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

5 days ago
5 days ago
15 min
Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide!
When your child is labeled defiant, difficult, or disrespectful, do you wish people could see the child you know underneath the behavior?
Have you ever thought, “If they could just understand my child, they would see there is so much more going on here”?
And mama, when the meltdowns and challenging behavior keep coming, do you ever wonder if you’re struggling to see past the behavior too?
In this episode, we’re talking about what it means to truly see your strong-willed or neurodivergent child, especially when the rest of the world may only see defiant behavior, meltdowns, or dysregulation.
Whether your child has ADHD, ODD, PDA or ASD, challenging behavior can easily become the lens through which others see them, and sometimes, without realizing it, the lens through which we see them too.
I share a moment from reading To Kill a Mockingbird with my daughter that made me reflect on the years I spent wishing other people could see who my son really was beneath his behavior.
We’ll explore how nervous system dysregulation and being dysregulated can communicate that a child is struggling, without allowing that behavior to become their identity.
Emotional regulation and building connection aren’t about excusing harmful behavior or abandoning boundaries, but about learning to see the person standing in front of us while we address what happened.
Mama, when the world struggles to understand your child, home can become the place where they know they are still seen, known, and deeply loved.
Micro Shift of the Week:
The next time your child’s behavior becomes so big that it’s difficult to see anything else, pause and ask:
“What might I see if I looked beneath the behavior?”
You don’t have to immediately know the answer.
Simply become willing to look.
Links & Resources:
• Book A Right Fit Call: https://amandacalfee.com
• 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
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.

Aug 27, 2026
Aug 27, 2026
22 min
Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide!
Do your strong-willed or neurodivergent child’s meltdowns ever feel like proof that you’re doing something wrong?
When your child becomes dysregulated or defiant, do you immediately wonder, “If I were a better mom, would they still act this way?”
Have you ever noticed how quickly your child’s hardest moments can become a story about who you are as a mom?
In this episode… we’re uncovering the #1 reason your strong-willed or neurodivergent child’s meltdowns can feel like proof that you’re a bad mom: somewhere along the way, their behavior may have become connected to your identity. When your child is dysregulated, defiant, or having big meltdowns, it can be easy to believe their behavior says something about how well you’re parenting.
Amanda shares how she spent years measuring herself by her child’s behavior and how that belief affected her own emotional regulation and reactions.
Whether you’re parenting a child with ADHD, ASD, ODD, PDA, or simply navigating the intensity of raising a strong-willed child, you’ll discover a different way to look at behavior. Instead of allowing behavior to become an identity statement about you or your child, what if you could begin seeing it as information?
This simple perspective shift can create more space for curiosity, emotional regulation, and building connection, even in the middle of dysregulation.
Your identity was never meant to rise and fall with your child’s behavior, mama.
You can anchor your identity in the Father and choose how you want to show up, even when the moment is hard.
Faith Anchor
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
Your hardest parenting moment does not get to define who you are. You can acknowledge what you want to change, repair when needed, and continue growing without allowing shame to become your identity.
Micro-Shift of the Week
The next time your child’s behavior triggers the thought, “I’m failing,” simply notice it:
“I’m making my child’s behavior mean something about me right now.”
Then ask yourself:
“What if this behavior is information, not identity?”
You don’t have to force yourself into a new thought. Just create enough space to get curious about what else might be true.
Links & Resources
• Book Anchored Mama Coaching: Book a call to see if it’s a good fit
• Join the Insiders List: Become an Insider
• Ask Amanda: Send Amanda a Question
• Instagram: Amanda Calfee on Instagram
• Email: amanda@amandacalfee.com
• Facebook Group:Anchored Mamas Facebook Group
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.

