Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron
Parents don’t snap for one reason — they snap because stress builds faster than awareness.
The Reflective Parenting Podcast, hosted by neuroscientist and mom of three Dr. Cindy Hovington, helps parents understand what’s happening inside them before they snap and why recognizing it sooner is the key to change.
Through personal reflections and conversations with clinicians and experts, the podcast explores why parenting feels so intense, why insight often disappears under stress, and what it means to become a reflective parent.
A reflective parent isn’t perfect or calm all the time. They notice sooner, recover faster, and slowly build more trust in how they show up — even on hard days.
This podcast is your invitation to pause, reflect, and feel less alone.
New episodes weekly.
Join the private group on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast/
Watch our FREE training for parents to understand why you snap!
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
Purchase our course to Become a Reflective Parent!
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Follow us on Instagram @curious_neuron or Facebook @curiousneuron
Episodes
252 episodes
You, Your Husband, and His Mother: Untangling a Tricky Family Dynamic with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish
Family dynamics can feel especially intense around the holidays and one of the most challenging patterns many parents face is the triangle between you, your partner, and your mother-in-law. In today’s episode, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish returns...
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Season 8
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Episode 40
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50:33
Your Triggers Aren’t a Parenting Failure — They’re a Signal
If you’ve ever ended a night thinking, “Why did I snap again?” — this episode is for you.Today, we’re diving into what’s really happening in your brain and body when your child pushes your buttons. Because those intense reaction...
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Season 8
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Episode 39
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27:16
The reason you snap at your kids (and what you can try instead)
Hi Reflective Parents! This week, we are talking about something I keep hearing from parents which is snapping at our kids even when we are working on ourselves by learning about parenting or even going to therapy. You are not faili...
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Season 8
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Episode 38
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22:34
Why parenting advice won't help you stop snapping at your kids
If you keep snapping, shutting down, or feeling guilty, even though you “know” what to do... this episode will finally make it make sense.After speaking with more than 200 parents, I’ve noticed the same pattern:We are drowning...
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Season 8
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Episode 37
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24:30
What all dads need to hear about emotions and their son's future mental health
Today on the Reflective Parenting Podcast, I’m sitting down with Dr. Brendan Kwiatkowski-Hartman to talk about something many parents quietly wonder about:Why do boys sometimes pull away emotionally and how can we support them without...
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Season 8
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Episode 36
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49:29
Are you having unhealthy conflict? Here's what science says.
This episode will change how you see conflict.We’re talking about the proven communication patterns that destroy connection and how to replace them with healthier ones.You’ll learn:the Four Horsemen (with real examples...
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Season 8
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Episode 35
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25:16
Understanding your nervous system in conflict with the authors of Beyond Difficult
If you’ve ever wondered why you become a different version of yourself during conflict… this episode is going to change the way you see those moments forever.I’m sitting down with psychologists and authors Rachel Samson and Dr....
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Season 8
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Episode 34
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36:15
Relational Savoring: The Neuroscience of Calm and Connection
Ever wonder why some moments with your child feel effortless and deeply connected — while others leave you drained, reactive, or misunderstood? In this episode, we break down the science behind why.Dr. Jessie Stern and psycholog...
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Season 8
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Episode 33
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28:37
What Many Parents Get Wrong About Toddler Behavior
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...
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Season 8
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Episode 32
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51:17
The missing skill that helps parents and kids stay calm: Interoception
Last week, we uncovered how your child’s behaviour is really their nervous system communicating.Today, we’re going deeper, inside the body, to explore the science of interoception, the hidden sense that helps us feel and ...
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Season 8
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Episode 31
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39:12
Why understanding your nervous system helps you with your emotions
You’ve heard the advice: “Teach your child to name their emotions.”But what if the real secret to helping your child (and yourself) regulate emotions starts deeper inside the body?In this episode, I sit down with pedia...
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Season 8
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Episode 30
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31:33
How do we build resilience in our kids without being harsh or overprotective
Do you ever hear your child say things like, “I’m such a bad kid” or “I’ll never be good at this” and your heart sinks because you don’t know what to say?You’re not alone. And this episode is about to change the way you...
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Season 8
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Episode 29
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50:41
The Science of How Discipline and Punishment Impact a Child’s Brain Differently
Parents, this one is big.Today we’re breaking down punishment vs discipline, what science says, how it impacts your child’s brain, and why so many of us feel stuck in the cycle of punishing even when we don’t want to.If y...
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Season 8
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Episode 28
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29:21
How to connect with a child that shuts you down (without losing your cool)
This episode will change how you see your child’s moods and how you respond to them.If you’ve ever tiptoed around your child in the morning, worried the “wrong” cereal bowl or shirt will set off a meltdown, this conversation is ...
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Season 8
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Episode 27
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1:08:35
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