Calm Connection Parenting | Neurodivergent, Meltdowns, Emotional Dysregulation, ADHD, DMDD, SPD, Defiant

Jami Kirkbride LPC, Parenting Coach for Emotional Regulation and Executive Functioning
  • 4.9 (31)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Ranked in the top 5% of podcasts globally! Tired of walking on eggshells… dreading the next meltdown? Exhausted by big emotions and baffling behaviors? Wondering why “traditional advice” backfires in your home?    I’m glad you’re here. This podcast helps you understand what’s underneath the 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 everything.    If you’re ready to ditch the overwhelm and stop parenting in survival mode, you’re in the right place. We’ll talk 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. The Fastest Way to Escalate a Meltdown…Why Saying “Calm Down” To A Child With ADHD or DMDD Backfires

    3H AGO

    The Fastest Way to Escalate a Meltdown…Why Saying “Calm Down” To A Child With ADHD or DMDD Backfires

    Emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, and neurodivergent kids can make even well-intended parenting responses backfire, especially when you tell your child to “calm down” and everything escalates. In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, we explore why common phrases like “calm down,” “stop crying,” or “it’s not a big deal” often intensify meltdowns for emotionally intense and neurodivergent children, including kids with ADHD, DMDD, sensory processing differences, and heightened emotional reactivity. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why saying “calm down” can escalate meltdowns instead of soothing themHow emotional dysregulation and sensory processing overload affect your child’s ability to listen and regulateWhat’s happening in your child’s brain and nervous system when emotions are highWhy connection must come before correction when a child feels overwhelmedYou’ll gain a guilt-free understanding of why reassurance doesn’t land when a child’s nervous system is under stress — and why this isn’t about defiance, manipulation, or weak boundaries. For many neurodivergent kids, sensory input, emotional intensity, and stress combine to create reactions that can’t be reasoned away in the moment. This episode is part of a parenting series designed to help you better understand emotional dysregulation, sensory processing challenges, and meltdowns, so you can respond with clarity, confidence, and connection — even in hard moments. 🎧 Listen now and discover why this small shift in understanding can change how you respond… and how your child experiences you when emotions run high.   Send a text and share your thoughts! Visit 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

    13 min
  2. Meltdown or Tantrum? Why This One Mistake Keeps Parents of Neurodivergent Kids Stuck

    2D AGO

    Meltdown or Tantrum? Why This One Mistake Keeps Parents of Neurodivergent Kids Stuck

    Is your child having a tantrum… or a meltdown? And does that distinction actually matter? For parents raising a neurodivergent child or an emotionally intense, strong-willed child, confusing a tantrum with a meltdown can quietly turn everyday moments into escalating power struggles. In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, we’re breaking down the difference between tantrums and meltdowns — and why misreading emotional dysregulation often leads parents to feel stuck, frustrated, and unsure of what to do next. In this episode, you’ll learn: The key difference between a tantrum and a meltdown — and why they often look identical on the outsideHow emotional dysregulation in neurodivergent kids (including ADHD and DMDD) changes what your child is capable of in the momentWhy “being consistent” doesn’t mean responding the same way every time with an emotionally intense childHow mislabeling behavior can unintentionally escalate meltdowns and leave parents feeling like nothing worksIf you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Why did that blow up so fast?” or “Nothing I try works with my child,” this episode will help you understand what’s really happening beneath the behavior — and why a small shift in interpretation can completely change how you respond. This episode is especially helpful for parents navigating meltdowns, emotional dysregulation, strong-willed behavior, ADHD, DMDD, and neurodivergent children, and it’s part of an ongoing series designed to help you move from confusion and overwhelm to calm, confident connection. 🎧 Listen now and discover why getting this distinction right might be the missing piece you’ve been looking for. Take Your First Step: The Emotional Forecast Quiz Send a text and share your thoughts! Visit 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

    17 min
  3. Parenting Through Anxiety and Uncertainty: How to Stay Calm When Your Child’s Needs Affect Your Mental Health

    JAN 27

    Parenting Through Anxiety and Uncertainty: How to Stay Calm When Your Child’s Needs Affect Your Mental Health

    Parenting a child with emotional, medical, or mental health needs can quietly affect your own mental health too. When uncertainty is constant, anxiety can build — and it can feel like you’re always bracing for the next hard moment. Whether you are managing sensory processing issues, executive functioning issues, a diagnosis such as ADHD or DMDD, or simply trying to manage your mom-sense that something's off...this episode is for you! In this episode, you’ll learn: Why parenting anxiety often increases when your child has complex needsWhat OCD and anxiety can really look like for parentsHow to stay calm and grounded when uncertainty triggers fearEncouragement for parents who are doing their best and still feel stretchedIn this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, host Jami Kirkbride talks with nurse practitioner and mental health advocate Sarah Michelle Boes about parenting through anxiety and uncertainty while caring for a child with significant needs. Sarah shares her experience parenting her daughter with a life-threatening heart condition while navigating her own diagnosis of OCD and anxiety — and how she’s learned to live with uncertainty without letting fear take control. If you’re parenting through anxiety and wondering how to care for yourself while caring for your child, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and hope. Start here: Take the FREE Emotional Forecast Quiz to identify your child’s patterns and your next best step. CalmConnectionParenting.org Send a text and share your thoughts! Visit 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

    29 min
  4. 65. Am I Failing… or Is My Neurodivergent Child Wired Differently? Understanding Meltdowns

