Why do kids seem to save their biggest meltdowns for home?
You watch them stay polite and calm at school or during a family gathering—but the moment they’re back with you, it’s like a switch flips. Suddenly, there’s whining, power struggles, or a full-blown tantrum. If you’ve ever wondered why they hold it together for others but fall apart with you, this short episode of the Sustainable Parenting Podcast offers clarity, compassion, and simple parenting strategies that work.

This weekly podcast is here to support you with real-life parenting tips & tools—so you can bring more calm & peaceful parenting into your daily routines and truly enjoy your family time.

In this episode, we unpack what’s going on beneath your child’s after-school meltdowns and explore how anxiety & emotions often build up until they feel safe enough to release them—right when they’re back with you.

You’ll walk away knowing:

• Why your child’s toughest behaviors often show up with the person they feel safest with—and how that connects to parent-child connection
• What might be missing in your expectations (are they too high… or too low?) and how this impacts power struggles, especially with toddlers
• Three practical and gentle parenting strategies to reduce tantrums, end the yelling, and make transitions feel easier

We also touch on tools from past episodes that are especially helpful if you're raising a neurodivergent child or want more support with gentle discipline:
🌟 Episode 42: Why Typical Strategies Don’t Work with Neurodivergent Kids
🌟 Episode 115: Why Yelling Works—and What to Do Instead

If you’re looking for positive parenting ideas that are doable, supportive, and rooted in connection, this episode was made for you.

✨Want more?

1) Use this link for a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting.

2) Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen.

3) Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference fast.

Have you ever yelled at your child and instantly felt that wave of regret?

You're not alone.

Many parents, especially those practicing Gentle Parenting or navigating Power Struggles with a Neurodivergent Child or Toddler, find themselves caught in this cycle.

You might think the answer is just “more patience.” But what if the real solution is simpler—and more powerful?

In this Short Episode of the Weekly Podcast, we’re talking about 3 P-words that're game-changers for calm and peaceful parenting: Plan, Pause, and Practice. These simple parenting strategies don’t require perfection. They’re practical, doable, and help create a stronger parent-child connection.

We’ll also unpack how anxiety & emotions—especially something I call emotional “time travel”—can lead to big reactions like tantrums and yelling. But here’s the good news: you can end the yelling without becoming a different person.

With tools like the “Whoa, Low, Slow” method, you can bring more calm into family time, even during tough moments. One parent shared that after using these positive parenting tools, those long, exhausting fights melted away—and even her own father noticed the shift in her parenting.

This episode is packed with parenting tips & tools rooted in gentle discipline and gentle parenting—perfect for busy parents wanting more peace and less chaos.

💚 Download your free “Whoa, Low, Slow” template here:
https://sustainable-parenting.myflodesk.com/zapec71w5c
(Magnet coming soon!)

🎧 And join us next week as we explore why kids often have angry outbursts at home—but not in public. You might be surprised how close you are to more peace and connection.

✨Want more?

1) Use this link for a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting.

2) Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen.

3) Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference fast.

Yelling often feels like the only thing that gets your child’s attention. But what if there’s a better way—one that builds parent-child connection, lowers anxiety & emotions, and creates more calm & peaceful parenting?

In this short episode of the weekly podcast, we’re exploring why yelling seems to “work,” and what to do instead using simple parenting strategies that bring both kindness and firmness into your home.

You’ll learn:

• Why kids (especially a toddler or neurodivergent child) push limits—not to test your patience, but to find predictability.
• How yelling gives them clarity, but at a cost to your connection.
• Why being too gentle without boundaries often sets the stage for yelling later on.
• The natural “bounce” between permissiveness and explosive reactions—and how to stop it.

The heart of this episode is the CEO approach—a tool from gentle parenting that helps you mean what you say and say what you mean with confidence. It’s a way to replace yelling with calm leadership, even during tantrums and power struggles.

These positive parenting tools have helped many families end the yelling while building better communication and more peaceful family time.

🎧 Want more parenting tips & tools?

Check out Episode 71: 3 Steps That Get Kids to Listen—a great intro to the CEO method: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/71-3-steps-that-get-kids-to-listen/id1682538739?i=1000665256022.

And don’t miss next week’s episode, where we’ll talk about how to control your anger as a parent—without raising your voice.

✨Want more?

1) Use this link for a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting.

2) Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen.

3) Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference fast.

Ever felt like the consequences you're using just aren’t working?

Maybe you’ve taken away screen time, treats, or even big events—only to see the same behavior repeat. It’s frustrating when power struggles keep happening and nothing seems to stick.

In this short episode of the weekly podcast, we’re exploring simple parenting strategies that help you move from punishment to teaching. You’ll hear Sean’s story—how he shifted from taking away a special event to using calmer, more connected tools that actually helped his child grow.

You’ll walk away with:
• Three common mistakes that can make consequences fall flat
• A gentle, step-by-step way to use positive parenting tools that really work
• Ideas to keep limits firm while strengthening your parent-child connection

Whether you're parenting a toddler, supporting a neurodivergent child, or just trying to end the yelling, these parenting tips & tools are designed to help you stay calm and confident. It's not about being harsh—it’s about gentle discipline that teaches while keeping your relationship strong.

If you’re looking for more calm & peaceful parenting, this episode will help you build it—one small step at a time.

✨Want more?

1) Use this link for a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting.

2) Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen.

3) Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference fast.

Does your child resist every transition—turning simple moments like leaving the park or ending screen time into power struggles? You're not alone. In this short episode of the weekly podcast, we’re talking about how to move from fun to done—with fewer meltdowns and more calm & peaceful parenting.

You’ll learn how to stop what I call the “coo-coo cycle” of commands and consequences—and instead step into the role of C.E.O. (Connection, Encourage Cooperation, Ownership) when it comes to transitions.

Here’s the 4-step gentle parenting approach we’ll explore:

1. Connection First
   Come alongside your child and notice what they’ve been enjoying. For example:
   “Wow, you’ve been having so much fun building that sandcastle!”
   This builds parent-child connection and helps their brain shift gears more smoothly.
2. The “Last Thing” Cue
   Like in Daniel Tiger, give a gentle 2–5 minute heads-up and let your child choose their “last thing.” This gives them a sense of control and supports kids with big anxiety & emotions.
3. Empowering Choices
   Use playful, clear choices to make cooperation more fun. Instead of “We have to go,” try:
   “Do you want to hop or gallop to the car?”
   These simple parenting strategies keep your tone kind while keeping limits clear. (From the "Empowering statements" handout)
4. Two Roads
   If resistance continues, offer two clear options with natural outcomes:
   “You can walk to the car or I can help your body get there. You choose.”
   This tool, inspired by the What Should Danny Do? books, keeps things positive while holding boundaries.

This episode is full of parenting tips & tools that work beautifully with toddlers, neurodivergent children, and any child who finds transitions tough. It’s not about being strict—it’s about gentle discipline that helps kids feel seen, safe, and supported.

✨ Looking for more strategies? Check out Episode 111 and Episode 112 for more summer parenting tools.
🎧 And join us next week as we talk about how to support your child when they cry at drop-off.

✨Want more?

1) Use this link for a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting.

2) Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen.

3) Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference fast.

If screen time is creating power struggles in your home, especially with a toddler or neurodivergent child, you’re not alone. In this short episode of the weekly podcast, we’re offering simple parenting strategies to help you bring more calm & peaceful parenting into your home this summer (and beyond).

You’ll hear gentle parenting tips that support positive parenting even when tantrums or whining show up. And, you’ll walk away with ideas that support your parent-child connection, instead of turning tech into a constant tug-of-war.

By the time you’re done listening, you’ll know:

• 3 habits to stop—and 3 habits to start
• How to grow your child’s “boredom muscles” to build resilience
• Tangible ways to regulate tech time with gentle discipline
• How to link tech time to cooperation, not conflict

Creative, age-appropriate ways to meet your child’s need for excitement—without always turning to screens

✨ Want more parenting tips & tools?

Check out Episode 111: Summer Survival for extra guidance on making tech agreements that support both family time and calm & connection.

This episode is full of encouragement and support for managing anxiety & emotions around screen time. It's your reminder that ending the yelling starts with simple shifts—and you’re already on the right path.

✨Want more?

1) Use this link for a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting.

2) Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen.

3) Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference fast.

Are you already feeling anxious about how you’ll keep things calm this summer—especially with toddlers, tantrums, or tech battles in the mix?

If you're worried about power struggles, short tempers, or the overwhelm of constant togetherness, this short episode of our weekly podcast is here to help you bring more calm & peaceful parenting into your summer rhythm.

By the time you finish listening today, you will know:

• What to do when you're feeling stretched thin by big emotions and meltdowns - when you reach the end of your rope.

• How to tackle 5 common summer challenges—toys, technology, treats, morning routines, and evening routines—with gentle discipline
• The one phrase that’s making things harder—and what to say instead to end the yelling

• The best-kept-secret that brings more connection, cooperation, and ease - the SHORTER rope!

Whether you’re parenting a spirited toddler, a neurodivergent child, or simply wanting more joyful family time, you’ll walk away with simple parenting strategies that support positive parenting and a stronger parent-child connection.

✨ Ready for even more parenting tips & tools? Join us live on June 11, 12–1pm MST for a special workshop:
30 minutes of fresh insights + 30 minutes of Q&A to help you feel more confident this summer.

Register here: https://sustainableparenting.com/workshop-4/

✨Want more?

1) Use this link for a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting.

2) Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen.

3) Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference fast.

Ever feel like you're repeating yourself all day long, but your kids still aren’t listening?

It can leave even the calmest parent feeling frustrated, unheard, and unsure what to try next.

In this short episode of our weekly podcast, we’re talking about why this happens—and how to shift things in a way that supports both calm & peaceful parenting and real connection.

You’ll learn:

• Three common reasons children tune us out
• Simple parenting strategies that improve parent-child communication without yelling or threats
• How to set limits with gentle discipline that works for both toddlers and neurodivergent children
• Ways to balance kindness and firmness—so your child listens without losing their sense of independence

These positive parenting tools help reduce tantrums, power struggles, and that overwhelming pressure to be the “perfect” parent. They’re rooted in understanding anxiety & emotions—yours and your child’s—and building strong routines that make family time feel smoother and more connected.

✨ Parents who’ve tried these strategies share that they’ve seen big shifts—like calmer mornings, easier bedtimes, and more moments of real parent-child connection.

Want support for your unique family? You’re invited to book a free clarity call using the link in the episode description. And if this episode gave you a fresh perspective, we’d love for you to leave a five-star review and share what spoke to you most.

✨Want more?

1) Use this link for a FREE 20 min clarity call with Sustainable Parenting.

2) Download the FREE pdf. on getting kids to listen.

3) Buy a 3 session Coaching Bundle (saving you $100) - for THREE 30-min sessions 1:1 with ME, where we get right to the heart of your challenges, and give you small, powerful shifts that make a huge difference fast.