Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron
Parenting shouldn’t be defined by stress, guilt, and self-doubt. Yet for 94% of parents, that’s what our days feel like. As a neuroscientist and mom of three, I know firsthand how easy it is to end the day overwhelmed, wishing you’d been calmer, more present, or more patient with your child. That’s why I created The Reflective Parenting Podcast—a place where we pause, reflect, and discover a new way forward.
Join me every Monday as we explore science-backed skills that replace guilt with confidence and stress with calm so that you, and your child, can thrive. Some weeks, I’ll share my own reflections as a parent who’s still learning, just like you. Other weeks, I’ll bring in experts from psychology, neuroscience, and beyond to dive into the research and uncover practical ways we can make parenting feel lighter, less overwhelming, and more connected.
Parents don’t need more advice or another education-heavy podcast. What they truly need is a space to pause, reflect, and grow. Reflective parenting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about noticing what drives our reactions and choosing to show up with intention. This podcast is about building resilience, trust, and connection, and joining a movement to reimagine what parenting can feel like—for us, and for our kids.
Subscribe today not to miss next week's episode!
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Episodes
238 episodes
How music can lower stress and anxiety (for you and your child)
This episode will inspire you to see music as a powerful tool for connection, healing, and everyday parenting.It’s an invitation to play, sing, and create moments of joy with your children while learning how music can also soothe anx...
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Season 8
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Episode 26
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51:27
Replay: Looking beyond your child's behaviour with Dr. Mona Delahooke
I am going to be taking a short break. Meanwhile, enjoy this replay of one of my favourite episodes with Dr. Mona Delahooke. If you have a young child that has tantrums or that acts out in ways you don't know how to support, this ep...
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Season 8
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Episode 25
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54:26
Is my child ready for kindergarten readiness? (emotionally)
Is your child ready for kindergarten from an emotional perspective?In this episode, Cindy discusses the emotional aspects of kindergarten readiness, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness in children. She...
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Season 8
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Episode 24
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34:45
A science-based tool that helps you shift your perspective (and build your resilience)
In this episode, we explore the idea of “shifting your lens” — a powerful metaphor grounded in science that helps parents understand how their interpretation of a situation shapes their emotional response. Drawing on the work of psycho...
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Season 8
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Episode 23
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27:07
Can Parenting Style Differences Hurt Your Child? Here's What the Science Says
Are you following positive parenting but your partner is more authoritarian? This is a common question I receive from parents and so in today's episode, I share a study that was fascinating to me. In this solo episode, I...
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Season 8
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Episode 22
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32:02
How does your child respond to stress in conflict?
Have you ever asked yourself this question? In today's episode, I give you a different perspective on your child's behaviour....understanding how they respond to conflict. This is important because it impacts their behaviour in conf...
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Season 8
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Episode 21
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19:55
I wish I were a more playful parent
In this episode of the Reflective Parenting Podcast, host Cindy Hovington delves into the transformative power of playfulness in parenting. Drawing from personal experiences and expert insights, Cindy explores how embracing play can enhance par...
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Season 8
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Episode 20
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23:51
Invalidation in your relationship: Understanding the impact of dismissing emotions
In this podcast episode, I delve into invalidation and its significant impact on romantic relationships. I highlight common invalidating statements such as "Why are you upset?", "You're overreacting," or "Calm down," explaining that thes...
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Season 8
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Episode 20
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29:08
Psychologist shares how learning the skill of validation can transform your relationships
Do you ever wonder why your child’s big emotions feel so overwhelming—or why small conflicts with your partner can spiral? In this episode, I sit down with psychologist Dr. Caroline Fleck to unpack the skill of validation—what it is, w...
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Season 8
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Episode 19
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59:53
What Happens When You Let Kids Just Be Kids? (And Why It Matters)
with Amy ChiuIn today’s fast-paced world, it can be tough to slow down and truly let kids be kids. We often get caught up in schedules, expectations, and the pressure to “make learning happen.” But what if the most powerful learning h...
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Season 8
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Episode 18
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45:33
How not having a present father impacted my life
In today's solo episode, I share a little more of my personal story with the hopes of helping you feel validated, less alone or even empowered. Father's Day (or even Mother's Day) can be difficult when you have a parent that is aliv...
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Season 8
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Episode 17
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25:45
Working parent guilt: What no one tells you
with Daisy DowlingBalancing work and parenting feels impossible sometimes, doesn’t it? Between deadlines, meetings, and the constant demands at home, many working parents feel overwhelmed, guilty, and stretched too thin.
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Season 8
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Episode 16
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59:31
2 min reflection for days you feel like you are failing at parenting
Hi dear friends, From the number of you that downloaded our last grounding meditation, it seems like you enjoyed it!I decided to created another one for you, this time it is to help you on a day when you feel like you are fai...
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Season 8
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Episode 15
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2:21
The New Parent Journey: Essential Tools for Achieving Balance, Connection & Wellbeing
with Erica DiamondThose early days of parenthood can feel like survival mode—your routines are gone, your identity feels blurry, and the overwhelm is constant. Between sleepless nights, mental overload, and trying to “do it all...
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Season 8
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Episode 14
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1:01:19
Parenting in the digital world: the conversations families may not be having (but should)
We often focus on limiting and banning our kids’ screen time—but what if the most effective digital parenting conversations require a completely different approach, one that starts with curiousity, not control?In this episode, Dr. Cindy...
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Season 8
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Episode 13
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53:31
5 min moment of pause to help parents regulate
The next time you experience a chaotic moment and need to pause, listen to this 5 min audio to help you regulate. Let me know if you want more of these and please share it with a friend who needs this!
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Season 8
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Episode 12
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5:12
Struggling with work-life balance? Try the design your own life approach instead!
Hi friends! I have been hearing so many parents tell me that they feel overwhelmed trying to figure out how to balance work and family life. I know this can be stressful so I thought of a different way for us to approach this problem. ...
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Season 8
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Episode 11
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32:46
Mother's Day Reflection: Am I addressing my needs?
Happy Mother's Day!I wanted to post today on Mother's Day because of the conversations I have been having with moms all week. It helped me realize that so many of us are powering through motherhood not addressing our needs or...
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Season 8
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Episode 10
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22:10
Should I hug my child or ignore them during a tantrum?
In this episode of the Reflective Parenting Podcast, I chat with Albiona Rakipi who is a parent coach. I love her work and it is well-aligned with the research I read around co-regulation and teaching kids how to regulate emotions. ...
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Season 8
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Episode 9
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1:01:35
Am I a helicopter parent? The science of overparenting.
In today’s episode, we dive into the science of overparenting and explore what research says about its impact on children’s mental health. I break down a recent meta-analysis that shows how overparenting is linked to higher levels of dep...
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Season 8
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Episode 8
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33:20
Why boredom is important for your child's development with Susie Allison
Boredom is not a problem to solve but an essential skill children must develop for emotional regulation and creative thinking. When parents constantly entertain their children or rescue them from boredom, they unintentionally prevent crucial de...
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Season 8
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Episode 7
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56:13
Why meaningful friendships are important for parental well-being with Dr. Miriam Kirmayer
Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, clinical psychologist and friendship expert, joins Cindy to discuss the profound impact of friendships on our psychological well-being and how we can cultivate meaningful connections despite the challenges of parenthood.
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Season 8
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Episode 6
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53:47
When you discipline your child are you also doing this one important thing?
The one mistake many parents make when disciplining their children is forgetting to teach the underlying skills needed for emotional regulation. Focusing only on consequences without addressing skill development leaves children unable to manage...
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Season 8
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Episode 5
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28:26
Exploring Perimenopause with Dr. Kristina Calder
Dr's Cindy Hovington and Kristina Calder explore perimenopause, the hormonal transition that begins in women's 40s and significantly impacts mental health, energy, and body composition.• Perimenopause often starts in your 40s but can be...
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Season 8
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Episode 4
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1:03:42
How to have emotionally intelligent arguments with your partner
Ever caught yourself rattling off an endless list of reminders to your partner before they take the kids somewhere? "Don't forget snacks, water bottles, jackets..." Sound familiar? In this illuminating episode, I share a personal revelation tha...
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Season 8
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Episode 3
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30:56