Climbing Fish Parenting

If you're trying to "do it all"—homemade meals, organized systems, consistent routines, patience, self-care—while parenting a child who's wired differently, I need you to hear this: You're not failing because you're not trying hard enough. You're failing because the goal itself is impossible. That vision of "good parenting" wasn't designed for families managing constant co-regulation, sensory need...

If you're completely drained from parenting your child who's wired differently—and wondering if you're just not cut out for this—I need you to hear this: It's not because you're weak or doing it wrong. There are very specific, research-backed reasons why this type of parenting is exponentially more exhausting than typical parenting. And once you understand what's actually happening, you can stop b...

"Great, another therapy word that sounds nice but doesn't actually help when my kid is having a full meltdown in Target." I get it. But here's the thing: validation is one of the most powerful tools you have for reducing meltdowns, building confidence, and teaching your child to trust themselves. And it's way simpler than you think. In this episode, you'll discover: - What validation actually is (...

Your child just asked when Grandma's coming back—for the fifth time this week. Or they're melting down over nothing. Or they seem completely fine while you're barely holding it together. And you're thinking: Am I doing this wrong? Should I hide my tears? Will talking about it make it worse? Here's the truth: Grief during the holidays is complicated—for you AND your kids. And most of us are trying...

You finally implemented a behavior plan. Day one went great. Day two was even better. And then day three hit—and your child didn't just whine, they SCREAMED. They escalated harder than ever before. And you're standing there thinking: "What did I do wrong? This was working!" Here's the truth: You didn't do anything wrong. What you're seeing is proof that your strategy is working. In this episode, y...

Your child just said "That's not fair!" or "You can't make me!" and you're standing there thinking: Is this disrespect? Should I shut this down? Or am I about to crush my child's voice? Here's the truth: Most of us don't know. We're navigating a massive cultural shift in parenting without a roadmap—trying to teach our kids something we were never taught ourselves. In this episode, you'll discover:...

Your child just rolled their eyes at you. Or said "no" for the tenth time today. Or told you your rule is "so unfair." And you're standing there wondering: Is this normal? Or am I raising a disrespectful kid? Here's what you need to know: Most pushback isn't disrespect—it's normal development. But some behavior does cross the line, and you need to know the difference.  In this episode, you'll disc...

If you struggle to set boundaries with your child—if you say yes when you want to say no, if you give in to avoid conflict, if you feel guilty every time you hold a limit—this episode is for you. Here's the truth: The boundaries you set (or don't set) are directly teaching your child what boundaries are, how they work, and whether they matter. And that lesson will shape their entire life. In this...

Thanksgiving is coming. And you're not worried about the turkey—you're worried about what happens at the table. Your child only eats three foods, none of which are on the menu. Grandma's already making comments. And you're wondering: do we skip it altogether, or bring safe foods and deal with the judgment? Here's what you need to know: The food battles at Thanksgiving aren't about pickiness or def...

That sound. You know the one. That grating, nails-on-a-chalkboard whine that makes your entire nervous system want to crawl out of your skin. "Moooooom, I want a snaaaack." "This is toooooo haaaaard." Here's what you need to know: Whining doesn't just annoy you—it activates your nervous system in a way that very few other sounds do. And your child has learned that this sound gets results. In this...

When Your Teen Can't Handle 'No': Door-Slamming, Silent Treatment, and What Actually Works Your teenager just exploded because you said they couldn't go to a party. Or maybe they went silent—giving you the cold shoulder for hours. Or worse, they agreed to your face and then snuck out anyway. If your teen's reaction to disappointment feels like living with a ticking time bomb, you're not imagining...

If saying "no" to your child feels like detonating a bomb in your own home, you're not alone. The screaming, the negotiating, the full-body collapse on the floor—it's exhausting. And you're probably wondering if you've somehow spoiled your child or failed as a parent. Here's the truth: Your child isn't manipulating you. They genuinely don't have the skill of frustration tolerance yet—and if they'r...

You've said "calm down" a thousand times. It never works. Your child is drowning in their emotions, and you feel completely helpless because nothing you try makes it better. Here's what's actually happening: Your child isn't choosing to stay dysregulated. They literally cannot calm themselves down in that moment. Their thinking brain is offline, and they need YOU to help them regulate. This is cal...

Halloween is supposed to be fun—but if you're dreading tonight instead of looking forward to it, you're not alone. For kids with ADHD, autism, sensory processing challenges, or anxiety, Halloween can be a perfect storm: scratchy costumes, unpredictable social interactions, scary decorations, and complete sensory overload. In this bonus episode, you'll discover: Why Halloween is so overwhelming for...

If your child "never listens" or you're constantly repeating yourself—the problem might not be defiance. It might be that your expectations aren't clear. "Clean your room." "Be good at Grandma's." "Use good manners." These feel like clear instructions, but to your child's brain, they're guessing games. And when kids don't know exactly what success looks like, they fail—over and over again. In this...

Does your child ignore you until you've repeated yourself five times? You're not alone—and it's not about defiance. In this episode, Dr. Kristi breaks down the 7 reasons kids don't follow directions the first time, including: - Why "get ready" and "be good" confuse their brains - The sneaky ways you're accidentally inviting negotiation - How asking instead of telling undermines your authority - Wh...

I'm Dr. Kristi, a psychologist and behavior analyst, and here's what I need you to know: Your kid isn't broken. Your parenting isn't broken. Sometimes, we're just asking our fish to climb trees. If you have a child who's wired differently and just doesn't respond to typical parenting strategies—this show is for you. In every episode, I'm giving you practical, actionable strategies rooted in behavi...