This episode is an honest, unscripted conversation about gentle parenting and where it may have gone too far. Drawing from my experience as a parent and occupational therapist, we explore how cultural overcorrection has shifted parenting toward over-validation and emotional mediation. We discuss when gentle parenting can be supportive and when it may undermine independence, resilience, and long-term outcomes. Real clinical examples highlight downstream effects like anxiety, dependency, and difficulty functioning outside the home. We also talk through practical alternatives that balance empathy with firm boundaries. Ultimately, this episode centers on raising capable, independent kids who can grow into healthy adults.

Timestamps [00:00] Gentle parenting as overcorrection [00:41] Episode format and conversation setup [01:00] Parenting perspective and lived experience [01:27] Defining gentle parenting [02:18] Cultural shifts and discipline backlash [03:19] Entitlement and overvalidation concerns [04:02] When gentle parenting works vs fails [05:16] Preparing kids for environments beyond home [06:33] Dependency, control, and separation challenges [07:26] Clinical case example: sleep dependency [08:22] Role of parent coaching in OT [09:18] Risks of total emotional mediation [10:12] Neurodivergence and regulation challenges [11:29] Concrete examples: bedtime and routines [12:30] Tracking behavior and gathering data [13:07] Ferber chair method and prompt fading [15:20] Progress, sleep gains, and family relief [16:40] Sustainability and long-term independence [17:06] Parenting culture and power dynamics [18:34] Ceding power and “child ruling the roost” [19:02] Hierarchy, boundaries, and learning to cope [20:14] Seeing kids as younger than they are [21:41] Raising expectations and capability [22:47] Ease vs growth for parents [24:32] Why this podcast exists [25:06] Needs vs wants and developmental growth [26:12] Finding the middle ground [27:05] Non-negotiables and parental bandwidth [27:57] Accountability and parent coaching [28:43] Predictable, consistent consequences [29:27] Holding boundaries and agreements [30:28] Long-term outcomes into adulthood [31:49] Independence as the goal [32:11] OT’s role across the lifespan

When a child is struggling with daily life skills, self-regulation, sensory challenges, or independence, Occupational therapy is often one of the best places to start. In this episode of Growing Strong Roots, Lee-Anne Bloom explains what OT truly is at its core: helping people participate more fully in the occupations that matter most in everyday life. She breaks down how occupational therapy supports development, why mismatched expectations can create barriers for children, and how parents can better understand what is age-appropriate. You’ll hear real-life examples of how OT empowers children toward independence while guiding families with practical strategies. Leanne also clarifies the three main practice settings in pediatric OT: medical, school-based, and private practice. This episode will help you understand when OT may be the right support for your child and what steps to take next.

[00:00:00] Areas of occupation and OT’s role in child development [00:00:30] What occupational therapy really means at its core [00:00:52] Removing barriers to participation in daily life [00:01:19] Individualized therapy through real-life activities [00:01:42] Developmental timelines and pediatric OT focus [00:02:02] Supporting children who struggle with milestones [00:02:24] Holistic care in private practice OT [00:02:44] Mismatch between expectations and a child’s abilities [00:03:12] How helping too much can limit independence [00:03:41] Underestimating ability versus expecting too much [00:04:08] Example: shoe routines and building self-help skills [00:04:35] Parent-child dynamics and effort differences [00:04:56] Empowering independence through daily tasks [00:05:24] Letting kids do hard things and avoiding dependence [00:05:50] Observation as a key tool for understanding struggles [00:06:16] Example: wiping independence and motivation [00:06:57] Coaching parents to step back during routines [00:07:25] High expectations and ADHD-related challenges [00:07:48] Identifying where a child gets stuck in tasks [00:08:09] Practical adaptations: breaking tasks down, timers, rewards [00:08:39] OT guidance for problem-solving and regulation [00:09:02] Practice area 1: medically based occupational therapy [00:09:22] Practice area 2: school-based OT and curriculum access [00:09:45] Understanding IEP eligibility and OT services [00:10:27] School OT focus: handwriting, regulation, classroom skills [00:10:47] Limits of school OT versus home-based needs [00:11:12] When challenges fall outside the school setting [00:11:33] Combining supports across medical and private contexts [00:11:58] Practice area 3: private practice OT and family routines [00:12:23] Support without diagnosis and “gray area kids” [00:12:45] ADHD, autism, and kids who don’t qualify but still struggle [00:13:11] Sensory processing and self-regulation challenges [00:13:35] OT’s mission: helping children thrive in meaningful life roles [00:13:57] Choosing the right support path: school, medical, or private OT [00:14:23] Next steps: referrals, IEPs, and combined approaches [00:14:52] Closing thoughts and invitation to subscribe

In this episode of Growing Strong Roots, occupational therapist Lee-Anne Bloom discusses the common parent question: should I pursue a diagnosis for my child? She explains how occupational therapy looks at a child’s daily occupations, including routines, emotional regulation, and participation at home and school. Lee-Anne explores how challenges with tasks, relationships, or self-management may signal a need for additional support. She also walks through factors that influence whether a diagnosis is helpful, such as access to school services or insurance coverage. Ultimately, diagnosis is only one path, and families can seek skill-building and support even without one. The goal is helping children and caregivers thrive with the tools they need.

