Ever feel like your emotions take over the moment your child melts down? You try to push them away, but they only come back stronger.

In this episode, Amanda Calfee, Christian life coach and creator of The Anchored Mama Approach, teaches you how to allow emotions without being ruled by them so you can stay calm, connected, and confident—even when chaos hits.

You’ll learn how: ✨ Your thoughts create your feelings (and how to recognize repeating thought patterns) ✨ Resisting emotions can actually make them stronger ✨ Allowing emotions opens the door to peace, connection, and freedom ✨ Jesus modeled the full range of human emotion—and invites you to do the same

If you’ve ever felt hijacked by your feelings or disconnected from your strong-willed or neurodivergent child, this conversation will show you how to invite God into your emotional life and stop letting guilt or shame run the show.

1. John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.” → Used to show that even Jesus experienced and expressed emotion.

2. Mark 14:33–34 – “He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them.” → Used to illustrate that Jesus felt deep anguish and didn’t hide it.

3. Psalm 62:8 – “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” → Emphasizes that God invites us to bring our emotions to Him rather than suppress them.

This week, when you feel a strong emotion rise up, practice allowing it instead of reacting or suppressing it.

Steps to practice: 1️⃣ Pause and name what you’re feeling. 2️⃣ Take a deep breath and say, “It’s safe for me to feel this.” 3️⃣ Notice what happens when you stop fighting the emotion and simply let it exist.

📝 Bonus Tip: Write a quick note each time you try this — you’ll start seeing how much lighter it feels when you stop resisting your emotions.

Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/

Email:

amandacalfeecoaching@gmail.com

Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally!

Does it ever feel like your child’s meltdowns hijack your whole mood? One moment you’re calm, the next you’re snapping, and then comes the guilt. You’re not alone, mama — and you’re not broken.

In this first part of our two-episode series, we’re unpacking the first step to emotional resilience as a Christian mom: awareness. You’ll learn how to recognize the repetitive thoughts you carry and the emotions they create, so you can stop feeling overwhelmed and start walking in peace.

This episode will help you:

• Understand the link between your thoughts and emotions.
• Learn why emotions aren’t the enemy but powerful messengers.
• Begin noticing your inner dialogue without judgment.
• Take on a simple 3-minute daily challenge to grow awareness.

If you’re parenting a strong-willed or neurodivergent child — whether that’s ADHD, PDA, ODD, Autism, or ASD — this first step is crucial. Emotional regulation doesn’t begin with fixing your child’s behavior. It begins with understanding your own thought life and emotions.

Challenge of the Week: Each day this week, set a timer for 3 minutes and ask yourself two questions:

1. What am I thinking right now?
2. What emotion is that thought creating?

No judgment, just awareness. This is your first step toward peace, connection, and resilience in parenting.

Links & Resources:

Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/

Email:

amandacalfeecoaching@gmail.com

Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 5% of podcasts globally!

Have you ever felt like your thoughts are hijacking your parenting leaving you overwhelmed, reactive, and stuck in survival mode?

In this episode, we’re diving into three powerful anchors for your thought life that will help you take your thoughts captive, so you can show up calmer and more connected with your strong-willed or neurodivergent child (whether ADHD, ASD, ODD, or PDA).

You’ll learn how your thoughts shape your feelings, your actions, and ultimately the atmosphere in your home. Instead of being run by fear, shame, or others’ opinions, you’ll discover practical tools to declutter your mind and anchor your thoughts in truth—so meltdowns no longer have the power to hijack your peace.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why awareness of your thoughts is the first step to transformation.
• How to use a “thought download” to declutter your mind and release negative loops.
• Why other people’s opinions don’t define you—or your child.
• Biblical encouragement on renewing your mind (Romans 12:2) and speaking life over your parenting.
• A faith-rooted perspective on shifting from chaos to calm, even when meltdowns happen.

Faith Anchor

Romans 12:2 reminds us: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Mama, you don’t have to let your thoughts run wild—you can anchor them in truth and take back your peace.

Episode Challenge

This week, try a “thought download.” Write down every thought swirling in your mind about parenting, meltdowns, and your child. Then ask: Does this thought serve me and the relationship I want with my child? Release what doesn’t, and choose one life-giving thought to carry forward.

Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/

Email:

amandacalfeecoaching@gmail.com

Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 5% of podcasts globally!

What comes to mind when you hear the word obedience? For many mamas, it feels tied to pressure, rules, and the belief that if our child doesn’t obey instantly, we must be failing. But what if that way of thinking is actually breaking connection with your strong-willed or neurodivergent child?

In this episode, I’m rethinking obedience through a biblical lens — and exploring how connection, trust, and the Holy Spirit reshape the way we show up as moms, especially when raising kids with ASD, ADHD, ODD, or PDA.

We’ll cover:

• The traditional view of obedience — and why it often leaves kids feeling unseen or discouraged.
• A deeper dive into Scripture and how relationship always comes before obedience.
• The role of the Holy Spirit in guiding us away from fear-based parenting and toward love and trust.

What you’ll walk away with:

• A fresh perspective on obedience that prioritizes your child’s heart over fear and control.
• Permission to meet your child at their developmental level — whether they’re strong-willed, neurodivergent, or both.
• Practical and faith-filled encouragement to lean into the Holy Spirit’s whisper instead of the world’s pressure.

