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

Jami Kirkbride LPC, Parenting Coach for Emotional Dysregulation and Executive Functioning
  • 4.9 (54)
  • 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. 5d ago

    What Neurodivergent Kids Wish Adults Understood About Shutting Down, Arguing, Defiance, and Meltdowns

    What do shutdowns, arguing, defiance, and meltdowns really mean for a neurodivergent child? In this episode, we talk about how parents can look beyond the behavior and better understand what may be happening inside a child’s brain and body. This episode is all about what your child may wish you knew...but may not yet have the words to explain. You’ll hear about: Why a child can know what to do and still struggle to access that skill in the momentHow sensory and emotional overload can change the way a child respondsWhy fewer words, more processing time, and a calmer environment can make such a differenceHow curiosity can help parents move from reacting to behavior toward understanding what it may be communicatingIf you’ve ever wondered whether your child is ignoring you, being defiant, or simply refusing to cooperate, this episode will help you consider what else may be happening beneath the surface, and how understanding can become a better starting point for growth and connection. 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 Neurodivergent Kids Wish Adults Understood About Shutting Down, Arguing, Defiance, and Meltdowns

  2. Sep 22

    Is It Permissive or Inconsistent Parenting? The Reality of Parenting A Neurodivergent Child

    Does parenting a neurodivergent child sometimes look too permissive, too protective, or inconsistent from the outside? In this episode, we talk about the reality of raising a child with ADHD, autism, sensory needs, emotional dysregulation, executive functioning challenges, and other forms of neurodivergence...and why responsive parenting may not always look the same from one day to the next. You’ll hear about: Why a child may be able to handle something one day and struggle with the exact same thing the nextHow outside judgment can miss the invisible work and decision-making happening behind the scenesWhy explaining your child’s needs is not always the same as making excusesWhat parents and outsiders can both do to replace judgment with greater understandingIf you’ve ever questioned whether you are being too flexible, too protective, or not “consistent enough,” this episode will help you look at your child’s needs, capacity, and regulation with more clarity...and parent the child in front of you instead of parenting for the people watching. 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

    Is It Permissive or Inconsistent Parenting? The Reality of Parenting A Neurodivergent Child

  3. Sep 16

    106. 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

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

  4. Sep 10

    105. 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

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

  5. Sep 2

    104. 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

    104. 5 Things Moms of Neurodivergent Kids Need More Of-- Nothing at Home Changed… But Something in Us Did

  6. Aug 26

    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

  7. Aug 18

    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

  8. Aug 12

    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
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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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