    JAN 21

    65. Am I Failing… or Is My Neurodivergent Child Wired Differently? Understanding Meltdowns

    If you’ve ever looked at your child’s meltdowns or emotional outbursts and thought, “I must be doing something wrong,” this episode is for you. We’re talking emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, and why common parenting advice often backfires with neurodivergent kids. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why emotional dysregulation is often mistaken for defianceHow your child’s unique wiring impacts behavior and reactionsWhy “be more strict” and “just be consistent” can make things worseOne powerful reframe that helps you respond with calm and clarityIn this conversation, we unpack what’s really happening beneath the behavior—so you can stop second-guessing yourself and start responding with confidence, compassion, and connection. This episode is especially helpful if you’re parenting a child with big emotions, ADHD, DMDD, sensory processing challenges, or traits that don’t fit the “typical” parenting mold. Start here: Take the FREE Emotional Forecast Quiz to identify your child’s patterns and your next best step. CalmConnectionParenting.org Send a text and share your thoughts! Visit 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

    19 min
  5. 64. Why Does My Child Have Such Big Reactions to Small Things? Emotional Dysregulation Explained

    JAN 14

    64. Why Does My Child Have Such Big Reactions to Small Things? Emotional Dysregulation Explained

    Why does your child have huge reactions to things that feel small? The wrong color cup. A change of plans. A simple “no”… and suddenly it’s full emotional overload. In this episode, we’re unpacking emotional dysregulation in kids and why emotionally intense, highly sensitive, and neurodivergent children can struggle to manage big feelings - even when they’re trying their best. Whether you are managing sensory processing issues, executive functioning issues, a diagnosis such as ADHD or DMDD, or simply trying to manage your mom-sense that something's off...this episode is for you! In this episode, you’ll learn: What’s happening in your child’s brain and nervous system during dysregulationWhy logic and discipline don’t work in the heat of the momentThe difference between defiance and dysregulation (and why it changes everything)The first shift parents can make to reduce escalation and build calm connectionTake the Free Emotional Forecast Quiz: CalmConnectionParenting.org Join the FREE Busy Working Mom Blueprint Summit! Send a text and share your thoughts! Visit 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

    27 min
  6. 63. When One Parent Wants Help and the Other Hesitates: Finding Unity in Parenting ADHD

    JAN 8

    63. When One Parent Wants Help and the Other Hesitates: Finding Unity in Parenting ADHD

    Feeling like you’re doing all the research and your partner is on a totally different timeline? Parenting gets lonely fast when you’re raising a child with big emotions - and you’re not on the same page. In today’s episode, I’m answering a listener question about what to do when one parent wants help, tools, and support… and the other feels hesitant, resistant, or shut down. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why parents often approach “getting help” in completely different waysWhat resistance is really protecting (and how to respond with compassion)How to build unity without forcing agreementA simple next step to move forward together this weekWhether you are managing sensory processing issues, executive functioning issues, a diagnosis such as ADHD or DMDD, or simply trying to manage your mom-sense that something's off...this episode is for you! Take the FREE Emotional Forecast Quiz here: CalmConnectionParenting.org Join the FREE Busy Working Mom Blueprint Summit! Send a text and share your thoughts! Visit 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

    22 min
  7. 62. Parenting Emotional Dysregulation: Why Your Word for the Year Matters More Than Another Resolution

    12/31/2025

    62. Parenting Emotional Dysregulation: Why Your Word for the Year Matters More Than Another Resolution

    As the year comes to a close, many parents find themselves exhausted by resolutions that promise change but add more pressure. If you’re parenting emotional dysregulation or big emotions, this episode offers a different way forward. In this final episode of the year, we reflect honestly on the year behind us, walk through a gentle RESET framework, and explore how choosing a word for the year can guide your parenting with calm, clarity, and connection… without guilt or overwhelm. This episode is an invitation to pause, release what no longer serves you, and step into the new year with intention instead of a heavier load of expectations. In this episode, we explore: Why New Year’s resolutions often fail parents navigating parenting challengesHow reflecting on what worked (and what didn’t) can bring clarity instead of discouragementA gentle RESET framework to help you move forward without pressureHow choosing a word for the year can anchor calm responses during hard momentsGet your Word for the Year Reflection PDF inside the Calm Connection Parenting Facebook Group! Send a text and share your thoughts! Visit 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

    24 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    61. When Life Doesn’t Give You What You Expected: Christmas Through the Eyes of Mary

    What if the very first Christmas didn’t look anything like the peaceful, picture-perfect scene we often imagine? In this special Christmas episode, I reflect on the birth of Jesus through Mary’s eyes… a young mother whose journey into motherhood unfolded in ways she never could have planned or predicted. If your holidays feel different than you imagined… quieter, heavier, more complicated… or shaped by the realities of parenting a uniquely wired child, this episode offers comfort, perspective, and hope. In this episode, you’ll discover: A fresh, reflective look at the Christmas story through Mary’s experienceEncouragement for parents whose reality feels far from what they imaginedHope and meaning in seasons that feel messy or uncertainA reminder that God is present and working, even when the journey looks differentThis episode is an invitation to pause, breathe, and remember that even in the unexpected, God’s plans are unfolding with purpose and grace. 🎁 Holiday Support: You’ll also find information in the show notes about our special holiday giveaway and an invitation to join the Calm Connection Parenting Facebook group where you can enter the free coaching package drawing and to find encouragement and connection during this season. Send a text and share your thoughts! Visit 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

    28 min
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4.9
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Ranked in the top 5% of podcasts globally! Tired of walking on eggshells… dreading the next meltdown? Exhausted by big emotions and baffling behaviors? Wondering why “traditional advice” backfires in your home?    I’m glad you’re here. This podcast helps you understand what’s underneath the 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 everything.    If you’re ready to ditch the overwhelm and stop parenting in survival mode, you’re in the right place. We’ll talk 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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