Cover of Parenting Beyond Meltdowns | Neurodivergent, ADHD, ODD, PDA, Defiant, Build Connection, Emotional Regulation, Dysregulated

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns | Neurodivergent, ADHD, ODD, PDA, Defiant, Build Connection, Emotional Regulation, Dysregulated

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns | Neurodivergent, ADHD, ODD, PDA, Defiant, Build Connection, Emotional Regulation, Dysregulated

By: Amanda Calfee - Christian Life Coach Mama of Strong-willed & Neurodivergent Kiddos
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Summary

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide!

Do you feel like you’ve tried everything consequences, parenting books, well meaning parenting advice, crying out to the Father and still feel like you’re failing?

Are you walking on eggshells, never knowing what will trigger your child’s next meltdown or shutdown?

Have you felt dismissed or judged by church culture when your child didn’t behave the way they “should”?

Do you find yourself yelling, shutting down, or spiraling with guilt praying that tomorrow will be different?

I’m so glad you’re here. This podcast will help you regulate your emotions, reconnect with your child, and rebuild your confidence as a Christian mom without losing control, feeling ashamed, or fixing everything.

You’ll learn how to show up with peace and presence, so you can parent without guilt and finally feel like yourself again.

Hey, I’m Amanda a certified Christian life coach, mom of Strong-willed & Neurodivergent Kiddos, as well as a former fix-it-all parenting researcher.

For years, I chased every method that promised quick change. I believed if I just found the right consequence, parenting strategy, or routine, I could turn things around. But the more I tried to control, the more disconnected we became.

Everything changed when I stopped parenting from fear and started anchoring in faith, emotional regulation, and connection. I let go of the pressure to fix behavior and began trusting God’s process not just for my child, but for myself, too.

Now I help moms like you shift from survival mode into a grounded, grace-led way of being that transforms everything without changing your child.

If you’re ready to parent beyond meltdowns with tools that are rooted in faith, emotional stability, and connection this podcast is for you.

If you’re tired of parenting advice that shames you or strategies that backfire with your neurodivergent child… you’re not alone.

Whether you’re raising a strong-willed kiddo, navigating sensory challenges, or questioning the parenting approach you were raised with… welcome.

Grab your favorite beverage, take a deep breath, and let’s walk this road together one calm, connected step at a time.

Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Parenting & Families Personal Development Personal Success Relationships Spirituality
Episodes
  • 70 | More Defiant Behavior? Why Correcting Your Child Might Be Backfiring

