DiscoverCalm Connection Parenting | Meltdowns, Emotional Dysregulation, ADHD, DMDD, SPD, Neurodivergent Child
Calm Connection Parenting | Meltdowns, Emotional Dysregulation, ADHD, DMDD, SPD, Neurodivergent Child
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Calm Connection Parenting | Meltdowns, Emotional Dysregulation, ADHD, DMDD, SPD, Neurodivergent Child

Author: Jami Kirkbride LPC, Parenting Coach, Emotional Regulation, Sensory Processing, Executive Functioning

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Ranked in the top 5% of podcasts globally! Tired of walking on eggshells… dreading the next meltdown? Exhausted by big emotions and baffling behaviors? Wondering why “traditional advice” backfires in your home? 

 

I’m glad you’re here. This podcast helps you understand what’s underneath the behavior, so you can respond with calm, stop second-guessing yourself, and build real connection with your neurodivergent or uniquely wired child. 

 

Hi, I’m Jami… a mom of seven, professional counselor turned parenting coach, speaker, and author. And yes, even with training, I found myself stuck in the same cycle so many parents live in: meltdown… reaction… guilt… repeat. I was doing all the things that were “supposed” to work… but they didn’t. 

 

Everything changed when I stopped treating behavior like the problem and started looking underneath it. When I learned to understand my child’s unique wiring (personality, sensory processing, executive functioning, and emotional needs), I finally had a roadmap. I didn’t need more tips… I needed clarity and a plan. And that clarity changed everything. 

 

If you’re ready to ditch the overwhelm and stop parenting in survival mode, you’re in the right place. We’ll talk emotional dysregulation, defiance, ADHD, DMDD, anxiety, and more… along with practical steps that help your family move from chaos to calm… one episode at a time. 

 

So grab your coffee, find your quiet spot (if you have one), and let’s jump in. 

 

Start here: Take the FREE Emotional Forecast Quiz at CalmConnectionParenting.org and find your next best step.


65 Episodes
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If you’ve ever looked at your child’s meltdowns or emotional outbursts and thought, “I must be doing something wrong,” this episode is for you. We’re talking emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, and why common parenting advice often backfires with neurodivergent kids. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why emotional dysregulation is often mistaken for defianceHow your child’s unique wiring impacts behavior and reactionsWhy “be more strict” and “just be consistent” can make things worseOne powerful...
Why does your child have huge reactions to things that feel small? The wrong color cup. A change of plans. A simple “no”… and suddenly it’s full emotional overload. In this episode, we’re unpacking emotional dysregulation in kids and why emotionally intense, highly sensitive, and neurodivergent children can struggle to manage big feelings - even when they’re trying their best. In this episode, you’ll learn: What’s happening in your child’s brain and nervous system during dysregulationWhy logi...
Feeling like you’re doing all the research and your partner is on a totally different timeline? Parenting gets lonely fast when you’re raising a child with big emotions - and you’re not on the same page. In today’s episode, I’m answering a listener question about what to do when one parent wants help, tools, and support… and the other feels hesitant, resistant, or shut down. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why parents often approach “getting help” in completely different waysWhat resistance is...
As the year comes to a close, many parents find themselves exhausted by resolutions that promise change but add more pressure. If you’re parenting emotional dysregulation or big emotions, this episode offers a different way forward. In this final episode of the year, we reflect honestly on the year behind us, walk through a gentle RESET framework, and explore how choosing a word for the year can guide your parenting with calm, clarity, and connection… without guilt or overwhelm. This episode ...
What if the very first Christmas didn’t look anything like the peaceful, picture-perfect scene we often imagine? In this special Christmas episode, I reflect on the birth of Jesus through Mary’s eyes… a young mother whose journey into motherhood unfolded in ways she never could have planned or predicted. If your holidays feel different than you imagined… quieter, heavier, more complicated… or shaped by the realities of parenting a uniquely wired child, this episode offers comfort, perspective...
The holidays can bring extra pressure when you’re parenting a child with big emotions, intense reactions, or unique needs… especially when extended family doesn’t understand what your child is facing. If you’ve ever walked into a family gathering feeling judged, misunderstood, or on edge about how things might unfold, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I’ll share a simple idea to help you navigate family dynamics with more confidence, clarity, and calm… without feeling like you’re...
The holidays can feel especially heavy when you’re parenting a child with emotional dysregulation. Love runs deep, but so does exhaustion, anticipation, and the pressure to hold everything together. In this episode, we gently discuss the emotions many parents carry quietly and create space to release what steals peace during the holiday season. This is not about fixing your child or forcing joy. It’s about understanding, compassion, and protecting your family’s well-being. In this episode, yo...
Parenting an emotionally dysregulated child during the holidays can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and anything but peaceful. In this episode, we’re unpacking simple, practical ways to reduce meltdowns, create calmer moments, and shape a Christmas that truly fits your child’s needs — and your family’s heart. Whether your child gets overstimulated by lights and noise, struggles with routine changes, or melts down under holiday expectations, this episode will help you breathe easier and move th...
Holiday events can bring excitement, but also overwhelm, refusal, and emotional dysregulation for many neurodivergent and emotionally intense children. In this episode, we answer a heartfelt listener question and unpack a simple, memorable framework to help you protect peace, support your child, and get the M-O-S-T out of the holiday season. If your child struggles with sensory overload, big feelings, outfit battles, or saying “no” to every activity, you’re not alone. In this episode yo...
Holidays can bring out both the magic and the meltdowns, especially when you’re raising an emotionally intense child. And while we often focus on surviving the big emotions, the siblings in the family feel these moments deeply too. Hurt feelings, frustration, confusion, and walking on eggshells can quietly shape their holiday experience. In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to create real sibling peace during the holiday season… not by forcing picture-perfect moments, but by building s...
When you’re raising an emotionally intense or dysregulated child, gratitude can feel like the last thing on your mind. Between meltdowns, misunderstandings, and moments that leave you feeling worn thin (at best), it’s easy to lose sight of what’s good. In this heartfelt and hope-filled episode, Jami shares what it looks like to find gratitude right in the middle of the chaos, even when life feels anything but peaceful. Through real stories, faith-based encouragement, and brain-science insight...
The holidays can bring joy, laughter, and… total overwhelm, especially when you’re parenting a child who struggles with emotional dysregulation. If family gatherings, travel, or changes in routine often lead to meltdowns and stress, this episode is for you. Join me as I share one of our hardest holiday moments and what it taught me about preparing differently. You’ll learn how to establish your Holiday P.A.C.E.- a simple, practical approach to protect routines, anticipate challenges, create c...
For many kids, class parties, school spirit days, and holiday activities mean excitement and fun—but for emotionally dysregulated or neurodivergent children, they can mean stress, overwhelm, and meltdowns. In this episode, we’ll unpack why these “fun” days can be so tough and how to help your child stay calm, connected, and confident through it all. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why holiday events and routine changes can trigger dysregulation.How sensory overload and unpredictability impact ...
Have you ever looked at your child’s meltdown and thought, “Why does this keep happening?” What if those big emotions weren’t just about behavior, but about the way your child’s brain and body process the world around them? In this episode, we’re diving into the fascinating world of sensory processing...what it really means, how it connects to emotional dysregulation, and why understanding it can completely change the way you parent. You’ll learn: The surprising story that opened ...
Bad parenting. Laziness. Can’t focus. Overdiagnosed. Medication is dangerous. You’ve probably heard at least one of these myths before...maybe even all five. But here’s the truth: every single one is a myth that can weigh families down with guilt, confusion, and shame. In this episode, Jami bursts the biggest misconceptions about ADHD and replaces them with truth, compassion, and hope, because when you understand the brain behind the behavior, everything changes. In this episode, you’ll disco...
What do you do when your family just doesn’t understand your child’s meltdowns? Or when you start wondering if it’s time to seek professional help? In this powerful Season 2 kickoff of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, Jami answers two real questions from parents walking through emotional intensity, family tension, and the uncertainty of what’s “normal.” If you’ve ever felt judged by family members who don’t get your child’s big emotions, or struggled to know when to talk with a doctor a...
Ever wonder why your child can hold it together all day at school, then completely unravel the moment they get home? You’re not crazy, and you’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll unpack the real reason behind those after-school meltdowns (hint: it’s not bad behavior!) and what you can do to bring calm and connection back to your afternoons and evenings. You’ll discover why your child saves their hardest moments for you, how emotional safety can lead to release, and simple steps that help you...
Can you believe it? The Calm Connection Parenting Podcast is officially ONE year old! 🎉 Over 5,000 downloads, listeners in 59 countries, and 50 episodes filled with hope, encouragement, and real-life parenting strategies. In this special anniversary episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes to celebrate what we’ve built together, and to share some fun surprises along the way. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: Fun and surprising stats that show just how far this little podcast has trave...
Hearing your child say words like, “I wish I were dead” can be the most terrifying moment of parenting. In this episode, we’re talking openly about suicidal ideation in children—why it happens, how to respond, and how to create safety and hope in your home. September is Suicide Prevention Month, but this is a conversation we must keep alive all year long. What you’ll learn in this episode: How to recognize and understand suicidal ideation in kidsWhat to say (and not say) when your child blurt...
Finding out your child has a diagnosis like DMDD, ADHD, anxiety, or other mental health diagnosis can feel overwhelming. One moment you’re standing on steady ground, and the next it feels like the floor dropped out from under you. In this episode, I’m sharing the very first steps you can take to steady yourself, find hope, and begin building a plan forward that works for your child and your family. Here’s what you’ll take away from today’s episode: Why those first emotions after diagnosis mat...
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