The Huddle Wisdom Podcast with Dr Davin Tan

Dr Davin Tan is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and parent.
  • 5.0 (6)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Parenting an anxious or emotionally intense child can feel like trial by fire. The usual advice doesn’t always work and when you’re overwhelmed, you don’t need more noise! Dr Davin Tan is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who is also a parent. In this podcast, he offers real-world insight into childhood anxiety, neurodivergence, and big feelings without the jargon, the pressure, or the shame. Each episode brings thoughtful ideas, grounded frameworks, and space to think differently about what your child needs when things feel hard. For parents who want to respond with more connection and less chaos even when things get messy.

  1. 17 SEPT

    Episode 147: When Your Inner Child Parents Your Child

    Have you ever lost your cool over something tiny? I explain why those moments aren't always about your child. We dive deep into the concept of the 'inner child' and how our own unprocessed childhood experiences can hijack our nervous system, causing us to overreact. This isn't about blaming yourself...it's about gaining awareness, taking back control, and building a more connected, calm relationship with your child (and yourself). In This Episode, We Discuss: The "inner child": What it is, why it gets triggered in parenting, and how it can lead to disproportionate reactions. Inner Child vs. Adult Self: The subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) battle between these two parts of you and how it plays out in your home. The Power of Awareness: Why simply noticing your triggers is the first step to shifting from a reactive parent to a reflective one. Practical Tools for Parents: Simple, effective strategies to calm your nervous system and respond to your child with more wisdom and less rage.   Find me on Instagram for daily wisdom and community discussion:Huddle Wisdom Parenting   Connect & Subscribe:  If you found this episode helpful, please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps other parents find our show. And don't forget to hit "follow" so you never miss an episode. Until next time, take care of yourselves and the young people in your lives. Hosted by Dr. Davin Tan Child Psychiatrist.

    15 min

  2. 28 AUG

    Episode 146: Don't Snap: How to Stay Calm When Exam Stress Runs High

    Huddle Wisdom: Navigating Exam Season    Exams are looming, and the pressure cooker is on. Not just for our kids, but for parents too. In this episode of Huddle Wisdom, Dr. Davin Tan shares how to help your family navigate this stressful time with grace, calm, and connection. This isn't about micromanaging study sessions; it's about shifting from being a performance manager to being a calm captain.    Key Takeaways   The Myth of Pressure: The idea that pressure equals performance is a myth. When stress tips into anxiety, it hijacks your child's ability to think clearly. The brain's survival mode takes over, not the logical, problem solving part. Your Calm is Contagious: A child's nervous system co regulates with yours. The single most powerful thing you can do is to regulate yourself. Create a calm environment, even if it's just a few minutes of quiet time together. Reframe Anxiety: Anxiety isn't the enemy; it's a signal that something matters. Help your child name their feelings without judgement, which separates the emotion from their identity. Connection Over Correction: Your child's worth is not tied to a grade. Your job is to be their safe harbour and corner, not just their coach. Your presence, like making a snack or just sitting nearby, is often more supportive than any academic advice. For Students: The episode also has a special message for students. Don't look at the big picture, work in small chunks. Sleep is not wasted time; it's when your brain stores what you've learned. And remember, feeling nervous doesn't mean you're doomed; it just means you care.

    35 min

  3. 19 AUG

    Episode 145: What I See That You Don’t

    Parents often wonder why I notice things about their child that they don’t. In this episode, I explain why that happens (hint: it’s not because you’re failing), and I share a simple Jedi-inspired exercise that helps you start noticing the subtle signs of safety, stress, and connection in your child. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why kids act differently with me than with you. How to reframe the “messy” behaviours you see at home. A 5-minute noticing exercise that gives you surprising insights. How tuning in with your heart, not your head, builds connection. Links and Resources: Explore the Making Sense of Anxious Children course: huddlewisdom.com  Follow me on Instagram: @huddle_wisdom_parenting

    10 min

  4. 13 AUG

    Episode 144: Beyond “Just Be Consistent”: Real-Life Strategies for Parenting Anxious Kids

