Calm Connection Parenting | Meltdowns, Neurodivergence, Emotional Regulation, DMDD, Autism, SPD, Defiance, Angry Behaviors
Ranked in the top 2.5% of podcasts globally! Tired of walking on eggshells… dreading the next meltdown? Exhausted by big emotions. defiance, and disobediance? Wondering why “traditional" parenting advice backfires with your strong-willed child?
I’m glad you’re here. This podcast helps you understand what’s behind your child's behavior, so you can respond with calm, stop second-guessing yourself, and build real connection with your neurodivergent or uniquely wired child.
Hi, I’m Jami… a mom of seven, professional counselor turned parenting coach, speaker, and author. And yes, even with training, I found myself stuck in the same cycle so many parents live in: meltdown… reaction… guilt… repeat. I was doing all the things that were “supposed” to work… but they didn’t.
Everything changed when I stopped treating behavior like the problem and started looking underneath it. When I learned to understand my child’s unique wiring (personality, sensory processing, executive functioning, and emotional needs), I finally had a roadmap. I didn’t need more tips… I needed clarity and a plan. And that clarity changed things.
If you’re ready to ditch the overwhelm and stop parenting in survival mode, you’re in the right place. We’ll talk meltdowns, emotional dysregulation, defiance, ADHD, DMDD, anxiety, and more… along with practical steps that help your family move from chaos to calm… one episode at a time.
So grab your coffee, find your quiet spot (if you have one), and let’s jump in.
Start here: Take the FREE Emotional Forecast Quiz at CalmConnectionParenting.org and find your next best step.
Episodes
102 episodes
Back-to-School Help for Kids with DMDD, ADHD, Autism and Emotional Dysregulation: Set Your Child Up for Success
Back-to-school can be exciting, but for kids with ADHD, autism, anxiety, sensory needs, executive functioning challenges, or emotional dysregulation, the transition can also bring overwhelm, meltdowns, exhaustion, and big emotions.In thi...
Maternal Mental Health, Medication and Stigma: When Mental Health Headlines Trigger Fear
Maternal mental health, medication, postpartum depression, and the stigma surrounding treatment can already feel overwhelming. When a tragic mental-health story dominates the headlines, it can stir up even more fear for moms and parents trying ...
Parenting Podcast Celebration-100 Episodes, 120 Countries, and One Really Important Reminder for Parents of Children with ADHD, DMDD, ASD, and Emotional Dysregulation
🎉 We made it to Episode 100! Calm Connection Parenting has now reached listeners in 120 countries and territories, with parents looking for help with ADHD, DMDD, emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, sensory needs, anxiety, and the e...
Family Support for ADHD, DMDD, Autism and Sensory Needs: How Churches Can Help Neurodivergent Children
How Churches Can Support Neurodivergent Children: ADHD, DMDD, Autism, and Sensory NeedsMany families raising children with ADHD, DMDD, autism, anxiety, sensory needs, emotional dysregulation, or other invisible disabilities want c...
When Church Has Hurt Your Neurodivergent Child or Family: Grace, Grief, Support, and What to Do Next
When church has hurt your family, it can bring up grief, sadness, and even shame. For parents of neurodivergent children or kids with ADHD, autism, anxiety, DMDD, sensory needs, emotional dysregulation, or challenging behaviors, Sunday morning ...
When Church Feels Hard for Neurodivergent Children: ADHD, DMDD, Autism, Sensory Needs, and Faith
In this first episode of a three-part series, we begin an honest conversation about ADHD, DMDD, autism, anxiety, sensory needs, church hurt, painful church experiences, and the hope of creating more understanding inside faith communities. Churc...
96. When Summer Feels Out of Sync: A Quick Encouragement for Parenting Big Emotions and Special Needs
Summer can be fun, but it can also throw the whole family out of rhythm. When routines are off, schedules are inconsistent, activities are full, and emotions are running high, parenting a child with ADHD, DMDD, anxiety, autism, sensory needs, o...
95. Preparing for Vacation with a Neurodivergent Child: Travel Tips for Transitions, Meltdowns, and Judgment
If you are parenting a neurodivergent child or a child with ADHD, autism, anxiety, DMDD, sensory needs, emotional dysregulation, or big behaviors, vacation can bring up a lot of stress before you ever leave the driveway.The packing. The ...
94. How to Advocate at Your Neurodivergent Child's IEP Meeting When You Feel Dismissed or Overwhelmed
Are you preparing for an IEP or 504 meeting and wondering what to ask, what to document, or what to do if you feel dismissed by the school?In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, Jami Kirkbride continues her conversatio...
93. IEP and 504 Help for Parents: Where to Start When Your Child Struggles with Special Education Boss, Karen Mayer Cunningham
Is your child struggling at school, but you are not sure whether they need an IEP, a 504 plan, accommodations, evaluations, services, goals, or a behavior plan?In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, Jami Kirkbride talk...