Aug 20, 2026
Aug 20, 2026
12 min
Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide!
Have you ever gotten a call or message from school about your child’s behavior and immediately wondered what everyone must think?
Does your strong-willed or neurodivergent child hold it together all day only to completely fall apart when they get home?
Have you ever wondered if what looks defiant might actually be dysregulation?
Do you find yourself making your child’s hard behavior mean something about who they are—or about the kind of mama you are?
In this episode, we’re talking about what may really be happening underneath back-to-school meltdowns, defiant behavior, and emotional dysregulation.
When a strong-willed or neurodivergent child with ADHD, ASD, ODD, or PDA is adjusting to new routines, expectations, sensory input, transitions, and social demands, what looks like disobedience may actually be a dysregulated nervous system trying to communicate.
I’m sharing stories from my own parenting journey and the perspective I wish I’d had when my son was younger: behavior is communication, but behavior is not identity.
We’ll talk about emotional regulation, building connection, and what changes when we stop asking, “What’s wrong with my child?” and begin wondering, “What might my child be experiencing?” And mama, this shift isn’t only about seeing your child differently...it can help you stop carrying every difficult school day as evidence that something is wrong with you, too. With the Father’s help, you can learn to meet the same hard parenting moments with greater compassion, curiosity, connection, and peace.
Peace is possible, mama...not because every school day will go perfectly, but because the Holy Spirit can anchor you as you learn to see your child, yourself, and those hard moments differently.
Faith Anchor:
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” — Psalm 103:13 NIV
The Father leads us with compassion, and we can learn to offer that same compassion to our children. A hard behavior doesn’t have to define your child—or determine how you respond.
Micro Shift of the Week:
The next time your child has a meltdown, shuts down, or behaves in a way that feels defiant, pause before deciding what the behavior means. Ask yourself, “What might my child be experiencing right now?” Then ask the Father to help you see what’s underneath the behavior and respond from compassion instead of fear.
Links & Resources:
• Book Anchored Mama Coaching: amandacalfee.com/coaching
• Join the Insiders List: amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list
• Ask Amanda: Send Amanda a question
• Instagram: @amandacalfee
• Email: amanda@amandacalfee.com
• Facebook Group: Anchored Mamas Facebook Group
• Essential Oils: Amanda’s Young Living Essential Oils
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.

Aug 13, 2026
Aug 13, 2026
8 min
Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide!
Are you already dreading the back-to-school meltdowns?
Wondering how you'll stay calm when mornings feel rushed and overwhelming?
Wish your home felt more peaceful—even if your strong-willed or neurodivergent child struggles with transitions?
What if preparing for school started with preparing your own heart?
In this episode…
In this episode, we're talking about the back-to-school preparation that many parents overlook: preparing yourself. If you're raising a strong-willed child or neurodivergent child with ADHD, ASD, PDA, ODD, or other defiant and dysregulated behaviors, you know how quickly school mornings can lead to meltdowns and overwhelm.
Amanda shares three simple daily rhythms that help you strengthen your emotional regulation, protect your peace, and prioritize building connection instead of simply getting through the day.
You'll also discover why routines help accomplish tasks, but rhythms shape the atmosphere of your home and the relationship you're building with your child.
As you intentionally create rhythms of peace, connection, and grace, you'll be reminded that the Father is with you in every ordinary moment, helping you create a home where both you and your child can thrive.
Mama, remember this: the school year isn't won in the first week. It's shaped by the rhythms you build every day. As you choose peace over pressure and connection over control, trust that the Holy Spirit is faithfully strengthening you and your family...one ordinary moment at a time.
Micro Shift of the Week
Instead of asking,
"Why are they acting like this?"
What if we began asking,
"How can home become a soft place to land?"
Links & Resources
• Book 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
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.

Aug 6, 2026
Aug 6, 2026
11 min
Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide!
Are you wondering if all those small moments of choosing peace are really making a difference?
Have you ever looked back and realized you've changed…without noticing it while it was happening?
Do you long for a more peaceful, connected relationship with your strong-willed or neurodivergent child?
What if the Father has been transforming you all along—even in the middle of the meltdowns?
In this episode…
In this special one-year anniversary episode of Parenting Beyond Meltdowns, Amanda reflects on a simple prayer that started the podcast and the unexpected lesson the Father has been teaching her ever since.
Together, you'll explore how parenting a strong-willed child or neurodivergent child isn't just about surviving meltdowns, managing dysregulation, or learning emotional regulation—it's about who you're becoming in the process.
Whether your child has ADHD, ASD, PDA, ODD, or other defiant behaviors, you'll discover how everyday practices like renewing your mind, repairing after hard moments, and building connection become the ordinary ways God transforms ordinary women.
If you've been wondering whether all those small moments matter, this episode is a gentle reminder that the Holy Spirit is faithfully at work in you.
Mama, you don't have to strive for transformation...the Father is already meeting you in the practice.
Faith Anchor
Romans 12:2 (ESV)"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."
Transformation isn't something we force; it's something we surrender to. As we faithfully renew our minds and invite the Father into our everyday parenting moments, He gently shapes us into the women He created us to be.
🌿 Micro Shift of the Week
This week, when you find yourself in a hard parenting moment, pause and ask yourself:
"Who do I want to be right now?"
Instead of focusing on changing your child's behavior, invite the Father to shape your heart. Trust that each small choice toward peace, compassion, and connection is part of the beautiful work He's doing in you.
Mama, if you don't feel different yet, don't lose heart. The Father often does His deepest work quietly.
Every time you choose peace over pressure, truth over fear, and connection over control, you're making space for Him to transform you...one faithful step at a time.
Links & Resources
• Become and Anchored Mama: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
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.

