Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection)

Dr. Gila
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Single-parenting in a world that’s not designed for you or your beautifully complex kid? Now, there’s a podcast that is! Welcome to Single-Parenting with Connection, NOT Perfection: Your go-to source for science-backed, heart-centered support that honors your messy reality. Join me, Dr. Gila, single mom and psychologist-turned-coach, for relatable stories, inspiring interviews, and practical tools to help you stop walking on eggshells and start actually enjoying parenthood. It’s the support you crave, without the emotional landmines. (And I promise I’ll never tell you to “just tag your partner in”!) Whether you’re divorced, widowed, single mom by choice or single dad by choice, or somewhere in between — or if you just feel like you’re doing it all on your own — you’re in the right place. Go to parentingwithconnection.com for free resources. 

  1. [Encore] Executive Functioning: The brain skills behind your kid's "lazy" or "difficult" behavior (with Carrie Bonnett)

    1d ago

    [Encore] Executive Functioning: The brain skills behind your kid's "lazy" or "difficult" behavior (with Carrie Bonnett)

    A fan favorite — back for the summer! But first... 🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide When your child can't get started, loses everything, or shuts down, it's easy to blame attitude. But what looks like "lazy" or "defiant" behavior might actually be related to executive functioning. In this episode, executive functioning coach Carrie Bonnett and I break down the brain skills behind your child's struggles at school and at home, and what you can actually do about it. You'll hear: What is "executive functioning," and why is it so important?The language shift that changes how you - and your child! - interpret their difficultiesWhy your struggles as a parent might actually be an assetHow to help your child build the skills they need to navigate daily life with more easeWhere to start when everything feels like a battle RELATED RESOURCES: 👉 FREE from Carrie: Task Initiation Toolkit 👉 Episode 22: The Superpower Every Parent Has (And How to Use It for Good) ABOUT CARRIE BONNETT Carrie Bonnett is a veteran teacher, lifelong list-maker, and Executive Function coach based in Bend, Oregon. She works with students and families around the country using a practical, no-shame, brain-first approach that empowers students to thrive, helps parents and teachers better support them, and gives adults tools to stay on top of all that life requires. In addition to coaching, Carrie creates digital resources, including her signature course Get the Brain on Board and a series of No-Shame Guides for Parents. She also provides brain-based workshops and trainings for parents, teachers, and other professionals. And she is an adjunct instructor at the University of Portland, where she supports early-career teachers. 👉 Website: www.carriebonnett.com 👉 Instagram | Facebook | YouTube ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

    35 min
  2. [Encore] Raising securely attached kids in single-parent families, with Aurisha Smolarski

    Jun 16

    [Encore] Raising securely attached kids in single-parent families, with Aurisha Smolarski

    A fan favorite — back for the summer! But first... 🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide Can kids form secure attachments in single-parent families? Or are they..."screwed"? In this compassionate conversation, I chat with therapist, mediator, and award-winning author, Aurisha Smolarski, LMFT, to unpack attachment theory and resilience (without the jargon!), and how to help kids feel safe and seen, even when co-parenting is hard or non-existent. You’ll hear us explore: What secure attachment really looks like (beyond buzzwords).Whether a child needs two healthy parent relationships to thrive.The effects of missteps in parenting.How to validate your child’s experience without bad-mouthing the other parent.The connection-building moments that move the needle most. Resources mentioned in this episode: ⭐️ Dr. Gila's step-by-step guide to modeling the art of apology and repair with your kids. ⭐️ Aurisha's "What's Your Communication Style?" Quiz Connect with Aurisha Smolarski, LMFT: Aurisha Smolarski, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified co-parenting coach, mediator, and mother, with a clinical practice in Los Angeles, CA. She is the award winning author of Cooperative Co-Parenting for Secure Kids: The Attachment Theory Guide to Raising Kids in Two Homes. As a co-parent herself, Aurisha is very familiar with the challenges faced by parents raising kids in two households. For more than 15 years, she has drawn on attachment theory and other modalities to help clients move from conflict to cooperation, make child-centered agreements, and create a secure co-parenting two-home family system. She has been featured in Vogue, Newsweek, Huffington Post, Parents, and the Divorce and Beyond Podcast among many other media outlets. WEBSITE: http://www.cooperativecounselingcenter.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/coop ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

