Tantrum of the Week

Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor ™
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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.

Episodes

  1. A Promise That Didn't Happen

    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.

    8 min
  2. Sibling Bedtime Battles

    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.

    7 min
  3. When Your Child Lies.

    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.

    7 min
  4. Back-To-School Meltdowns, Solved

    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.

    9 min
  5. Why Do I Have To Share?

    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.

    9 min
  6. Law Enforcement Culture and Parenting: When a Sleepover results in a Standoff

    10/06/2025

    Law Enforcement Culture and Parenting: When a Sleepover results in a Standoff

    A police dad says no to a sleepover without parents home, and a ten-year-old explodes. We show how to hold a firm safety rule, calm the storm, and offer choices that protect connection without caving. • law enforcement as a distinct family culture shaping safety rules • why tweens crave belonging and autonomy at sleepovers • de-escalation first: pause, breathe, lower words • reflect feelings instead of lecturing after a tantrum • validate the loss while holding a clear boundary • offer aligned choices: attend during supervision or host at home • name your lens and your values without judging other families • teach scripts that help kids navigate different house rules • build trust through empathy plus consistency Comment, subscribe, and email us about your kids' Tantrum of the Week Be sure to grab your free copy of why the latest parenting trends aren't working for you and what you might try instead at the link in the show notes Send us your kids' tantrum of the week—we just might feature you on 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.

    13 min
  7. Bilingual Meltdown, Big Feelings

    10/02/2025

    Bilingual Meltdown, Big Feelings

    We unpack a real bilingual dinner blow-up and show how calm presence, simple scripts, and playful rituals can turn pressure into connection. We honor cultural pride while giving kids tools to switch languages without shame or meltdown. • Co-regulation first: breathe, pause, ensure safety • Reflect feelings instead of asking “why” questions • Understand language switching as cognitive load • Notice peer awareness and identity sensitivity at six • Offer scripts: “Can I answer in English?” “What’s that word?” • Shift from rules to rituals to lower pressure • Use games, stories, and songs to embed Spanish warmly • Repair briefly: acknowledge impact and plan a next step • Normalize code-switching as flexible fluency • Reassure parents: resistance signals bandwidth, not rejection Comment, subscribe, and email us about your kids’ tantrum of the week Be sure to grab your free copy of why the latest parenting trends aren’t working for you and what you might try instead at the link in the show notes Send us your kids’ tantrum of the week—we just might feature you on 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.

    10 min
  8. Meltdowns During Transitions: Helping Kids Move Without Tears

    09/24/2025

    Meltdowns During Transitions: Helping Kids Move Without Tears

    Does your child melt down when it’s time to leave, stop playing, or switch activities? Child therapist and parent coach Lynn McLean shares why transitions are tough for kids — and how to make them easier with empathy and structure. Transitions can overwhelm children who struggle with flexibility and emotional regulation. This episode breaks down what’s happening and how to help. You’ll learn: The brain science behind transition meltdownsWhy sudden changes trigger big emotionsHow to use routines, countdowns, and visual cues to prepare your childWords and phrases that calm instead of escalateHow to respond when meltdowns happen anyway🎧 Listen for simple strategies that turn stressful transitions into smooth moments of connection. If this episode resonated, share it with a parent who needs support! Get our free parenting guide, A Play Therapist Explains Why These Parenting Trends Didn't Work for You (And What to Try Instead!).  Keywords: Tantrums, Transition Meltdowns, Child Behavior, Emotional Regulation, Parenting Strategies, Gentle Parenting, Play Therapy, Parenting Podcast 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.

    9 min
  9. “I Don’t Want to Do It!”: Handling Tantrums Over Chores

    09/23/2025

    “I Don’t Want to Do It!”: Handling Tantrums Over Chores

    Does your child fight, cry, or explode when it’s time to do chores? Child therapist and parent coach Lynn McLean explains why kids resist chores — and how to handle those “I don’t want to!” moments with calm, confidence, and connection. Chores can trigger power struggles, but tantrums often mean your child needs more structure, support, or control. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why children resist chores and directionsHow to set warm, firm limits that reduce pushbackWays to build motivation and cooperationHow play therapy principles teach responsibility without punishment🎧 Tune in to learn how to turn chore time from a battle into a learning moment for emotional growth. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for weekly insights! For more on parent coaching and play therapy in Houston, visit HoustonFamilyTherapyAssociates.com. Keywords: Tantrums, Chore Tantrums, Child Behavior, Parenting Podcast, Gentle Parenting, Warm Firm Limits, Play Therapy, Parenting Tips, Emotional Regulation 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.

    10 min
  10. Tantrum at the Grocery Store: How to Handle “No Candy” Meltdowns

    09/23/2025

    Tantrum at the Grocery Store: How to Handle “No Candy” Meltdowns

    When your child melts down at the grocery store checkout over candy, what should you do?   Play Therapist Lynn McLean breaks down the “no candy” tantrum and shares calm, practical strategies to handle public meltdowns with confidence. Public tantrums are one of the most stressful moments for parents — but they don’t have to derail your day. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why grocery store tantrums happenHow embarrassment and pressure affect parent reactionsWhat your child’s behavior is really telling youHow to stay calm, set boundaries, and still show empathyWhat to do after the meltdown to help your child learn🎧 Learn how to turn your next checkout-line meltdown into a teaching moment for connection and growth. If this episode helped you, share it with a friend or subscribe for weekly tips! To learn more about play therapy in Houston, visit HoustonFamilyTherapyAssociates.com. Keywords: Tantrums, Grocery Store Tantrum, Public Meltdown, Child Behavior, Gentle Parenting, Play Therapy, Parenting Podcast, Emotional Regulation, Parenting Strategies 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.

    7 min
  11. Why Tantrums Happen (and How to Stop Them with Connection)

    09/23/2025

    Why Tantrums Happen (and How to Stop Them with Connection)

    Why do tantrums happen — and how can you stop them without yelling or giving in? In this first episode of Tantrum of the Week, Play Therapist Lynn McLean helps parents understand what’s really behind children’s meltdowns — and how to respond with calm, connection, and confidence. Tantrums aren’t just “bad behavior.” They’re a signal that your child’s emotions are bigger than their coping skills. In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between tantrums and meltdownsWhat’s happening in your child’s brain and bodyWhy traditional discipline often backfiresPlay therapy-informed tools to build emotional regulationHow to respond with empathy and structure — not shame🎧 Tune in to learn how understanding the why behind tantrums can transform how you parent during the hardest moments. If you found this episode helpful, please follow the podcast and share it with another parent! To learn more about play therapy or parent coaching in Houston, visit https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/. Keywords: Tantrums, Parenting Podcast, Child Behavior, Emotional Regulation, Play Therapy, Gentle Parenting, Parenting Tips, Child Development, Positive Parenting 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.

    4 min
  • 11 Episodes

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
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tantrum of the Week
  • Show Website
    Tantrum of the Week