Jul 30, 2026
Jul 30, 2026
14 min
Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide!
Do you feel like summer slipped by without the connection you hoped to build with your child?
Are you putting pressure on yourself to squeeze in one more trip, one more memory, or one more "perfect" day before summer ends?
Wonder how you can finish this season feeling more connected to your strong-willed or neurodivergent child instead of exhausted?
In this episode...
In this episode, we're talking about how to intentionally finish summer with your strong-willed or neurodivergent child by choosing connection over pressure.
As the season begins to wind down, it's easy to focus on everything you didn't do, but that mindset can leave both you and your child feeling overwhelmed and dysregulated.
You'll learn why emotional regulation begins with us as parents and how small, intentional moments can strengthen your relationship more than perfectly planned activities ever could.
Whether you're parenting a child with ADHD, PDA, ASD, ODD, or simply navigating frequent meltdowns and behaviors that seem defiant, this episode will encourage you to slow down and build connection right where you are.
You'll leave feeling equipped to finish summer with peace instead of pressure, knowing that your presence matters more than perfection. Sweet friend, God isn't asking you to create a perfect summer...He's inviting you to faithfully love the child He's entrusted to you.
Faith Anchor
Jesus says in Luke 10:41
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.”
Micro Shift of the Week
I want you to ask yourself two questions:
What is one thing I can give myself permission to put down this week?
And...
What is one simple way I can use that space to connect with my child?
Links & Resources
Book 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
Essential Oils: Amanda's Favorites
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.

Jul 23, 2026
Jul 23, 2026
15 min
Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide!Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same cycle — your child melts down, you react, and afterward you think, “Why did I do that again?”
If so, this episode will speak straight to your heart.
We’re diving into a powerful concept called the Hero, Victim, and Villain lens and how it can completely change the way you approach parenting your strong-willed or neurodivergent child.
When meltdowns happen, it’s easy to slip into old patterns: feeling powerless (the Victim), trying to control (the Villain), or losing hope altogether. But what if you could step into a new story one where you become the Hero?
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Recognize when you’re parenting from fear, shame, or frustration
Understand how emotional regulation helps you respond instead of react
Rebuild peace and connection with your child, even during the hardest moments
Partner with the Holy Spirit to take your thoughts captive and renew your mind
We’ll walk through real-life examples like handling defiant behavior, PDA-style refusals, or emotional meltdowns common in kids with ADHD, Autism (ASD), or ODD in a way that protects your peace and builds lasting connection.
Because here’s the truth: you can’t always control the chaos, but you can anchor yourself in calm.You can create emotional safety for both you and your child no matter how strong-willed, neurodivergent, or overwhelmed you both feel in the moment.
Mama, this isn’t about perfection. It’s about choosing peace, walking in grace, and remembering that with God’s help… you can be the calm in your child’s storm.
Listen now to learn:
The difference between reacting in fear and responding in faith
How to identify whether you’re in the Hero, Victim, or Villain role
What emotional regulation looks like in real-life parenting moments
How to rebuild trust and connection with your child when things go wrong
Faith Anchor:
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22–23
Challenge of the Week:
This week, I want to challenge you to notice which story you’re living from when things get hard.
When your strong-willed or neurodivergent child has a meltdown, pause for a moment and ask yourself:
“Am I showing up as the Victim, the Villain, or the Hero?”
“What thought is driving my reaction right now?”
Then, take a deep breath and pray:
“Father, help me take this thought captive. Help me see my child — and myself — the way You do.”
Your only goal is awareness.You don’t have to get it perfect — just start noticing.
Because every time you pause, reflect, and invite God into the moment, you’re strengthening your emotional regulation and creating space for deeper connection with your child.
Links & Resources:
Book Anchored Mama Coaching: https://amandacalfee.com/coaching
Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/
Email: amanda@amandacalfee.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas
Megan Fate Marshman Quote
DisclaimerI 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.