    34 min
  3. [Encore] Screens: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything, with Ash Brandin

    Jun 9

    [Encore] Screens: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything, with Ash Brandin

    A fan favorite (and with good reason!). But first... 🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide Encore episode: Stressed about screen time? (Who isn't?!) What you're about to hear might surprise you...and make this topic feel a lot less scary. In this episode, I'm joined by Ash Brandin, EdS, aka TheGamerEducator and author of the bestselling book, "Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family," for an eye-opening conversation that may just change how you think about screens. You'll hear: Why screen-time conflicts feel so charged, and the mindset shifts that instantly lower the temperature.What most parents miss about their kids’ relationship with screens.Why common screen-time strategies can backfire, and what works better.Practical ways to build healthier tech skills without shame, fear, or power struggles. Resources: ⭐️ Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family, by Ash Brandin ⭐️ The Burnt Toast Guide to Division of Responsibility, by Virginia Sole-Smith About Ash Brandin Ash Brandin, EdS, known online as TheGamerEducator, empowers families to make screen time sustainable, manageable, and beneficial for the whole family. Now in their 15th year of teaching middle school, they help caregivers navigate the world of tech with consistent, loving boundaries, founded on respect for children, appreciation of video games and tech, and knowledge of pedagogical techniques. Ash has appeared on podcasts including Re:Thinking with Adam Grant, Good Inside with Dr. Becky, and Culture Study with Anne Helen Petersen, and has contributed to articles featured on Romper, Scary Mommy, Lifehacker, The Daily Beast, USA Today, and NPR. Their bestselling book, "Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family" debuted in August, 2025. 👉 WEB: thegamereducator.com 👉 IG: @thegamereducator 👉 SUBSTACK: thegamereducator.substack.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

    1h 3m
  4. [Encore] Why Kids Lose It

    Jun 2

    [Encore] Why Kids Lose It

    A fan favorite — back for the summer! Tantrums, and meltdowns, and rages...oh my! Big behaviors mean big stress for the whole family. If you’re tired of walking on eggshells, wondering when and why your kid is going to "lose it," this episode is for you. Dr. Gila breaks down what’s really happening beneath the surface when kids have big reactions, and how understanding those moments can transform the way you respond. You’ll walk away with a clearer picture of what your child’s behavior is trying to tell you, and what you can do to help when emotions run high. In this episode, we’ll explore: Why big feelings and big behaviors don't mean your child is a "bad kid"What’s happening inside your child when big behaviors eruptThe simple mindset shifts that helps you stay grounded when things get hardThree important things to know about strong-willed kidsTwo things to work on so you can support your child, reduce big behavior episodes, and help them build the crucial skill of self-regulation. 👉 Download the free companion guide: The Single Parent's Guide to Understanding Challenging Behaviors. ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

    25 min
  5. 35. 5 Parenting Tips for Summer Break

    May 19

    35. 5 Parenting Tips for Summer Break

    Different schedules, new settings, and a whole lot of "are we doing enough?" Summer has a way of turning up the volume on everything. In this solo episode, Dr. Gila shares her top five tips for minimizing meltdowns and maximizing connection this summer break. You'll hear... The mindset shift that makes summer feel manageableWhat connection actually looks like on a hard dayThe "should" that might be silently ruining your summer plansWhy the shame spiral around screens is worth examiningHow to turn a rough summer moment into useful data Related resources: ⭐️ Free guide to understanding meltdowns: parentingwithconnection.com/guide ⭐️ Episode 31: Summer Planning with Neurodivergent Kids (with Debbie Reber) ⭐️ Episode 13: 10 Tips for the Winter Holidays and Break ⭐️ Episode 12: Screens: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything, with Ash Brandin ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

    17 min
  6. 34. Supporting Your Neurodivergent Learner at School and at Home (with Dr. Emily King)

