Become A Calm Mama

Sometimes, when kids have big feelings, they come out in the form of negative self-talk, especially if they’re feeling like they don’t belong, no one cares about them, or they just can’t get it right.

Today, I'm talking about coaching kids through negative self-talk, so that you know exactly what to do when your kid says things like “I’m stupid”, “No one likes me”, or “It’s all my fault”.

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Understanding how to deal with a meltdown (aka Big Feeling Cycle) in the moment is a really valuable skill, but it doesn't end there. Ultimately, we want to use connected parenting and coaching conversations to prevent meltdowns in the long term.

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Listen as I walk you through how to use coaching conversations in parenting to teach your child how to align their beha...

When we talk about raising emotionally healthy kids, a big part of that is teaching kids what to DO with their feelings. Giving them better strategies to manage their feelings than name calling, hitting, running away, or shutting down.

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Listen as I talk...

Have you ever found yourself in a moment where your child is hitting their sibling, stealing snacks, or yelling something hurtful, and all you can think is, “How do I make this stop?”

But what if I told you that the very first thing you do when your kid acts out can change everything about how your child learns to manage their feelings and behaviors?

In This Episode:

If you listen to this podcast or have worked with me in any of my programs, you are already practicing Nonviolent Communication (whether you realize it or not). Today’s guest, Margot Magowan, is an expert on Nonviolent Communication, and she’s here to show you how to use those principles for better connection with your kids.

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The best way to improve your child's behavior on the outside is helping them understand how to cope and communicate with their big feelings on the inside.

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I’m walking you through exactly how to use (new & improved!) The Co...

It’s a big question (especially when your kids are little) - What would I be doing to set my child up for success in adulthood? We all want our kids to thrive and be well. Today, I’m sharing the 3 essential beliefs kids need for emotional health.

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If you’ve experienced mean mom groups, mom drama, cliques, gossip, rumors, and nastiness, you’re not alone (and you’re not imagining it). Today’s episode is an honest conversation with my friend Danielle about these topics, as well as some loving, kind ways that we can support each other as moms.

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We're all...

Dr. Angele Close is back to talk with me more about matrescence - the transformation and experience of becoming a mother. Motherhood comes with so many changes, identity shifts, frustrations, overwhelm, delight (I could go on all day).

You’ll Learn:

It’s a big deal to become a parent! We are forever changed by the expe...

If you’re a fan of the Pause Break, you are going to love the new and improved tool I’m teaching in today’s episode. And if you’re new here, the CALM Break is going to change the way you show up as a parent!

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The CALM Break is the new and improved P...

I’m back with brand new episodes and a new name for my signature parenting framework!

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I want this process to be accessible to EVERY parent - moms, dads, bonus moms, stepdads, even grandparents. I want to talk about parenting in a more holistic way. Introducing The Connected Parenting Process.

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I’m back from a 10-week hiatus of recording new ep...

It happens to us all - You yell, shame, hurt, or otherwise show up in a way you don’t love as a parent. It’s normal to lose it with your kid. It's part of being in a relationship with anybody. There are times when we get upset and create a disconnection, or rupture, with the other person.

What’s important is how you choose to handle it afterward.

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When you lose your temper with your kid, it doesn’t feel great. But it IS totally normal.

Perfection is not possible, in parenting especially. All parents lose their temper and speak or act harshly towards their kids from time to time.

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In this episode, I’m sharing what’s really going on when you lose your temper and what to do after...

Ever feel like you are a mean mom? The difference between being mean and being firm can be confusing. A lot of moms think that when they are firm with their children, they are being mean.

You’ll Learn:

Get clear on the difference between being firm and mean and what to do when you’ve actually been mean with your child.

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One thing moms struggle with is feeling bad about their progress in becoming calm and showing up calm with their kids.

We all know we aren’t at our best when we’re stressed, overwhelmed and reactive. But knowing how to calm down in the moment isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

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In this episode I’m sharing with you my definition of CALM and giving you my go-to strategy for getting to calm using a tool I call The Pause Break.

You’ll Learn:

The Pause Break allows you to access calm, even in the middle of a moment when you feel overwhelmed or angry.

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Before we get to that...

Today, I’m getting pretty personal about things I experienced in my childhood and how trauma informed my parenting. We’ll also talk about some ways to feel better and heal from traumatic experiences in your past.

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Please note, this is a really emotio...

In order to feel less stressed (and stop yelling), you've got to learn to understand and care for your nervous system. 

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I’m zooming out to talk about the bigger picture of your entire central nervous system. And I’ll show you how you can use your own nervous system to...

I want to let you in on a little secret. You don’t yell because there’s something wrong with you (or your kids). You yell as a response to stress and what your brain perceives as a threatening situation. In this episode, I’m talking about the stress cycle - what it looks like, why it happens and how it shows up in your parenting.

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“Fix it, change it, stop it, solve it” is a phrase I use often in my coaching. When you say it out loud, it captures that feeling we have as parents when our kids behave in a way that leaves us feeling overwhelmed, angry or worried. 

In this episode,you’ll learn:

Today I’m talking about misbehavior and the #1 reason it is so hard for parents. Misbehavior creates a lot of conflict in families. It’s one of the main reasons parents yell.

