Calm Connection Parenting | Meltdowns, Neurodivergence, Emotional Regulation, DMDD, Autism, SPD, Defiance, Angry Behaviors

Jami Kirkbride LPC, Parenting Coach for Emotional Dysregulation and Executive Functioning
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Parenting
  • Updated weekly

Ranked in the top 2.5% of podcasts globally! Tired of walking on eggshells… dreading the next meltdown? Exhausted by big emotions. defiance, and disobediance? Wondering why “traditional" parenting advice backfires with your strong-willed child?   I’m glad you’re here. This podcast helps you understand what’s behind your child's 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 things.    If you’re ready to ditch the overwhelm and stop parenting in survival mode, you’re in the right place. We’ll talk meltdowns, 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.

  1. 2 hr ago

    What Does Neurodivergent Mean Anyway? What People Need to Know About Neurodivergence

    What does neurodivergent actually mean and could it describe your child? Neurodivergence includes far more than autism and can affect attention, sensory processing, emotional regulation, executive functioning, learning, behavior, and the way a child experiences the world. In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, we break down neurodivergence in simple, parent-friendly language and explain why understanding your child’s unique wiring can bring clarity instead of fear. You’ll hear about: Why the term neurodivergent is broader than many parents realizeSome of the ways different wiring may show up in everyday life and behaviorWhy understanding your child does not mean lowering expectationsHow greater clarity can help you move from frustration toward curiosity and connectionIf labels or diagnoses have ever felt scary, limiting, or confusing, this episode offers a different way to look at them...not as a final destination, but as a helpful starting point for understanding where your child is and what support may help them grow. Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast QuizVisit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support. Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Just Believe

    What Does Neurodivergent Mean Anyway? What People Need to Know About Neurodivergence

  2. 5 days ago

    Hidden Grief with a Neurodivergent Child: 3 Ways to Move Through It When Parenting Looks Different Than You Imagined

    Parenting a neurodivergent, anxious, emotionally intense, or special-needs child can bring a kind of grief that many moms feel but rarely talk about. When parenting looks different than you imagined, even fun family experiences can become filled with stress, emotional dysregulation, disappointment, and guilt In this episode of Calm Connection Parenting, I share  a personal story about a trip that brought those emotions to the surface and what helped me move through the grief without getting stuck in it. You’ll hear about: Why grief can show up even when you deeply love and appreciate your childHow to recognize when anger, frustration, or disappointment may be covering something deeperA practical way to shift from the idealized picture in your head to the reality your child’s nervous system can manageHow support, acceptance, and hope can help you move forward without pretending the hard parts don’t hurtIf you’ve ever thought, “This isn’t what I imagined,” this episode will help you make space for what is true right now while still holding onto hope for what can grow and change ahead.   Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast QuizVisit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support. Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Just Believe

    Hidden Grief with a Neurodivergent Child: 3 Ways to Move Through It When Parenting Looks Different Than You Imagined

  3. 2 Sept

    5 Things Moms of Neurodivergent Kids Need More Of-- Nothing at Home Changed… But Something in Us Did

    Parenting a neurodivergent or high-needs child can leave moms carrying more than anyone else realizes. The exhaustion, advocacy, grief, worry, and constant need to stay one step ahead can become so normal that we forget how heavy it really is. After the very first Calm Connection Moms Retreat in Loveland, Colorado, I came home reflecting on what happened when a group of moms raising children with big emotions, neurodivergence, and mental health challenges finally had space to rest, connect, laugh, cry, and be understood. In this episode of Calm Connection Parenting, we talk about five important things moms of neurodivergent kids may need more of, not because all the hard things suddenly disappear, but because sometimes the support we receive changes how we walk back into them. You’ll hear about: Why constantly staying strong may be costing you more than you realizeWhat can happen when moms finally have space to acknowledge what they’ve been carryingWhy feeling understood can be more powerful than receiving another piece of adviceHow one small shift in support, rest, or connection can help you return to the same life differentlyNothing at home may change overnight. But with the right support, something in you can. Listen in and then choose one thing you need more of this week—and one small next step toward finding it. Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast QuizVisit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support. Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Just Believe

