Mindful Motherhood

Welcome to Mindful Motherhood! As a stressed and overwhelmed mom, do you ever find yourself struggling to understand why your child behaves the way they do? Do you wish you could break parenting cycles and build stronger connections with your kids, even during the toughest moments of child development? If so, this podcast is for you. Join child psychologist and mother of two, Dr. Katie Gorham, as she breaks down the science behind child and adolescent brain development and offers meaningful and practical shifts you can make in your parenting approach. Get ready to gain a deeper understanding of your child and discover effective strategies to build connections and navigate even the toughest family moments. Website: MindfulMotherhoodPodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.com

This episode delves into the concept of emotional dysregulation in children and provides insights into what goes on inside their developing brains. Your host, Dr. Katie Gorham, explains how children's immature brain systems make them more prone to emotional outbursts and challenging behaviors. She discusses executive functions, which play a crucial role in everyday functioning, and highlights the limitations children face due to their ongoing brain development. The episode also introduces the idea of flipping the lid, a term coined by Dr. Dan Siegel, to describe when the emotional brain takes over and disconnects from the thinking brain. The window of tolerance, which refers to each individual's capacity to handle stress and demands, is also explored. Dr. Katie emphasizes the importance of understanding that emotions dysregulation is a normal part of development and offers strategies to help parents respond effectively when their child's lid is flipped.Additional Resources: Books written by Dr. Dan SiegelWebsite: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.comTimestamps:1:14 - What is executive functioning and how does it impact my child?4:01 - Getting to the core of emotional dysregulation.6:31 - Exploring the concept of flipping the lid and what it means for child and adolescent behavior.11:00 - The window of tolerance (and how it causes the lid to flip).14:14 - Triggers that commonly tip our children into emotional dysregulation territory.16:49 - Listener challenge of the week!

Co-regulation plays a crucial role in helping children develop self-regulation skills. In this episode, Dr. Katie explores the concept of co-regulation and its importance in parenting. She explains that children are born with the capacity to learn how to regulate but need guidance and support from parents and caregivers. Co-regulation involves using a warm, calm behavioral response to calm a child's bigger, more explosive behavior response. By modeling calm and providing a safe, supportive environment, parents can help children learn to manage their emotions and behaviors. Dr. Katie emphasizes the power of mirror neurons and how our behavior influences our children's behavior. She also provides strategies for parents to practice co-regulation, such as pausing, breathing calmly, and offering empathy and validation. This episode offers valuable insights into the science of co-regulation and practical tools for parents to support their children's emotional development.Website: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.comTimestamps:0:45 - Defining self-regulation4:34 - Developmental timeline: when we learn to regulate7:02 - How adult behavior influences child behavior within the regulation lens8:34 - Defining co-regulation10:23 - The regulation triangle 12:16 - The concept of rational detachment to help parents regain calm 15:05 - Examples of co-regulation18:10 - When one parent is the primary regulator in two parent households22:09 - Challenge of the week!

In this episode of the Mindful Motherhood podcast, Dr. Katie explores the challenges parents face during transitions and provides practical strategies to make these moments smoother. Dr. Katie emphasizes the importance of connecting with your child before issuing directives and highlights tools like visual timers and voice assistants to help manage time. By understanding the developmental science behind children’s emotions, parents can better navigate daily routines and avoid power struggles. This episode is part one of a two-part series aimed at giving parents effective tools for setting boundaries and fostering a calmer and more connected household.Additional Resources:Visual Timer VIsual Timer AppWebsite: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.comTimestamps:2:40 - Parenting approaches and buzzwords5:36 - How to navigate transitions throughout the day9:04 - Using timers to help ease the overwhelm of transitions11:38 - Thinking strategically about how we use questions and make requests16:30 - Using simple choices to ease overwhelm 22:23 - Incorporating choice with teens23:21 - Challenge of the week!

This podcast episode delves into the power of creative communication in the context of parenting. Dr. Katie explores the ways in which effective communication can bridge the gap between adult and child brain development. She discusses strategies such as the 'when / then' method, where requests are phrased in a positive and motivating way, and the use of a 'creative yes' to reframe negative responses. The episode also emphasizes the importance of breaking down tasks into smaller steps, particularly for children who are still developing their executive function skills. By using concrete language and engaging techniques, parents can transform challenging interactions into more positive and connected experiences with their children.Website: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.comTimestamps:5:16 - Communication misfires and why mindset matters9:15 - The magical “when / then”15:17 - Overuse of no and shifting to what a child can do20:01 - Reframing “no” to a creative yes, or yes with conditions21:55 - Breaking big tasks into smaller parts27:04 - Challenge of the day!

