It's easy to keep trying to solve the same predictable problem in a crisis—like 7:14 a.m. chaos—then wonder why everyone's melting down. In this episode, Dr. Amy Patenaude shares a 12-minute weekly family meeting that makes the plan visible (so your house stops running on mind-reading and vibes) and gives strong-willed kids a way to use their power in a useful direction. You'll get a simple structure, scripts for the messy moments, and one tiny experiment to try this week.

• Why family meetings work: they move problem-solving to a calmer window so everyone's nervous system has a fighting chance
• How to run a meeting that's not a tiny courtroom (or a "tiny Senate" where bedtime gets filibustered)
• The 12–15 minute structure that keeps it short, doable, and repeatable
• The school-psych lens: treat behavior like data (pattern, skill demand, support), not a moral trial
• A simple home–school bridge for transitions (and a ready-to-use "partnership language" script)
• What "derailing" can really mean for big-feeling kids—and how to keep them on the team without blame

• Start an "Agenda" paper on the fridge so problems go there during the week instead of exploding in the morning rush.
• Run one 12-minute meeting this week—even if it's awkward. Timer on purpose.
• Pick one bottleneck (after school, sports gear, bedtime, homework) and choose one one-week experiment to test.
• Use one structure tool (talking object or jobs like timekeeper/note-taker/idea collector).
• End with a 2-minute light closer so your kid's nervous system remembers: "We're okay."

Pick one. One is enough.

• Boredom Buster Guide — https://psyched2parent.myflodesk.com/boredomebusterguide
• Big Feeling Decoder — https://psyched2parent.myflodesk.com/bigfeelingsdecoder
• 50 AI Prompts for Tired Parents — https://psyched2parent.myflodesk.com/aiprompts4parents

"This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical, psychological, or legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create a provider-client relationship. If you're concerned about your child's mental health, safety, or development, please consult a qualified professional in your area."