    5 Things Moms of Neurodivergent Kids Need More Of-- Nothing at Home Changed… But Something in Us Did

  4. 26 Aug

    103. 7 Tips for When School Starts Getting Hard: Back-to-School Stress, Meltdowns and Anxiety in Neurodivergent, DMDD, or ASD Kids

    In this episode of Calm Connection Parenting, we discuss how to move out of panic and into curiosity when the first few weeks of school start getting harder. You’ll learn how to gather better information, listen without rushing to fix, and decide when it may be time to involve the school. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why the first days of school can sometimes look easier than the weeks that followHow to spot patterns that may point to stress, overwhelm, or a more specific struggleSimple ways to help your child open up without feeling judged, pressured, or immediately “fixed”How to know when it may be time to move from listening and observing into calm, thoughtful advocacyIf your child is dealing with back-to-school anxiety, emotional dysregulation, ADHD, autism, sensory overwhelm, homework battles, or after-school meltdowns, this episode will help you approach the struggle with more clarity, connection, and confidence. Instead of assuming, “Here we go again,” you may discover that your child is simply giving you new information—and that information can help you decide what support comes next. Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast QuizVisit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support. Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Just Believe

    103. 7 Tips for When School Starts Getting Hard: Back-to-School Stress, Meltdowns and Anxiety in Neurodivergent, DMDD, or ASD Kids

  5. 18 Aug

    102. Back-to-School Help for Kids with DMDD, ADHD, Autism and Emotional Dysregulation: Set Your Child Up for Success

    Back-to-school can be exciting, but for kids with ADHD, autism, anxiety, sensory needs, executive functioning challenges, or emotional dysregulation, the transition can also bring overwhelm, meltdowns, exhaustion, and big emotions. In this episode we talk about practical ways to help neurodivergent kids adjust to school routines, reduce after-school dysregulation, prepare for common trouble spots, and build stronger communication with teachers from the start. You’ll learn how to: Recognize when back-to-school behavior may actually be overwhelm or nervous system overload.Reduce unnecessary demands while your child adjusts to a new schedule and environment.Support executive functioning with simple routines, visual tools, and predictable systems.Protect after-school decompression time to help prevent meltdowns and emotional explosions.Identify common trouble spots before they become daily battles.Communicate proactively with your child’s teacher in a positive, collaborative way.Watch patterns, gather information, and respond with curiosity instead of panic.Jami also shares a printable teacher information form you can complete and give to your child’s teacher to highlight strengths, sensory needs, triggers, helpful supports, and important information that can help the school better understand your child. A difficult first week does not mean you are headed for a difficult year. With a little preparation, realistic expectations, and the right supports, you can help your child begin the school year with more calm, connection, and confidence. Listen now and start setting your child, and yourself, up for a stronger back-to-school transition. Get your Teacher Form and don't forget to join the Calm Connection Parenting Facebook Group Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast QuizVisit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support. Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Just Believe

    102. Back-to-School Help for Kids with DMDD, ADHD, Autism and Emotional Dysregulation: Set Your Child Up for Success

  6. 12 Aug

    101. Maternal Mental Health, Medication and Stigma: When Mental Health Headlines Trigger Fear

    Maternal mental health, medication, postpartum depression, and the stigma surrounding treatment can already feel overwhelming. When a tragic mental-health story dominates the headlines, it can stir up even more fear for moms and parents trying to make thoughtful decisions for themselves or their children. In this episode of Calm Connection Parenting, Jami shares encouragement from her own experience with postpartum depression, depression during motherhood, and advocating for a child struggling with mental health. This is not medical advice, but a calm reminder that fear, stigma, and other people’s opinions should not make these deeply personal treatment decisions for you. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why mental-health headlines can be especially triggering for moms and parents already wrestling with depression, anxiety, or medication decisions • How stigma and unsolicited opinions can quietly influence the way we think about mental-health treatment for ourselves and our children • What healthy advocacy can look like when you have concerns, questions, or feel like you are not being fully heard • How to filter fear from helpful information so you can move forward with greater confidence, discernment, and support If current events have left you questioning mental-health treatment, feeling judged about medication, or remembering your own difficult season, this episode offers a calmer place to sort through the noise. Seeking help takes courage. Asking questions does not make you anti-treatment. And advocating for yourself or your child can be an important part of getting good care. Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast QuizVisit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support. Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Just Believe