    70 | More Defiant Behavior? Why Correcting Your Child Might Be Backfiring
    12 Nov 2026
    Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide! Does it seem like the more you try to correct your child, the more they push back? Have you ever found yourself explaining something over and over, hoping they'll finally understand? Wonder why your efforts to help sometimes end in arguments, defensiveness, or your child shutting down? In This Episode In this episode of Parenting Beyond Meltdowns, I'm welcoming communication coach Terri Lee back for part two of our three-part conversation about building connection with our strong-willed and neurodivergent children. We're exploring why correcting, over-explaining, asking too many questions, and trying to fix everything can unintentionally create more resistance, even when our intentions come from love. Whether you're parenting a child with ADHD, ASD, ODD, or PDA, you may recognize how quickly defiant behavior, meltdowns, and dysregulation can leave you feeling dysregulated yourself. Terri shares how our children can experience our attempts to help as being managed rather than heard, especially as they grow into greater independence. We also talk about how fear influences our communication, why emotional regulation matters, and what becomes possible when we begin listening instead of immediately trying to fix things. Mama, you can learn to approach these moments with greater peace and connection as you continue trusting the Father with your child's journey. One Thing That Really Stood Out Something Terri shared in our conversation really struck me. Our good intentions don't always create the impact we're hoping for. As mamas, we want to prepare our children for life. We see potential consequences, recognize choices that concern us, and want to share the wisdom we've gained through our own experiences. But sometimes, underneath all that correcting and explaining, there's fear. Fear of what might happen if they make the wrong decision. Fear of the consequences they'll face. Fear that we're somehow failing them if we don't step in and make things right. And without realizing it, we can become so focused on fixing what's happening that we miss an opportunity to connect with the child standing in front of us. That's something I've had to recognize in my own parenting, too. Micro Shift of the Week The next time your child shares something that concerns you, notice what happens inside you. Do you feel an immediate urge to correct, explain, ask more questions, or solve the problem? Before responding, consider asking yourself: “Am I listening to understand my child, or am I trying to make my own fear go away?” You don't have to get it perfect. Just begin noticing the difference. Last Chance to Join My Six-Week Holiday Group Coaching Experience! Mama, if you're already anticipating the family gatherings, disrupted routines, extra time together, and opinions about your parenting this holiday season, I'd love to walk alongside you. Inside our six-week holiday group coaching experience, we'll work through the real situations you're facing so you can begin responding with more peace, confidence, and connection. Enrollment closes Friday, November 13! Learn More and Join Me for Holiday Coaching Links & Resources Anchored Mama Coaching: https://amandacalfee.com/coaching Join the Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list Ask Amanda: https://www.videoask.com/f20plh96w Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/ Email: amanda@amandacalfee.com Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas If you’re interested in the essential oils I personally use to support my family, you can find my Young Living Favorites Here. Disclaimer I am not a doctor, therapist, or medical professional. The information shared in this podcast, my coaching, and any Young Living recommendations are for educational and faith-based encouragement only. Nothing shared is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any physical or mental health condition. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider or licensed therapist for concerns regarding your or your child's health, emotions, or well-being.
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    15 min
  • 68 | Feeling Stuck Parenting Your Strong-Willed or Neurodivergent Child? Here's What Might Be Missing

    68 | Feeling Stuck Parenting Your Strong-Willed or Neurodivergent Child? Here's What Might Be Missing
    29 Oct 2026
    Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide!

    Have you listened to parenting podcasts, read the books, and tried all the strategies, but still find yourself reacting the same way when things get hard?

    Do you understand more about your child's meltdowns but struggle to put what you've learned into practice?

    Wish you had someone to walk alongside you as you learn to respond differently?

    In This Episode

    In this episode of Parenting Beyond Meltdowns, we're talking about the difference between gaining information and experiencing real transformation when parenting a strong-willed or neurodivergent child. Whether your child has ADHD, ASD, ODD, or PDA, navigating meltdowns, defiant behavior, and dysregulation can make emotional regulation especially challenging when you're exhausted or overwhelmed.

    You may understand what's happening underneath your child's behavior and even recognize your own patterns, yet still find yourself dysregulated when those difficult moments arrive.

    We'll explore why knowing better doesn't automatically mean responding differently, and why more parenting advice may not be what you need next. I'm sharing how coaching provides a place to bring your real-life struggles, understand what's happening underneath your reactions, and practice building connection with your child while life is actually happening.

    Mama, you don't have to figure out how to make these changes alone, and with the Holy Spirit guiding you, a different way forward is possible.

    Micro Shift of the Week

    Instead of asking yourself, “What else do I need to learn?”

    Consider asking:

    “Where do I want support actually living what I'm already beginning to see?”

    Think about a situation, relationship, or familiar parenting pattern that continues to feel difficult. You don't need to have the answer figured out today. Simply begin recognizing where having someone walk alongside you could make a difference.

    Join Me for Six Weeks of Holiday Coaching!

    Mama, if you're ready to move beyond understanding what needs to change and begin practicing it in your everyday life, I'd love to invite you into my six-week holiday group coaching experience.

    We'll walk through the real moments you're experiencing during Thanksgiving, Christmas, family gatherings, disrupted routines, and your child's big emotions.

    Instead of trying to figure everything out afterward, you'll have a place to bring those situations, work through them, and begin creating a different experience in your relationship with your child.

