Sensory Solutions for Parents - Meltdowns, Behavior, Regulation, Tantrums, Parenting

Episode 19: Does your child ignore you when you talk?  The real reason this happens and what to do about it! In this episode of Sensory Solutions for Parents, we're exploring one of the most common concerns parents have: "Why won't my child listen?" You might be surprised to learn that what looks like ignoring or defiance is often related to how a child's developing brain and nervous system proces...

Episode 18: Dreading Daycare Drop-Off Every Morning? Why Your Child Struggles to Separate and 3 Things to Try Tomorrow! Does your child cry every morning at daycare drop-off? Do they cling to you, refuse to let go, or seem completely overwhelmed as soon as you walk through the door? If you've ever driven away feeling guilty or wondering if you're doing something wrong, this episode is for you. The...

Episode 17: Do You Feel Worn Down by Your Child's Meltdowns? How Faith Can Support You Through the Toughest Seasons of Parenting! Do you ever feel completely worn down by your child's meltdowns? Have you found yourself praying, "God, I don't know what else to do"? Do you feel like you've tried every strategy, read every book, and still find yourself facing the same challenges day after day? Someti...

Episode 16: Do Constant Power Struggles Leave Your Child (and You!) in a Meltdown? Why This Happens and 4 Things to Do Instead!   💛  Does it feel like everything turns into a battle with your child? Do simple daily routines like getting dressed, brushing teeth, getting into the car, or leaving the playground end in tears or meltdowns? Do you find yourself asking, "Why won't my child just listen?"...

Episode 15: Does Your Child Stop Using Their Words When You’re Not at Home?  Understanding the Connection Between Environment, Behavior & Communication 💛  Parents often wonder: “Why can my child use their words at home sometimes… but completely fall apart in busy places?” Or: “Why do they listen in calm environments but lose it when things get chaotic?” In today’s episode, we’re breaking down...

💛  Does your child seem miserable after school every single day - even when teachers say they had a “good day”? Maybe they cry on the way home, melt down over tiny things, cling to you, lash out at siblings, or completely fall apart the second they walk through the door. In this episode, we’re talking all about after-school restraint collapse in young children, and why kids often struggle so much...

Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!)   💛  Does your child completely fall apart after daycare or preschool… even though their teachers say they had a great day? You are not alone. In this episode, we’re talking about something called “restraint collapse” and the emotional meltdowns, clinginess, irritability, sensory seeking, and overwhelm many toddlers...

Episode 12 Planning a Family Vacation with Young Kids?  How to Prevent Vacation Meltdowns Before They Start! 💛 Planning a family vacation with young kids?  Wondering how your child will handle the crowds, late nights, packed schedules, heat, travel and nonstop stimulation? In this episode, we’re breaking down why vacations can quickly overload a young child’s nervous system — even in places that...

💛  Is your child constantly on the move when they’re playing.  Do they climb, crash, spin or, dump toys whenever they are playing? Or maybe they enjoy lining their toys up or playing by themselves, or they just seem to play differently than other children, and you’ve wondered what it means. In this episode, we’re diving into the powerful connection between play and your child’s sensory system. Pl...

Episode 10: Struggling with your child’s intense meltdowns? What’s Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment Have you ever wondered: “Why does my child go from 0 to 100 so fast?” “Why do they hit, kick, or completely lose control during meltdowns?” “And what am I actually supposed to do in that moment?” What do you do when your child is in the middle of a meltdown—and nothing seems to be worki...

Does your toddler or young child struggle at church—melting down during music, refusing to go in, or clinging to you in crowded spaces? In this episode of Sensory Solutions for Parents, we break down why church environments can feel overwhelming for some children and how those big reactions are often sensory-based stress responses, not misbehavior. You’ll learn how your child’s nervous system (fig...

Does your child constantly leave the table… stand while eating… or seem like they just can’t sit through a meal? Have you tried reminders, rewards, or consequences—and nothing seems to stick? What if staying at the table isn’t just behavior… but your child’s body asking for more support? In this episode of Sensory Solutions for Parents, we’re breaking down a commonly missed piece of the puzzle: ho...

Hey there! In this episode, we dive a little deeper into why kids bite and how the environment impacts this!  We look at the environment, both at home and in other spaces, such as daycare or the playground! 👉 Biting is often not a behavior problem—it’s a nervous system response. You’ll learn more about: Why toddlers bite, especially in various environments Why consequences don’t work long-term Wh...

Does your toddler keep biting—even when you’ve tried everything to get them to stop? Does it leave you wondering how much biting is ‘normal’ and why isn’t anything working? In this episode of Sensory Solutions for Parents, we break down toddler biting through a sensory lens—so you can understand what your child is really trying to tell you. 👉 Biting is often not a behavior problem—it’s a nervous...

Does your child cry, refuse to sit, or completely melt down during haircuts? You’re not alone, and this isn’t just about behavior. In this episode, we’re looking at haircuts through a sensory lens so you can better understand what’s actually happening in your child’s body, and how to support them in a way that feels calmer and more manageable for both of you. Because when we understand the why, th...

Have you ever left a birthday party feeling exhausted, confused, or wondering, “Why was that so hard for my child?” Do noise, chaos, and even excitement seem to lead straight to a meltdown, clinginess, or shutting down completely? You’re not alone—and your child isn’t being “difficult.” In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really going on when birthday parties feel overwhelming for your chi...

Does your child panic when their hands get messy? Do they refuse finger painting, or to play with slime, or shaving cream? Do they meltdown the moment something sticky touches their fingers? In this episode, we’re talking about why some kids love messy play and why others can’t tolerate it.  We’ll discuss what to do about it, so you can help your child participate in sensory play and activities wi...

Struggling to make sense of all the sensory stuff? Feeling like your child’s behavior is somehow related to their sensory needs and don’t know where to start?  In this episode, we’re going to kick-start our understanding of behaviors by learning about our sensory systems, in simple, easy to understand language!  We’ll talk about all 8 sensory systems, not just the 5 we learn about in school, so yo...

Introduction to Sensory Solutions for Parents Podcast. In Sensory Solutions for Parents, we take a deep dive into the "sensory stuff," along with toddler and childhood behavior, and overall regulation. Drawing from both my clinical experience as a pediatric occupational therapist and my own parenting journey, I share why this podcast exists, why families need this conversation now, and how you can...