Bad parenting. Laziness. Can’t focus. Overdiagnosed. Medication is dangerous.

You’ve probably heard at least one of these myths before...maybe even all five. But here’s the truth: every single one is a myth that can weigh families down with guilt, confusion, and shame.

In this episode, Jami bursts the biggest misconceptions about ADHD and replaces them with truth, compassion, and hope, because when you understand the brain behind the behavior, everything changes.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The truth behind the most common (and hurtful) myths about ADHD
• Why ADHD isn’t about bad parenting, laziness, or lack of discipline
• How motivation, focus, and executive function really work in the ADHD brain
• The difference between awareness and overdiagnosis—and why understanding matters
• A faith-filled perspective on making wise, informed choices about medication

✨Mentioned in this episode:
Behind the Behaviors: Understanding Your Uniquely Wired Child (Free Guide)
Calm Connection Parent Coaching Program

Whether you’re raising a child with ADHD or discovering more about yourself, this episode will lift the weight of shame and replace it with understanding, grace, and practical hope.

Send us a text

• Visit CalmConnectionParenting.org to find podcast information (podcast tab) and free resources!
• Learn more about the Calm Connection Coaching Program at CalmConnectionParent.com
• Book a call to find out more about Calm Connection Coaching Program.
• Join our online Facebook support group: Calm Connection Parenting With Personality Group
• Find out more about the APP or Book: ParentingWithPersonality.com

*** This podcast and host will not offer medical advice, nor is it intended to take the place of counseling, medical intervention, or treatment. Jami Kirkbride is hereby operating as a parenting coach and will not diagnose or treat clients. Please consult a doctor, medical professional, or mental health provider to meet your immediate and ongoing needs.

#parenting #emotionaldysregulation #highlysensitivechild #adhd #dmdd #parentcoaching #child anxiety #sensoryprocessing #christianparenting #parentingtips #parentingch...

What do you do when your family just doesn’t understand your child’s meltdowns? Or when you start wondering if it’s time to seek professional help?

In this powerful Season 2 kickoff of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, Jami answers two real questions from parents walking through emotional intensity, family tension, and the uncertainty of what’s “normal.”

If you’ve ever felt judged by family members who don’t get your child’s big emotions, or struggled to know when to talk with a doctor about your child’s behavior, this episode will help you find calm, confidence, and clarity.

Learn how to communicate effectively with family, recognize when behaviors might point to something deeper, and take practical next steps without fear or guilt.

Because you’re not alone in this, and calm, connected parenting is possible, even when life feels anything but calm.

✨ In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How to handle family members who don’t understand your child’s meltdowns
• Gentle ways to set boundaries and communicate without conflict
• Signs your child might need professional support for emotions or behavior
• Tips for preparing to talk with doctors or therapists confidently
• Encouragement for parents navigating emotional dysregulation at home

Send us a text

• Visit CalmConnectionParenting.org to find podcast information (podcast tab) and free resources!
• Learn more about the Calm Connection Coaching Program at CalmConnectionParent.com
• Book a call to find out more about Calm Connection Coaching Program.
• Join our online Facebook support group: Calm Connection Parenting With Personality Group
• Find out more about the APP or Book: ParentingWithPersonality.com

*** This podcast and host will not offer medical advice, nor is it intended to take the place of counseling, medical intervention, or treatment. Jami Kirkbride is hereby operating as a parenting coach and will not diagnose or treat clients. Please consult a doctor, medical professional, or mental health provider to meet your immediate and ongoing needs.

#parenting #emotionaldysregulation #highlysensitivechild #adhd #dmdd #parentcoaching #child anxiety #sensoryprocessing #christianparenting #parentingtips #parentingch...

Ever wonder why your child can hold it together all day at school, then completely unravel the moment they get home? You’re not crazy, and you’re not alone.

In this episode, we’ll unpack the real reason behind those after-school meltdowns (hint: it’s not bad behavior!) and what you can do to bring calm and connection back to your afternoons and evenings.

You’ll discover why your child saves their hardest moments for you, how emotional safety can lead to release, and simple steps that help your home feel more peaceful and predictable.

Because when you understand why it’s happening, you can respond with grace, compassion, and calm… and that can change everything.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn what After-School Restraint Collapse really is and why it happens.
• Discover why your child’s meltdowns are actually a sign of emotional safety, not defiance.
• Understand how sensory and social overload play a big role in afternoon chaos.
• Get four simple, powerful steps—Snack, Silence, Soft Connection, and Structure—to create smoother, calmer afternoons.