    May 13

    34. Supporting Your Neurodivergent Learner at School and at Home (with Dr. Emily King)

    If you can't reach 'em, you can't teach 'em. That's true whether we're talking about math class or tying shoes. No one knows this more than Dr. Emily King, a school psychologist, child psychologist, and author of the upcoming book The Neurodivergent Learner. In this episode, we dig into why the system was never really designed for kids like yours, and what that means for you at home and at school. You'll hear... Why your kid struggles in traditional school systemsWhat skill readiness actually looks like, and how to stop pushing at the wrong momentWhy kids lose skills they already have, and when to worry vs. waitHow to talk to your child's teacher in ways that actually move things forwardWhy academic achievement and "success" are not the same thing RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 The Neurodivergent Learner (available for pre-order) 👉 Learn with Dr. Emily, on Substack (30-day free trial) RELATED EPISODES: 🎙️ 25. Strength-Based Parenting & Schooling for Gifted and Neurodivergent Kids (with Sam Young) 🎙️ 28. Executive Functioning: The brain skills behind your kid's "lazy" or "difficult" behavior (with Carrie Bonnett) ABOUT DR. EMILY Dr. Emily King is a Child Psychologist and former School Psychologist who has worked with neurodivergent children and teens for over 20 years. Dr. Emily hosts the Learn with Dr. Emily Substack, and is the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom®, a professional development curriculum for educators. Dr. Emily’s new book, THE NEURODIVERGENT LEARNER, is available for pre-order. 👉 www.learnwithdremily.com 👉 Substack | Podcast 👉 Instagram | Facebook | YouTube ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

    37 min
  7. 33. Raw, Unfiltered, and In the Pit With You

    May 5

    33. Raw, Unfiltered, and In the Pit With You

    No solutions today. Just me, Dr. Gila, saying the quiet parts out loud. This episode is for anyone whose had a rough morning, or wondered how it's even possible to single-parent in our broken systems. Related resources: ⭐️ Feeling overwhelmed? Download Dr. Gila's short, guided meditation: parentingwithconnection.com/meditation ⭐️ Questions or need support? 👉 hello@drgilaparenting.com About Dr. Gila Dr. Gila (she/her) is a certified parenting coach, a psychologist and neuropsychologist, a speaker and educator, and the host of the "Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection)" podcast. But her most important role is as single mom to an incredibly awesome and beautifully neurodivergent tween. She specializes in supporting single parents, and parents of "strong-willed" or neurodivergent kids, with a focus on parenting with connection, not control or perfection. Her motto is: Even if you're on your own, you don't have to do it alone! ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

    8 min
  8. 32. Sibling Jealousy: "You love them more than me!" (Listener question)

    Apr 28

    32. Sibling Jealousy: "You love them more than me!" (Listener question)

    "You love my brothers more than me!" These prickly thoughts are hard! They're hard for you to hear, hard for them to feel, and hard to know what to do. In this week's episode, Dr. Gila walks through how to handle this and similar situations in response to a listener whose daughter's recent meltdowns seem to be related to sibling jealousy. You'll hear... What's really going on when your child says something like this.The three key ingredients for supporting your child and yourself through these tough phases.Practical tips for how to respond in the moment without just arguing "No I don't!" Resources mentioned: ⭐️ Grab Dr. Gila's free guide on what's really underneath big behaviors: parentingwithconnection.com/guide ⭐️ Questions? Email Dr. Gila directly: hello@drgilaparenting.com About Dr. Gila Dr. Gila (she/her) is a certified parenting coach, a psychologist and neuropsychologist, a speaker and educator, and the host of the "Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection)" podcast. But her most important role is as single mom to an incredibly awesome and beautifully neurodivergent tween. She specializes in supporting single parents, and parents of "strong-willed" or neurodivergent kids, with a focus on parenting with connection, not control or perfection. Her motto is: Even if you're on your own, you don't have to do it alone! ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

    17 min
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Single-parenting in a world that’s not designed for you or your beautifully complex kid? Now, there’s a podcast that is! Welcome to Single-Parenting with Connection, NOT Perfection: Your go-to source for science-backed, heart-centered support that honors your messy reality. Join me, Dr. Gila, single mom and psychologist-turned-coach, for relatable stories, inspiring interviews, and practical tools to help you stop walking on eggshells and start actually enjoying parenthood. It’s the support you crave, without the emotional landmines. (And I promise I’ll never tell you to “just tag your partner in”!) Whether you’re divorced, widowed, single mom by choice or single dad by choice, or somewhere in between — or if you just feel like you’re doing it all on your own — you’re in the right place. Go to parentingwithconnection.com for free resources. 

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