Calm Connection Parenting | Neurodivergent, Meltdowns, Emotional Regulation, DMDD, Tantrums, SPD, Defiance, Angry Behaviors

Jami Kirkbride LPC, Parenting Coach for Emotional Dysregulation and Executive Functioning

Ranked in the top 3% 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. When You’ve Tried Everything for Your Emotionally Dysregulated Child and It Still Isn’t Enough- Maggie Diemer

    1D AGO

    When You’ve Tried Everything for Your Emotionally Dysregulated Child and It Still Isn’t Enough- Maggie Diemer

    Have you ever felt like you’ve tried every therapy, every strategy, and every parenting tool for your child with emotional dysregulation… and it still isn’t enough? Parenting a child with emotional dysregulation, ADHD, or DMDD can feel exhausting when treatment options fall through, waiting lists are long, and support systems don’t understand your child’s challenging behaviors. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why emotional dysregulation can create isolation and parenting stress  • How repeated disappointments affect parental confidence  • When to push, pivot, or pause during intense meltdowns  • Why your steady presence matters more than any single intervention In this powerful conversation, Maggie Diemer shares her journey raising a child with DMDD and navigating closed doors, residential treatment decisions, and the emotional toll it takes on parents. If you’re searching for help with emotional dysregulation, intense behaviors, or wondering what to do when therapy isn’t working, this episode will bring clarity, validation, and hope. Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step: Emotional Forecast Quiz 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

    31 min
  2. 73. How Do I Parent My Child Without Yelling When I’m Overwhelmed Too? Three Simple Ideas If You Feel You're Losing It

    3D AGO

    73. How Do I Parent My Child Without Yelling When I’m Overwhelmed Too? Three Simple Ideas If You Feel You're Losing It

    If you’re parenting a child with ADHD, emotional dysregulation, or intense meltdowns and you find yourself yelling even when you don’t want to, this episode will help you understand why it happens and what to do instead. Parenting an emotionally dysregulated or neurodivergent child is neurologically exhausting. When your child’s nervous system goes into overload, yours can too. And willpower alone is not enough to stop escalation. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why yelling is often a nervous system response, not a parenting failure  • What happens in your brain during high-stress parenting moments  • How to regulate yourself before trying to regulate your child  • A simple repair strategy if you do yell and want to rebuild connection When you understand co-regulation and how your calm influences your child’s meltdowns, everything shifts. You are not failing. You are overloaded. And there is a better way forward. Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step: Emotional Forecast Quiz 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. 72. Why Does My Neurodiverse, ADHD, or DMDD Child Fall Apart After School or Activities?

    FEB 19

    72. Why Does My Neurodiverse, ADHD, or DMDD Child Fall Apart After School or Activities?

    If your child has after-school meltdowns, falls apart after activities, or seems emotionally exhausted the moment they get home, this episode will help you understand why. In this episode, we unpack after-school meltdowns, emotional dysregulation, restraint collapse, and nervous system overload in children with ADHD, DMDD, or other neurodivergent traits, so you can respond with more clarity, confidence, and connection. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why kids often hold it together at school but melt down at homeHow emotional dysregulation and restraint collapse impact behaviorWhat actually helps after school and what tends to make it worseHow connection and timing matter more than discipline in these momentsThis episode will help you stop second-guessing yourself, understand what’s really happening beneath the behavior, and feel more prepared for those hard after-school hours. Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step: Emotional Forecast Quiz 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

    16 min
  4. 71. Why DoesTraditional Parenting Advice Make My ADHD or DMDD Child’s Meltdowns Worse?