92. What Kind of Support Do You Need to Stay Afloat When Parenting ADHD, DMDD, ASD or Challenging Behaviors?
Parenting a child with ADHD, DMDD, ASD, emotional dysregulation, meltdowns or challenging behaviors can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to carry it all without enough support.If you have ever wondered what kind of help ...
91. Is It Selfish to Take a Break When Parenting ADHD, DMDD, Emotional Dysregulation or Challenging Behaviors?
Is it selfish to take a break when parenting a child with ADHD, DMDD, emotional dysregulation, big emotions, meltdowns, or challenging behaviors?When your child needs extra support, extra patience, extra tools, and extra advocacy, it can...
90. Do You Feel Lonely or Isolated Parenting a Child with ADHD, DMDD, or Emotional Dysregulation?
Do you feel lonely parenting a child with ADHD, DMDD, emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, big emotions, or challenging behaviors?Even when you are surrounded by people, parenting a high-needs or neurodivergent child can feel isola...
89. Always on Alert? Why Moms of Neurodivergent Kids Struggle to Rest
Moms of neurodivergent kids, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, big emotions, or challenging behaviors often feel like they are always on alert and struggle to rest.In this episode we talk about why rest can feel so hard when your...
88. The Hidden Costs of Parenting a Neurodivergent Child with ADHD, Meltdowns, or Challenging Behaviors
Ever looked at your calendar, bank account, grocery bill, gas tank, and emotional capacity and wondered, “How are we supposed to keep doing this?”Parenting a neurodivergent child or a child with ADHD, DMDD, autism, emo...
87. Why Parenting a Child with ADHD, DMDD, or Challenging Behaviors Can Wear Down Even the Strongest Mom
Have you ever thought, “I should be able to handle this better…”Parenting a child with ADHD, DMDD, emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, big emotions, or challenging behaviors can wear down even the strongest mom. You may b...
86. How to Advocate Confidently for Your Child at School: IEPs, 504 Plans, and Accommodations
How do you know when your child needs more support at school… and what do you do next?If your child is struggling with ADHD, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, executive functioning challenges, school refusal, shutdowns, overwhelm, or aft...
85. Is Your Child Struggling at School… or Is Something Being Missed? Emotional Dysregulation, DMDD, ADHD, and the Signs Often Overlooked
Why is your child struggling at school? Learn what may be happening beneath ADHD behaviors, DMDD, emotional dysregulation, school refusal, shutdowns, executive functioning challenges, and after-school meltdowns. Is your child str...
84. Parenting Burnout, Anxiety, and PTSD: How to Calm Your Nervous System and Get Out of Survival Mode with Lori Owens
Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in survival mode as a parent?If you’re parenting a child with big emotions, emotional dysregulation, ADHD, or neurodivergent needs, it can feel like you’re constantly holding e...
83. When Your Space Adds to Your Stress: How Clutter, Overwhelm, and Home Organization Affect Moms Parenting Neurodivergent Kids (with Bee Organized and Megan Gervais)
Is your home adding to your stress? When you are parenting a child with big emotions, neurodivergent needs, or constant unpredictability, clutter and disorganization can quietly add to the overwhelm you are already carrying.In...
82. How to Stay Calm During Your Child’s Meltdowns (Nervous System Regulation for Parents of Emotionally Intense Kids) with Hunter Clarke Fields
How to stay calm during your child’s meltdowns. Learn nervous system regulation tools for parents of emotionally dysregulated or ADHD kids—and what actually helps. How DO you stay calm when your child is melting down… ...
81. Why Your Child Overreacts and Takes Everything Personally (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and Emotional Dysregulation in Kids) with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge
Why your child takes everything personally. Learn how emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) impact kids with ADHD, DMDD, or mood disorders—and what you can do to help. Why does your child take everything...
80. Why Your Child’s Meltdowns Aren’t Bad Behavior- Emotional Dysregulation in Kids Explained with Kirk Martin
Why your child’s meltdowns aren’t bad behavior. For kids with emotional dysregulation, DMDD, or ADHD, these moments are opportunities—not problems. For many children, especially those with emotional dysregulation, ADHD, or strong...
79. Why Your Child Struggles with Tasks, Motivation, and Follow-Through --Executive Function Explained with Leslie Josel
Why does your child struggle with tasks, focus, and follow-through? For kids with ADHD, DMDD, SPD, PDA, and executive function challenges, it’s not laziness—it’s how their brain works.In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting P...
78. Sensory Processing and Meltdowns in Kids – Understanding the Out-of-Sync Child with Carol Kranowitz
Why does your child have such big meltdowns and emotional reactions? For kids with sensory processing challenges, ADHD, DMDD, or emotional dysregulation, behavior may be a signal—not defiance.In this episode of the Calm Connection Par...
