Parenting the Intensity

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"Today, we'll explore sibling relationships with one or more emotionally intense children.The Challenge of Conflicting NeedsWhen One or More Children Demand MoreParental GuiltChildren's Relationships: Is It Our Fault?Less Intense Sibling ExperienceHow Do We Cope?If you haven’t, subscribe to the new private podcast ‘You’re not failing’, to stop feeling…well like you’re doing it wrong and start to build your parental confident https://familymoments.ca/notfailingYou can find everything else I offer on the website www.familymoments.ca so you can take action on what’s the most important for you right now. *I’m recording this podcast on an unceeded territory of the N'dakina and Wabanaki communities.

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"Today we will normalize the feeling of isolation and explore the reasons for this isolation:Understanding our experience (or lack thereof)Sharing our experience (once again, or lack thereof)JudgmentWe will also explore the fact that sometimes we need to isolate ourselves to process, give ourselves time, and protect ourselves.And as a possible solution: seek the right support to break the feeling of isolation.Need to feel part of a community.Clean up the support around us.Impact of good support on confidence.If you haven’t, subscribe to the new private podcast ‘You’re not failing’, to stop feeling…well like you’re doing it wrong and start to build your parental confident https://familymoments.ca/notfailingYou can find everything else I offer on the website www.familymoments.ca so you can take action on what’s the most important for you right now. *I’m recording this podcast on an unceeded territory of the N'dakina and Wabanaki communities.

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"Today, we'll discuss trauma. This may seem like something that doesn't apply to your situation, but you might be surprised.We'll cover:What minor trauma, major trauma, and complex trauma are?Why it's not widely recognized in official systems and the impact it hasSchool traumaHealthcare system traumaRebound or direct trauma from parents: BurnoutIf you haven’t, subscribe to the new private podcast ‘You’re not failing’, to stop feeling…well like you’re doing it wrong and start to build your parental confident https://familymoments.ca/notfailingYou can find everything else I offer on the website www.familymoments.ca so you can take action on what’s the most important for you right now. *I’m recording this podcast on an unceeded territory of the N'dakina and Wabanaki communities.

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"In this episode we'll be talking about parental confidence—what it really means, why it matters, and how it impacts the way we respond (rather than react) to our emotionally intense kids. Rooted in my experience and findings from my Master's degree I'll cover the internal and external factors that shape our sense of confidence as parents, including our knowledge, personal experience, relationships with our children, and the influence of societal expectations and outside feedback.I'll also share practical strategies for identifying your own parenting triggers, building self-compassion, and shifting from guilt and self-doubt to a more empowered and intuitive approach. If you haven’t, subscribe to the new private podcast ‘You’re not failing’, to stop feeling…well like you’re doing it wrong and start to build your parental confident https://familymoments.ca/notfailingYou can find everything else I offer on the website www.familymoments.ca so you can take action on what’s the most important for you right now. *I’m recording this podcast on an unceeded territory of the N'dakina and Wabanaki communities.

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"Today, we are talking about grief, because yes, we are going through a grieving process of what our life is not what we expected or what society is telling us it should be. And that might make us feel some guilt.We will dive into:What is grief in generalWhat's different with our griefWhy there's not reason to feel guiltWays to support yourself in the grieving processIf you haven’t, subscribe to the new private podcast ‘You’re not failing’, to stop feeling…well like you’re doing it wrong and start to build your parental confident https://familymoments.ca/notfailingYou can find everything else I offer on the website www.familymoments.ca so you can take action on what’s the most important for you right now. *I’m recording this podcast on an unceeded territory of the N'dakina and Wabanaki communities.