    FEB 17

    71. Why DoesTraditional Parenting Advice Make My ADHD or DMDD Child’s Meltdowns Worse?

    Why does traditional discipline make meltdowns worse for an emotionally dysregulated, ADHD, neurodivergent, or DMDD child? If consequences, time-outs, and typical parenting advice escalate behavior instead of improving it, this episode explains why. You’ll learn how common discipline strategies trigger stress, nervous system overload, and emotional dysregulation — and what actually helps children build self-control, emotional regulation skills, trust, and connection. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why traditional discipline often backfires for neurodivergent and emotionally intense kidsHow emotional dysregulation and nervous system overwhelm affect behavior in the momentThe hidden cost of expecting regulation, logic, or compliance too soonA healthier, connection-based way to think about discipline that supports long-term growthThis episode is a pivotal mindset shift for parents who feel stuck, judged, or pressured to “be stricter” — and want an approach that actually works without shame or fear. If you’re parenting big emotions and wondering why nothing seems to help, this conversation will change how you see discipline and behavior. Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step: Emotional Forecast Quiz 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

    18 min
  5. 70. What Do I Do Before, During, and After a Meltdown With An Emotionally Dysregulated Child?

    FEB 12

    70. What Do I Do Before, During, and After a Meltdown With An Emotionally Dysregulated Child?

    What should you do before, during or after a meltdown when parenting an ADHD, DMDD, neurodivergent or emotionally intense child? If meltdowns leave you feeling panicked, unsure, or afraid of doing the wrong thing in the moment, this episode offers a clear, practical roadmap for navigating emotional dysregulation with calm and confidence. In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, you’ll learn how timing — not effort or consistency — determines whether parenting tools actually work. Instead of trying to fix, teach, and discipline all at once, you’ll discover what matters when so you can respond more effectively and build trust with your child. In this episode, you’ll learn: What to focus on before a meltdown by noticing early warning signs, body budget clues, and patterns that signal rising overwhelmYour role during a meltdown, including how calm presence, fewer words, and nervous system safety reduce escalationWhat needs to happen after a meltdown so repair, learning, emotional vocabulary, and problem-solving actually stickWhy rushing consequences, apologies, or teaching too soon often backfires for neurodivergent and emotionally intense kidsThis episode is especially helpful for parents navigating meltdowns, emotional dysregulation, sensory processing challenges, and executive functioning struggles in strong-willed or neurodivergent children. If you’ve been craving structure instead of more tips, this episode will help you understand what to do before, during, and after a meltdown — without panic, guilt, or second-guessing. Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step: Emotional Forecast Quiz 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

    16 min
  6. 69. How Do I Calm My Child When Nothing Seems to Work? Parenting Guidance for Meltdowns

    FEB 10

    69. How Do I Calm My Child When Nothing Seems to Work? Parenting Guidance for Meltdowns

    How do you calm a neurodivergent or strong-willed child when nothing seems to work — especially during meltdowns and emotional dysregulation? If your child’s big emotions escalate no matter how consistent, calm, or prepared you try to be, this episode explains why. The issue often isn’t your parenting — it’s timing. In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, you’ll learn: Why reasoning, consequences, and discipline stop working during emotional dysregulation, even when used consistentlyHow sensory processing challenges, nervous system overload, and emotional intensity affect behavior in neurodivergent and strong-willed kidsWhy regulation must come before correction — and how this shift changes everythingWhat actually helps calm the nervous system so learning, problem-solving, and self-control become possible againThis episode helps parents stop blaming themselves, understand why “nothing works,” and feel more confident responding to meltdowns with clarity and connection. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ve tried everything and my child still falls apart,” this conversation will help things finally make sense. Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast Quiz Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step: Emotional Forecast Quiz 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

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

    FEB 6

    68. 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! Take Your Next Step: Emotional Forecast Quiz 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
  8. 67. Meltdown vs.Tantrum: What's the Difference in this Emotional Dysregulation (And Why It Matters)

    FEB 4

    67. Meltdown vs.Tantrum: What's the Difference in this Emotional Dysregulation (And Why It Matters)

    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! Take Your Next Step: Emotional Forecast Quiz 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

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
50 Ratings

About

Ranked in the top 3% 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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