Calm Parenting Podcast
Kirk Martin
Have a strong-willed child who doesn't respond to consequences, argues like an attorney, and refuses to do things your way? Good! You're in the right place. Celebrate Calm Founder Kirk Martin has given over 1,000,000 parents and teachers around the world practical, life-changing strategies to stop power struggles, yelling, and defiance NOW. Based on work with 1,500 challenging kids (many with AD/HD, OCD, ODD, ASD, etc.) in his home, and years spent in classrooms, Kirk's approach is refreshingly practical, honest, and laugh-out-loud funny! Questions? Visit us at www.CelebrateCalm.com or email us directly at Casey@CelebrateCalm.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
14 snips
Dec 28, 2025 • 18min
5 Easy Ways To De-Escalate Meltdowns & Sibling Fights This Week #548
Feeling overwhelmed by tired and irritable kids? Discover effective strategies to replace chaos with calm in just 21 minutes! Learn how prioritizing your own needs can enhance patience. Explore the benefits of outdoor play and sensory exercises to reduce family tension. Uncover methods to anticipate meltdowns and manage sibling fights through self-control. Encourage kids to create their own routines, fostering ownership and reducing conflict. Get ready for practical tips that transform family dynamics!
12 snips
Dec 24, 2025 • 23min
Kids Who Appear Lazy, Blame Others, Won’t Accept Responsibility, Pick On Siblings, Act Aggressively? 5 Ways To Help Over Holidays. #547
Explore why some kids appear lazy or aggressive—often, it's a reflection of low confidence rather than defiance. Discover how comparisons and parental expectations can harm children's self-esteem. Learn the power of renaming and reframing their identity to foster motivation. Hear tips on highlighting kids' strengths and involving them in meaningful tasks to boost their confidence and combat negative behaviors. With these strategies, you can help transform the holiday season into a time of growth and connection.
7 snips
Dec 21, 2025 • 23min
6 Creative Ways to Motivate Kids To Listen, Be Responsible & Do Chores #546
Exploring creative ways to motivate kids, the discussion highlights why traditional discipline often fails, especially with strong-willed children. By involving them in chore design, kids learn negotiation and ownership. Delegating or allowing paid chores encourages responsibility too. Making clean-up a fun, music-filled activity can reduce resistance. The idea of framing chores as missions adds an element of play, and broadening tasks to include real-world responsibilities fosters growth and accountability.
5 snips
Dec 19, 2025 • 8min
Quick Tips for Dads Ep. 8: How to Motivate Undisciplined or Lazy Kids Not Living Up to Their Potential
Worried about your kids' motivation? This discussion dives into how parental anxiety can influence children and emphasizes the importance of patience. Discover how kids have different priorities and why criticism can hurt strong-willed youth. Learn to identify the strengths hidden behind annoying behaviors and how to frame those into a positive vision for your child's potential. Plus, practical tips like leaving short affirming notes to boost their confidence are shared!
7 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 23min
Kids Who Struggle with Organization, Following Directions, Writing Essays, Turning in Homework? #545
Discover why some kids struggle with organization and how sensory issues can lead to forgetfulness. Learn effective strategies to give clear directions, create engaging routines, and utilize visual aids. Kirk shares creative homework solutions and techniques to help kids who dislike writing, including anxiety control and the 'vomit' brain-dump method. Discover how to boost independence and memory through fun imagery tricks. This episode is packed with practical tips to foster calm and success in your child's daily tasks.
Dec 14, 2025 • 23min
Moody, Intense Kids Who Complain & Control The Mood Of Your Home #544
Explore strategies for parenting moody and intense kids who seem to control the family's emotional landscape. Discover how to help them channel their intensity into positive outcomes and the importance of giving them ownership of their choices. Learn about physical causes of irritability, effective venting boundaries, and the unique strengths of intense children. Kirk offers insight into managing your own moods and fostering open communication with teens, encouraging a healthier home dynamic.
Dec 10, 2025 • 24min
Should You Medicate? 20 Natural Ways to Help ND & ADHD Kids #543
Discover effective strategies for helping neurodivergent children thrive without relying solely on medication. Kirk offers 20 tools, emphasizing diet changes, outdoor play, and classroom techniques to improve focus. He advocates for parents to model self-control and reframe hyperactivity as a strength. Learn how to create routines to reduce anxiety and encourage children to advocate for themselves. The discussion includes the ethics of school medication suggestions and practical ways to manage energy and impulse control.
Dec 7, 2025 • 23min
“How Can I Stop Snapping At My Kids When They Pick At Food & Siblings, Refuse Schoolwork, Act & Entitled?” #542
Explore creative strategies for managing picky eaters and setting meal boundaries to reduce stress at the dinner table. Discover tips on addressing sibling teasing through positive feedback and fostering responsibility. Find out how to navigate smartphone rules and ensure your child’s digital safety. Learn why some kids skip showing their math work and how to encourage ownership of their choices. Plus, hear effective ways to manage your anxiety to respond calmly when pressures rise.
Dec 5, 2025 • 6min
Quick Tips for Dads Ep. 7: Ever Get Triggered? Try These 3 Steps.
Navigating the chaos of parenting can be a challenge! Explore how to identify and map your personal triggers—like lateness and messy rooms. Learn effective calming routines and simple strategies like sitting down and breathing to reduce reactivity. Discover the power of changing your dynamics with kids through calm communication. Plus, there are tips on seeking support and programs for deeper personal growth. Get ready to transform those trigger moments into opportunities for growth!
30 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 23min
Kids Who Push Buttons, Roll Their Eyes, or Argue Like Attorneys? Try These 5 Scripts. #541
Explore effective strategies for handling kids who thrive on provoking reactions. Discover how to shift from reactive parenting to a more thoughtful approach by recognizing triggers. Learn how small, sincere apologies can model humility and maturity. Gain insight on nurturing curiosity and praise rather than resorting to lectures. Kirk shares concrete, actionable scripts to respond firmly and consistently to disrespect while understanding the underlying needs of your child. Enhance family dynamics and improve relationships through intentional communication.
