Tantrum of the Week

Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor ™
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Parenting

Welcome to Tantrum of the Week, the parenting podcast that helps you make sense of your child’s hardest moments. Hosted by Lynn McLean, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, each episode explores one real-life tantrum and uncovers the emotional needs, triggers, and stressors underneath. You’ll learn how to: Understand the why behind your child’s behaviorRespond with calm and confidence — not frustrationBuild emotional regulation skills through connectionUse play therapy-informed parenting strategies that actually work Whether you’re dealing with bedtime battles, sibling fights, or after-school meltdowns, Tantrum of the Week offers practical tips, expert insight, and a reminder that you’re not alone. 🎧 New episodes weekly. 📍 Based in Houston, Texas — helpful for parents everywhere.

  1. 5d ago

    Preschool Drop-Off Meltdowns

    Tantrum of the Week: Surviving the First Day of Preschool Back-to-school season is creeping up fast, and for some little ones, that means a big first: starting preschool. In this episode, we tackle a tantrum that's all too common this time of year — a preschooler who melts down at drop-off, clinging, crying, and refusing to let go, even after weeks of careful preparation at home. We talk through why this kind of separation anxiety is so normal (and so hard on parents too), and walk through practical, in-the-moment strategies you can use the next time it happens: staying calm so your child can co-regulate with you, working with teachers on a soothing handoff, using transition objects like a photo or favorite stuffed animal, and setting up predictable, event-based routines your child can actually understand and rely on. If you're dreading drop-off this fall, this episode is your reminder: this is a learning process for both of you, and it gets easier with consistency and time. In this episode: Why preschool can be a great fit — when the timing and setting are rightWhat to do in the moment during a drop-off meltdownBuilding consistency, routines, and a clear pickup planUsing transition objects and partnering with the schoolFor more parenting tips, free downloads, and to join our email list, check the link in our bio! Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.

    Preschool Drop-Off Meltdowns

  2. Jun 23

    You Took My Device Explosion

    Does your child completely melt down when it’s time to turn off the screen and start homework? You’re not alone. In this episode of Tantrum of the Week, child therapist and parent coach Lynn McLean breaks down a common screen time tantrum many parents of elementary-aged children face. When a child refuses to give up their device—and emotions explode—it can leave parents feeling frustrated, guilty, and unsure how to respond. This episode covers: Why screen time triggers intense emotional reactions in kids What’s happening in the brain during a technology-related tantrum How to prevent power struggles before they start What to do when your kid is already throwing a tantrum How to hold limits without escalating the meltdown If you’re dealing with a tween technology tantrum, homework battles, or big emotional reactions around devices, this episode offers practical, compassionate strategies you can use right away. 🎧 Listen to the episode for simple tools to help your child calm down—and help you stay grounded when screen time ends. Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.

    You Took My Device Explosion

  3. Jun 17

    The "One More Level" Protest

    Does your kid lose it when it's time to turn off the screen? You're not alone. Your 8-year-old did everything right. Homework's done, chores are finished, and you set clear expectations. But the moment dinner's ready and it's time to put down the phone? Full-blown tantrum. Sound familiar? Whether you're dealing with a strong-willed child, a kid who won't stop playing video games, or just trying to find the right balance with technology and parenting, this episode gives you quick, expert-backed tools to calm the chaos and prevent the tantrum next time. Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.

    The "One More Level" Protest

  4. Mar 24

    A Promise That Didn't Happen

    In this episode of Tantrum of the Week, Lynn McLean explores a powerful and emotional moment many families experience: a nine-year-old who melts down when a long-anticipated family dinner plan is canceled at the last minute because of work. Even though older children can understand the reason intellectually, broken plans can feel like broken promises—and the disappointment can overwhelm their ability to stay regulated. This episode looks at what’s really happening in a child’s nervous system when plans fall apart and how parents can respond with empathy instead of defensiveness or over-explaining. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why children take promises so literallyWhat to say (and what not to say) during moments of big disappointmentWhy justifying or fixing the problem in the moment often makes things worseHow to repair trust after a plan changesHow to help children cope with frustration and unexpected changeIf your child has ever exploded when something they were looking forward to didn’t happen, this episode will help you feel more confident, more connected, and less alone. This content is for educational purposes only and is not therapy. Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.

    A Promise That Didn't Happen

  5. Mar 19

    Sibling Bedtime Battles

    Episode 8: Sibling Bedtime Battles In this episode of Tantrum of the Week, Lynn McLean talks about a bedtime struggle many families face: a young child who melts down because an older sibling gets to stay up later. What feels like a small difference to adults—just 30 minutes—can feel deeply unfair and overwhelming to a young child. When nightly tantrums take over bedtime, parents are often left exhausted, frustrated, and unsure how to respond without giving in. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why young children struggle so much with bedtime fairnessWhat’s happening in your child’s nervous system during these meltdownsWhy trying to teach “fairness” during a tantrum doesn’t workWhat to say (and what not to say) when your child is upsetHow to hold bedtime limits calmly while staying empathicIf bedtime has turned into a nightly battle because siblings have different rules, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on—and how to bring more calm and confidence back to your evenings. Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.

    Sibling Bedtime Battles

  6. Mar 17

    When Your Child Lies.

    What do you do when your child clearly broke something—but insists they didn’t? In this episode of Tantrum of the Week, Lynn talks about a common parenting moment: a seven-year-old who breaks something and then denies it, even when the evidence is right in front of everyone. Moments like this can feel especially upsetting for parents, because teaching honesty and trust is one of the most important values many families want to pass on to their children. But when kids lie about mistakes, it doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t know right from wrong. In this episode, Lynn explains what may actually be happening developmentally for kids in these moments and how parents can respond in ways that build honesty rather than escalating the conflict. You’ll learn: Why children sometimes lie when they know they’re in troubleWhat’s happening in a child’s brain during these momentsWhy arguing about the details often makes things worseHow to respond calmly without turning it into a power struggleWays to help kids take responsibility and repair mistakesParenting moments like this can feel stressful and discour Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.

    When Your Child Lies.

  7. Mar 13

    Back-To-School Meltdowns, Solved

    Podcast Description Going back to school after a break can be surprisingly hard — for kids and parents. In this episode of Tantrum of the Week, we talk about what’s really going on when a 5–8 year old who was doing great suddenly melts down over socks, hair brushing, and getting out the door. If your child seems more emotional, anxious, or resistant after a school break, you’re not alone. We explore why tantrums after vacation or holiday breaks are so common, especially for sensitive or big-feeling kids, and what you can do to make mornings calmer and more manageable. You’ll learn: Why kids often struggle with routines after a breakHow anxiety and emotional overload show up as tantrumsSimple morning routine strategies that reduce power strugglesHow offering the right kind of choices helps kids feel more in controlWhat to do when your child can’t explain why they’re upsetThis episode is full of practical, compassionate tools to help you support your child — and yourself — through back-to-school transitions without rewards, punishments, or constant battles. Listen, subscribe, and share wherever you get your podcasts.  Have a tantrum of the week? Send it to us — your question might be featured in an upcoming episode. Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.

    Back-To-School Meltdowns, Solved

  8. Feb 7

    Why Do I Have To Share?

    Why Do I Have to Share? In this episode of Tantrum of the Week, Lynn McLean explores a common and exhausting parenting moment: a four-year-old who melts down when a younger sibling picks up a toy they weren’t even using. When screaming, grabbing, or pushing happens, parents are often left wondering how to stop the behavior and teach important lessons about sharing, generosity, and turn-taking. This episode explains what’s really going on beneath these sibling toy battles and how to respond in ways that actually help children learn. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why sharing is developmentally hard for young childrenWhat to do immediately when hitting or pushing happensWhy teaching lessons during a tantrum doesn’t workHow turn-taking helps kids feel secure and reduces meltdownsHow true sharing grows when children feel they have enoughIf sibling fights over toys are a regular struggle in your home, this episode will help you feel calmer, clearer, and more confident about how to handle them. This content is for educational purposes only and is not therapy. Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.

    Why Do I Have To Share?
See All (14)

About

Welcome to Tantrum of the Week, the parenting podcast that helps you make sense of your child’s hardest moments. Hosted by Lynn McLean, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, each episode explores one real-life tantrum and uncovers the emotional needs, triggers, and stressors underneath. You’ll learn how to: Understand the why behind your child’s behaviorRespond with calm and confidence — not frustrationBuild emotional regulation skills through connectionUse play therapy-informed parenting strategies that actually work Whether you’re dealing with bedtime battles, sibling fights, or after-school meltdowns, Tantrum of the Week offers practical tips, expert insight, and a reminder that you’re not alone. 🎧 New episodes weekly. 📍 Based in Houston, Texas — helpful for parents everywhere.

Information

  • Creator
    Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor ™
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tantrum of the Week
  • Show Website
    Tantrum of the Week