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] Why Kids Lose It

    1d ago

    [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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 31. Summer Planning with Neurodivergent Kids (with Debbie Reber)

    Apr 21

    31. Summer Planning with Neurodivergent Kids (with Debbie Reber)

    Summer is coming! And the pressure to plan it is already here. This week I'm talking with Debbie Reber, founder of Tilt Parenting, host of the Tilt Parenting Podcast, and author of Differently Wired, about setting ourselves and our neurodivergent kids up for success during the long summer break. You'll hear: The expectation trap most parents walk straight into every JuneTips for navigating screen time during the summerYour secret weapon against summer meltdownsWhat to ask a camp before you sign anything ABOUT DEBBIE REBER Debbie Reber, MA, is a parenting activist, author of Differently Wired, and founder of Tilt Parenting, a top resource for families raising neurodivergent kids. Through her Full-Tilt Parenting podcast (10M+ downloads), bestselling books, and speaking, Debbie champions a strengths-based, inclusive approach to parenting. A three-time TEDx speaker and certified Positive Discipline trainer, her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on NewsNation. Debbie lives in the Netherlands with her husband and two cats, while her neurodivergent young adult attends university in Scotland. 👉 Website: https://tiltparenting.com 👉 Podcast: Full-Tilt Parenting 👉 Instagram | Facebook | YouTube 👉 FREE resource from Debbie ALSO MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 👉 Screenwise, by Devorah Heitner 👉 The Self-Compassion Institute, with Kristin Neff ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ❤️ 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).

    39 min
  7. 30. Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts in Kids and Teens: What Parents Need to Know (with Katie M Kay)

    Apr 14

    30. Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts in Kids and Teens: What Parents Need to Know (with Katie M Kay)

    It's the situation every parent dreads: Your child or teen is hurting themselves. Or, worse yet, wants to kill themselves. What do you say? What do you do? And how do you not fall apart in the process? This episode is for parents in the thick of it...and for the ones who want to be ready before they get there. Licensed therapist and author Katie May joins Dr. Gila to talk about self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and high-risk behaviors in kids and teens: What's driving them, how to respond, and what parents can start doing now. In this episode: Why self-destructive behaviors aren't what they seem, and what they're actually communicatingThe one parenting skill Katie says could have prevented her own self-harm as a teenHow to have the conversations you're dreading...and what not to sayWhat to do when your child tells you they want to die RELATED RESOURCES: ⭐️ Get the first chapter free of You're on Fire, It's Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens with Self-Destructive Behaviors at youreonfireitsfine.com/chapter ⭐️ Episode 26. Does Attention Reward the Tantrum? ABOUT KATIE K MAY Katie K. May is a licensed therapist, author, speaker, and group practice owner. She founded Creative Healing, a multi-location teen support center in the Philadelphia area, and wrote the #1 Amazon best-seller, You’re On Fire, It’s Fine. With lived experience as a teen who turned to self-harm, Katie is one of only 11 Linehan Board Certified DBT Clinicians in Pennsylvania, the gold standard treatment for self-harm and suicidal behaviors. She equips parents and clinicians with practical, trauma-informed tools to decode behavior as survival and create lasting change. 👉 Website: youreonfireitsfine.com 👉 Instagram | Facebook | TikTok ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ❤️ 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).

    33 min
  8. 29. Boundaries in Parenting (There's More to It Than You Think)

    Mar 31

    29. Boundaries in Parenting (There's More to It Than You Think)

    Boundaries! Parents talk about this A LOT. But are we actually talking about the same thing? In this episode, Dr. Gila breaks down the three distinct concepts that get lumped together into the term "boundaries," and why getting clear on the difference isn't just semantic. In this episode: The difference between boundaries, limits, and expectations...and why it matters.The key ingredients for boundaries that work.How to increase cooperation without compromising connection.What to ask yourself when you're not sure whether to "hold a boundary." Related resources: ⭐️ Episode 7. Why Kids "Lose It": What's Beneath the Big Behaviors ⭐️ Episode 9. Power Struggles with Neurodivergent Kids: Beyond the Battles, with Dr. Danika Maddocks ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ❤️ 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).

    25 min
See All (37)

Trailer

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. 

Information

You Might Also Like