Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

My guest this week is Dr. Dan Peters, a licensed psychologist, author, co-founder and Executive Director of the Summit Center, and the co-founder of the Parent Footprint Awareness Training. Dan’s mission is to foster more parenting with intention and purpose, and in today’s conversation, we explore just what that means, what it looks like, and how we can do the work on ourselves that can benefit our children and the family dynamic.We also take a deep look at Dan’s Parent Footprint Awareness Training, a unique, new, virtual online experience that supports parents in guiding our child’s future by becoming aware of our own parenting beliefs. I had a chance to go through the program already and found it to be powerful, quickly resulting in some game-changing aha moments for me. As you’ll hear from our chat, there is a very close synergy and alignment in Dr. Dan’s philosophy and approach with my mission at TILT Parenting — I have a hunch you will find him just as inspiring as I do.Dr. Dan Peters is a licensed psychologist, author, co-founder and Executive Director of the Summit Center. Dr. Dan has devoted his career to the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families, specializing in overcoming worry and fear, learning differences such as dyslexia, and issues related to giftedness and twice-exceptionality. Dr. Dan is author of Make Your Worrier a Warrior: A Guide to Conquering Your Child’s Fears and From Worrier to Warrior: A Guide to Conquering Your Fears. He is also co-author of Raising Creative Kids, and is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post and Psychology Today.Things you’ll learn from this episode How our children benefit when we as parents are mindful about our lives and experiences The connection between the values of compassion and kindness and our footprint in society Why creating a more compassionate world starts in the home How our energy as parents and caregivers is connected to our child’s behavior The role our own past (and our experience as a child) impacts how we parent our own child, and why it’s critical that we explore that Why we want to parent with purpose and intention An overview of Dr. Peters’ Parent Footprint Awareness Training Why who you are in the world and how you’re living your life is what matters most with your kid  Resources mentioned for parenting with intention an purpose Dr. Dan Peters Parent Footprint Awareness Training Summit Center Dr. Devon MacEachron Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World by Deborah Reber Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pediatric psychologist and parent coach Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart talks about trauma and generational cycles, and offers ideas for why and how to break harmful cycles to help children and families heal.Connect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, I’m talking with Casey O’Roarty of Joyful Courage, Positive Discipline trainer and parent coach who is not only passionate about the power of positive discipline, but is a fierce believer in supporting parents in becoming courageous and joyful as they navigate the ups and downs of raising kids.Because I’ve personally experienced the profound impact of positive discipline in my relationship with Asher, I was excited to sit down with Casey for a deep dive into the heart and soul of the positive discipline parenting philosophy and neurodivergent children— respectful communication, fostering connection, and supporting a child in growth and learning through a marriage of kindness and firmness. I believe wholeheartedly that positive discipline is an incredibly effective approach for all parents, but especially for parents raising differently wired kids. I have a hunch that after listening to this episode, you’ll feel the same way.Casey O’Roarty is a Positive Discipline trainer and parent coach in the Pacific Northwest who teaches parent classes and leads teacher trainings. She is the founder of Joyful Courage, an online business featuring a blog, videos, and e-courses, as well as the host of the Joyful Courage Podcast.Things you’ll learn from this episode What Positive Discipline is as a parenting and teaching philosophy Why it’s critical that our kids feel connected Why a parent’s emotions are their biggest clues as to what’s going on with their “misbehaving” children How the balance of kindness and firmness works so well for children Why positive discipline isn’t a “permissive” parenting style Why “punishments” and time outs don’t help our children develop skills Resources mentioned for positive discipline and neurodivergent children Casey O’Roarty’s website, Joyful Courage The Joyful Courage Podcast Positive Discipline by Jane Nelson Positive Discipline for Children with Special Needs: Raising and Teaching All Children to Become Resilient, Responsible, and Respectfulby Jane Nelson The Mistaken Goals Chart – Downloadable PDF from PositiveDiscipline.com The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Dan Siegel Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Author, child anxiety and OCD therapist, and founder of AT Parenting Survival Natasha Daniels talks about the way anxiety and OCD show up in children, and how parents can best support children who are struggling.Connect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special kid’s POV edition, my 12-year-old son Asher and I get real about the impact of ADHD in our world. We’ve known since Asher was five that he has ADHD, yet the learning for both him and us continues.In our conversation, Asher shares how he felt when he first found out he had ADHD, what it means to him, and the areas of his life where it impacts him the most. I talk about my steep learning curve with understanding ADHD when I first began homeschooling Asher, and reflect on the ways in which I’m still struggling to embrace all aspects of his ADHD. We also have a frank conversation about why Asher has chosen to not take medication for ADHD and what he’s doing instead.Debbie Reber is the founder of Tilt and the host of the Tilt Parenting Podcast. 12-year-old Asher is Debbie’s child and is regularly featured on the podcast. Find out more about Debbie and Asher by visiting the About Page.Things you’ll learn from this episode How it feels to have to fidget in order to focus, from a kid’s POV What Asher wishes all teachers, and parents, understood about ADHD Strategies Asher is currently using to help him calm his mind and focus Why many kids with ADHD are too hard on themselves The power and truth in the quote: “Kids would do better if they could”  Resources mentioned about being a kid with ADHD Blocked to Brilliant (ADHD Coaching) ADHD Video Club ADHD Kids Rock Debbie and Asher’s Miracle Morning Routine (podcast) The Productivity Planner The Creative Process (image) Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pediatric sleep coach Macall Gordon talks about why "livewire" children struggle so much with sleep, and shares her best practices for supporting healthier sleep habits in kids.For more info, visit: https://www.tiltparenting.com/session287Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week’s episode I’m talking with the founder of the popular psychology website Hey Sigmund, Karen Young about anxiety in kids. Karen created Hey Sigmund because she realized the power of solid information, and wanted to share brain science and the latest research and news about psychology with everyday people.What attracted me to Karen’s website is that it frequently features fascinating, comprehensive, and easy-to-digest articles on issues surrounding kids’ emotional and mental well-being, with a special focus on anxiety in kids. And that’s what we’re talking about in-depth today—anxiety in children. Karen will tell us exactly what it looks like, how we can recognize it in our kids, what to do about it, and how to talk with our kids about it. Karen also tells us about her new book which she wrote specifically for children with anxiety, called Hey Warrior.Karen Young has worked as a psychologist in private practice, in organizational settings, lectured and has extensive experience in the facilitation of personal growth groups. Her honors degree in psychology and masters in Gestalt Therapy have come in handy at times. She founded Hey Sigmund after realizing the power of solid information. Her articles have been translated into a number of languages and her work has been published on various international sites including The Good Men Project, The Huffington Post, The Mighty, and Yahoo Health.She is also a regular contributor to Parenting Magazine in New Zealand. She can often be heard on Australian radio, and is and a sought-after speaker. Recently, she published Hey Warrior, a book for kids to help them understand anxiety and find their ‘brave’. Things you’ll learn from this episode The impetus for Karen’s popular website Hey Sigmund What Karen hopes Hey Sigmund does in the world Why Karen says: “Because sometimes the only diagnosis is human” What’s happening in our kids’ bodies and minds when they’re experiencing anxiety Useful strategies kids can use to cope with their anxious feelings What parents can look out for if they suspect their child might be struggling with anxiety How parents can support their children with anxiety, as well as explain to their children what’s going on The importance of mindfulness as a way to manage anxiety  Resources mentioned about anxiety in kids Hey Sigmund (Karen’s website) Hey Warrior, a book for kids with anxiety to find their “brave” by Karen Young The University of Washington Autism Center Headspace mindfulness app Smiling Mind mindfulness app Hey Sigmund on Facebook Anxiety in Kids: How to Turn it Around and Protect Them for Life (original viral article on Hey Sigmund) Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16-year-old, autistic college student Jordan O'Kelley shares his personal story of growing up twice-exceptional, learning how to advocate for himself, and helping raise awareness and understanding for other 2e kids.Connect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For this episode, I sat down with Simone Davies, a Montessori educator who runs Jacaranda Tree Montessori in Amsterdam and founder of the online home The Montessori Notebook, which helps people apply Montessori principles in daily live through free articles, downloads, and e-courses. I love Simone’s perspective on education, parenting, and positive discipline, and I wanted to share her insight with listeners.We talk about a number of different issues during our conversation, but the primary focus was on handling emotionally charged and difficult situations with our children, including when our child is having a tough time in public and all eyes are on us to respond “appropriately.” We talk about how difficult it is to stay emotionally detached and not let our own angry or frustrated energy add further fuel to the situation, and Simone shares some useful strategies for staying (mostly) calm and cool. Simone Davies has over 10 years experience as an AMI-qualified Montessori teacher, working with both young children and their parents. Simone is a parent educator, runs Jacaranda Tree Montessori, a Montessori playground in Amsterdam for babies, toddies and preschoolers, and is the founder of The Montessori Notebook.  Things you’ll learn from this episode What the Montessori philosophy entails Specific strategies for not absorbing your child’s energy during difficult moments and diffusing the situation instead An approach for handling public meltdowns How to practice empathy with a child The value in getting comfortable with big emotions Why making amends and taking responsibility works better than punishments How our thoughts about a child’s behavior can worsen a situation  Resources mentioned about how to be a calm parent The Montessori Notebook Simone’s e-course Setting Up Your Home Montessori Style Jacaranda Tree Montessori The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children, by Ross W. Greene TiLT Parenting Podcast episode featuring Margaret Webb (Finding Peace in Parenting the Child You Didn’t Expect When You Were Expecting) Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Psychologist, speaker, and author Dr. Mona Delahooke talks about her new book Brain-Body Parenting, and the power in understanding and responding to children's complicated behavior as a symptom rather than a problem.Connect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices