Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron

• Why understanding your nervous system helps you with your emotions (part 1)

  Send us a textYou’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 pediatric occupational therapist Laura Petix (The OT Butterfly) to uncover what’s really going on when kids have meltdowns, get overstimulated, or shut down. Spoiler alert: it’s not about being “bad” or “defiant.”Laura explains how your child’s behavior is actually a message from their nervous system and why understanding this changes everything about the way you respond.You’ll learn:Why meltdowns, shutdowns, and big reactions are signs of nervous-system overloadHow sensory sensitivities (sound, touch, movement) shape your child’s emotions and behaviorThe difference between a tantrum and a meltdown and why that mattersWhy co-regulation starts with your calm nervous systemThe mindset shift that helps you see behavior through compassion instead of controlIf you’ve ever wondered “Why does my child react this way — and why do I lose my cool, too?” this episode will open your eyes to what’s really happening beneath the surface.Listen now and get ready to see your child’s behavior through a completely new lens.Get Laura's Book: A Kids Book About NeurodiversityFollow Laura on Instagram @theotbutterflySupport the showRecord your question, or share a parenting insight in a 1 min audio we will share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast Become a Reflective Parent using our evidence-based program: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Grab a Free Resource: FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram | 🧠 Reflective Parenting Facebook Group 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

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• How do we build resilience in our kids without being harsh or overprotective

  Send us a textDo 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 respond.Today, I’m sitting down with award-winning science journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer to talk about her latest book Hello, Cruel World, a toolkit for raising confident, resilient kids in today’s messy, complicated world.Here’s the truth:➡️ Your kids will struggle with self-doubt, negative self-talk, and tough emotions.➡️ How you respond in those moments can either shut them down or help them build lifelong confidence.➡️ And the secret isn’t telling them “Don’t say that”  it’s something much more powerful (and doable).In this episode, you’ll learn:The 3-step “recipe” for self-compassion (and how practicing it yourself teaches your kids to do the same).How to validate your child’s feelings without agreeing with their negative self-talk.The surprising research on resilience: why letting your kids sit with discomfort (instead of rescuing them every time) builds the skills they’ll need for life.Why helicopter parenting backfires — and how giving kids independence actually boosts confidence and self-esteem.The truth about alcohol and teens (and why letting them drink at home doesn’t protect them — it puts them at greater risk).This conversation will give you the practical, science-backed strategies you need to:✔️ Stop feeling helpless when your child is hard on themselves✔️ Build their confidence in everyday moments✔️ Feel more equipped to parent in a world that often feels overwhelmingThis is one of those episodes you’ll want to save, re-listen to, and share with every parent you know.Join Melinda's Newsletter, Now What:https://www.melindawennermoyer.com/Follow Melinda on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/melindawmoyer/Parenting Self-compassion: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12671-020-01401-xSupport the showRecord your question, or share a parenting insight in a 1 min audio we will share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast Become a Reflective Parent using our evidence-based program: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Grab a Free Resource: FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram | 🧠 Reflective Parenting Facebook Group 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

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• The Science of How Discipline and Punishment Impact a Child’s Brain Differently

  Send us a textParents, 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 you’ve ever thought, “I don’t want to yell, spank, or threaten…but it just slips out when I’m overwhelmed,” you are not alone.Here’s what you’ll learn today:What studies reveal about how spanking and harsh discipline change the way your child’s brain processes fear, mistakes, and emotions.Why your nervous system is the most powerful discipline tool you have.A simple framework from Dr. Lori Desautels’ book Connections Over Compliance that helps you “connect before you correct.”And if you’re ready to go deeper, join us inside The Reflective Parent Club. That’s where we take this science and make it real in our daily lives, with support, tools, and a community of parents walking this same journey.Because when you regulate, connect, and guide, you’re not just shaping behaviour. You’re shaping the brain.Articles:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33835477/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36152947/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34197808/Read blog post:https://curiousneuron.com/2025/09/20/science-of-punishment-vs-discipline-how-parenting-shapes-your-childs-brain/Podcast episode with Dr. Bruce Perry:https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170?i=1000596000285Support the showRecord your question, or share a parenting insight in a 1 min audio we will share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast Become a Reflective Parent using our evidence-based program: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Grab a Free Resource: FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram | 🧠 Reflective Parenting Facebook Group 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

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• How to connect with a child that shuts you down (without losing your cool)

  Send us a textThis 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 for you.Joining me is Dr. Alex Reed, pediatric clinical psychologist and mom of two, who has spent years helping families understand temperament, moodiness, and emotional regulation. Together, we pull back the curtain on what’s really happening when your child seems unpredictable, reactive, or even says, “I hate you.”You’ll learn:Why some kids seem “moody” from the start and what temperament really means.The hidden role of shame in meltdowns (and why your child pushes you away even when you’re trying to help).The front door vs. side door approach and why lecturing, correcting, or over-validating often backfires.The science-backed strategies that actually work: modeling, storytelling, and overhearing.How to set calm, clear boundaries without escalating the conflict.The #1 skill you must practice first is your own regulation.This is not about quick fixes or “tricks” for behavior. It’s about raising kids who can handle their big feelings, and parents who can show up with confidence, calm, and connection—even in the hardest moments.By the end of this episode, you’ll have a new way to think about your child’s temperament, and practical steps you can use today to stop walking on eggshells.Join the conversation about this episode on our private Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10172344324640258&set=gm.1942367649950164&idorvanity=677093716477570Read a science article about this:Predicting child problem behaviour at school age: The role of maternal sensitivity, child temperament and theory of mindSupport the showRecord your question, or share a parenting insight in a 1 min audio we will share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast Become a Reflective Parent using our evidence-based program: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Grab a Free Resource: FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram | 🧠 Reflective Parenting Facebook Group 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

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• How music can lower stress and anxiety (for you and your child)

  Send us a textThis 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 anxiety, ease transitions, and strengthen emotional bonds.And it’s a behind-the-scenes look at the real science of music therapy – far beyond entertainment and how it can transform lives across every age and stage.Joining me is Tanya Lavoie, a certified music therapist who works in pediatric hospitals and specializes in using music to support regulation, pain management, and emotional expression. In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Tanya shares how her work combines neuroscience, creativity, and compassion to help children and families thrive.You’ll learn:Why music therapy works, and the brain science behind itHow to use music at home to motivate your child, calm meltdowns, and create playful routinesSimple steps to build meaningful playlists for relaxation or focusThe truth about common music therapy myths (including the “Mozart Effect”)How to find a qualified music therapist in your areaIf you’re ready to bring more connection, calm, and joy into your home and discover the therapeutic power of music this conversation is your starting point.Support the showRecord your question, or share a parenting insight in a 1 min audio we will share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast Become a Reflective Parent using our evidence-based program: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Grab a Free Resource: FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram | 🧠 Reflective Parenting Facebook Group 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

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