• Kids absorb our emotional signals—not just our words.
  
• Parental triggers often originate in old wounds or unmet needs.
  
• Shame gets passed around until someone notices they're holding it.
  
• Awareness—not perfection—is the beginning of breaking cycles.
  
• Your child's behavior is communication, not an evaluation of your parenting.
  
• "Junky" feelings are cues to look within, not at your child.
  
• Neurodivergent kids often stir up intense emotions because they challenge old patterns.
  
• Self-regulation is a precursor to co-regulation.
• Even small shifts in awareness change the parent-child dynamic.
• Connection, not control, is the pathway to healing.

I'm Gabriele Nicolet, toddler whisperer, speech therapist, parenting life coach, and host of Complicated Kids. Each week, I share practical, relationship-based strategies for raising kids with big feelings, big needs, and beautifully different brains. My goal is to help families move from surviving to thriving by building connection, confidence, and clarity at home.

• 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com
• 📅 Schedule a free intro call: https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session
  
• 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured
  
• 👾 Grab Tell the Story (anti-anxiety tool for kids): https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story
  
• ➡️ Instagram: http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet
• ➡️ Facebook: http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet
  
• ➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/
  
• 🌺 Free "Orchid Kid" Checklist: https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

If Complicated Kids has been helpful, the best way to support the podcast is to follow, rate, and leave a quick review. It helps other parents find the show—and it means a lot.

If there's a topic you'd love to hear covered on a future episode, you can always reach out at media@speechkids.com. I love hearing what's on your mind and what would support your family best.

Thank you so much for listening and for being part of this community. 💛

In this week's episode of Complicated Kids, I talk with Chris Linder, a hybrid homeschooling advocate and founder of Homeschool Remix, about what hybrid homeschooling really looks like—how it bridges the gap between traditional school and home learning, why it's a powerful option for neurodivergent kids, and how parents can get started without burning out.

We explore what hybrid homeschooling is (and isn't), why parents are more qualified than they think, the realities of state requirements, and how to avoid the overwhelm that often comes with taking a more active role in learning at home. Chris shares simple, realistic strategies that help parents supplement school in meaningful ways, nurture their child's interests, and create learning environments that actually fit their kids.

If you've been curious about homeschooling or wondering how to support your child beyond traditional school hours, this conversation is full of clarity and encouragement.

• Parents are their child's first and most natural teacher.

• Hybrid homeschooling blends school structure with home-based flexibility.

• It's especially supportive for neurodivergent kids and kids with strong interests.

• You can start small—one subject or a few hours a week.

• Homeschooling doesn't have to be expensive.

• "Deschooling" helps prevent burnout and resets routines.

• Teaching critical thinking is more important than memorizing curriculum.

• Both secular and religious homeschooling options exist.

• Community makes a big difference—no one has to do this alone.

• Many parents say they wish they had started sooner.

Chris Linder is the founder of Homeschool Remix, where he helps families design hybrid homeschool systems that honor their values, their child's needs, and their real-life schedules. He works closely with parents, educators, and co-ops to make flexible, personalized education accessible to all families.

I'm Gabriele Nicolet, toddler whisperer, speech therapist, parenting life coach, and host of Complicated Kids. Each week, I share practical, relationship-based strategies for raising kids with big feelings, big needs, and beautifully different brains. My goal is to help families move from surviving to thriving by building connection, confidence, and clarity at home.

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com
📅 Schedule a free intro call: https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured
👾 Grab Tell the Story (anti-anxiety tool for kids): https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story
➡️ Instagram: http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet
➡️ Facebook: http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet
➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/
🌺 Free "Orchid Kid" Checklist: https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

If Complicated Kids has been helpful, the best way to support the podcast is to follow, rate, and leave a quick review. It helps other parents find the show—and it means a lot.

If there's a topic you'd love to hear covered on a future episode, you can always reach out at media@speechkids.com. I love hearing what's on your mind and what would support your family best.

Thank you so much for listening and for being part of this community. 💛

You can't teach regulation from dysregulation — and today, we're talking about why that matters. Marriage and family therapist, Matthew Fishleder joins me to talk about one of my favorite topics: regulation for both kids and parents.

We unpack why it's impossible to teach self-regulation if we, as adults, aren't regulated ourselves, and how our nervous systems are constantly influencing one another. Matthew explains what's really happening in the brain during a meltdown and why validation and connection always come before reasoning or discipline.

To find out more about Matthew, visit his website at www.growingpresent.com.

About your host, Gabriele Nicolet

Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.

Complicated Kids Resources and Links:

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com

📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.

📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured

👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story

➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet

➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/

🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/