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Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction to podcast 00:00:27 Purpose and mission 00:00:50 Growing stronger together 00:00:59 Asking if a diagnosis is needed 01:01:02 Defining occupation in OT 01:01:17 Why parents seek OT 01:01:35 Challenges as signs of underlying needs 01:02:01 When diagnosis may be considered 01:02:28 Factors influencing the decision 01:02:44 Matching support to a child’s needs 01:03:02 Considering school feedback 01:03:23 Challenges at home and routines 01:03:45 Insurance and financial considerations 01:04:09 OT support without a diagnosis 01:04:30 OT also supports parents 01:04:48 Reframing the diagnosis question 01:04:55 Encouragement for next steps

Questions? Comments? Suggestions for future episodes? Want to book me for a parenting or development consultation? Contact us at https://www.oakbloomot.com/contact. Please leave a comment here as well! Thanks for listening.

In this episode of Growing Strong Roots, occupational therapist Lee-Anne Bloom walks through “What’s in My OT Backpack” and shares the sensory, emotional, and practical tools she carries every day to stay regulated and prepared for dealing with challenging kids. She explains how each tool supports self-regulation, resilience, independence, and sensory needs, and how families can teach children to build their own toolkits for daily self-management.

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Timestamps [00:00:00] Podcast introduction and mission [00:00:27] Helping children grow resilient with science-based support [00:01:01] Introducing “What’s in My OT Backpack” [00:01:28] Why carrying tools builds independence and executive skills [00:02:14] Sensory tools are individualized and support regulation [00:02:39] Touch and smell tools: lotion and grounding scents [00:03:10] Therapeutic benefits of lotion as simple self-care [00:03:38] Peppermint balm for calming and stimulation [00:04:05] Oral tools and taste as regulation strategies [00:04:37] Chewing, flavor, and regulating through the mouth [00:05:10] Ginger chews and tea for anxiety and stomach regulation [00:05:33] Keeping snacks and quick energy tools for busy days [00:05:57] Caffeinated endurance gels for sustained adult focus [00:06:20] Creatine gummies inspired by evidence-based wellness podcasts [00:06:40] Water and electrolytes for hydration and sensory balance [00:07:02] Tactile regulation: hairbrush, clips, and staying warm [00:07:23] Temperature awareness as a sign of dysregulation [00:07:56] Managing visual overwhelm with hats and sunglasses [00:08:25] Personal care essentials for comfort and readiness [00:08:49] Noise regulation: AirPods, music, and silence [00:09:15] Earplugs, sound protection, and performance needs [00:09:46] Practical items: cards, medication, pens, preparedness [00:10:11] Self-regulation and self-care tools woven into daily life [00:10:39] Periodically cleaning out the backpack [00:11:00] Backpack weight guidelines and ergonomic considerations [00:11:22] How a backpack should fit to protect the body [00:11:45] Checking posture and strap positioning [00:12:12] Using a hip pack for quick and ergonomic access [00:12:33] Final thoughts and invitation to share what’s in your bag

In this episode of Growing Strong Roots, occupational therapist Lee-Anne Bloom explores the importance of consent and communication when using touch with children, especially those who are sensory sensitive or have trauma histories. She explains how different kinds of touch activate the nervous system and why some children may react instinctively with fight, flight, or shutdown responses. Through real examples and practical strategies, Lee-Anne highlights how caregivers can use touch to build trust, co-regulate, and support emotional development. She discusses the difference between reacting and responding, and how repeated safe experiences can shift a child’s sensory processing over time. The episode also offers simple communication systems families can use to help children express what feels good, what doesn’t, and how to advocate for their bodies.

Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction to podcast 00:00:27 Parenting challenges and mission 00:00:50 Growing stronger together 00:00:58 Introducing topic of consent and touch 00:01:17 Importance of communication and skilled touch 00:01:42 Proceed with awareness for sensitive kids 00:02:09 Light touch can be alerting or irritating 00:02:38 Real example of defensive reaction 00:03:01 Deep pressure as grounding and calming 00:03:30 Tools for co-regulation in the clinic 00:03:55 Weighted tools and ball squishes 00:04:28 Why touch affects the nervous system 00:05:20 Instinctive responses and brain pathways 00:06:12 Rewiring through repeated safe touch 00:06:34 Difference between reacting and responding 00:07:26 Temperament and trauma influence touch perception 00:08:18 Importance and controversy around therapeutic touch 00:08:44 Touch builds trust and physiological change 00:09:08 Intention behind touch matters 00:09:29 Establishing communication systems 00:10:02 Observing body language and emotional cues 00:10:28 Using rough and tumble play to teach feedback 00:10:49 Predictable touch builds safety 00:11:15 Modeling signals and responses 00:11:52 Teaching children to interpret body reactions 00:12:15 Individualizing sensory tools with OT support 00:12:36 Touch as calming or alerting 00:13:00 Asking for consent and reading cues 00:13:34 Choosing touch based on current state 00:14:02 Combining touch with other regulation supports 00:14:30 Gathering observations throughout the week 00:14:50 Sharing insights with caregivers 00:15:09 Website resources and research links 00:15:25 Closing and invitation to connect