You’ll Learn:

If you’ve ever thought “If they would just listen an...

Today’s episode is the final installment of a series on setting (and achieving!) your goals. This week, we’re talking about making an action plan - one that you’ll actually follow through on.

In this episode, I’m walking you through how to tackle a goal that is challenging for a lot of moms - simplifying weeknight dinners.

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Welcome to part 2 of the Goal Setting Series! Last week, I walked you through how to figure out what you want and clearly define your goal. Today, we’re talking about defining and overcoming obstacles on the way to your goal.

I’ll share some common obstacles, as well as really tangible strategies to help you overcome them.

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Are you already thinking about things that you want to achieve or create in 2026? For me, it’s publishing my book (eek!). In that spirit, today kicks off a brand-new 3-part series all about getting what you want, prioritizing yourself and your goals, and making good things happen. We’re starting at the beginning - defining your goals. Because you can’t get what you want if you don’t know what it is!

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When a kid has experienced trauma, their nervous system often fires in ways that are unpredictable, intense, and challenging. Today, my guest Jamie C. Finn is sharing trauma-informed parenting techniques to help you and your child be better regulated. 

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Today’s guest is so special to me, because she is the person who taught me how to become the parent I am today. She’s basically my Darlynn. I’m so excited to introduce you to Jeanette Yoffe, who is here to talk about regulation strategies for kids.

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We’re sh...

Today is Thanksgiving here in the US, so in the spirit of giving thanks, today’s episode is all about gratitude, how it relates to children and parenting, and my three favorite strategies for cultivating genuine gratitude in yourself and your kids.

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What is Gratitude?

In Brene Brown's book, Atlas of the Heart, she defines gratitude as, “an emotion that reflects our deep appreciation for what we value, what brings meaning to our lives, and what makes us feel connected to ourselves and others.”

So it isn’t just about saying t...

As I prepared for our 200th(!!!) episode of the podcast, I realized that I hadn't completely shared a huge part of my story with you. You may already know that I’m an adoptive mom. Today, I’m going deeper and sharing my infertility and adoption story.

I sometimes talk about my journey as arriving through the back door of motherhood. In this episode, I’m talking about how I experienced infertility, why we chose adoption, and how that informed me as a mom, ultimately becoming a trauma-informed parent. 

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My hope is that if...

If you have a child between the ages of 1 and 5, today’s episode is for you. I’ve invited Devon Kuntzman onto the podcast to talk to us about transforming toddlerhood. She is a toddler parenting expert who is on a mission to transform the myth that toddlerhood is terrible.

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Dr. Angele Close is back on the podcast! Today, we’re diving deeper into letting go of mom shame and how to build a new relationship within ourselves so we can release that guilt and stress and show up in a more loving, kind, open-hearted way.

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I’m so excited this week to introduce Dr. Angele Close on the podcast. We're talking all about motherhood, the myths of motherhood (including the “good mom” myth), and what it's like to be a mom in this modern world. In fact, we had so much to talk about that this week’s episode is only part 1! 

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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the concept of pre-regulation and how it can help with preventing meltdowns. Today, you’ll learn how to help your kid get calm (and stay calm) so you have less dysregulation and fewer tantrums.

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I hope you implement just one or...

Today, I’ve invited Sara Hartley onto the podcast for a conversation about raising neurodivergent kids. I really appreciate the work Sara is putting out into the world, including her new book series called Purposefully Me that helps kids navigate big feelings, embrace their differences, build resilience, and discover their unique purpose through affirmations and storytelling.

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Today, I’m walking you through 3 things that kids need in order to feel secure in their attachment with you. Consider this your crash course in attachment basics, a how-to guide.

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I’m willing to bet that you're doing a lot of thing...

Today, I’ve invited Dr. Sarah Bren to talk to us about attachment, knowing whether or not we have a secure attachment with our kids, and how to maintain that secure attachment through the process of repair. 

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When my kids were little, I came up with a routine that I called “The 5 Things”. Basically, I decided on five things that my kids needed to do before school every morning - the non-negotiables. Today, you’ll learn how to create and follow through on your own morning and bedtime routines. 

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Barking orders, reminding over and...

This one simple practice that I call “Eyeballs” can make your afternoons easier and add powerful connection to anytime you reunite with your child. It only takes a few seconds and very little effort, but I know it will make a huge difference in your home.

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I love this so much because your child wants to be seen by you. They despe...

In today’s short and sweet episode, I’m giving you two simple strategies for better mornings (which I know you can use now that school is back in session!). 

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I show you how to help your kids get physically and emotionally ready for their day.

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When I think about a kid g...

If you’ve ever known anyone who’s going through a divorce, if you’re considering divorce yourself, or are in the early stages of making that decision, this episode on surviving divorce is for you. 

My guest today is Certified Divorce Coach® Laila Aitken Ali. Laila is known as the Split Coach, and she helps people (especially parents) to restructure their lives and relationships post-breakup so they don't get stuck in old dynamics and reactive patterns.

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Today on Become A Calm Mama, we’re continuing our conversation from last week about The Drama Triangle. This week, we’re diving deeper into a healthier model, The Empowerment Dynamic (TED). 

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In this episode, you’ll learn HOW...