Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection)

If you give your child attention during or after a tantrum, are you rewarding the behavior and making things worse? When your child is upset and acting out, how do you offer comfort without unintentionally reinforcing the behavior? Those are the questions we’re unpacking in today’s episode. You'll hear why this advice is so common, what “working” actually means in parenting, and why the lens you u...

It’s heartbreaking to watch your child struggle, whether at school or on the playground. Yet it's an all-too-common experience, especially for parents of bright and quirky kids. Today's guest shares my determination to change that! In this conversation with with Sam Young (aka “Mr. Sam”), founder of Young Scholars Academy, you'll hear about strength-based schooling, how to apply the principles at...

Ever wondered what in the world "mindfulness" actually looks like? Or how to squeeze it into your day when you barely have time to pee? This episode answers all of that...and more. In this conversation, I’m joined by Hunter Clarke-Fields (aka the "Mindful Mama") for a practical, no-fluff mini masterclass on mindfulness for busy parents. You'll hear: What mindfulness really is (and what it’s not) A...

If you’re a single parent juggling two adults’ worth of responsibilities, this episode is for you. In this conversation with Michelle Byrd of The Busy Vibrant Mom podcast , we talk about how to infuse productivity and joy into your day, and creating a rhythm that fits your family. ABOUT MICHELLE BYRD: Michelle Byrd is the host of a top ranked podcast for Christian working moms, The Busy Vibrant Mo...

There's a superpower every parent has, whether you want it or not. (Though sometimes, it can feel more like kryptonite!) Tune into this episode to find out... ✔︎ What it is ✔︎ Why it's so powerful ✔︎ How to use it without being manipulative ✔︎ 3 specific ways to harness it for your and your child's good Resources mentioned: [Episode 2] Keeping Your Cool: Emotion Regulation for Parents [Workshop] L...

This bonus episode is a replay of my webinar, "Less Snapping, More Snuggling: Why Parents "Lose It"...and How to Finally Break the Cycle (For single parents (and anyone who needs one))." To watch the video of the replay, go to parentingwithconnection.com/webinar . In this special training, you'll hear: A common reason many single parents get stuck in the cycle of “snapping” at their kids, and then...

What happens when you know how you want to handle your kids' big feelings and behaviors, but your nervous system is stuck in fight-or-flight? In this episode, I’m joined by my client Sara, whose high-conflict divorce and custody battle left her struggling with the emotional and physical demands of life as a solo, working parent, and with supporting her kids through the emotional fallout. Sara shar...

What do you do when “traditional” parenting and school strategies make things worse, and you're not sure what to do instead? In this episode, I talk with Eric, dad to an awesome, autistic kiddo with a PDA profile, about what backfired for his family...and what actually helped. You’ll hear: How even unintended pressure can escalate kids with sensitive nervous systems Why common behavior-based appro...

How do you balance your child's need for connection with your own need for space, especially when there's no adult to "tag in"? That's just one of the questions we explore in this conversation with Ali Miller, a Single Mom by Choice and an expert in Nonviolent Communication (NVC). In this episode, you'll hear: ✔︎ The three essential principles of NVC, and how they apply to parenting. ✔︎ An open, v...

What’s it really like to grow up in a single-parent home shaped by grief...and deep, enduring connection? In this special episode, I’m joined by copywriting coach Marisa Corcoran and her mom, Rita Fratto — a real-life “Gilmore Girls” duo whose story offers a powerful glimpse into widowhood, single parenting, and the long-term impact on children as they grow into adulthood. This is an honest, inspi...

In the words of Julie Andrews: 🎶 Let’s start at the very beginning. A very good place to start… Tune in to hear Dr. Gila’s take on the first step to creating a more peaceful home, with less snapping, more snuggling, and the joy and ease you crave. She explains why parent self-regulation is such a powerful place to focus, especially for single parents in the thick of it. Related resources: ⭐️ [Ep...

In this solo episode, I share five truths I come back to again and again in my parenting and my coaching, especially with single parents who are carrying a lot and quietly wondering if they’re enough. These are the truths I invite you to hold onto as we head into 2026, or whenever you need a grounding moment to exhale and re-center. And if that feels hard right now, I’m happy to hold them for you....