In this episode, host Lee-Anne Bloom, OTR/L, explores realistic, attainable self-care strategies for parents who are supporting sensitive or neurodivergent children. Instead of idealized or time-consuming routines, she shares simple, daily practices that nourish the body, mind, and emotions. Topics include physical regulation through small movement habits, supportive bedtime and meal routines, mental boundary-setting, emotional nourishment, and practical tools like habit stacking, visual cues, and setting reminders. The episode emphasizes that even five minutes of intentional self-care can help parents stay grounded, improve co-regulation with their children, and build resilience as a family.

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Downloadable PDF instructions

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome and Podcast Overview

00:27 – Mission: Helping Families Raise Resilient Children

00:50 – Invitation to Grow and Bloom Together

01:00 – Introducing Complaint O’Clock

01:19 – Emotional Intensity in Neurodivergent Kids

01:40 – Wanting Children to Feel Heard Without Overwhelm

02:03 – Discovering That the Whole Family Benefits

02:37 – What Complaint O’Clock Looks Like

03:03 – Ground rules

04:00 – The "triforce of communication" framework for responses

04:30 – Using the Triforce Framework at Home

04:54 – Creating a Focused, Distraction-Free Space

05:19 – Explaining the Triforce in Detail- communication Goals in Three Categories

06:08 – Listening, Empathy, and Problem-Solving Options

06:32 – Additional Ground Rules for Respectful Sharing

06:59 – Three-Minute Pause for Regulation

07:25 – Why Complaint O’Clock Works

07:44 – A Safe Container for Family Expression

08:39 – Teaching Emotional Regulation and Communication

09:01 – A Real-Life Example of Vulnerability and Repair

09:22 – Growth Through Reflecting and Owning Mistakes

09:45 – “Know Better, Do Better” Mindset

09:53 – How Complaint O’Clock Has Transformed the Family

10:13 – Reducing Complaints and Strengthening Skills

10:18 – Encouragement to Try It at Home

Please like, subscribe, and share with someone who could benefit from creating a safe space for emotional expression in their family. Thanks for listening to Growing Strong Roots!

Oak Bloom OT provides holistic occupational therapy for children in Oakland, California, helping them develop functional life skills through interest-led learning and strong family collaboration.

Please like, subscribe, and share with someone who could benefit from creating a safe space for emotional expression in their family.

Thanks for listening to Growing Strong Roots!

In this episode of Growing Strong Roots, occupational therapist Lee-Anne Bloom explains how to understand and manage aggressive behavior in children through a regulation-focused lens. Instead of viewing aggression as defiance, she explores the sensory, emotional, and communication needs underneath the behavior and offers practical OT strategies for prevention, co-regulation, emotional awareness, and meaningful repair after conflict.

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Timestamps [00:00:00] Introduction to the podcast and mission [00:00:27] Raising sturdy children with science-based strategies [00:01:00] The goal: helping children self-regulate before they act aggressively [00:01:12] How OTs view aggression as a signal, not defiance [00:01:40] Looking beneath behavior to identify underlying causes [00:01:52] HALT framework: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired [00:02:23] Why relationship and trust matter for co-regulation [00:02:43] Adults staying grounded and modeling calm [00:03:08] Using tone, body language, and breathing to co-regulate [00:03:36] Sensory diet activities for regulatory support [00:04:03] Creating a safe space for intense emotions and release [00:04:35] Deep pressure tools for calming the nervous system [00:05:10] Structure and predictability during transitions [00:05:38] Teaching emotional awareness and self-expression [00:06:30] Repair, reflect, and reset after aggressive moments [00:06:56] Practicing alternative responses and role play [00:07:18] Supporting meaningful apologies and understanding impact [00:07:41] Introducing consequences with clarity and consistency [00:08:39] Episode wrap-up and future topics

Oak Bloom OT provides holistic, child-led occupational therapy in Oakland, California, helping children develop functional life skills through meaningful activities and strong family collaboration.

Please like, subscribe, and share with someone raising or working with young children.

Thanks for listening — see you next time on Growing Strong Roots!