    If you’ve ever been told to “just stay calm” or “be consistent” but no one actually showed you how to do that in the middle of your child’s meltdown, this episode is for you. Child psychiatrist Dr Davin Tan unpacks why simplistic advice leaves so many parents of anxious and neurodivergent kids feeling like they’re not enough. We talk about how chasing perfection can burn you out, why perfection doesn’t actually exist, and how embracing the courage to be imperfect can transform the way you connect with your child. You’ll get real-life strategies you can actually use during those emotional storms, even on your worst parenting days. In this episode you’ll hear:• Why generic parenting advice often backfires• How perfectionism quietly fuels exhaustion and guilt• What the courage to be imperfect looks like in real life• Practical ways to support anxious kids in the heat of the moment• Why repairing after a blow-up matters more than never losing it in the first place Who it’s for:Parents and caregivers raising anxious, sensitive or neurodivergent children who want something more useful than a motivational quote. Keywords:parenting anxious kids, parenting neurodivergent kids, perfectionism in parenting, how to support an anxious child, good enough parenting, helping kids through meltdowns, emotional regulation in children, parental burnout, child psychiatrist tips This episode also features a short clip from the film Anger Management (2003) starring Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson, used here for commentary and educational purposes. Listen now and find out how to parent with presence instead of perfection. LINK to Resource: www.huddlewisdom.com 🎧👍👍👍

    17 min

  5. 6 AUG

    Episode 143: Never say 'Calm Down' to your child. Do this instead.

    In this episode, Dr. Davin Tan helps parents understand what to do when their child is having a meltdown. He explains why our typical response, "calm down," is not only ineffective but can also make things worse. Dr. Tan makes the powerful connection between a body overheating in a heatwave and a child's nervous system going into full activation. In this state, the rational part of their brain is offline, so telling them to "calm down" is like telling someone to "cool down" when they can't. The goal isn't to make their feelings disappear; it's to help them feel safe and understood. Dr. Tan shares five powerful, research-backed phrases to use instead, turning a moment of chaos into a chance for connection and learning. Five Phrases to Try: "Looks like that really got to you." "Take your time. I'm here." "This feels intense, huh?" "This is tough. Want to sit with me for a bit?" "We'll figure this out together." Remember: They're not giving you a hard time; they're having a hard time. By responding with empathy, you can help build your child's resilience and strengthen your bond. Find out more here! www.huddlewisdom.com

    21 min

  6. 28 JULY

    Episode 142: When Anxiety Masquerades as Misbehaviour: Seeing Beyond Surface Behaviours

    Struggling with a child who seems defiant, argumentative, or won't follow simple instructions? Before you assume it's misbehaviour, there might be something deeper going on. In this episode, we explore how childhood anxiety can disguise itself as challenging behaviour and share practical ways to recognise the difference. .... MAKING SENSE OF ANXIOUS KIDS - Enrol Now in the self paced program that will well, help you make a lot of sense of anxious, moody and sensitive kids. Why feel overwhelmed, when you can help that? Check it out. www.huddlewisdom.com

    20 min

  7. 10 JUNE

    Episode 141: Parenting Parenting Is Harder Than You Think, Easier Than You Know (Here's How)

    Before we became parents we had all sorts of ideas about what it would be like, stemming from our past experiences, memories, books, hopes and dreams, other peoples ideas...but it's not quite the same thing becoming a parent. I'd personally never have it any other way but there are things we don't anticipate if our children are of a certain sensitive temperament and experience great anxiety; we might not be prepared for the reactivity, the unpredictability of emotional upheaval, the overwhelm, the feeling of 'nothing's working'.  Let me help you out a little bit...there are 3 important mindset shifts or mental models that builds a framework that could turn things around.  1. regulation over reaction 2. curiosity instead of judgement 3. connection before correction Tune in to learn more.  Also go check out the Emotional Storm Module from the Making Sense of Anxious Kids program...you can access that completely free if you sign up on our website : www.huddlewisdom.com You won't regret it!

    20 min

  8. 29 MAY

    Episode 140: How to Parent When You’re Exhausted: Staying Present with Your Child on Empty

    This episode is about the version of parenting no one talks about. The one where you’re running on almost nothing. Where your child still needs you, and you’re not sure what you have left to give. We’re not talking about burnout as a concept, or fatigue as a buzzword. We’re talking about the real-life moments when you're holding a meltdown with one hand and your own regulation with the other. When you want to be calm, present, available but you’re overstretched and running late and the toast is wrong again. This conversation won’t give you tricks. Just clarity. A way to think about tiredness that doesn’t make it a personal failing. A way to respond to your child without having to pretend you’re okay. For parents who are doing their best, even when their best is quiet, slow, and not very pretty. Mentioned in this episode: Making Sense of Anxious Children A course for parents who want to understand what’s really going on beneath the behaviour Available at www.huddlewisdom.com

    21 min
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About

Parenting an anxious or emotionally intense child can feel like trial by fire. The usual advice doesn’t always work and when you’re overwhelmed, you don’t need more noise! Dr Davin Tan is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who is also a parent. In this podcast, he offers real-world insight into childhood anxiety, neurodivergence, and big feelings without the jargon, the pressure, or the shame. Each episode brings thoughtful ideas, grounded frameworks, and space to think differently about what your child needs when things feel hard. For parents who want to respond with more connection and less chaos even when things get messy.

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