    Can't attend a session live? You'll have access to the recordings in your personal coaching vault.

    Learn More and Enroll at amandacalfee.com/holiday

    Links & Resources

    • Anchored Mama Coaching: https://amandacalfee.com/coaching

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

    • Ask Amanda: https://www.videoask.com/f20plh96w

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

    • Email: amanda@amandacalfee.com

    • Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas

    If you’re interested in the essential oils I personally use to support my family, you can find my Young Living Favorites Here.

    Disclaimer

    I am not a doctor, therapist, or medical professional. The information shared in this podcast, my coaching, and any Young Living recommendations are for educational and faith-based encouragement only. Nothing shared is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any physical or mental health condition. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider or licensed therapist for concerns regarding your or your child's health, emotions, or well-being.
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    16 min
  • 69 | Walking on Eggshells With Your Strong-Willed Child? Why It Creates More Dysregulation

    69 | Walking on Eggshells With Your Strong-Willed Child? Why It Creates More Dysregulation
    5 Nov 2026
    Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide! Walking on Eggshells With Your Strong-Willed Child? Why It Creates More Dysregulation Do you ever feel like you have to carefully choose every word because you aren't sure how your child will respond? Have conversations started feeling more like avoiding the next argument than actually connecting? Are you trying so hard to keep the peace that you find yourself managing everyone's reactions? Wonder what might change if you could stay anchored even when your child is dysregulated? In This Episode In this episode of Parenting Beyond Meltdowns, I'm joined by communication coach, speaker, and host of the Connect With Your Teens podcast, Terri Lee, for part one of a three-part conversation about communication, emotional regulation, and building connection with your strong-willed or neurodivergent child. Terri shares what may actually be happening when you feel like you're walking on eggshells and how fear can quietly begin driving the way we communicate. We talk about why trying to manage the outcome of a conversation can sometimes create more resistance, shutdowns, arguments, and dysregulation, even when our intentions are good. You'll hear a powerful story from Terri's own parenting journey about what changed when she stopped pushing for an answer and became curious about what was happening beneath her daughter's behavior. Whether you're navigating meltdowns, defiant behavior, ADHD, ASD, ODD, PDA, or other forms of dysregulation, this conversation offers another way to think about listening and connection. Most importantly, Terri reminds us that we don't have to control our child's response in order to be okay. When we're anchored in Christ, we can surrender the outcome, listen differently, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide how we show up. Where to Find Terri Lee Connect With Your Teens Podcast: Connect with Teens Podcast Website: https://connectwithyourteens.com Email: terri@connectwithyourteens.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach/ Join Me for Six Weeks of Holiday Coaching! Mama, if you're ready to move beyond understanding what needs to change and begin practicing it in your everyday life, I'd love to invite you into my six-week holiday group coaching experience. We'll walk through the real moments you're experiencing during Thanksgiving, Christmas, family gatherings, disrupted routines, and your child's big emotions. Instead of trying to figure everything out afterward, you'll have a place to bring those situations, work through them, and begin creating a different experience in your relationship with your child. Can't attend a session live? You'll have access to the recordings in your personal coaching vault. Learn More and Enroll at amandacalfee.com/holiday Links & Resources Six-Week Holiday Group Coaching www.amandacalfee.com/holiday Anchored Mama Coaching https://amandacalfee.com/coaching Join the Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list Ask Amanda: https://www.videoask.com/f20plh96w Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/ Email: amanda@amandacalfee.com Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas If you’re interested in the essential oils I personally use to support my family, you can find my Young Living Favorites Here. Disclaimer I am not a doctor, therapist, or medical professional. The information shared in this podcast, my coaching, and any Young Living recommendations are for educational and faith-based encouragement only. Nothing shared is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any physical or mental health condition. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider or licensed therapist for concerns regarding your or your child's health, emotions, or well-being.
    Show more Show less
    22 min
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