Parent with Grace Podcast

Healing Beyond Perfection: Parenting Without the Tools You’re trying to raise emotionally healthy, securely attached kids… while still healing the parts of you that never had the tools. This episode is a gentle, grounding reminder that you don’t need a perfect childhood to be a powerful, connected parent. You just need presence, repair, and willingness. Together, we’ll talk about what it really feels like to parent beautifully intense kids when regulation, emotional safety, and attunement weren’t modeled for you and why your efforts today matter more than perfection ever could. This is your compassionate reset if you’ve ever thought, “No one taught me how to do this.” You’re not behind. You’re becoming. 💛

In this episode, we explore what it really looks like to learn the parenting tools we never received, while raising kids who need us regulated, present, and connected. This is a vulnerable reflection on growing into the parent we’re becoming, even in the messy, overwhelming moments. You'll hear real-life stories, quiet breakthroughs, and the gentle reminder that healing isn’t loud, it’s lived in the small shifts and tender repair. If you’re parenting while still learning emotional regulation yourself, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and not alone. 💛 Follow me on Instagram at parent_with_grace You’re not behind — you’re becoming.

Season 1 was all about laying the foundation for a calmer, more connected parenting journey, especially for those of us raising strong-willed, sensitive, or neurodivergent kids. In just a few weeks together, we have: ✨ Learned why nervous systems, not choices, drive so much of our kids’ behaviors ✨ Explored how co-regulation builds trust, safety, and real behavior change ✨ Practiced responding instead of reacting (even when emotions run high) ✨ Started supporting our kids’ brains and bodies through dysregulation ✨ Made small, powerful shifts toward a more peaceful family dynamic And if you’ve listened to even one episode… you’ve already begun that transformation. 🤍 This recap episode is a moment to pause, breathe, and celebrate how far you’ve come, even if the days still feel heavy sometimes. Because this work is brave. And you’re doing it. 🌟 Coming Next: Season 2 Sneak Peek We’re going deeper into the reality of parenting beautifully intense kids, especially when our own regulation and healing still feel like a work in progress. We’ll kick off Season 2 with a special 3-part mini-series: ✨ Parenting Without the Tools: A Dad’s Perspective ✨ My husband is joining me on the mic to talk about: ✅ Discovering his own ADHD as a dad ✅ How he learned connection without having those tools growing up ✅ What it feels like to parent while still healing ✅ The messy, real-life moments behind the scenes ✅ And yes… there will be humor 😅 These conversations are honest, validating, and eye-opening, especially for dads who rarely hear their experiences reflected back to them. ➡️ Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss Part 1 next week! 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned Follow along on Instagram for daily tools & encouragement: @ParentWithGrace For more Resources and to access my podcast go to: Parent With Grace 💛 Leave a Review & Share the Love If this podcast has supported you, the kindest thing you can do is share it with another parent who could use a little grace today, or leave a quick review. It helps others find the support they deserve, too. 🌱 You’re not behind, you’re becoming. Take a breath. Lead with love. Stay connected. 💛

In this episode Nicole guides parents through healing their inner child so they can become a calm, attuned presence for their children. Learn how early emotional imprints shape reactions today and why becoming a regulated caregiver creates safety for your family. Nicole teaches the simple "lean-in" method, tips for naming emotions, and somatic practices to help you pause, reparent yourself, and respond with compassion instead of reactivity. Downloadable reflective prompts are available to begin your healing journey.

In this episode, Nicole explains why traditional consequences often fail to teach children new skills and instead create shame or power struggles. She contrasts consequences (control and punishment) with boundaries (clear, consistent guidance that keeps kids safe while teaching skills). You’ll hear practical examples of boundary-based responses to common scenarios, and simple strategies for connecting before correcting so children can practice better choices and build trust.

Host Nicole, a certified parent coach and mom of four, challenges the phrase "they're just doing it for attention" and reframes attention-seeking behavior as a call for connection. The episode explains how executive function delays and neurodivergence affect behavior, offers practical strategies, like visual schedules, co-regulation, and self-regulation tips for parents, and encourages curiosity, compassion, and connection over punishment.

In this episode, we explore why anxiety shows up so often in children, especially those who are neurodivergent or highly sensitive, and how misunderstandings and environmental mismatches can make things worse. Tune in for a compassionate look at anxiety as a nervous-system signal rather than bad behavior. We also introduce the Anxiety Monster Activity, a simple, playful worksheet that helps kids draw and name their anxiety, share what it feels like, and practice calming strategies together with parents. It’s a practical tool for opening conversations, building connection, and teaching coping skills.

Nicole explains why labeling a child a "problem" blocks connection and hides the needs beneath challenging behavior. She shares simple reframes, practical phrases, and a compassionate approach to move from reactivity to curiosity, helping parents hold boundaries with love. Includes a free one-page "Reframe the Problem Behaviors" cheat sheet and a preview of next week’s episode, "Meet the Anxiety Monster."