This is a special episode from the "Parenting the Intensity Retreat - Conflict Edition" coming up February 25th-27th! (start tomorrow)It's the live kick-off call from the Facebook group that shares how the event works and explain how the nervous system works and it's impact on the emotional reaction and conflicts in our family and how working with instead of against it can make a difference. You can go to minute 26 if you only want the info on the Nervous systemYou can get register over here at www.parentingtheintensity.ca/register to get access to it all!What to expect from this recording-What to expect this week and how it will all work-How to win prizes-Goal of the retreat-How to choose which presentations to attend-How to get the most of the presentations you attend-Deep Connection Pass-Dive into the Nervous System (it's key to so many presentations, it's important to understand)

This roundtable is part of the Parenting the Intensity Retreat 2025 - Conflict Edition. You can register to the retreat at www.parentingtheintensity.ca/register We discussed strategies for staying calm as parents to support children effectively and why it's important.We emphasized self-care, understanding triggers, adapting parenting strategies, and modeling calm behavior, while focusing on the importance of addressing underlying needs and setting realistic priorities.Key themes are:Staying calm to support children.Impact of parents' calmness on kids.Self-care and basic needs.Understanding and handling triggers.Role of environment in behavior.Modeling self care and regulation for children.Differentiation in sibling parenting.Panelists are:Laurie Moser from https://www.stayingactive.ca/Jen Lumanlan M.S., M.Ed from https://www.yourparentingmojo.comMalia Phelps Waller from www.maliaphelpswaller.com/homeschooltoolbox Moderator is retreat host Anouk Briere-Godbout, owner of Family Moments www.familymoments.ca

This roundtable is part of the Parenting the Intensity Retreat 2025 - Conflict Edition. You can register to the retreat at www.parentingtheintensity.ca/register Panelists are:Afsaneh Moradian from https://www.mlccoaching.comAllison Livingston from https://www.5stepstoconnect.comShaqueena Murreld M.S., CCC- SLP from www.immersedtherapies.comModerator is retreat host Anouk Briere-Godbout, owner of Family Moments www.familymoments.caIn this roundtable we discussed shifting perspectives on children's behavior, emphasizing understanding unmet needs, emotional regulation, modeling, and reducing conflict.We highlighted strategies like connecting through empathy, validating feelings, and maintaining a flexible approach for effective parenting.Key themes are:Understanding children's behaviorConflict resolution in parentingEmotional regulation techniquesCommunication strategies with childrenHomeschooling challenges and solutionsParental expectations and pressuresImportance of apologies and repairsSupporting children's unmet needs

This is a special episode sharing all the details about the "Parenting the Intensity Retreat - Conflict Edition" coming up February 25th-27th!You can get on the waitlist over here at www.parentingtheintensity.ca/register before February 10th or register if it's after that date!You want to be on the waitlist for the reminders of the pre-retreat live roundtables!

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"This is the last episode of the season (that lasted around a year and a half. The podcast will pause until after the Parenting the Intensity Retreat in February (there might be some surprise episode once in a while but I can't promise anything).To get the episodes when they will be available again, make sure to subscribe to the podcast.Here are the links referenced in the episode:Navigating Judgment workshop : https://familymoments.ca/product/navigating-judgments-workshop/Holiday episode on Judgment: https://www.justcast.com/shows/parenting-the-intensity/audioposts/1524263Parenting the Intensity Retreat waitlist: https://parentingtheintensity.ca/Self Care Guide: https://familymoments.ca/realistic-self-care-for-busy-parents/Meltdown to Connection Guide: https://familymoments.ca/from-meltdown-to-connection/

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"🎙️ Excited to share our latest episode of "Parenting the Intensity" featuring Scotti Weintraub of Reframe Parenting, a returned guest. With her we delve into the challenges and misconceptions about advocating for our kids in school settings.Here are three key takeaways from our discussion:🔑 Advocacy Empowerment: Parents often fear being labeled as "that parent." We explore the importance of overcoming this fear to effectively advocate for your child's needs, focusing on their support and success.🔑 Communication and Relationships: Building and maintaining strong relationships with teachers is crucial. Open communication can help balance power dynamics, ensuring that parents' voices are valued and considered.🔑 Exploration of Educational Options: Traditional schooling may not always meet every child's needs. It's important to consider alternative options and work proactively to address educational challenges.Empower yourself as an advocate for your child! 💪Connect with Scottiwww.reframeparenting.comhttps://www.instagram.com/reframeparenting/Resources mentionedRoss Green website: Lives in the BalanceLoss at School, book by Ross GreenUnderstood.org None profitMake sure to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes and leave a rating and review, that helps us get in front of more parents. Don't forget to check out the resources mentioned on our website at www.parentingtheintensity.caJoin the "Parenting the Intensity Community" to find the right things that works for YOUR child and adapt them to YOUR reality.To be able to enjoy your life and kids, not always being afraid of the next outburstTake a deep breath, keep going, we’re all in this together!Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"I had the pleasure of hosting Danika Maddocks again on the podcast.In this episode, we delve deep into how autonomy and kids' interests can be pivotal in overcoming challenges, especially for emotionally intense, gifted, and twice-exceptional children.Danika, a psychologist and founder of the Gifted Learning Lab, shared her valuable insights on how these approaches can benefit not only neurodivergent kids but all children. Here are some key takeaways:🔹 Leverage Autonomy to Promote Well-being: Autonomy is crucial for all kids but necessary for neurodivergent children. Allowing them to have control in certain aspects can lead to a boost in motivation and overall well-being.🔹 Incorporate Interests to Ease Difficult Tasks: Engaging kids' interests—even during mundane tasks like morning routines—can transform struggles into enjoyable experiences, enhancing their motivation and cooperation.🔹 Focus on Expanding Joy to Address Challenges: Crafting time for enjoyable for the child can help improve overall well-being, sometimes reducing the intensity of challenging behaviors.Dive into the full episode to explore practical ways to redefine parenting strategies for your exceptional children. Let's foster environments where our kids feel understood, supported, and empowered."You can give autonomy and support at the same time...A lot of neurodivergent and emotionally intense kids do really benefit from more help, and that's actually gonna give them more independence in the long run because they're not gonna be overwhelmed all the time."Connect with Danikawww.giftedlearninglab.comhttps://www.instagram.com/giftedlearninglab/Resources mentionedReduce Power Struggles with Your Gifted/2e Kid free email mini courseMake sure to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes and leave a rating and review, that helps us get in front of more parents. Don't forget to check out the resources mentioned on our website at www.parentingtheintensity.caJoin the "Parenting the Intensity Community" to find the right things that works for YOUR child and adapt them to YOUR reality.To be able to enjoy your life and kids, not always being afraid of the next outburstTake a deep breath, keep going, we’re all in this together!Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"🌟 Navigating Sibling Dynamics in Emotionally Intense Families 🌟In our latest episode of "Parenting the Intensity," we're thrilled to have Shruti Kumar, a parenting coach based in the Netherlands, share her insights on fostering healthy sibling relationships, especially when one child has higher emotional needs.Key Takeaways:Understanding Each Child's Unique Needs: It's crucial for parents to recognize and accept the different needs and characteristics of each child. Doing so helps in balancing the attention given to neurodivergent and neurotypical siblings, promoting empathy and understanding.Communication is Key: Open dialogue is essential in managing sibling conflicts. Parents should facilitate honest conversations about feelings and needs, encouraging children to express emotions, even the difficult ones. This helps siblings bond without comparisons or unrealistic expectations.Building a Support System: Parenting emotionally intense children comes with its challenges. Emphasizing the strength of a supportive community, Shruti suggests forming a "village" to aid child development and parental well-being. This includes finding external support and creating peer relationship opportunities to help both neurodivergent and neurotypical children thrive.Join us as we delve deeper into these challenges and discover strategies that can transform your family's dynamic."The most important thing is to help both kids understand that they are looking at the world through a completely different lens and, you know, answer their questions with all honesty."Connect with Shrutihttps://empoweredconnections.nl/Make sure to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes and leave a rating and review, that helps us get in front of more parents. Don't forget to check out the resources mentioned on our website at www.parentingtheintensity.caJoin the "Parenting the Intensity Community" to find the right things that works for YOUR child and adapt them to YOUR reality.To be able to enjoy your life and kids, not always being afraid of the next outburstTake a deep breath, keep going, we’re all in this together!Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"This new episode of "Parenting the Intensity" features Gillian Boudreaux, clinical and school psychologist. We dig deep into how we can better understand and support our emotionally intense kiddos, whether you're a parent, teacher, or just someone keen on creating a nurturing space for kids.✨ What You'll Learn:Be Curious, Not Judgy: Keeping a curious mindset about kid behavior helps us respond with patience and support instead of jumping to conclusions.Ditch the Bias: Our expectations can shape how we interact, especially in schools. Staying aware of biases helps avoid reinforcing those stereotypes.Talk It Out: Being open about all our feeling, good and bad, helps lighten the stress load and keeps kids grounded in reality.Catch all the insights and tips to make your interactions more positive and supportive. Plus, check out Gillian's recommended resources for more ways to handle the ups and downs of parenting intense kidsMake sure to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes and leave a rating and review, that helps us get in front of more parents. Don't forget to check out the resources mentioned on our website at www.parentingtheintensity.caGet in contact with Gillian.gillianboudreauphd.comIG @calmconnectionpsychologyRessources mentionedLearn Play Thrive Podcast: Two Sides of the SpectrumBook Calm the Chaos by Dayna AbrahamFair Play Life.comJoin the "Parenting the Intensity Community" to find the right things that works for YOUR child and adapt them to YOUR reality.To be able to enjoy your life and kids, not always being afraid of the next outburstTake a deep breath, keep going, we’re all in this together!Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"In today's episode, we have guest Penny Williams, a parenting coach for ADHD and autistic families. Together, we'll talk all about the myths behind "good" and "bad" emotions and behaviors, and discuss why trying to change our kids to fit societal norms is misguided. Instead, Penny suggest understanding, compassion, and radical acceptance.We’ll explore how feelings of safety and regulation are crucial for appropriate behavior, and why transparency in our own emotional struggles can model healthier ways for our children to handle theirs. Plus, Penny shares invaluable resources to help parents navigate this journey."And we are doing every human being a disservice by saying that some emotions are good and some emotions are bad.Every single emotion is natural. Our biology triggers all of these different types of emotions, and that is just the way it is."Connect with Pennyhttps://ParentingADHDandAutism.comhttps://www.instagram.com/pennywilliams/ Resources mentionedMaking social emotional learning stick, book by Elizabeth SautterMake sure to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes and leave a rating and review, that helps us get in front of more parents. Don't forget to check out the resources mentioned on our website at www.parentingtheintensity.caJoin the "Parenting the Intensity Community" to find the right things that works for YOUR child and adapt them to YOUR reality.To be able to enjoy your life and kids, not always being afraid of the next outburstTake a deep breath, keep going, we’re all in this together!Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"In today's episode, we dive into the complexities of parenting ADHD kids as an ADHD parent with our guest, Jo Mitchelhill. Jo, a coach specializing in ADHD and trauma-informed care, provides valuable insights for parents dealing with this reality.Together we explore the impact of unresolved childhood experiences on adult emotions, the importance of therapeutic parenting, and the necessity of understanding and addressing triggers and emotions in both parents and children.Join us as we discuss the fluidity of diagnoses, the significance of setting clear (and supportive) boundaries, and the crucial role of parental expectations in interactions with emotionally intense kids. It's an episode filled with valuable advice, real-life experiences, and practical strategies for navigating the big emotions of parenthood."If you scream and shout at your kids, don't be surprised that they're gonna scream and shout back at you. They're just responding to the energy that you put out there."Connect with Jowww.jomitchelhill.comFacebook groupResources mentionedScattered Minds, Book by Gabor MatéMake sure to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes and leave a rating and review, that helps us get in front of more parents. Don't forget to check out the resources mentioned on our website at www.parentingtheintensity.caJoin the "Parenting the Intensity Community" to find the right things that works for YOUR child and adapt them to YOUR reality.To be able to enjoy your life and kids, not always being afraid of the next outburstTake a deep breath, keep going, we’re all in this together!Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"In this episode of "Parenting the Intensity," we dive deep into the topic of giftedness and twice exceptionality (2e) with our special guest Danika Maddocks. We discuss the complexities of identifying giftedness and 2e in emotionally intense children. Danika shares her expertise in supporting gifted and twice exceptional kids and offers valuable insights for parents navigating this unique parenting journey. Join us as we unravel the nuances of giftedness, 2e, and provide valuable resources for supporting these exceptional but challenging children. You won't want to miss this enlightening discussion!"So some families, it's not until their second or third assessment that they learn their kid is twice exceptional."Connect with Danikawww.giftedlearninglab.comhttps://www.instagram.com/giftedlearninglab/Resources mentionedReduce Power Struggles with Your Gifted/2e Kid free email mini courseMake sure to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes and leave a rating and review, that helps us get in front of more parents. Don't forget to check out the resources mentioned on our website at www.parentingtheintensity.caJoin the "Parenting the Intensity Community" to find the right things that works for YOUR child and adapt them to YOUR reality.To be able to enjoy your life and kids, not always being afraid of the next outburstTake a deep breath, keep going, we’re all in this together!Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"We all know that parenting isn't easy, especially when our kids have intense emotions. So, let's break down how we can take care of ourselves and stay calm as a parent to support our exceptional but challenging kids.And to do that with is, we're joined by Michele Riechman, a mom of 4 and a military wife. Michele's journey towards prioritizing health and well-being started after her 3rd child. She shares how she found simple ways to integrate self-care into her busy life, leading her to become a personal trainer and health coach. Her mission is to help women simplify self-care, so they can be the best versions of themselves for their families.​"So really becoming aware of those thoughts and telling yourself the truth. Because our brain has lots of thoughts and ideas, and a lot of them aren't even true. But we keep living and thinking as if they are true, so really paying attention to those thoughts."Connect with Laciewww.micheleriechman.com/www.instagram.com/micheleriechman/Resources mentionedInsight Timer, meditation AppMichele's Podcast Healthy Beyond 40Make sure to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes and leave a rating and review, that helps us get in front of more parents. Don't forget to check out the resources mentioned on our website at www.parentingtheintensity.caJoin the "Parenting the Intensity Community" to find the right things that works for YOUR child and adapt them to YOUR reality.To be able to enjoy your life and kids, not always being afraid of the next outburstTake a deep breath, keep going, we’re all in this together!Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"In this episode, our host Anouk explore the concept of the Comfort Plan and its crucial role in helping parents navigate big emotions in their children with guest Lacie Newton. Lacie, a specialist in emotional regulation, shares her personal journey of developing the Comfort Plan and how it has transformed her approach to parenting. From mindfulness practices to understanding the intensity of emotions, this episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies for parents. Join us as we navigate the challenges and triumphs of parenting with compassion and intentionality."And regardless of the messages you are getting from your culture, from your family, the media, Instagram, there is this path that's also available where things do feel like you are the right person for this child. This child is the right one for you, and everything is okay the way it is."Connect with Laciewww.MamaSimpatico.comhttps://www.instagram.com/mamasimpatico/ https://www.facebook.com/mamasimpaticoResources mentionedUnruffled, podcast from Janet Lansbury Make sure to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes and leave a rating and review, that helps us get in front of more parents. Don't forget to check out the resources mentioned on our website at www.parentingtheintensity.caJoin the "Parenting the Intensity Community" to find the right things that works for YOUR child and adapt them to YOUR reality.To be able to enjoy your life and kids, not always being afraid of the next outburstTake a deep breath, keep going, we’re all in this together!Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"In this episode, we will explore the concepts of co-regulation and co-dysregulation and how they can help us navigate the unique needs of our exceptional but challenging kids.And to do so we are welcoming Penny Williams, founder of parenting ADHD and autism, to discuss this complicated but oh so essential subject!"We need to have radical acceptance of what is for our kids and what might be different in their lives. Because when we get okay with those things, we're not freaking out about them. We're not freaking out about their future. There's so much more room for joy."Resources mentionedRoss Green Book : The Explosive ChildKelly Mahler interoception curriculumConnect with Pennyhttps://ParentingADHDandAutism.com Beautifully Complex Podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/pennywilliams/ https://www.facebook.com/PennyWilliamsAuthor/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentingADHDandAutism https://www.pinterest.com/pennywauthor/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/penny-williams-8b601543/Make sure to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes and leave a rating and review, that helps us get in front of more parents. Don't forget to check out the resources mentioned on our website at www.parentingtheintensity.caJoin the "Parenting the Intensity Community" to find the right things that works for YOUR child and adapt them to YOUR reality.To be able to enjoy your life and kids, not always being afraid of the next outburstTake a deep breath, keep going, we’re all in this together!Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay