Welcome to Delight in Parenting Podcast. Let's into the essence of peaceful, playful and emotionally intelligent parenting, where I share the insights, expert advice & research, and support necessary to transform your parenting approach from struggling to delighting. Say goodbye to conflict and embrace cooperation, creating a more joyful home environment.
Join me as we embark on a path to deeper connection and more peace & play within our families. I'm excited to connect and share this journey with you through each episode!
60. Drowning in Advice: What ADHD Parents Really Need Instead
Friday, August 1, 2025 • Duration 43:22
Ever wondered why you keep exploding at your kids despite reading every parenting book and knowing exactly what you "should" do?
What if I told you that if you're neurodivergent or raising neurodivergent kids, traditional parenting advice isn't just ineffective—it can actually make you feel more ashamed and overwhelmed because it ignores how differently your nervous system works?
My guest, Lauren O'Carroll, completely shifted my understanding of what neurodivergent parents actually need during our raw and honest conversation. As a certified peaceful parenting coach who has ADHD herself and is raising two neurodivergent children, Lauren knows firsthand the impossible position many parents find themselves in—desperately wanting to co-regulate with their kids but lacking the nervous system capacity to do so.
In this vulnerable interview, Lauren reveals why the "just regulate yourself first" advice feels so impossible for ADHD parents and what actually works instead.
You'll discover:
* The "double negative" that neurodivergent families face: kids who need more co-regulation paired with parents who have less capacity to provide it
* Why consuming more parenting information can actually make your regulation worse when you're already overwhelmed
* How anger needs to move through your body—and Lauren's go-to strategy
* The crucial difference between accepting where you are versus condoning harmful behavior
* Why community with other neurodivergent parents isn't just nice to have—it's essential for your nervous system health
* Specific somatic techniques that work when traditional "take deep breaths" advice fails
Lauren vulnerably shares how she went from being "a walking encyclopedia" of parenting knowledge to finally finding tools that actually worked for her reactive nervous system. She reminds us that if you're listening to parenting podcasts, "that is proof that you're a good parent"—even when you're struggling.
Most importantly, she challenges the myth that neurodivergent parents are somehow broken, showing us instead how to work with our wiring rather than against it.
Ready to stop fighting your nervous system and start supporting it? This conversation will give you permission to parent in a way that actually fits your brain—and find the community support you've been craving.
59. How to Stop Your Child's Explosive Behavior Without Punishment or Consequences
Thursday, July 17, 2025 • Duration 35:09
Ever wondered why your child's "difficult" behavior keeps happening over and over, no matter what consequences you try?
What if I told you that your child's explosive meltdowns aren't actually about defiance or manipulation—but are their way of communicating that there's a problem they don't know how to solve?
My guest, Kim Hopkins, completely shifted my understanding of children's challenging behavior during our powerful conversation. As a licensed clinical social worker and Director of Learning and Resources with Dr. Ross Green's organization—the author of the groundbreaking book "The Explosive Child"—Kim has spent over 25 years discovering that traditional behavior modification techniques often make things worse, not better.
If you've ever felt lost trying to help a child who seems to explode over the smallest things, Dr. Green's book has been a lifeline for countless families. And Kim works directly with him to bring these life-changing strategies to parents and professionals around the world.
In this eye-opening interview, Kim reveals how we can help our children develop the skills they need to handle life's challenges while building stronger relationships in the process.
You'll discover:
* Why the phrase "kids do well if they can" changes everything about how we approach discipline—and what to do when they can't
* The crucial difference between focusing on behavior modification versus solving underlying problems
* How to identify which of your child's struggles to work on first when you feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to change
* Why collaborative problem-solving with your child is actually higher accountability than punishment
* The three-step process for partnering with your child to solve problems together—even with young kids who don't communicate with words yet
* How to use "Plan C" to temporarily reduce conflict while you work on higher priority issues
* Why children who seem "well-behaved" at school might still benefit from this approach
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
58. Raising Boys Who Won't Become Emotionally Shut-Down Men
Thursday, July 10, 2025 • Duration 01:01:12
Ever wondered why your son seems to shut down emotionally right when you're trying to help him process his feelings?
