Episodes

Panic attacks—these intense moments can come on suddenly and feel terrifying, whether you’re experiencing one or witnessing your child go through it. In this week's episode I’ll help you understand the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack, what’s happening in the brain during these episodes, and most importantly, how to respond in a calm, supportive, and effective way. You’ll learn practical strategies to help your child feel safe, grounded, and empowered when panic takes ov...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Connected Parenting, I sit down with Sonia Cacciacarro —registered psychotherapist and member of the Connected Parenting team—for an honest and compassionate conversation about grief, loss, and how to talk to children about death and dying. Sonia shares her journey from fitness expert and mom of three to psychotherapist, and how her husband’s diagnosis and passing from FTD and ALS shaped her passion for helping families navigate bereavement and lo...

Today's question comes from the community: How do you explain what’s happening in your child’s brain during big emotions in a way they can understand and actually listen to? We all know that feeling—trying to explain why their emotions feel so big, but they just glaze over or dismiss what you’re saying. Maybe they think you don’t know what you’re talking about, or they just aren’t in the space to absorb the information. Sometimes, it helps to hear it from someone who isn’t their parent. For t...

For some, failure is a motivator, a chance to prove themselves and strive for something even greater. But for others—especially highly sensitive kids, gifted kids, kids with ADHD, or strong-willed Gladiator kids—failure feels catastrophic. Even minor setbacks can trigger overwhelming self-doubt, anxiety, and shame. The truth is, failure is an essential part of growth. It’s how we learn, build resilience, and ultimately succeed. But for kids who struggle with stress tolerance, failure can feel l...

Every child faces challenges when it comes to stepping outside their comfort zone—whether it's trying a new food, petting an unfamiliar dog, or speaking up in class. But what if we could gently guide them to embrace these moments of bravery? Imagine the confidence they could build and the doors that could open when they learn to navigate the unknown. In this week's replay, we explore how to strengthen your child's courage muscle, especially for those who are naturally hesitant. You'll learn pr...

Welcome back, Connected Parents, to another episode of the Connected Parenting Podcast! Today, we're diving into another installment of our Q&A series, where I answer real parenting questions from our listeners. In this episode, I’ll be tackling two important questions: Rob’s Question: His 14-year-old son has developed a mean-spirited sense of humor and is acting like a bit of a jerk. How can Rob guide him toward kindness without shutting him down completely? Lily’s Question: Her 12-year-old ...

I’ve had many requests from listeners asking for a refresher on the CALM Technique, and while I often direct people to earlier episodes, I think it’s time to go over it again. In this episode, we’ll break down how to use the CALM Technique effectively, especially when dealing with teenage boys, who can sometimes be a little more challenging to connect with. Whether you're parenting a fiery toddler, a sensitive pre-teen, or a moody adolescent, this episode will provide practical examples and re...

In this episode, we’re flipping the script. We spend so much time worrying about our kids’ screen time, but what about our own? The truth is, our relationship with our devices is affecting our focus, emotional health, and ability to be present for our children. And let’s be real—our kids are watching. Have you ever tried to watch a show without checking your phone? Or read a book for more than five minutes before feeling the urge to scroll? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In today’...

Welcome back, connected parents, to another episode of the Connected Parenting podcast! Today, we're tackling a topic that many parents find incredibly frustrating—arguing with a teenager—but with a modern twist: the influence social media has on these conflicts. Teenagers have always been challenging to argue with. Conversations can escalate from zero to 100 in seconds, leaving you feeling completely disoriented. But in today’s digital world, there’s a new layer—the language of social media-...

Negative consequences—while the term might sound harsh, the reality is that some kids truly thrive when they know they are surrounded by sturdy, solid, immovable limits. There are certain children, especially strong-willed or "gladiator" kids as I call them, who push back against every boundary—insisting they don’t need rules, testing limits at every turn, and even retaliating when consequences are enforced. However, despite their resistance, clear, consistent, and loving boundaries actually m...

Parenting can be a beautiful journey, but it often brings challenges that strain relationships. From the demands of daily life to the push-and-pull dynamics of kids testing boundaries, the connection between parents can sometimes feel like it’s taking a back seat. In this week's episode I explore how vital it is to protect and prioritize this bond, emphasizing that a strong relationship between parents doesn’t just benefit you—it’s a gift to your children. Kids thrive when they see their paren...

Welcome to the first Connected Parenting episode of 2025! After spending the holidays with my family, I’m excited to reconnect with all of you. The holidays are often a mix of joy, warmth, and togetherness, but they can also bring tension, big feelings, and unresolved conflicts. As Ram Dass so wisely put it, "If you think you're enlightened, go spend a week with your family." In this episode, we explore how to navigate those lingering emotions and patterns that surface during family gatherin...

The holidays are a magical time, but they can also be overstimulating and stressful for children, particularly for those with strong-willed or highly sensitive personalities. In today’s episode, we dive into the joys and challenges of the holiday season—especially when it comes to managing big emotions and behaviors in kids. Jennifer's Takeaways: Why gladiator kids often struggle during big family gatherings. Front-loading expectations for both children and adults. Manage gift exchanges, ov...

Some parents shy away from using rewards or positive consequences, fearing it might feel like bribery or paying their kids to behave. While overusing this method can backfire, when used thoughtfully, positive reinforcement can be a powerful way to encourage better behavior, build positive habits, and instill confidence in your child. Join me as we dig deeper into this often overlooked tool. Jennifer's Takeaways: Positive Reinforcement in Parenting (00:00) Understanding the Pleasure-Pain Con...

In this episode of Connected Parenting, we explore why anger is often the default emotion for neuro-spicy gladiator kids. Whether they’re tired, scared, overwhelmed, or even hungry, these children often express their emotions as anger—a response that’s challenging for parents to handle. Learn how to decode the feelings behind your child’s outbursts, connect with them in the heat of the moment, and implement 10 actionable strategies to help them recognize and process their emotions. By understan...

In this week's episode of Connected Parenting, we are talking about a common parenting challenge: kids faking illnesses to avoid school or other commitments. While many parents can recall pulling the same trick in their childhood, handling it as an adult brings up a whirlwind of emotions—guilt, frustration, doubt, and even anger. How do you balance supporting your child while avoiding reinforcing negative behaviors? If this is a question in your home, listen in to hear my thoughts on helping ...

Welcome to another episode of Connected Parenting! Today, we’re tackling a topic many parents struggle with—consequences. From figuring out what’s fair, natural, and effective to dealing with those moments when your overreaction leaves you questioning how to backtrack. In this episode, I’ll walk you through practical strategies to establish meaningful, loving, and predictable consequences that help children understand the impact of their actions while maintaining a strong connection with you. ...

Today, we're diving into the power of play, especially for kids with big emotions that feel too large for their small bodies to handle. These big-feeling kids often experience surges of emotion that can lead to outbursts, clinginess, or even cycles of frustration and shame. But with the right kind of play, we can help them release these overwhelming feelings and teach them how to self-regulate. In this episode, I’ll share specific, playful strategies designed to calm and engage children who ha...

In this episode of Connected Parenting, we’re diving into a fundamental concept in effective parenting—self-regulation. Titled “Be That to See That,” this episode explores the critical role our own emotional regulation plays in helping our children manage their emotions and behaviors. Parenting is a journey filled with joy, laughter, and priceless moments, but it’s also exhausting, anxiety-provoking, and often frustrating. To truly connect with our kids and help them co-regulate, we first need ...

In this episode of Connected Parenting, I dive into a concept I call emotional glare—a phenomenon that every parent of a strong-willed, reactive child has likely experienced. If you have a sassy, feisty, gladiator child who seems to be in constant conflict with the world, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Emotional glare is what happens when you reflect back your child’s feelings, set limits, or share your own emotions—and instead of calming things down, it triggers an even bigger emotio...

For most kids Halloween and the time leading up to it can be really fun and they love it. But for a lot of very sensitive children the feelings and reactions can be quite the opposite and extremely anxiety provoking. Everywhere they look they are seeing scary images on every lawn, and on every commercial on television, there’s images of witches, ghouls and ghosts. If this is something you are facing this Halloween season, then join me for this week’s episode to talk about what we can do as par...

One of the most common things I hear from parents is, “What if I had found you sooner?” It’s such a powerful question, and my answer is always the same—it’s never too late. Whether your kids are young, teenagers, or fully grown adults, repair is possible, and it can transform your relationships. Parenting is a delicate dance between setting boundaries and nurturing your child’s emotional well-being. It’s challenging, especially when your child might be thrashing against the world or trapped in...

In today’s guest series episode, I had an incredible conversation with Eli Harwood, a licensed therapist, attachment expert, and mother of three from Colorado. Eli has spent the past two decades immersing herself in attachment research and is on a mission to make the world a better place, one relationship at a time. We discussed the critical importance of attachment, co-regulation, and empathy as interventions in parenting, and how these can shape children's lives for the better. Whether you’re...

Welcome back, connected parents! Today we’re diving into the fascinating world of the brain, specifically the Reticular Activation System (RAS). You might be wondering—what is the RAS, and why should it matter to you as a parent? In this episode, we’ll explore how the RAS filters information and determines what we pay attention to, how it influences our reality, and more importantly unlock the secrets of this powerful brain system and learn strategies to make it a positive force in your parent...