Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) – Details, episodes & analysis

Boundaries! Parents talk about this A LOT. But are we actually talking about the same thing?

In this episode, Dr. Gila breaks down the three distinct concepts that get lumped together into the term "boundaries," and why getting clear on the difference isn't just semantic.

In this episode:

• The difference between boundaries, limits, and expectations...and why it matters.
• The key ingredients for boundaries that work.
• How to increase cooperation without compromising connection.
• What to ask yourself when you're not sure whether to "hold a boundary."

Related resources:

⭐️ Episode 7. Why Kids "Lose It": What's Beneath the Big Behaviors

⭐️ Episode 9. Power Struggles with Neurodivergent Kids: Beyond the Battles, with Dr. Danika Maddocks

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❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

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CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com

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©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

When your child can't get started, loses everything, or shuts down, it's easy to blame attitude. But what looks like "lazy" or "defiant" behavior might actually be related to executive functioning.

In this episode, executive functioning coach Carrie Bonnett and I break down the brain skills behind your child's struggles at school and at home, and what you can actually do about it.

You'll hear:

1. What is "executive functioning," and why is it so important?
2. The language shift that changes how you - and your child! - interpret their difficulties
3. Why your struggles as a parent might actually be an asset
4. How to help your child build the skills they need to navigate daily life with more ease
5. Where to start when everything feels like a battle

RELATED RESOURCES:

👉 FREE from Carrie: Task Initiation Toolkit

👉 Episode 22: The Superpower Every Parent Has (And How to Use It for Good)

ABOUT CARRIE BONNETT

Carrie Bonnett is a veteran teacher, lifelong list-maker, and Executive Function coach based in Bend, Oregon. She works with students and families around the country using a practical, no-shame, brain-first approach that empowers students to thrive, helps parents and teachers better support them, and gives adults tools to stay on top of all that life requires.

In addition to coaching, Carrie creates digital resources, including her signature course Get the Brain on Board and a series of No-Shame Guides for Parents. She also provides brain-based workshops and trainings for parents, teachers, and other professionals. And she is an adjunct instructor at the University of Portland, where she supports early-career teachers.

👉 Website: www.carriebonnett.com

👉 Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

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❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

What do you do when “traditional” parenting and school strategies make things worse, and you're not sure what to do instead?

In this episode, I talk with Eric, dad to an awesome, autistic kiddo with a PDA profile, about what backfired for his family...and what actually helped.

You’ll hear:

1. How even unintended pressure can escalate kids with sensitive nervous systems
2. Why common behavior-based approaches can backfire.
3. What actually helps when a child is in fight-or-flight.
4. Why the most challenging, and most impactful, piece is managing your own reactivity as a parent.

While we talk specifically about PDA, the insights in this episode apply to any child whose nervous system escalates under pressure, and any parent who feels like their instincts keep backfiring.

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❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

How do you balance your child's need for connection with your own need for space, especially when there's no adult to "tag in"?

That's just one of the questions we explore in this conversation with Ali Miller, a Single Mom by Choice and an expert in Nonviolent Communication (NVC).

In this episode, you'll hear:

✔︎ The three essential principles of NVC, and how they apply to parenting.

✔︎ An open, vulnerable conversation about the challenges of parenting solo, including guilt, blame, resentment, and the power of self-compassion.

✔︎ Real-time coaching around one of Ali's ongoing challenges: Supporting her daughter's need for connection without entirely sacrificing her own needs.

👉 If snapping and shame spirals are a challenge for you too, my free webinar on Feb. 4 is designed with you in mind. Click here to learn more.

ABOUT ALI MILLER, MA

Ali Miller is a Single Mom by Choice, or, as she likes to call it, Sole Mom by Design. She's also an expert in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a Couples Communication Coach, and a Marriage & Family Therapist. Ali helps parents level up their communication and conflict-resolution skills so they can stop the fruitless fighting and feel closer than ever.

👉 WEBSITE: https://www.alimillercoaching.com

👉 IG: @alimillercoaching

👉 FREE: Feelings & Needs Cheatsheets

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❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

What’s it really like to grow up in a single-parent home shaped by grief...and deep, enduring connection?

In this special episode, I’m joined by copywriting coach Marisa Corcoran and her mom, Rita Fratto — a real-life “Gilmore Girls” duo whose story offers a powerful glimpse into widowhood, single parenting, and the long-term impact on children as they grow into adulthood.

This is an honest, inspiring - and fun! - conversation about life's unexpected lessons, community, resilience, chosen family, and the everyday moments that build a secure, loving relationship over time, without pretending that single parenting is easy or light.

ABOUT MARISA CORCORAN AND RITA FRATTO

Marisa Corcoran and Rita Fratto hail from Syracuse, New York, and consider themselves the original "Gilmore Girls."

Rita spent the majority of her career as the head of Senior Programs for The City of Syracuse as well as a Social Worker with Syracuse Housing Authority, all while being a widow and single mother.

Marisa Corcoran is the creator of The Copy Chat and Copy Confidence Society, helping business owners uncover what to say (think: words on your website, emails, and more!) to magnetically attract your dream clients.

👉 WEBSITE: MarisaCorcoran.com

👉 IG: @Mtoni

👉 FREE: 50+ Scroll-Stopping Subject Lines

👉 The Copy Confidence Society

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❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

In the words of Julie Andrews:

🎶 Let’s start at the very beginning. A very good place to start…

Tune in to hear Dr. Gila’s take on the first step to creating a more peaceful home, with less snapping, more snuggling, and the joy and ease you crave. She explains why parent self-regulation is such a powerful place to focus, especially for single parents in the thick of it.

Related resources:

⭐️ [Episode 2] Keeping Your Cool: Emotion Regulation for Parents

⭐️ [Episode 6] 2 Reasons You Can't "Calm" Your Way Out of the Hard Stuff

⭐️ [DOWNLOAD] Short Guided Meditation for Single Parents (or Anyone who Feels Like One)

👉 Love the show? Please rate and review it so others can find it too. And remember to share it with your single-parent besties!

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❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

In this solo episode, I share five truths I come back to again and again in my parenting and my coaching, especially with single parents who are carrying a lot and quietly wondering if they’re enough.

These are the truths I invite you to hold onto as we head into 2026, or whenever you need a grounding moment to exhale and re-center. And if that feels hard right now, I’m happy to hold them for you.

👉 Follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode! And please share with your single-parent friends.

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❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

© 2025 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

This week's episode is a special gift to help you through the winter holiday season, or any other stressful season of your life.

Somatic psychotherapist, and my dear friend, Meg Tobin, LMHC, guides us through a tapping (EFT) tutorial and practice to soothe your nervous system, including modifications and suggestions to fit your unique needs.

If you’re brand new to tapping, this episode is a gentle, no-pressure introduction.

If you’ve tried it before and thought, “Yeah… not for me,” you might be surprised by how flexible and customizable it can be.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. A primer on what tapping (EFT) is, and how it helps you move through the prickly feelings.
2. How to use tapping to support yourself and your kids.
3. Simple modifications if tapping feels overstimulating or awkward.
4. The key to crafting personal affirmations that work.
5. A live, guided tapping practice for anyone feeling alone or unsupported.

Related resources:

⭐️ [Free gift from Meg] 5-Day Nervous System Reset (Use code: DRGILA)

⭐️ [Ep. 2] Keeping Your Cool: Emotion Regulation for Parents

About Meg Tobin, LMHC:

Meg Tobin, LMHC, is a somatic psychotherapist and nervous system strategist who helps women reconnect with their bodies, release old patterns, and live from a place of deep inner safety.

Meg's work blends psychotherapy, somatic practice, and sacred journeying, including ketamine-assisted experiences, and transformational retreats in Puerto Rico and Ireland. Known for her real-talk wisdom and calming presence, Meg supports women through big life transitions, trauma, grief, burnout, and healing the parts of themselves that have been holding it all together for too long.

Meg believes healing doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be real, honest, and rooted in the body.

👉 WEBSITE: https://www.breathingspacepsychotherapy.com/

👉 INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK: @breathingspacepsych

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❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

© 2025 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

Winter break can bring joy, pressure, and a whole lot of overwhelm, especially for single parents.

This episode shares 10 realistic tips to help you navigate the holiday season with less stress and more connection. It focuses on why this time of year can feel harder, how to anticipate challenges before they spiral, and what actually helps when routines, emotions, and expectations collide.

You’ll hear:

1. How to set yourself and your child up for success
2. Ways to reduce power struggles and sensory overload
3. How to support big feelings without fixing or forcing
4. Why connection matters more than perfect plans
5. How to find glimmers of joy without chasing perfection

Related resources:

⭐️ Join the free Facebook community, also called, Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection)

⭐️ Download the free meltdown guide for single parents.

⭐️ Being Playful When You're Running on Fumes, with Mia Wisinski

👉 Love the show? Please rate and review it so others can find it too. And remember to share it with your single-parent besties!

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❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

© 2025 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

Stressed about screen time? (Who isn't?!) What you're about to hear might surprise you...and make this topic feel a lot less scary.

In this episode, I'm joined by Ash Brandin, EdS, aka TheGamerEducator and author of the bestselling book, "Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family," for an eye-opening conversation that may just change how you think about screens.

You'll hear:

1. Why screen-time conflicts feel so charged, and the mindset shifts that instantly lower the temperature.
2. What most parents miss about their kids’ relationship with screens.
3. Why common screen-time strategies can backfire, and what works better.
4. Practical ways to build healthier tech skills without shame, fear, or power struggles.

Resources:

⭐️ Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family, by Ash Brandin

⭐️ The Burnt Toast Guide to Division of Responsibility, by Virginia Sole-Smith

About Ash Brandin

Ash Brandin, EdS, known online as TheGamerEducator, empowers families to make screen time sustainable, manageable, and beneficial for the whole family.

Now in their 15th year of teaching middle school, they help caregivers navigate the world of tech with consistent, loving boundaries, founded on respect for children, appreciation of video games and tech, and knowledge of pedagogical techniques.

Ash has appeared on podcasts including Re:Thinking with Adam Grant, Good Inside with Dr. Becky, and Culture Study with Anne Helen Petersen, and has contributed to articles featured on Romper, Scary Mommy, Lifehacker, The Daily Beast, USA Today, and NPR.

Their bestselling book, "Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family" debuted in August, 2025.

👉 WEB: thegamereducator.com

👉 IG: @thegamereducator

👉 SUBSTACK: thegamereducator.substack.com

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❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

© 2025 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).