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.

  1. Aug 14

    When A Teen Refuses School

    This week's tantrum doesn't look like a tantrum at all — it's a high schooler flatly refusing to go to school. As the first day approaches, junior-year pressures (college talk, testing, shifting friendships) are piling up, and instead of melting down, this teen just digs in: I'm not going. You can't make me. We talk about why a parent's instinct to argue and persuade often backfires, and how getting curious instead — asking open questions, playing detective — can uncover what's really going on underneath the resistance. Plus: how to shrink an overwhelming first week into manageable steps, and how to solve social friction (carpools, shifting friend groups) without caving or over-fixing. If back-to-school season is turning into a standoff at your house, this one's for you. 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 A Teen Refuses School

  2. Aug 4

    The Middle School Morning Meltdown

    It's the first day of middle school, and the shirt your kid loved last week is suddenly "unwearable." Cue slammed drawers, tears, and a full refusal to go. In this episode, we unpack why tantrums from bigger kids can feel so much more intense and personal and what's really going on underneath (hint: it's not about the shirt). You'll get simple, practical steps for staying calm, helping your child reset, and getting out the door without a battle. 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 Middle School Morning Meltdown

  3. Jul 31

    Elementary Back To School Stomach Aches

    A familiar school, a big surprise, and a stomachache that won't quit. This week's tantrum: a third grader finds out their best friend isn't in their class — and refuses to go to school the next morning. We talk through why anxiety can cause very real physical symptoms, how to respond without arguing or getting stuck in a power struggle, and how to send your child off with confidence (and welcome them back with pride). If mornings have been rocky at your house lately, this one's for you. 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.

    Elementary Back To School Stomach Aches

  4. Jul 23

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tantrum of the Week
  • Show Website
    Tantrum of the Week