    101. Maternal Mental Health, Medication and Stigma: When Mental Health Headlines Trigger Fear

  7. 11 Aug

    100. Parenting Podcast Celebration-100 Episodes, 120 Countries, and One Really Important Reminder for Parents of Children with ADHD, DMDD, ASD, and Emotional Dysregulation

    🎉 We made it to Episode 100! Calm Connection Parenting has now reached listeners in 120 countries and territories, with  parents looking for help with ADHD, DMDD, emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, sensory needs, anxiety, and the everyday realities of raising a uniquely wired child. But this episode isn’t really about the numbers. It’s about YOU. In this special 100th episode, Jami looks back at the most-listened-to episodes, shares meaningful listener reviews, and reflects on the message that has been at the heart of Calm Connection Parenting from the very beginning: behavior makes a lot more sense when we get curious about what’s underneath it. We’re celebrating the parents listening in school pickup lines, late at night after hard days, from small towns, big cities, and places all over the world. Inside this episode, we’re celebrating: • 100 episodes of practical parenting support and encouragement • Listeners in 120 countries and approximately 2,300 cities • The topics parents keep coming back for most • Powerful words from listeners who say the podcast has helped them feel seen, supported, and less alone • The simple parenting shift that continues to shape nearly every conversation on the show • And what’s coming next for Calm Connection Parenting Most of all, this is a giant THANK YOU to every parent who has listened, shared an episode, sent a message, left a review, or simply pressed play on a hard day. Here’s to 100 episodes, thousands of parents, and a whole lot more calm and connection ahead. ❤️ If Calm Connection Parenting has helped you, celebrate with us by leaving a five-star rating or written review on Apple Podcasts and sharing what the podcast has helped you understand differently about your child. And remember—you’ve got this. And on the days you don’t, we’re in it together. Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast QuizVisit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support. Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Just Believe

    100. Parenting Podcast Celebration-100 Episodes, 120 Countries, and One Really Important Reminder for Parents of Children with ADHD, DMDD, ASD, and Emotional Dysregulation

  8. 8 Aug

    99. Family Support for ADHD, DMDD, Autism and Sensory Needs: How Churches Can Help Neurodivergent Children

    How Churches Can Support Neurodivergent Children: ADHD, DMDD, Autism, and Sensory Needs Many families raising children with ADHD, DMDD, autism, anxiety, sensory needs, emotional dysregulation, or other invisible disabilities want church to be a place of hope, belonging, and support. But sometimes these families are quietly struggling, slipping away, or unsure how to ask for help. In this final episode of our three-part series, When Church Feels Hard for Neurodivergent Children and Families, we’re talking about how churches can better support neurodivergent children and their families with more awareness, compassion, flexibility, and practical care. This episode is for parents who want a helpful resource to share with their church, and for pastors, children’s ministry leaders, youth leaders, volunteers, and church members who want to understand how to make church feel safer and more welcoming for families with unique needs. In this episode, we talk about:  Why churches cannot rely only on parents to advocate before offering support  How simple questions on children’s ministry or youth forms can open the door to better care  Why different support does not mean unfair treatment, especially for kids with sensory needs, anxiety, ADHD, autism, or emotional dysregulation  How churches can take one practical step toward helping families feel seen, supported, and able to belong You’ll also hear practical examples for children’s ministry, youth group, church events, sensory needs, volunteer responses, and ways churches can begin supporting families without needing a perfect program or huge budget. For free resources, coaching information, and support for parenting kids with big emotions, challenging behaviors, and unique needs, visit calmconnectionparenting.org. Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast QuizVisit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support. Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/  Just Believe

    99. Family Support for ADHD, DMDD, Autism and Sensory Needs: How Churches Can Help Neurodivergent Children
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Ranked in the top 2.5% of podcasts globally! Tired of walking on eggshells… dreading the next meltdown? Exhausted by big emotions. defiance, and disobediance? Wondering why “traditional" parenting advice backfires with your strong-willed child?   I’m glad you’re here. This podcast helps you understand what’s behind your child's 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 things.    If you’re ready to ditch the overwhelm and stop parenting in survival mode, you’re in the right place. We’ll talk meltdowns, 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.

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