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
Why self-care isn't working for you
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I'm Back!
After five months away from the microphone, I'm finally back.
If you've been wondering where I've been, thank you for checking in. Your emails, messages, and support meant more to me than you know.
I explain what happened in this episode and share how this time away also gave me space to reflect.
In also share what I've been learning about capacity the idea that our ability to cope, connect, parent, and respond changes throughout the day based on what's happening around us and within us.
We often tell ourselves that we don't have time for self-care.
But what if the real question isn't about self-care at all?
What if it's about learning to notice and respond to our needs?
In this episode, we explore:
- Why "I don't have time for self-care" may be the wrong question
- What Capacity Mountain taught me about stress and emotional well-being
- The three categories of needs that most parents overlook: Body, Mind, and Connection
- How small intentional pauses can help you show up differently for your child
- Why many of us have forgotten what our needs even are
- A simple way to start noticing what is draining—and replenishing—your capacity
This episode marks a new chapter for the podcast and for Curious Neuron.
Whether you've been here since the beginning or you're joining for the first time, I'm grateful you're here.
Let's reconnect, reflect, and continue this journey together.
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.