Parenting Beyond Meltdowns | Neurodivergent, ADHD, Autism, ODD, PDA, Defiant, Build Connection, Emotional Regulation

• 16 | Meltdowns + Emotional Regulation: Becoming the Hero in Your Strong-Willed or Neurodivergent Child’s Story

  Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally!  Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same cycle — your child melts down, you react, and afterward you think, “Why did I do that again?” If so, this episode will speak straight to your heart. We’re diving into a powerful concept called the Hero, Victim, and Villain lens and how it can completely change the way you approach parenting your strong-willed or neurodivergent child. When meltdowns happen, it’s easy to slip into old patterns: feeling powerless (the Victim), trying to control (the Villain), or losing hope altogether. But what if you could step into a new story one where you become the Hero? In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Recognize when you’re parenting from fear, shame, or frustration Understand how emotional regulation helps you respond instead of react Rebuild peace and connection with your child, even during the hardest moments Partner with the Holy Spirit to take your thoughts captive and renew your mind We’ll walk through real-life examples like handling defiant behavior, PDA-style refusals, or emotional meltdowns common in kids with ADHD, Autism (ASD), or ODD  in a way that protects your peace and builds lasting connection. Because here’s the truth: you can’t always control the chaos, but you can anchor yourself in calm. You can create emotional safety for both you and your child no matter how strong-willed, neurodivergent, or overwhelmed you both feel in the moment. Mama, this isn’t about perfection. It’s about choosing peace, walking in grace, and remembering that with God’s help… you can be the calm in your child’s storm. Listen now to learn: The difference between reacting in fear and responding in faith How to identify whether you’re in the Hero, Victim, or Villain role What emotional regulation looks like in real-life parenting moments How to rebuild trust and connection with your child when things go wrong Faith Anchor: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22–23    Challenge of the Week:  This week, I want to challenge you to notice which story you’re living from when things get hard. When your strong-willed or neurodivergent child has a meltdown, pause for a moment and ask yourself: “Am I showing up as the Victim, the Villain, or the Hero?” “What thought is driving my reaction right now?” Then, take a deep breath and pray: “Father, help me take this thought captive. Help me see my child — and myself — the way You do.” Your only goal is awareness. You don’t have to get it perfect — just start noticing. Because every time you pause, reflect, and invite God into the moment, you’re strengthening your emotional regulation and creating space for deeper connection with your child.   Links & Resources: Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/ Email: [email protected] Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas Megan Fate Marshman Quote    

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• 15 | The #1 Tool for Parenting Beyond Meltdowns with Strong-willed & Neurodivergent Kids: Building Connection Through Emotional Regulation

  Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 3% of Podcasts Worldwide!  Do you ever feel like you’re living in constant reaction mode just trying to survive one meltdown, defiant moment, or emotional storm after another? In this episode, we’re diving into The Creation Cycle — the #1 tool that will help you renew your mind, regulate your emotions, and rebuild connection with your strong-willed or neurodivergent child (ASD, ADHD,ODD, PDA, Autism). You’ll learn how your thoughts, feelings, and actions work together and how shifting your thoughts can change the atmosphere of your entire home. This simple, faith-based framework will help you take your thoughts captive, calm the chaos, and parent with confidence and compassion even when big emotions rise. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: What the Creation Cycle is and how it helps you partner with God to renew your mind The difference between un-captured/un-renewed (false self) and renewed (true self) thoughts How to identify the patterns keeping you stuck in survival mode How to process emotions with grace so you can respond from love, not reactivity Real-life examples of what this looks like for moms of strong-willed, defiant, or neurodivergent kids Faith Anchor “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” — Romans 12:2 “Take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 10:5 Encouragement for the Week You don’t have to keep reacting from fear or frustration. You can renew your mind, regulate your emotions, and rebuild connection one faith-filled thought at a time. Challenge of the Week: This week, I want you to: Do a Thought Download. Get every thought out of your head and onto paper. Pick one thought or emotion that feels the most charged. Run it through your Creation Cycle. Then ask yourself: “What do I want to believe on purpose?” Write that new thought down every day and practice it until it becomes the truth you live from. Thought: What am I thinking? Feeling: What emotion does that thought create in me? Action: What do I do when I feel that way? Result: What does that action create in my life—internally and externally? Links & Resources Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/ Email: [email protected] Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas  

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• 14 | Turning Thoughts and Feelings into Faith-Filled Action: Emotional Regulation for Moms of Strong-Willed & Neurodivergent Kids

  Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 3% of Podcasts Worldwide!  Mama, what if your actions could tell you everything you need to know about your thoughts, your feelings, and even your true identity in Messiah? In today’s episode, we’re talking about the choices we make—the ones that keep us stuck and the ones that move us forward—so you can step fully into being the mama the Father created you to be. In This Episode This week, we’re exploring the action part of the Creation Cycle—how your daily choices flow directly from your thoughts, emotions, and identity in Christ. You’ll learn: What buffering looks like (and how it keeps you stuck in survival mode). How to recognize when you’re living from your false self (old man) instead of your true self (new man). Why emotional regulation matters when raising a strong-willed or neurodivergent child (ADHD, ASD, ODD, PDA). What it means to take faith-filled action—even when it feels uncomfortable. How to let the Father renew your mind so your actions reflect who He says you are. Faith Anchor “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2 Taking action in faith isn’t about striving harder—it’s about surrendering deeper. When we act from our renewed identity, our choices begin to reflect love, patience, and connection instead of fear, frustration, or control. Key Takeaways Buffering (scrolling, snacking, overworking, etc.) is how we often avoid emotions—but awareness helps us face what’s really going on. True Self vs. False Self: Your true self lives from love, grace, and abundance; your false self reacts from fear, lack, and self-protection. Faith-Filled Action: Growth happens when we take imperfect action—when we show up with courage even in the middle of hard moments. Emotional Regulation: You can’t control your child’s behavior, but you can control how you respond. This is what rebuilds connection and peace at home. Challenge of the Week Identify one area of your life where you’ve been buffering or numbing out—maybe through social media, food, or busyness. This week, instead of avoiding the emotion, pause and allow it.Then take one small action that aligns with your true self—something that moves you closer to peace, presence, and connection with your child. Ask yourself: “Am I acting from fear, or am I acting from love?” Every time you choose love, you’re becoming more of who the Father created you to be. Favorite Quote from This Episode “Your child doesn’t have to change for you to reclaim your peace. When you regulate your emotions and act from your true identity, you become the calm in your child’s storm.” Listen & Connect If this episode encouraged you, share it with another mama who’s walking through the storms of parenting a strong-willed or neurodivergent child. Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts—it helps other moms find Parenting Beyond Meltdowns and reminds them they’re not alone.   Links & Resources Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/ Email: [email protected] Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas  

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• 13 | 3 Emotional Regulation Secrets Every Mom Needs for Parenting Strong-Willed and Neurodivergent Kids Part 3

  Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally! If you have a child strong-willed or neurodivergent child with ADHD, Autism, ODD, PDA you are in the right place! Mama, have you ever felt like you’re carrying emotional weight that never seems to go away? Like no matter how much you pray or think positive thoughts, it still sits heavy in your chest? In this episode, we’ll talk about how to process your emotions all the way through, so they stop living rent-free in your body—and you can finally breathe again. In This Episode Over the last few episodes, we’ve talked about becoming aware of what you’re feeling and allowing emotions without judgment. Today, we take the next step—learning how to process those emotions so they stop living rent-free in your body and start making space for peace, healing, and deeper connection with your child. You’ll learn: Why emotions are simply energy in motion—and how to let them pass through. What it practically looks like to sit with an emotion instead of resisting it. How trapped emotions can keep us feeling heavy and stagnant. Practical ways to process emotions through movement, writing, and connection. How releasing your emotions brings more peace to your home and your heart. Faith Anchor: God Created Us with Emotions The Bible shows again and again that feelings aren’t something to hide or be ashamed of—they are part of how God designed us to connect with Him and others. Verses Showing It’s Okay to Have Feelings & Emotions John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.” → Even Jesus, the Son of God, expressed deep sorrow and grief. Psalm 42:11 (NIV) – “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” → David honestly shared his sadness while still turning toward hope. Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NIV) – “A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” → The Word affirms that all emotions—joy and sorrow alike—have their place. Mark 14:33–34 (NIV) – “He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch.’” → Jesus openly expressed anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane. Psalm 34:18 (NIV) – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” → The Father draws near to us in our most painful emotions. Romans 12:15 (NIV) – “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” → Emotions are part of our shared human experience, and the Father calls us to honor them together. When we process our emotions with the Father instead of pushing them away, He transforms what once felt heavy into something holy. The same emotions that once buried us can become the soil where healing grows. Recap Emotions aren’t meant to stay trapped inside. They’re like clouds passing over the sun or waves rolling through the ocean—they move when we let them. When we process emotions instead of carrying them like a backpack full of rocks, we create space for more peace, connection, and joy. Challenge of the Week When you notice an emotion this week: Pause and describe it—what does it feel like in your body? If it had a color, shape, or texture, what would it be? Choose one physical action to help release it: a walk, a cry, dancing, or a hug. Invite the Father into that moment—ask Him what He’s teaching you and thank Him for helping you release it. Join the Anchored Mama Insiders List Want more encouragement like this? Join my Insiders List for faith-filled reminders, emotional regulation tips, and practical tools to help you stay anchored in who God says you are. Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/ Email: [email protected] Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas    

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• 12 | 3 Emotional Regulation Secrets Ever Mom Needs for Parenting Strong-Willed and Neurodivergent Kids Part 2

  Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally!  Ever feel like your emotions take over the moment your child melts down? You try to push them away, but they only come back stronger. In this episode, Amanda Calfee, Christian life coach and creator of The Anchored Mama Approach, teaches you how to allow emotions without being ruled by them so you can stay calm, connected, and confident—even when chaos hits. You’ll learn how: ✨ Your thoughts create your feelings (and how to recognize repeating thought patterns) ✨ Resisting emotions can actually make them stronger ✨ Allowing emotions opens the door to peace, connection, and freedom ✨ Jesus modeled the full range of human emotion—and invites you to do the same If you’ve ever felt hijacked by your feelings or disconnected from your strong-willed or neurodivergent child, this conversation will show you how to invite God into your emotional life and stop letting guilt or shame run the show. Bible Verses Mentioned John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.” → Used to show that even Jesus experienced and expressed emotion. Mark 14:33–34 – “He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them.” → Used to illustrate that Jesus felt deep anguish and didn’t hide it. Psalm 62:8 – “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” → Emphasizes that God invites us to bring our emotions to Him rather than suppress them. Challenge of the Week — Allowing Emotions This week, when you feel a strong emotion rise up, practice allowing it instead of reacting or suppressing it. Steps to practice: 1️⃣ Pause and name what you’re feeling. 2️⃣ Take a deep breath and say, “It’s safe for me to feel this.” 3️⃣ Notice what happens when you stop fighting the emotion and simply let it exist. 📝 Bonus Tip: Write a quick note each time you try this — you’ll start seeing how much lighter it feels when you stop resisting your emotions. Links & Resources Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/ Email: [email protected] Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas

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