Jami Kirkbride LPC, Parenting Coach, ADHD, DMDD, Sensory Processing, Executive Functioning, and Child Anxiety
53 episodes
1 day ago
Send a text and share your thoughts! For many kids, class parties, school spirit days, and holiday activities mean excitement and fun—but for emotionally dysregulated or neurodivergent children, they can mean stress, overwhelm, and meltdowns. In this episode, we’ll unpack why these “fun” days can be so tough and how to help your child stay calm, connected, and confident through it all. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why holiday events and routine changes can trigger dysregulation.How sensory...
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Send a text and share your thoughts! For many kids, class parties, school spirit days, and holiday activities mean excitement and fun—but for emotionally dysregulated or neurodivergent children, they can mean stress, overwhelm, and meltdowns. In this episode, we’ll unpack why these “fun” days can be so tough and how to help your child stay calm, connected, and confident through it all. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why holiday events and routine changes can trigger dysregulation.How sensory...
Send a text and share your thoughts! For many kids, class parties, school spirit days, and holiday activities mean excitement and fun—but for emotionally dysregulated or neurodivergent children, they can mean stress, overwhelm, and meltdowns. In this episode, we’ll unpack why these “fun” days can be so tough and how to help your child stay calm, connected, and confident through it all. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why holiday events and routine changes can trigger dysregulation.How sensory...
Send a text and share your thoughts! Have you ever looked at your child’s meltdown and thought, “Why does this keep happening?” What if those big emotions weren’t just about behavior, but about the way your child’s brain and body process the world around them? In this episode, we’re diving into the fascinating world of sensory processing...what it really means, how it connects to emotional dysregulation, and why understanding it can completely change the way you parent. You’ll learn: &...
Send a text and share your thoughts! Bad parenting. Laziness. Can’t focus. Overdiagnosed. Medication is dangerous. You’ve probably heard at least one of these myths before...maybe even all five. But here’s the truth: every single one is a myth that can weigh families down with guilt, confusion, and shame. In this episode, Jami bursts the biggest misconceptions about ADHD and replaces them with truth, compassion, and hope, because when you understand the brain behind the behavior, everything ...
What do you do when your family just doesn’t understand your child’s meltdowns? Or when you start wondering if it’s time to seek professional help? In this powerful Season 2 kickoff of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, Jami answers two real questions from parents walking through emotional intensity, family tension, and the uncertainty of what’s “normal.” If you’ve ever felt judged by family members who don’t get your child’s big emotions, or struggled to know when to talk with a doctor a...
Ever wonder why your child can hold it together all day at school, then completely unravel the moment they get home? You’re not crazy, and you’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll unpack the real reason behind those after-school meltdowns (hint: it’s not bad behavior!) and what you can do to bring calm and connection back to your afternoons and evenings. You’ll discover why your child saves their hardest moments for you, how emotional safety can lead to release, and simple steps that help you...
Can you believe it? The Calm Connection Parenting Podcast is officially ONE year old! 🎉 Over 5,000 downloads, listeners in 59 countries, and 50 episodes filled with hope, encouragement, and real-life parenting strategies. In this special anniversary episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes to celebrate what we’ve built together, and to share some fun surprises along the way. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: Fun and surprising stats that show just how far this little podcast has trave...
Hearing your child say words like, “I wish I were dead” can be the most terrifying moment of parenting. In this episode, we’re talking openly about suicidal ideation in children—why it happens, how to respond, and how to create safety and hope in your home. September is Suicide Prevention Month, but this is a conversation we must keep alive all year long. What you’ll learn in this episode: How to recognize and understand suicidal ideation in kidsWhat to say (and not say) when your child blurt...
Finding out your child has a diagnosis like DMDD, ADHD, anxiety, or other mental health diagnosis can feel overwhelming. One moment you’re standing on steady ground, and the next it feels like the floor dropped out from under you. In this episode, I’m sharing the very first steps you can take to steady yourself, find hope, and begin building a plan forward that works for your child and your family. Here’s what you’ll take away from today’s episode: Why those first emotions after diagnosis mat...
Ever feel like your child’s emotions or impulses go from zero to 200 in seconds...and there’s no stopping it? You’re not alone. In this episode, I share one of my favorite tools for helping kids understand their unique wiring: the Race Car Brain analogy. It’s a simple, memorable picture you can use to explain ADHD, DMDD, or emotional intensity in a way that builds confidence instead of shame. What you’ll learn in this episode: How to use the Race Car Brain story to explain your child’s wiring...
Have you ever wrestled with the question of if, what, when, or how to talk with your child about their unique wiring or diagnosis? Maybe you’ve worried that telling them could hurt their confidence… or maybe you’ve hoped it could actually make a positive difference. Friend, you’re not alone in that tug of war. In this episode, I’ll share why these conversations matter, what signs to look for that your child is ready for more understanding, and how to begin sharing in a way that builds self-aw...
Hearing that your child has ADHD, DMDD, or another form of neurodivergence can stir up a flood of emotions—sadness, worry, guilt, and maybe even some relief. You might wonder, Why am I feeling this way? Am I supposed to be stronger than this? The truth is… your emotions are normal. And learning how to walk through them is the first step toward leading your child with calm, confidence, and hope. In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, I’ll share why it’s so important to ackno...
Back-to-school can be a tough transition for any child, but when ADHD, anxiety, or emotional dysregulation are in the mix, it can feel overwhelming for the whole family. The good news? You don’t need another chart or checklist—you need key conversations that build calm and connection. In this episode, I’ll share ten simple but powerful talks you can have that help your child start the year with more confidence, less chaos, and stronger support around them. ✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:...
Back-to-school can bring excitement, but it can also bring stress...especially if your child has ADHD, anxiety, or big emotions. Early mornings, new routines, and unexpected changes can leave both kids and parents feeling overwhelmed. In this episode, we’ll talk about why transitions can be so challenging for ADHD and emotionally dysregulated kids... and what you can do to make the shift smoother and more peaceful for everyone. I’ll share three simple but powerful strategies to help you start...
A personal story about loss, love, and the legacy we leave as parents. Let this episode encourage you to parent with presence, peace, and purpose...starting today. What kind of legacy are you leaving… not just in life, but in your parenting? This episode comes from a deeply personal place—a month marked by loss, reflection, and a reminder that tomorrow isn’t promised. After unexpectedly losing my brother-in-law...someone who lived and loved with quiet strength and steady joy- I found myself a...
This week, we’re doing something a little different—and a little special. Life in the Kirkbride home has been full of ups and downs lately… a big family vacation, the heartbreaking loss of my beloved brother-in-law, and the joy of our son’s wedding—all in just two weeks. And now, I’ve lost my voice completely. But instead of skipping this week, we’re pulling together as a family—because I didn’t want to miss the chance to send encouragement your way. You’ll even hear a sweet intro from my 10-...
You’re doing everything you can—books, prayers, redirection, deep breaths—and your child is still melting down, spiraling, or exploding over the smallest things. And now? You’re emotionally drained, spiritually depleted, and wondering if anything will ever work. In this episode, we’re talking about the kind of parenting burnout no one warns you about—and what to do when all your effort still leaves you feeling stuck. If you're walking on eggshells and parenting on empty, this one's for you. I...
What if the key to calming your child’s overwhelmed brain isn’t more discipline, more talking, or more appointments...but small, intentional movement? In this eye-opening episode, Alma Galvan shares her powerful story of healing after a traumatic brain injury and how the tiniest, most overlooked movements can actually rewire the brain and restore peace. If your child struggles with emotional intensity, sensory challenges, or regulation, this conversation will give you hope and rea...
Does summer break feel like more chaos than calm? If your child struggles with focus, emotional control, or follow-through—especially without the structure of school—this episode is here to help. Today I’m joined by Leslie Josel, a leading expert on executive functioning and student success. Together, we’re diving into what summer looks like for kids with executive function challenges—and more importantly, how you can set your child up for success with calm, doable strategies that actually wo...
Ever feel like you want to stay calm, respond with empathy, and be the steady one in the storm...but your child is screaming, you’re overstimulated, and you’re about to snap? You’re not alone, and there’s a reason it feels so hard. In this episode, we’re digging into what’s happening in your brain (and your child’s), and what it really takes to parent with empathy in the middle of emotional chaos. In this episode you'll learn: The surprising reason empathy disappears when your child is melti...
DMDD, ADHD, and anxiety… oh my! If those letters feel like your everyday life and you’re constantly trying to decode what’s really going on behind your child’s big emotions—this episode is your roadmap. We’re breaking down what’s actually fueling those emotional explosions, how these diagnoses often overlap, and why your go-to parenting responses might not be working (through no fault of your own!). Plus, I’ll walk you through a simple, heart-centered framework that helps you respond with mor...
Send a text and share your thoughts! For many kids, class parties, school spirit days, and holiday activities mean excitement and fun—but for emotionally dysregulated or neurodivergent children, they can mean stress, overwhelm, and meltdowns. In this episode, we’ll unpack why these “fun” days can be so tough and how to help your child stay calm, connected, and confident through it all. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why holiday events and routine changes can trigger dysregulation.How sensory...