Nicole shares real parenting moments and simple, practical shifts to help you respond instead of react when kids flood with big feelings. Learn tiny tools like a one-minute reset, giving small choices and jobs, and how to repair after you lose your cool, all while keeping clear boundaries with love. Includes a gentle step-by-step practice and a 14 day no yell challenge to start moving from chaos to connection at home.

Ever find yourself snapping at your kids over something as small as forgotten shoes or screen time battles? You’re not alone. In this episode you’ll discover: What’s really happening in your body when you react Why your calm is contagious (and so is your dysregulation) Simple, repeatable tools to build your “pause muscle” How to repair when you do lose it, because perfection isn’t the goal, connection is Whether you’re raising a strong-willed, sensitive, or neurodivergent child, this episode will remind you that every pause, every repair, and every steady boundary helps create more trust and calm at home, one breath at a time.

Co-Regulation vs. Self-Regulation What’s the Difference? “If they’re old enough to throw a fit, they’re old enough to calm down.”  Sound familiar? Here’s the truth: Self-regulation isn’t something kids just know how to do.  It’s something they learn, and they learn it through you. In this episode of Parent with Grace, we’re breaking down:  💛 What co-regulation really means  🧠 Why neurodivergent kids may struggle with self-regulation  🌊 How to be the calm your child can borrow 📲 This is the episode every parent needs especially when meltdowns hit hard.

So many parents feel lost, overwhelmed, or confused when they first hear words like neurodivergent, ADHD, autism, or executive function challenges. And in a world full of labels, opinions, and noise… it can be hard to know what’s actually true. In this episode, we slow everything down and get to the heart of what neurodivergence really is not as a diagnosis, not as a fear-filled label, but as a way of understanding how a brain is beautifully wired to work differently. Nicole breaks down, in simple and relatable language: what “neurodivergent” truly means the differences in how ND brains think, feel, and process why regulation looks different for neurodivergent kids the role of executive function (for ALL humans, not just ND kids) how your own upbringing and nervous system influence the way you parent why understanding wiring creates more calm, connection, and compassion at home This isn’t a clinical lecture it’s a grounding, grace-filled conversation meant to help you see your child more clearly… and maybe even see yourself with a little more tenderness, too. Whether you’re raising an ADHD explorer, an autistic deep-feeler, a dyslexic big-picture thinker, a dyspraxic problem-solver, or you’re simply trying to make sense of your child’s overwhelm, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence you’ve been needing. ✨ If you want tools to support your family, visit: parentwithgrace.com where you’ll find free guides, practical resources, and workshops to help you parent with more calm and connection.

Welcome to Parent with Grace, a heartfelt podcast for parents raising sensitive and strong-willed children who sometimes feel out of sync with the world. Hosted by Nicole, a dedicated parent coach and mother of four, this episode delves into the journey of finding balance in a chaotic household. Nicole shares her personal story of transformation, highlighting how she moved from survival mode to creating a peaceful home environment. She discusses the challenges of parenting children with big emotions and neurodivergent needs while emphasizing the importance of self-regulation and connection. Listeners are invited to explore new perspectives and practical tools to foster a calm, connected, and respectful family life. This episode is a reminder that you're not alone and that it's possible to find a more peaceful way to parent.

Welcome to Parent with Grace, the podcast for parents raising big-feeling, strong-willed, or sensitive kids who don’t fit the mold… and need something different. In this short trailer, you’ll meet your host, Nicole, certified parent coach, mom of four, and fellow traveler in the messy, meaningful work of parenting with more calm, connection, and confidence. This show is your space to breathe, reset, and learn practical tools that help you respond (not react), co-regulate with confidence, and create the peaceful home you and your child both deserve. If you’re tired of just surviving and ready to parent with more grace, even on the hard days, you’re in the right place. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe now and let’s walk this journey together.

When your child melts down and your body tenses, it’s not a lack of control — it’s your nervous system remembering. In this episode, Nicole shares how somatic awareness helps you tune into your body’s cues, calm your reactivity, and model true regulation for your child. Learn the AWARE Method and HAVE SENSE practice to reconnect with your body and return to peace. ✨ DM “SOMATIC” to @ParentWithGrace for your free Somatic Reset Guide.

Ever feel like you're stuck in a cycle of constant correction, nagging, reminding, and reacting, only to see your child's behavior get worse instead of better? In this episode of Parent with Grace, we explore the power of choosing connection over correction, especially when raising neurodivergent kids. You’ll learn why traditional discipline often backfires, how disconnection fuels dysregulation, and what it really means to connect before you correct. Whether you’re deep in the trenches or just want to build a stronger bond with your child, this episode is your reminder that connection isn’t a reward for good behavior, it’s the foundation for it.