming emotions to calm down. If you’ve ever faced the challenge of meltdowns, tantrums, or outbursts, this episode is for you. We’ll explore what emotional dysregulation really is, the science behind it, and...

What if a pet could be more than just a companion for your child? For children with heightened emotions or emotional dysregulation, pets can be a lifeline—offering more than just cuddles but playing a crucial role in helping them navigate the emotional ups and downs of everyday life. In today’s episode, I’m sharing a deeply personal story about Sparkles, the cat who was not just a pet, but an emot...

Get Your FREE Ticket to the Calm Connection Parenting Summit If your child melts down, shuts down, or struggles to find the words to explain what’s wrong—you’re not alone. And you’re not failing. In this episode, we’re joined by play expert and counselor Deborah Woods to explore how play can become one of the most powerful tools for connection—especially when your child’s emotions feel too big for...

What if your child’s meltdowns aren’t just about behavior—but a cry for less? Less stimulation. Less pressure. Less chaos. If your sensitive or emotionally intense child seems to unravel in the hustle and overstimulation of everyday life, this episode will hit home. This week, Jami sits down with parenting coach, writer, and mom of four, Jenna Michael, for a conversation every overwhelmed parent n...

Get your Calm Connection Parenting Summit FREE ticket Here!  CalmConnectionParent.com/summit Have you ever stood there, stunned, wondering how those hurtful words just came flying out of your child’s mouth? You're not alone — and you're not a bad parent. Today, we’re diving into the real reasons kids lash out — and even more importantly, how you can teach them to reach out instead of las...

Are you struggling with a child whose anger seems to erupt out of nowhere, leaving you feeling helpless and overwhelmed? If you're wondering, Why is my child so aggressive? —you're not alone. Today’s episode dives deep into the challenging and often heartbreaking behaviors that many parents face: aggression, meltdowns, and emotional intensity. I’m here to help you understand why these be...

Show Notes: What if the anger, anxiety, or meltdowns you're seeing aren't choices—but signals from your child's brain desperately crying out for help?  In this episode, we're diving deep with Holly Provan, nurse, mom, and author of Poppy and the Overactive Amygdala. Holly sheds powerful new light on why some kids experience life as a constant battle, driven by a brain stuck in...

Today we welcome Debbie Simmonds, author, founder of Anchor Point, and adoptive mom of nine. After her own pain of losing quadruplets, she turned her sorrow into something incredible. She shares profound insights into parenting, resilience, and building lasting family connections. Through powerful stories from her own journey, Debbie reveals how to turn parenting struggles into powerful opportunit...

Do you ever feel like your child’s emotions are a ticking time bomb, and no matter what you do, you’re the one who sets it off? It’s so easy to fall into the trap of trying to ‘fix’ things, but sometimes, our best intentions make everything worse. In this episode, we explore the #1 mistake parents make when managing their child’s big emotions—and how to avoid it. I’ll share a powerful approach to...

Parenting a child with mental health struggles is not a battle anyone prepares you for. In fact, it can feel like you're fighting a war—and sometimes, you don’t even know if you're winning. I’m sharing our personal journey today and the five pitfalls that nearly every parent in this situation faces. But more importantly, I’m giving you hope: There are truths that can guide you through th...

What if everything you thought you knew about parenting needed to be reimagined? When we started understanding sensory processing issues in our child, it felt like so many things clicked into place. Today, I’m sharing a deeply personal chapter of our parenting journey. As parents of a highly sensitive and emotionally intense child, we faced struggles that we didn’t fully understand until we discov...

When your child is living with chronic emotional dysregulation, it can feel like the whole family is walking on eggshells. But what about the siblings? They’re right there in the middle, trying to process the chaos without a roadmap. What happens to them? In this episode, I’m diving into five essential keys to help your children—both the one with emotional intensity and their siblings—build emotio...