• Learn more about the Calm Connection Coaching Program at CalmConnectionParent.com
• Get the resources mentioned at: CalmConnectionParent.com/resource
• Book a call to find out more about Calm Connection Coaching Program.
• Join our online Facebook support group: Parenting With Personality Group
• Find out more about the APP or Book: ParentingWithPersonality.com
• Download the Parenting With Personality APP on Google Play or Apple Store

*** This podcast and host will not offer medical advice, nor is it intended to take the place of counseling, medical intervention, or treatment. Jami Kirkbride is hereby operating as a parenting coach and will not diagnose or treat clients. Please consult a doctor, medical professional, or mental health provider to meet your immediate and ongoing needs.

#parenting #highlysensitivechild #adhd #dmdd #parentcoaching #child anxiety #se...

Can you believe it? The Calm Connection Parenting Podcast is officially ONE year old! 🎉 Over 5,000 downloads, listeners in 59 countries, and 50 episodes filled with hope, encouragement, and real-life parenting strategies. In this special anniversary episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes to celebrate what we’ve built together, and to share some fun surprises along the way.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

• Fun and surprising stats that show just how far this little podcast has traveled
• Special “Podcast Awards” highlighting listener favorites, hidden gems, and standout episodes
• A countdown of the Top 5 most-listened-to episodes of the year (and why parents love them)
• Heartfelt listener reviews that remind us we’re not alone in the ups and downs of parenting
• Encouragement for your journey: how God uses even our hardest seasons to bring hope and purpose

Whether you’ve listened since day one or just discovered the show, this episode will inspire you to keep learning, keep loving, and keep building calm connections in your home.

Thank you for helping this podcast have a successful first year as we surged from 10% to top 5% globally in the last month! Let's keep growing!

Be sure to join the group mentioned-- Calm Connection Parenting Facebook Group

And visit CalmConnectionParenting.org for those free resources mentioned!

• Learn more about the Calm Connection Coaching Program at CalmConnectionParent.com
• Get the resources mentioned at: CalmConnectionParent.com/resource
• Book a call to find out more about Calm Connection Coaching Program.
• Join our online Facebook support group: Parenting With Personality Group
• Find out more about the APP or Book: ParentingWithPersonality.com
• Download the Parenting With Personality APP on Google Play or Apple Store

*** This podcast and host will not offer medical advice, nor is it intended to take the place of counseling, medical intervention, or treatment. Jami Kirkbride is hereby operating as a parenting coach and will not diagnose or treat clients. Please consult a doctor, medical professional, or mental health provider to meet your immediate and ongoing needs.

#parenting #highlysensitivechild #adhd #dmdd #parentcoaching #child anxiety #se...

Hearing your child say words like, “I wish I were dead” can be the most terrifying moment of parenting. In this episode, we’re talking openly about suicidal ideation in children—why it happens, how to respond, and how to create safety and hope in your home. September is Suicide Prevention Month, but this is a conversation we must keep alive all year long.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to recognize and understand suicidal ideation in kids
• What to say (and not say) when your child blurts out scary words in crisis
• A simple rating scale that helps monitor thoughts and determine next steps
• Ways to build a safe, supportive environment that brings hope and connection

Free resource mentioned: Behind the Behaviors Guide

• Learn more about the Calm Connection Coaching Program at CalmConnectionParent.com
• Get the resources mentioned at: CalmConnectionParent.com/resource
• Book a call to find out more about Calm Connection Coaching Program.
• Join our online Facebook support group: Parenting With Personality Group
• Find out more about the APP or Book: ParentingWithPersonality.com
• Download the Parenting With Personality APP on Google Play or Apple Store

*** This podcast and host will not offer medical advice, nor is it intended to take the place of counseling, medical intervention, or treatment. Jami Kirkbride is hereby operating as a parenting coach and will not diagnose or treat clients. Please consult a doctor, medical professional, or mental health provider to meet your immediate and ongoing needs.

#parenting #highlysensitivechild #adhd #dmdd #parentcoaching #child anxiety #se...

Finding out your child has a diagnosis like DMDD, ADHD, anxiety, or other mental health diagnosis can feel overwhelming. One moment you’re standing on steady ground, and the next it feels like the floor dropped out from under you. In this episode, I’m sharing the very first steps you can take to steady yourself, find hope, and begin building a plan forward that works for your child and your family.

Here’s what you’ll take away from today’s episode:

• Why those first emotions after diagnosis matter more than you think
• A healthy way to process grief, guilt, or comparison without getting stuck
• How to choose just one area to focus on so you don’t feel overwhelmed
• Simple shifts that help you see your child through a new, hope-filled lens

If you’re ready for more support, grab my free resource Behind the Behaviors: Understanding Your Uniquely Wired Child at CalmConnectionParent.com/behindthebehaviors. It will help you better understand what’s going on beneath the surface and give you practical tools for bringing calm and clarity into your parenting.

• Learn more about the Calm Connection Coaching Program at CalmConnectionParent.com
• Get the resources mentioned at: CalmConnectionParent.com/resource
• Book a call to find out more about Calm Connection Coaching Program.
• Join our online Facebook support group: Parenting With Personality Group
• Find out more about the APP or Book: ParentingWithPersonality.com
• Download the Parenting With Personality APP on Google Play or Apple Store

*** This podcast and host will not offer medical advice, nor is it intended to take the place of counseling, medical intervention, or treatment. Jami Kirkbride is hereby operating as a parenting coach and will not diagnose or treat clients. Please consult a doctor, medical professional, or mental health provider to meet your immediate and ongoing needs.

#parenting #highlysensitivechild #adhd #dmdd #parentcoaching #child anxiety #se...

Ever feel like your child’s emotions or impulses go from zero to 200 in seconds...and there’s no stopping it? You’re not alone. In this episode, I share one of my favorite tools for helping kids understand their unique wiring: the Race Car Brain analogy. It’s a simple, memorable picture you can use to explain ADHD, DMDD, or emotional intensity in a way that builds confidence instead of shame.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to use the Race Car Brain story to explain your child’s wiring in a positive way
• Why framing strengths first matters when talking with your child
• Practical examples of how impulsivity, meltdowns, and overwhelm can be explained through the race car analogy
• Encouragement for building your child’s “pit crew” so they can thrive with support

🎁 Don’t miss this free resource: Behind the Behaviors Quick-Guide: What You Need to Know About A Uniquely Wired Child at calmconnectionparent.com/behindthebehaviors

• Learn more about the Calm Connection Coaching Program at CalmConnectionParent.com
• Get the resources mentioned at: CalmConnectionParent.com/resource
• Book a call to find out more about Calm Connection Coaching Program.
• Join our online Facebook support group: Parenting With Personality Group
• Find out more about the APP or Book: ParentingWithPersonality.com
• Download the Parenting With Personality APP on Google Play or Apple Store

*** This podcast and host will not offer medical advice, nor is it intended to take the place of counseling, medical intervention, or treatment. Jami Kirkbride is hereby operating as a parenting coach and will not diagnose or treat clients. Please consult a doctor, medical professional, or mental health provider to meet your immediate and ongoing needs.

#parenting #highlysensitivechild #adhd #dmdd #parentcoaching #child anxiety #se...

Have you ever wrestled with the question of if, what, when, or how to talk with your child about their unique wiring or diagnosis? Maybe you’ve worried that telling them could hurt their confidence… or maybe you’ve hoped it could actually make a positive difference. Friend, you’re not alone in that tug of war.

In this episode, I’ll share why these conversations matter, what signs to look for that your child is ready for more understanding, and how to begin sharing in a way that builds self-awareness and confidence. You’ll also hear part of our family’s journey and the powerful moment when my son declared, “I’m ready to tell the world.”

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why talking to your child about their wiring can build confidence and resilience
• Signs and signals that may show your child is ready for more understanding
• Simple, affirming ways to start the conversation without overwhelming them
• How ongoing conversations can lead to acceptance, self-advocacy, and pride in who they are

• Learn more about the Calm Connection Coaching Program at CalmConnectionParent.com
• Get the resources mentioned at: CalmConnectionParent.com/resource
• Book a call to find out more about Calm Connection Coaching Program.
• Join our online Facebook support group: Parenting With Personality Group
• Find out more about the APP or Book: ParentingWithPersonality.com
• Download the Parenting With Personality APP on Google Play or Apple Store

*** This podcast and host will not offer medical advice, nor is it intended to take the place of counseling, medical intervention, or treatment. Jami Kirkbride is hereby operating as a parenting coach and will not diagnose or treat clients. Please consult a doctor, medical professional, or mental health provider to meet your immediate and ongoing needs.

#parenting #highlysensitivechild #adhd #dmdd #parentcoaching #child anxiety #se...