Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection)

Dr. Gila
  • 5.0 (16)
  • 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. 31. Summer Planning with Neurodivergent Kids (with Debbie Reber)

    1D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 28. Executive Functioning: The brain skills behind your kid's "lazy" or "difficult" behavior (with Carrie Bonnett)

    MAR 24

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

    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 ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ❤️ 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).

    34 min
  5. 27. Cooking with Kids and Teens: The Gateway Life Skill for Raising Confident Adults (with Katie Kimball)

    MAR 17

    27. Cooking with Kids and Teens: The Gateway Life Skill for Raising Confident Adults (with Katie Kimball)

    Cooking with kids and teens builds more than meals — it builds confidence, connection, and life skills that last. Katie Kimball, creator of Kids Cook Real Food and Teens Cook Real Food, joins Dr. Gila to talk about how cooking can be a gateway skill for kids of all ages and stages. You'll hear: Why cooking might be the most important life skill you can give your childHow to get kids of any age genuinely excited about itWhy cooking can be especially powerful for neurodivergent kidsTips for keeping the experience low-stress for everyone Whether you're just starting out or trying to re-engage an eye-rolling tween, there's something here for you. RELATED RESOURCES: 👉 Knife Skills for Kids 👉 Teens Cook Real Food ABOUT KATIE KIMBALL Katie Kimball of Raising Healthy Families helps change kids’ relationship to food, both through work in the kitchen and helping parents of picky eaters. She’s a former teacher, two-time TEDx speaker, writer, mom of 4 kids, and creator of the Kids Cook Real Food Course, Teens Cook Real Food Course, #LifeSkillsNow virtual summer camps, and blogs at Kitchen Stewardship. Her mission is to connect families around healthy food, teach every child to cook, and instill those all-important life skills! 👉 Raising Healthy Families 👉 Healthy Parenting Handbook Podcast 👉 Instagram | Facebook | YouTube **Affiliate disclaimer: This episode may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a small financial benefit if you decide to buy something, at no extra cost to you. We only share products and services we genuinely believe will help you on your parenting journey. ** ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ❤️ 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
  6. 26. Does Attention Reward the Tantrum?

    MAR 10

    26. Does Attention Reward the Tantrum?

    If you give your child attention during or after a tantrum, are you rewarding the behavior and making things worse? When your child is upset and acting out, how do you offer comfort without unintentionally reinforcing the behavior? Those are the questions we’re unpacking in today’s episode. You'll hear why this advice is so common, what “working” actually means in parenting, and why the lens you use to interpret your child’s behavior changes how you respond. Related resources: ⭐️ [Episode 7] Why Kids "Lose It": What's Beneath the Big Behaviors ⭐️ [FREE guide] Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ❤️ 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).

    19 min
  7. 25. Strength-Based Parenting & Schooling for Gifted and Neurodivergent Kids (with Sam Young)

    MAR 3

    25. Strength-Based Parenting & Schooling for Gifted and Neurodivergent Kids (with Sam Young)

    It’s heartbreaking to watch your child struggle, whether at school or on the playground. Yet it's an all-too-common experience, especially for parents of bright and quirky kids. Today's guest shares my determination to change that! In this conversation with with Sam Young (aka “Mr. Sam”), founder of Young Scholars Academy, you'll hear about strength-based schooling, how to apply the principles at home in your parenting, and why this can be especially transformational for gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent kids. RELATED RESOURCES: 👉 Young Scholars Academy (use code "DRGILA10" for 10% off!) 👉 Free Summer Camp Open House for Young Scholars Academy ABOUT SAM YOUNG (aka "Mr. Sam") Sam Young, M.Ed., is the Head of School at Young Scholars Academy, a strength-based, virtual village that empowers gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent students to thrive! Sam is a two-time Fulbright Scholar, TEDx presenter, keynote speaker, and a neurodivergent person himself, who has committed his life to supporting clever, quirky students to overcome the harmful deficit-based system and develop their superpowers, and lead strength-based, talent-focused lives! 👉 Website (use code "DRGILA10" for 10% off!) 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram 👉 [FREE] The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Stop Struggling and Start Living a Strength-Based Life ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ❤️ 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
  8. 24. Mindfulness for Real-Life Parenting (with Hunter Clarke-Fields)

    FEB 24

    24. Mindfulness for Real-Life Parenting (with Hunter Clarke-Fields)

    Ever wondered what in the world "mindfulness" actually looks like? Or how to squeeze it into your day when you barely have time to pee? This episode answers all of that...and more. In this conversation, I’m joined by Hunter Clarke-Fields (aka the "Mindful Mama") for a practical, no-fluff mini masterclass on mindfulness for busy parents. You'll hear: What mindfulness really is (and what it’s not)A realistic “minimum dose” of practiceTiny ways to weave mindfulness into chaotic daysHow mindfulness can help you through tantrums and meltdowns About Hunter: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” host of the Mindful Mama Podcast, global speaker, Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Certification program. She has over 20 years of experience in meditation and yoga practices and has taught mindfulness to thousands worldwide. 👉 Website: https://www.mindfulmamamentor.com/ 👉 Podcast: Mindful Mama Podcast 👉 IG: @mindfulmamamentor 👉 FB: @mindfulmamamentor 👉 Free resources 👉 Mindfulness course ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ❤️ 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).

    38 min
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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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