What if I told you that the cultural messages about masculinity start affecting our boys as early as age four or five—and that most parents are completely unaware of how deeply these harmful expectations have already taken root?
My guest, Dr. Daniel Ellenberg, completely shifted my understanding of raising emotionally healthy boys during our powerful conversation. As founder of Strength with Heart men's groups and former president of the American Psychological Association's division on men and masculinities, Daniel has spent over 40 years helping men and boys connect with their full emotional range.
In this eye-opening interview, Daniel reveals how we can raise more compassionate and vulnerable boys while changing the culture of masculinity from within our own homes.
You'll discover:
* Why boys as young as five start getting shamed for showing vulnerability—and how one father beautifully responded when his son was called a girl at school
* The crucial difference between "strength with no heart" and "strength with heart"—and why both extremes harm our boys
* Why Daniel believes the term "toxic masculinity" is actually harmful messaging that makes boys feel attacked for their identity
* How parents often unknowingly trigger their own unresolved emotions when their sons show vulnerability
* The importance of genuine curiosity over criticism when connecting with your teen—specific scripts included
* Why community building among parents is essential for counteracting harmful cultural influences
* How to monitor content consumption without becoming the "screen police"
* Practical ways to help boys understand and express anger without shaming them or encouraging aggression
Daniel vulnerably shares his own insights about how parents need to do their own emotional work first, because "the best thing you can do as a parent is to be healthy." He reminds us that modeling vulnerability takes courage, but it's actually a pathway to deeper connection—not weakness.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
57. Lost Yourself in Parenthood? Your Abandoned Passions Might Be the Key to Better Parenting
Thursday, June 5, 2025 • Duration 48:24
What if the secret to becoming a better parent isn't doing more for your kids—but doing something entirely for yourself?
When Tatiana Goded talks about rediscovering forgotten dreams, she's not just speaking as a coach—she's speaking from the heart of someone who lived it. After finishing her PhD, the very next day she enrolled in a creative writing course. It was as if she was finally giving herself permission to return to the passion she'd abandoned in high school.
But here's what happened next: she finished the course and stopped writing. Then took another course, loved it, and stopped again. This cycle repeated three times until she finally had her breakthrough moment—when she decided "I'm not stopping writing anymore. This is important to me."
During our conversation, Tatiana reveals the profound shift that changed everything: moving from "filling your cup" to "filling your cup and giving from the overflow." When she started prioritizing her writing—not as a luxury, but as essential fuel—she became a more present, joyful mother to her neurodivergent daughter.
The science backs this up. When we engage in activities that bring us genuine joy, we're not just happier—we're literally rewiring our brains for more positivity, presence, and resilience. Those 15 minutes of morning writing or afternoon painting aren't selfish indulgences; they're investments in becoming the parent your children need.
Tatiana shares the practical framework that works: starting with just 15 minutes a day, doing it first thing in the morning before life takes over, and focusing on three "MITs" (Most Important Things) that fill your cup—not more chores or obligations, but genuine sources of joy.
If you're feeling like you've lost yourself in the endless cycle of caring for everyone else, or if you can barely remember what you used to love doing before kids consumed your world, this conversation will remind you that reclaiming your passions isn't selfish—it's essential. Listen now to discover how reconnecting with your forgotten dreams can make you the parent you've always wanted to be.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
56. Our Home: The Love, Work, and Heart of Family
Thursday, May 29, 2025 • Duration 47:33
What if one simple shift could end the exhausting cycle of being your family's unpaid manager—while raising kids who actually want to help?
I know you're tired. Not just physically tired from doing everything yourself, but emotionally exhausted from being the only one who notices the overflowing trash, the dirty dishes, the chaos that somehow becomes your responsibility to fix.
You're tired of being the household CEO while everyone else gets to be employees who clock out. You manage the mental load, remember what needs doing, delegate tasks, and then still end up doing half of it yourself because it's easier than the battle.