This week's episode is a special gift to help you through the winter holiday season, or any other stressful season of your life. Somatic psychotherapist, and my dear friend, Meg Tobin, LMHC, guides us through a tapping (EFT) tutorial and practice to soothe your nervous system, including modifications and suggestions to fit your unique needs. If you’re brand new to tapping, this episode is a gentle...

Winter break can bring joy, pressure, and a whole lot of overwhelm, especially for single parents. This episode shares 10 realistic tips to help you navigate the holiday season with less stress and more connection. It focuses on why this time of year can feel harder, how to anticipate challenges before they spiral, and what actually helps when routines, emotions, and expectations collide. You’ll h...

Stressed about screen time? (Who isn't?!) What you're about to hear might surprise you...and make this topic feel a lot less scary. In this episode, I'm joined by Ash Brandin, EdS, aka TheGamerEducator and author of the bestselling book, "Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family," for an eye-opening conversation that may just change how you think about screens. You'll hear: Why s...

If the idea of “being playful” with your kid makes you want to crawl into a cave, this episode is for you. Today, I’m talking with Mia Wisinski from Playful Heart Parenting , who has a seemingly endless bucket of low-effort, high-connection ideas for sneaking silliness into the cracks of real-life parenting… even when you’re wiped. In this episode: Why play feels so hard for so many of us adults (...

Have you had "start gratitude practice" on your to-do list for years, or get eye rolls every time you try it with your kid? You're not alone, my friend! In this solo episode, I dig into why gratitude can be powerful, why it sometimes backfires, and what to do instead, especially for single parents raising spirited or neurodivergent kids. You’ll hear: ✅ When and how gratitude practices help “train...

Why does your kid push back so hard, even over simple stuff? And how can you break free of these battles so life doesn't feel like a trek through molasses? Power struggles may be the bane of your existence, but they're also a glimpse into your kid's brain. Join me, Dr. Gila, and my guest, Dr. Danika Maddocks, an expert in parenting gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) kids, for a deep dive into this...

If you’ve ever been scared by your child's aggressive behaviors, or hopeless that things will ever change, this episode is for you. Join me for a chat with Tosha Schore about: The 3 things every parent needs to understand about aggression in kids What aggression is really telling you How to interrupt the shame-and-secrecy cycle A first step to help you feel less stuck and more connected Resources:...

Tantrums, and meltdowns, and rages...oh my! Big behaviors mean big stress for the whole family. If you’re tired of walking on eggshells, wondering when and why your kid is going to "lose it," this episode is for you. Dr. Gila breaks down what’s really happening beneath the surface when kids have big reactions, and how understanding those moments can transform the way you respond. You’ll walk away...

You’ve done the deep breathing and tried every self-regulation trick in the book...So why does single-parenting still feel so freaking hard?! In this episode, Dr. Gila shares two often overlooked pieces of the puzzle, and why a parent's self-regulation, while essential, isn’t the whole answer (especially when single-parenting a strong-willed or neurodivergent child!). Tune in to hear: • The limits...

Can kids form secure attachments in single-parent families? Or are they..." screwed" ? In this compassionate conversation, I chat with therapist, mediator, and award-winning author, Aurisha Smolarski, LMFT, to answer the quiet fear that nearly every single parent has. We unpack attachment theory and resilience (without the jargon!), and how to help kids feel safe and seen, even when co-parenting i...

Co-parenting with a high-conflict ex is exhausting, especially when you still have to coordinate about your kids. In this conversation, I’m joined by therapist and divorce coach Jill Kaufman , creator of Thriving Through Divorce and author of I’m Getting Divorced, Now What? . We talk about practical ways to lower the drama, protect your peace, and keep the focus on your child — starting with a sim...

Parent burnout is real, and it’s not just about being tired . In this powerful conversation with Low-Demand Parenting author Amanda Diekman, we explore what parent burnout really means, and how to find your way back to yourself. If you’ve been running on empty or wondering how to keep going when you’re already at your limit, this one’s for you. Connect with Amanda Diekman: Amanda is a late diagnos...

Welcome to your shame-free corner of the podcast world: A space for single parents (or anyone who feels like one) to feel seen and supported as you navigate this beautifully bumpy journey. Whether you're raising a strong-willed, spirited, or neurodivergent kid, or you're simply craving validation, guidance, and community, you're in the right place. In this premiere episode of the podcast: Discover...