Reflective Parenting Podcast by Curious Neuron
You don’t snap at your kids because you’re a bad parent. You snap because your stress builds faster than your awareness, and no one ever taught you how to handle that.
I’m Dr. Cindy Hovington, a mom of three with a doctorate in neuroscience and founder of Curious Neuron. I created The Reflective Parenting Podcast for parents who care deeply, know a lot, and still find themselves overwhelmed in the real moments.
This is not a podcast where I tell you how to be a perfect parent. I’m in it with you.
Each week, I invite you into my own reflections:
- what I’m learning from scientific articles and books,
- what I’m noticing in my nervous system and emotions,
- and what real parents and experts teach me in conversation.
Together, we get curious about why we snap, shut down, or over-function in conflict, and what’s actually happening in our brain and body when we do. We talk about stress, shame, repair, boundaries, playfulness, and the quiet moments no one sees—so you can start to recognize your patterns and gently shift them.
By listening, you’ll learn to:
- notice your stress and body signals earlier,
- understand the lenses and stories that intensify hard moments,
- regulate your nervous system when parenting feels like “too much”,
- and handle conflict with more calm, clarity, and repair.
- But more than that, you’ll have a companion in the work.
I’ll share where I struggle, what I’m practicing, and how I’m trying to grow, so you don’t feel like the only parent who finds this hard.
If you’re ready to move away from “perfect” parenting and toward reflective parenting—where every tough moment becomes data, not failure—pull up a chair.
Let’s learn, feel, and grow together.
Find out which book I will be covering next month:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Join the private group on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast/
Start training your emotional awareness for FREE:
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
Purchase my course The Emotionally Aware Parent.
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Follow us on Instagram @drcindyhovington or Facebook @curiousneuronparenting
Reflective Parenting Podcast by Curious Neuron
What Many Parents Get Wrong About Toddler Behavior
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In today’s episode, Devon Kuntzman and I dive deep into what’s really happening inside your toddler’s brain when they lose it — and how you can respond without spiralling yourself.
We unpack why your child’s meltdowns aren’t your fault, what they’re trying to tell you through their behavior, and the simple mindset shift that will change how you see tantrums forever.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why is my child doing this to me?” or “I said no… why can’t they just listen?” then this episode will make you feel seen, supported, and ready for the next tantrum (yes, really).
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The real reason toddlers have tantrums (and why it’s developmentally healthy
- Why “all behavior is communication” — and how to decode what your child is saying through their actions
- How to stay calm and compassionate even when you’re triggered
- Why giving in “just this once” actually leads to more tantrums
- What to do when your child prefers the other parent — and how to not take it personally
- Devon’s 3-ingredient “Recipe for Effective Discipline” that works with every tantrum
- How to model emotional regulation — even if you never learned it growing up
Get Devon's book here:
Follow her on Instagram: @transformingtoddlerhood
Read our blog post:
More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:
Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!
https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club
Learn about the next books we will be covering:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me info@curiousneuron.com to book emotional training sessions for your organization.