You're tired of feeling like a broken record—asking, reminding, nagging, negotiating. "Can you please put your dishes away?" becomes a daily drama. Getting anyone to pitch in feels like pulling teeth, and you start to wonder: "Am I raising future adults who will expect their partners to be their personal assistants?"
The guilt hits hard too. You love your kids desperately, but you fantasize about having just five minutes to yourself without someone needing something. You want to connect with them, but you're too busy managing their lives to actually enjoy them.
Sound familiar? You're not alone in this struggle, and more importantly—it doesn't have to be this way.
Imagine if household tasks became natural collaboration time where you actually connect with your children, instead of resentful solo work that keeps you from them.
Imagine if your partner and kids saw the work of caring for your home as shared responsibility, not "mom's job" they occasionally assist with.
Imagine if you could raise children who become the kind of partners who notice what needs doing and do it—without being asked.
This isn't fantasy. During my conversation with family systems expert Lori Sugarman-Li, she reveals exactly how families across the country are making this shift. Not through stricter rules or bigger consequences, but by changing something much simpler: the energy and language around how families care for each other.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
55. From Fear to Love: Why Your Child's "Misbehavior" Is Actually a Cry for Help
Thursday, May 22, 2025 • Duration 39:49
Ever wondered why your child seems to push your buttons at exactly the moments when you're least equipped to handle it?
What if I told you that your child isn't actually "misbehaving" at all—they're showing you something much deeper?
My guest, renowned child behavior expert Bryan Post, completely shifted my understanding of challenging child behavior during our conversation. As founder of the Post Institute and author of "From Fear to Love," Bryan has spent decades working with families in their homes, witnessing the most intimate family dynamics and discovering what really drives our children's actions.
In this eye-opening interview, Bryan reveals his groundbreaking Stress Model Theory that will change how you see every tantrum, every defiant moment, and every challenging behavior.
You'll discover:
* Why "children act out because they are stressed out"—and how this simple truth transforms everything
* The powerful story of a mom who ended five years of bath time battles in just four days using Bryan's approach
* Bryan's Three R's framework (Reflect, Relate, Regulate) that can de-escalate any situation
* The 13-second technique that shifts you from fear to love in the heat of the moment
* Why your child's behavior triggers your own stress response—and how to break this cycle
* The difference between surviving energy (fear) and thriving energy (love) in your family dynamics
Bryan vulnerably shares his own childhood of "love balanced by violence" and how it shaped his understanding that stressed parents create stressed children—but regulated parents can heal generational patterns.
Most importantly, he reminds us that parenting is 90% emotional, not cognitive. When we try to logic our way through emotional moments, we miss the real message our children are sending us.
Ready to see your child's challenging behavior through a lens of understanding instead of frustration? This conversation will give you the tools to respond from love instead of fear, even in your most triggered moments.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
54. Emotion Savvy Parenting: Your Roadmap When Parenting Goes From 0 to 60
Thursday, May 8, 2025 • Duration 54:13
Ever found yourself knowing exactly how you want to respond to your child's behavior, only to have all that wisdom fly out the window when emotions run high?
You're not alone. Dr. Alissa Jerud, clinical psychologist and author of "Emotion Savvy Parenting," knows this struggle intimately—both professionally and personally.
In this transformative conversation, Dr. Jerud reveals why even the most well-read parents still lose their cool (hint: it's not because you're failing). She vulnerably shares her own parenting moments that didn't go as planned, while offering practical, science-backed strategies to help you navigate emotional storms.
You'll discover:
* The ART framework that helps you Accept, Regulate, and Tolerate big emotions when they arise
* The game-changing CARE technique that can reduce your heart rate by 50% in just 30 seconds (perfect for those "about to lose it" moments)
* Why practicing these skills when you're calm dramatically increases your ability to use them when you're triggered
* How to move past shame when you don't respond perfectly (because you won't—and that's actually good for your kids to see)
Dr. Jerud compassionately reminds us that emotions are messengers, not emergencies. While we should welcome them, we don't have to let them drive our behavior with our children.
Ready to transform how you handle those zero-to-sixty emotional moments with your kids? Listen to this episode now for practical skills you can start using today to parent more mindfully, even when big feelings threaten to take over.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
53. Building Bridges: Raising Emotionally Connected Boys
Friday, April 25, 2025 • Duration 14:00
In our latest podcast episode, "Building Bridges: Raising Emotionally Connected Boys," I tackle one of the most pressing challenges parents face today – how to reach our sons when they seem increasingly distant and disconnected.
As a mom of three (including two boys), I've experienced firsthand the struggle to maintain connection with sons who are bombarded with confusing messages about masculinity, emotions, and identity.
This episode isn't just theory – it's practical wisdom born from both professional expertise and real parenting trenches.
You'll discover:
* Why so many boys are emotionally shutting down in today's world
* The four key signs your son might be struggling (beyond typical "boy behavior")
* Practical strategies to build connection instead of pushing for control
* How to create safe spaces for authentic expression – even with resistant teens
* Balanced approaches to screens and digital influences
Most importantly, you'll learn how to see past challenging behaviors to reach the boy behind the mask – the child who still deeply needs your love and guidance.
This isn't about perfect parenting. It's about building bridges when the gap feels widest.
Ready to transform your relationship with your son?
Listen to the full episode now.
Your son needs you – not perfect, just present and connected.
Are you exhausted from constant sibling bickering? Do you feel like a referee instead of a parent? You're not the only one feeling this way.
The FREE Sibling Summit brings together 20+ parenting experts to share practical strategies that create lasting peace between your children. Over five focused days, you'll discover:
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
52. Parenting Strong-Willed Children: Understanding Their Nature to Transform Challenges
Thursday, April 17, 2025 • Duration 38:39
Parenting Strong-Willed Children: Insights from Kirk Martin
Kirk Martin, founder of CelebrateCalm.com and host of the Calm Parenting Podcast, offers transformative advice for parents of strong-willed children, drawing from 25 years of experience and working with over 1,500 challenging kids.
Understanding Strong-Willed Children
Martin explains that strong-willed children primarily feel misunderstood. "These are kids who value their autonomy and independence more than they care about consequences. And that's why consequences don't work," he says.
Rather than seeing these children as difficult, Martin encourages parents to appreciate their independence and determination as future strengths.
Practical Approaches That Work
Martin recommends several effective strategies:
* Change your posture: "It's almost impossible to yell when you're sitting down," Martin points out.
* Use a neutral tone: Strong-willed children respond better to confidence than sweetness or authoritarianism.
* Match their intensity: Validate their frustration instead of minimizing it.
* Create movement: "Motion changes emotion," Martin explains, suggesting activities that redirect energy.
* Identify triggers: Focus on understanding what sparks meltdowns rather than controlling behavior.
Martin reassures parents: "If you're listening to a parenting podcast, you're a good parent. So relax. You guys are doing a good job."
Your strong-willed child isn't being difficult—they're navigating the world their way. By understanding their nature, you can transform challenges into connection.
Want to hear more practical scripts and strategies from Kirk Martin? Listen to the full podcast episode for additional insights on parenting strong-willed children effectively.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
51. Removing the Mask: Raising Boys Who Aren't Afraid to Feel
Thursday, April 10, 2025 • Duration 43:00
Ever watched your son stuff down his tears with a forced "I'm fine" when you know he's struggling inside?
When Ashanti Branch was growing up in Oakland with his single mom, he quickly learned that showing emotions wasn't acceptable unless they were funny or angry. "In my community, you're barely allowed to show any emotion," he shares in this eye-opening conversation. This emotional suppression led to multiple school suspensions for fighting – not because he wanted to fight, but because community rules said he couldn't walk away.
As a teacher years later, Ashanti noticed boys in his classroom failing despite being brilliant. The reason? They were hiding their intelligence because "smart wasn't cool." This observation led him to create the Ever Forward Club and eventually the Million Mask Movement, helping young men express the emotions they've been taught to conceal.
In this powerful episode, you'll discover:
* Why your son might be transforming sadness and vulnerability into anger (and what this costs him long-term)
* Why parents must "go first" in vulnerability before expecting children to open up
* How to respond when your son says "I'm fine" but his behavior screams otherwise
Most importantly, Ashanti shares his shaken soda can metaphor for unexpressed emotions: when opened unexpectedly, they explode - sometimes creating messes that take a lifetime to clean up.
Whether your son struggles with angry outbursts, withdraws into screens, or seems perpetually "fine" despite concerning behavior, this conversation offers practical strategies to help him express his full emotional range safely.
Ready to help your son take off his emotional mask? Listen to the episode now.
As Ashanti wisely reminds us, "It's easier to raise healthy children than to fix broken men."
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
* The specific assessment tool that helps you understand exactly which skills your child is struggling to access
Kim vulnerably shares her own story of working in residential care, where they were restraining children who couldn't live at home—until she discovered Dr. Green's approach and saw "nothing short of remarkable" results, even before they became skilled at the model.
Most importantly, she challenges the belief that we need to be punitive to raise good citizens, showing us how collaborative problem-solving actually teaches children the skills they'll need as adults.
Ready to move from constant power struggles to genuine partnership with your child? This conversation will give you the tools to help them develop the problem-solving skills they need while strengthening your connection.
If you're tired of feeling like you're constantly managing one crisis after another and want to create the calm, collaborative home you've been dreaming of, I'm starting a small group where we'll work through Dr. Laura Markham's Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Workbook together over 6 weeks. Just 8 spots available, and I'll be there to guide you through every step.
Most importantly, he challenges the false choice between being "tough" or being "gentle," showing us how our boys can embody both strength and heart in an integrated way.
Ready to help your son embrace his full emotional range while building genuine confidence? This conversation will give you the tools to support him in becoming the kind of man the world desperately needs.
Before we wrap up, I want to share something with you. Just last week, a mom in my community told me, "Dajana, I used to dread bedtime because I knew it would end in a battle. Now my daughter actually asks for our connection time together." What changed? She stopped trying to manage her child's emotions and started learning to regulate her own first.
If you're tired of feeling triggered by your child's big emotions and want to create the calm, connected home you've been dreaming of, I'm starting a small group where we'll work through Dr. Laura Markham's Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Workbook together over 6 weeks. Just 8 spots available, and I'll be there to guide you through every step.
Her own teenagers voluntarily fold laundry and vacuum—not because they have to, but because they understand their role in creating the home they want to live in. No nagging required.
The secret? It starts with one conversation that most families never have. And once you hear how to facilitate it, you'll wonder why no one taught you this years ago.
Ready to stop being your family's unpaid manager and start building the cooperative household you've been dreaming of?
Listen to this episode now to discover the exact framework that's transforming exhausted parents into connected families.
Day 1: Sibling Conflict & RivalryLearn the psychology behind sibling fights and practical intervention techniques from bestselling authors Joanna Faber & Julie King, along with experts Abigail Wald, Kiva Schuler, Clara Roulev, Tosha Schore, and Kyle & Sara Wester.
Day 2: Parental Self-RegulationDiscover how your own emotional responses impact sibling dynamics, with guidance from Stephanie Pinto, Maryam Munir, Dajana Yoakley, JoAnn Crohn, and Emily Hamblin on staying calm when tensions rise.
Day 3: Connection & BondingExplore powerful bonding activities with Dr. Lawrence Cohen, Katie Kimball, Marta Khader, Sonali Vongchusiri, and Jennifer Kolari that help siblings genuinely enjoy each other's company.
Day 4: Neurodiversity & TemperamentsAddress the unique challenges when siblings have different temperaments or neurodivergent traits with expert guidance from Elaine Taylor Klause & Diane Dempster, Lauren O'Carroll, Dayna Abraham, Penny Williams, and Sarah Rosensweet.
Day 5: Age by AgeGet age-specific strategies from Emily Murray, Shruti Kumar, Will Kirsop, Mihaela Anghel, and renowned authors Ned Johnson & William Stixrud for navigating sibling relationships from toddlers to teens.
Every session provides practical, actionable advice you can implement immediately. Parents who've applied these approaches report not just fewer fights, but genuine friendship growing between their children.
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