In this episode of the Mindful Motherhood podcast, Dr. Katie focuses on managing children's meltdowns. She covers how physical presence, language, and environment adjustments can help calm the situation. Understanding the brain's role during these intense emotional periods is key. By being aware of our own reactions and employing calming strategies, parents can better support their children through these challenging moments. This episode emphasizes the importance of co-regulation, suggesting that a calm adult presence can help a child regain control. Tips include adjusting body language and maintaining a safe environment.Website: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.comResources: First Emotions Series (11 books)Little Monkey Calms DownMy Body Sends a SignalListening to My BodyListening with My HeartTimestamps:4:07 - What does a meltdown look like for your child?6:16 - Counteracting the emotional flood of a meltdown7:23 - Assessing the physical environment9:16 - Altering our physical presence to appear less threatening12:48 - When physical touch registers as a pain response14:51- Altering the sensory environment16:03 - Allowing the emotional release17:48 - Reintegrating the brain by offering choices and validating feelings22:29 - Resisting the urge to talk through what happened26:34 - Avoiding statements that bring attention to our emotions31:36 - Challenge of the week!

In this episode of the Mindful Motherhood podcast, Dr. Katie teaches parents how to distinguish between meltdowns and tantrums and offers practical tips to address each effectively. She emphasizes the importance of approaching children's emotional outbursts with curiosity and empathy, labeling emotions, and validating feelings to foster connection and emotional growth. The episode provides strategies for helping children of all ages to build their emotion regulation toolkit, including how to build their emotional vocabulary, manage their feelings, and develop resilience through everyday interactions, play, and other creative outlets.Website: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.comResources:(Books)First Emotions Series (11 books)Every Little ThingLittle Monkey Calms DownMy Body Sends a SignalListening to My BodyListening with My HeartIn My Heart: A Book of Feelings (Growing Hearts)A Kids Book About Coping SkillsTwo Big Feelings; Quiet in my Body; Happy Either Way (LOVEVERY)Everyone Feels SeriesBelly BreatheBreathe, Think, Do with Elmo(Visuals)Calm Strips VisualsTextured Infinity Breathing Strips5 Deep Breaths VisualTimestamps:1:18 - Tantrum vs Meltdown5:27 - Introduction to coping skills6:44 - Building an emotional vocabulary 14:01 - Building coping skills/regulation tools for ages 5-1018:10 - Building coping skills/regulation tools for ages 11-1824:11 - Modeling emotional regulation for our kids28:57 - Challenge of the week!

This episode of the Mindful Motherhood podcast delves into the challenging world of parenting and emotional regulation. Dr. Katie explores how parents' emotional triggers, often rooted in past experiences, can impact interactions with their children. She emphasizes the significance of recognizing these triggers to maintain composure during tough moments. The episode provides actionable advice, including identifying physical signs of stress, employing relaxation techniques, and talking openly with partners or support systems. By understanding and managing their own triggers, parents can create a more emotionally supportive environment for both themselves and their children. Dr. Katie also discuss what to do when parents inevitably lose their cool with their kids, including how to repair the relationship by modeling a genuine apology.Website: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.comTimestamps:

In the season 1 finale of the Mindful Motherhood podcast, Dr. Katie offers a dive into the essential role of self-care in parenting. She emphasizes understanding child dysregulation and enhancing self-regulatory skills through mindful approaches. Dr. Katie provides practical self-care tips, from morning routines to creating a personalized self-care menu. She also stresses that consistent, small self-care practices can significantly impact emotional well-being, helping parents stay regulated and connected with their children, even amidst daily chaos. This episode is a culmination of season-long strategies to foster better parent-child connections.Additional Resources:Meditation Apps: Insight Timer; HeadspaceQuick Music-Only Stretches: Mady MorrisonWebsite: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.com

The holiday season can be a magical time for families, but it can also be a source of stress for kids. In this special holiday bonus episode, Dr. Katie dives into the reasons why children often feel overwhelmed during the holidays, including increased social interactions, performance pressure, disrupted routines, and sensory overload. She provides practical tips to help parents manage their child's stress and create a more peaceful holiday experience for everyone.Happy holidays!Website: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.com