Bible Verses Referenced:

• Luke 22:39–45

• Ephesians 6:1–4

• Colossians 3:21

Resources & Links:

Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/

Email:

amandacalfeecoaching@gmail.com

Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 5% of podcasts globally!

Mama, Is your child just strong-willed, or could something deeper be going on...

In this episode, we’ll unpack the difference between a strong-willed child and a neurodivergent child, and why the distinction matters—but not in the way you might think.

Because at the end of the day, your child’s identity isn’t found in a label. And yours isn’t defined by their meltdowns. 💜

We’ll talk about:

• The difference between strong-willed traits and neurodivergent challenges.
• Why regulation and connection matter more than labels.
• How to anchor yourself so you can show up with peace, regardless of diagnosis.

Whether you’re navigating ADHD, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), or just a whole lot of strong-willed energy, this conversation will give you hope and perspective.

Scriptures referenced:

• Psalm 139:14 — “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
• Isaiah 43:1 says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

Cleveland Clinic List Referenced:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23154-neurodivergent

Resources & Links:

Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/

Email:

amandacalfeecoaching@gmail.com

Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 5% of podcasts globally!

Have you ever wondered if maybe God gave your strong-willed or neurodivergent child (ASD, ADHD, ODD, or PDA) the wrong mom? That you’re not enough, not equipped, or too overwhelmed to handle what they need?

Mama, you’re not alone. I’ve been there—convinced I was failing, carrying guilt and shame, and believing the enemy’s lies. But here’s the truth: God doesn’t make mistakes. He didn’t just randomly place you in your child’s life. He chose you on purpose.

In this episode, we’re diving into:

• Why your identity as a mom is received, not earned.
• How God equipped biblical figures like Moses, Gideon, David, Esther, Jeremiah, and the Disciples—and how He equips you too.
• Practical steps to ask the Father to show you your God-given identity.
• How to renew your mind daily so you can show up as the exact mom you want to be and your child needs.

You’ll walk away with encouragement, scripture, and a fresh reminder that even in the hardest moments with your child that you are not failing, you are chosen.

Key Scriptures Shared in This Episode

• Exodus 4:10–12
• Judges 6:15–16
• Jeremiah 1:6–9
• 1 Samuel 17:45
• Esther 4:14
• Acts 1:8
• Ephesians 2:10
• Psalm 139
• Proverbs 18:21
• Isaiah 43:1

This Week’s Takeaway Spend 10 minutes with the Father and ask Him to show you your God-given identity as a mom. Write it down. Post it somewhere visible. Speak it daily. His truth, not the enemy’s lies, defines you.

Resources & Links:

Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/

Email:

amandacalfeecoaching@gmail.com

Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 5% of podcasts globally! As a mama of an ASD, ADHD, ODD, or PDA child have you ever caught yourself speaking your fears out loud—only to watch them unfold in your child’s life? I’ve been there. In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story of how my own unregulated emotions and words began shaping mine and my child’s reality—and why regulating ourselves as moms matters so much.

You’ll hear:

• Why your fears don’t have to become your child’s identity

• How a dysregulated nervous system in you can spark dysregulation in them

• Why words have power—biblically, emotionally, and neurologically

• Practical ways to regulate your emotions before you respond

• How to replace fear with truth and speak life over your child

This conversation is all about learning to pause, breathe, and anchor in God’s Word before reacting in fear—so you can parent with peace, confidence, and connection.

Scripture References in this Episode:

• Proverbs 18:21

• James 3:5–6

• 2 Timothy 1:7

• Isaiah 41:10

• 1 John 4:18

• Psalm 34:4

• Joshua 1:9

• Isaiah 43:1

• Jeremiah 29:11

Mentioned in this episode: I also talk about how I personally use Young Living Essential Oils to help me regulate in the moment and create a calm environment for my home. Here is a wishlist that you can add individual items to a cart if you are interested https://tinyurl.com/ylamandacalfee

If you have any questions at all please email me at amandacalfee@gmail.com

Takeaway: Your fears don’t get the final word. God does. When you regulate yourself and choose to speak truth instead of fear, you create space for life, hope, and healing in your home.

Resources & Links:

Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/

Email:

amandacalfeecoaching@gmail.com

Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas

When you’re raising a child with ADHD, Autism, ODD, or PDA, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. So often, we run to books, podcasts, or parenting strategies before we turn to God. But what if true peace and wisdom are found first in His presence?

In this episode of Parenting Beyond Meltdowns, we explore four simple but powerful ways to deepen your connection with God: Scripture, prayer, worship, and surrender. You’ll discover how these rhythms can help you tune out the noise, find clarity, and parent with more peace—even in the middle of meltdowns.

Whether you’re navigating daily struggles, longing to hear God’s voice more clearly, or simply needing encouragement for the hard days, this conversation will help you build a nourishing rhythm with the Father that fits your life and your child’s unique needs.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why turning to God first brings greater peace than parenting strategies alone.
• Four practical ways to connect with Him in daily life: the Word, prayer, worship, and surrender.
• How to model dependence on God so your child learns to do the same.
• Small shifts that help replace distractions (like social media) with rhythms that bring you closer to Him.
• Encouragement to create your own rhythm with God instead of copying someone else’s quiet time routine.

Scripture References:

• Jeremiah 29:13 — “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
• Hebrews 4:12 — “For the word of God is living and active…”
• Hebrews 13:15 — “Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God…”
• Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Resources & Links:

Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/

Email:

amandacalfeecoaching@gmail.com

Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas