Calm Connection Parenting | Neurodivergent, Meltdowns, Emotional Regulation, DMDD, Tantrums, SPD, Defiance, Angry Behaviors

If you are parenting a neurodivergent child or a child with ADHD, autism, anxiety, DMDD, sensory needs, emotional dysregulation, or big behaviors, vacation can bring up a lot of stress before you ever leave the driveway.
The packing. The car ride. The restaurants. The hotel. The transitions. The sleeping somewhere new. The waiting. The crowds. The change in routine. And sometimes, the judgment from others when your child struggles in public.
In this episode, we are talking about how to prepare for vacation in a way that supports your child and helps your family have more realistic expectations. You’ll learn how to think through transition points before they happen, build in downtime without guilt, give your child appropriate choices, pack comfort and sensory supports, and quietly notice the wins along the way.
Vacations with a neurodivergent child may look different. They may require more planning, flexibility, and breaks. But different does not mean bad. Your child can still enjoy the trip. Your family can still make memories. And you can still find moments of calm in the chaos.
In this episode, we talk about:
 How vacation transitions can trigger meltdowns or shutdowns
 Why downtime, alone time, and even a little TV time may help your child reset
 How giving your child small choices can reduce power struggles
 Why sensory tools, comfort items, and familiar snacks can make travel easier
 How to handle judgment from strangers, family, or people who do not understand
 Why noticing small wins can help your child feel seen and encouraged
For more support, free parenting resources, and information about the Calm Connection Parent Coaching Program, visit calmconnectionparenting.org.
Send a text and share your thoughts!
Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast Quiz
Visit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.
*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support.

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Just Believe

Are you preparing for an IEP or 504 meeting and wondering what to ask, what to document, or what to do if you feel dismissed by the school?
In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, Jami Kirkbride continues her conversation with Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, about how parents can advocate with more confidence and clarity at the IEP or 504 table.
If you have ever walked out of a school meeting feeling confused, rushed, overwhelmed, or unsure of what you just agreed to, this episode will help you understand how to stay focused on your child’s needs and take the next best step.
Karen Mayer Cunningham has been advocating on behalf of children for over 25 years. Her passion is training, educating, and empowering everyone who sits at the 504 and IEP table so children can have successful outcomes at school. Her advocacy journey began as she fought to get needed services for her own son, and along the way, she found a calling to educate, equip, and train families and educators to successfully navigate the special education system.
In Part 1, Karen helped parents understand where to begin when a child may need more school support. She explained the difference between a 504 plan and an IEP, how children can struggle even when their grades look okay, and why behavior may point to an unmet support need.
In this second part of the conversation, Karen helps parents think through what happens when they are actually at the table. How do you show up as part of the team without feeling powerless? What should you bring? What questions should you ask? What should you document? And how can you follow up after the meeting to make sure everyone is clear on what was decided?
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• What parents need to understand about their role at the IEP or 504 table
• How to show up as part of the team without feeling powerless
• What to bring to an IEP or 504 meeting so you feel more prepared
• What questions to ask when you are not sure the plan matches your child’s needs
• What to do if your concerns are dismissed, minimized, or met with “wait and see”
• Why documentation matters before, during, and after a school meeting
• How to keep the conversation focused on your child’s actual needs
• What to do after the meeting so everyone is clear on next steps
• How to check whether accommodations are happening without sounding like you do not trust the team
• One quick win if you have an IEP or 504 meeting coming up this fall
This episode is especially helpful for parents of children with ADHD, DMDD, autism, anxiety, sensory needs, emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, challenging behaviors, or other school-related support needs.
This episode is also part of the special series leading up to the Mom’s Retreat, It Is Well… Finding Your Calm in the Chaos, happening August 27-31 in Loveland, Colorado.
The retreat is for moms raising emotionally intense, uniquely wired, neurodivergent, or struggling children. It is a small, personal retreat created to help moms step away, be encouraged, connect with others who understand, learn practical tools, and return home with more calm, clarity, and hope.
There are only a couple spots still available, and early bird pricing is ending soon.
Learn more or register here:
CalmConnectionParent.com/retreat2026
Join the Calm Connection Parenting Group and find free parenting resources at:
CalmConnectionParenting.org
Send a text and share your thoughts!
Send a text and share your thoughts!
Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast Quiz
Visit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.
*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support.

Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ 
Just Believe

Is your child struggling at school, but you are not sure whether they need an IEP, a 504 plan, accommodations, evaluations, services, goals, or a behavior plan?
In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, Jami Kirkbride talks with Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, about IEP and 504 help for parents who do not know where to start.
If you have ever wondered whether your child needs more school support, what the difference is between a 504 plan and an IEP, or how to begin advocating without feeling overwhelmed or intimidated, this conversation will help you take the next best step.
In this first part of a two-part conversation, Karen helps parents understand where to begin when a child is struggling at school. You’ll hear how to think about IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, accommodations, services, goals, behavior plans, and the parent’s role in the process.
This episode also speaks directly to parents raising children with ADHD, DMDD, autism, anxiety, sensory needs, emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, or challenging behaviors, especially when those needs show up at school in ways that may be misunderstood.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• The first step parents can take when they suspect their child needs more school support
 • The difference between a 504 plan and an IEP in simple, parent-friendly language
 • Why behavior may be connected to an unmet support need
 • Why so many parents feel intimidated walking into an IEP meeting
 • What to do if you are afraid of being seen as difficult, pushy, or “that parent”
 
 This episode is part one of a two-part conversation with Karen Mayer Cunningham. In Part 2, we’ll talk more about how to advocate at the IEP table, what to do when you feel dismissed, what to ask, what to document, and how to keep the focus on your child’s needs.
This episode is also part of the special series leading up to the Mom’s Retreat, It Is Well… Finding Your Calm in the Chaos, happening August 27-31 in Loveland, Colorado.
The retreat is for moms raising emotionally intense, uniquely wired, neurodivergent, or struggling children. It is a small, personal retreat created to help moms step away, be encouraged, connect with others who understand, learn practical tools, and return home with more calm, clarity, and hope.
A few spots are still available, and early bird pricing is ending soon.
Learn more or register here:
 CalmConnectionParent.com/retreat2026
Join the Calm Connection Parenting Group and find free parenting resources at:
 CalmConnectionParenting.org
Send a text and share your thoughts!
Send a text and share your thoughts!
Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast Quiz
Visit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.
*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support.

Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ 
Just Believe

Parenting a child with ADHD, DMDD, ASD, emotional dysregulation, meltdowns or challenging behaviors can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to carry it all without enough support.
If you have ever wondered what kind of help would actually make a difference, this episode is for you.
In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, we’re talking about how to find the support you need to stay afloat when parenting a high-needs, emotionally intense, or neurodivergent child.
Support is not one-size-fits-all. For some parents, support may look like counseling. For others, it may be coaching, a support group, a trusted friend, respite, a retreat, or simply space to breathe and think clearly again.
Jami shares why many parents feel guilty seeking support, especially when family time, finances, and a child’s needs already feel stretched. She also talks about why it can feel awkward or uncomfortable to step away from constant parent mode, even when you know you need rest, encouragement, or practical help.
This episode will help you think through what kind of support may fit your real life, your personality, your emotional needs, your family situation, and the season you are in.
You’ll also hear the story behind the Mom’s Retreat, It Is Well… Finding Your Calm in the Chaos, and how a simple comment during the Calm Connection Parenting Summit turned into a retreat for moms who need rest, connection, practical tools, encouragement, and a small group of women who understand without needing a long explanation.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How to identify what kind of support may actually help you right now
• Why counseling, coaching, support groups, trusted friends, respite, and retreats can all serve different needs
• Why parents of children with ADHD, DMDD, emotional dysregulation, or challenging behaviors often feel guilty taking time or using resources for themselves
• How support can help you return to your family with more clarity, calm, and hope
• One small step you can take this week toward the support you need
This episode is also part of the special series leading up to the Mom’s Retreat, It Is Well… Finding Your Calm in the Chaos, happening August 27-31 in Loveland, Colorado.
This retreat is for moms raising emotionally intense, uniquely wired, neurodivergent, or struggling children. It is intentionally small and personal, with time for rest, connection, practical tools, coaching, personal reflection, fun activities, delicious meals, a mountain trip, and space to breathe.
A few spots are still available, and early bird pricing may be ending soon.
Learn more, apply for a possible scholarship, or register here:
CalmConnectionParent.com/retreat2026
Join the Calm Connection Parenting Facebook Group and find free parenting resources at:
CalmConnectionParenting.org
Send a text and share your thoughts!
Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast Quiz
Visit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.
*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support.

Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ 
Just Believe

Is it selfish to take a break when parenting a child with ADHD, DMDD, emotional dysregulation, big emotions, meltdowns, or challenging behaviors?
When your child needs extra support, extra patience, extra tools, and extra advocacy, it can feel hard to step away, even when you know you are exhausted.
In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, we’re talking about why self-care is not selfish, why support is essential for parents raising high-needs or neurodivergent children, and what can happen when you get the space you need to breathe, think, and come back with more calm and clarity.
Jami shares honestly about the guilt many parents feel when they consider taking time for themselves, especially when their child has ADHD, DMDD, emotional dysregulation, sensory needs, anxiety, meltdowns, or challenging behaviors. She also shares personal stories of how stepping away for encouragement, connection, and support helped her reconnect with gifts and parts of herself that had been put on hold during busy or stressful seasons.
This episode explores why overwhelmed parents often react from depletion instead of clarity, why rest can help you reconnect with who you are and how you want to parent, and why taking care of yourself is one way to steward your time, energy, effort, emotions, and capacity to love your family well.
You’ll also hear why support does not pull you away from your family when it helps you return with more of who you really are.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why taking a break from parenting ADHD, DMDD, or challenging behaviors is not selfish
• How support helps parents return with more calm, clarity, and confidence
• Why self-care is essential when parenting a child who needs extra support
• How chronic stress can dampen your gifts, strengths, passions, and sense of purpose
This episode is also part of the special series leading up to the Mom’s Retreat, It Is Well… Finding Your Calm in the Chaos, happening August 27-31 in Loveland, Colorado.
This retreat was created for the mom raising an emotionally intense, uniquely wired, neurodivergent, or struggling child. It is for the mom who loves her family deeply but feels tired from holding so much together.
The retreat is intentionally small and personal, with time for rest, encouragement, practical tools, coaching, smaller group connection, personal reflection, laughter, fun activities, delicious meals you do not have to cook, a mountain trip, crafts, and special drink bars including dirty soda, lemonade, and cocoa.
Lodging, food, drinks, snacks, activities, outings, and special care elements are included. You only need to take care of travel, one meal out, and any personal spending money.
A few spots are still available, and early bird pricing may be ending soon. Payment plans and scholarship applications are available.
If you invite a friend who registers for the retreat, you can receive $100 off your own registration fee.
Learn more, apply for a possible scholarship, or register here:
CalmConnectionParent.com/retreat2026
Join the Calm Connection Parenting Group and find free resources at:
CalmConnectionParenting.org
Send a text and share your thoughts!
Send a text and share your thoughts!
Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast Quiz
Visit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.
*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support.

Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ 
Just Believe