Jul 16, 2026
Jul 16, 2026
11 min
Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide!
Do you ever feel like your peace rises and falls with your child's behavior?
Have you found yourself waiting for your strong-willed or neurodivergent child to change before you believe you can finally breathe again?
Wonder if it's possible to experience peace even while parenting meltdowns, dysregulation, and hard days continue?
What if the Father is inviting you to surrender something different than you expected?
In this episode, Amanda shares the part of her story she wasn't ready to tell when Parenting Beyond Meltdowns first began. As a Christian mama raising a strong-willed and later neurodivergent child, she spent years believing her peace depended on how her son was doing.
Through years of parenting challenges, meltdowns, emotional dysregulation, and trying to help a child who often appeared defiant, Amanda came to a life-changing realization: the only life she could truly surrender was her own.
Whether you're parenting a child with ADHD, ODD, PDA, ASD, or another unique wiring, this episode will gently encourage you to stop waiting for your child's circumstances to change before allowing the Father to bring peace to your heart.
You'll leave reminded that emotional regulation, building connection, and lasting hope begin when we surrender what we cannot control and trust the One who holds it all.
MicroShift of the Week
This week, ask yourself: "Am I parenting the only way I know how...or the way I believe I'm supposed to?"
If the Father has been stirring something new in your heart, give yourself permission to choose a different path.
Permission to learn, permission to grow, permission to repair, and permission to become the mama He created you to be. You don't have to stay where you are simply because it's all you've ever known.
Links & Resources
Book Anchored Mama Coaching: https://amandacalfee.com/coaching
Join the Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/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
Essential Oils: Amanda's Favorites
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.

Jul 9, 2026
Jul 9, 2026
12 min
Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide!
Do you ever wonder why you still react during parenting meltdowns, even though you know what to do?
Have you read the books, listened to the podcasts, and prayed about it, yet still find yourself feeling dysregulated in the hardest moments?
Wish you could move beyond simply knowing better and begin responding with greater peace and connection with your strong-willed or neurodivergent child?
Wonder if the missing piece isn't more parenting advice, but something deeper?
In this episode, we're exploring why information alone doesn't always create lasting change in parenting. If you're raising a strong-willed child or neurodivergent child with ADHD, ASD, PDA, or ODD, you've likely gathered plenty of parenting tips over the years.
Yet when meltdowns, defiant behavior, or dysregulation show up, it can still feel difficult to access everything you know. Together, we'll talk about the difference between information and transformation, why emotional regulation takes practice, and how learning to ask better questions can help you begin building connection instead of reacting from overwhelm.
Whether you're parenting a child who is frequently dysregulated or you're simply longing for greater peace in your home, I pray this episode reminds you that lasting change doesn't happen overnight. It happens one intentional step at a time, and the Father is faithfully walking with you through every part of the journey.
Faith Anchor
"The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out." Proverbs 20:5 (NIV)
The Father cares about what's happening beneath the surface, not just the behaviors we can see. As we become curious instead of critical, He gently brings hidden thoughts and emotions into the light so He can transform us from the inside out.
Micro Shift of the Week
This week, when you notice yourself reacting, pause before looking for a solution. Instead, ask yourself, "What do I need to understand right now?"
Then become curious about the thought you're believing, the emotion you're experiencing, and the story you're telling yourself.
Invite the Holy Spirit into that moment and allow Him to guide you toward responding with greater peace rather than pressure.
Links & Resources
Learn More About Anchored Mama Coaching: https://amandacalfee.com/experience
Watch the Workshop Replay: https://amandacalfee.com/replay
Join the Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list
Ask Amanda a Question: https://www.videoask.com/f20plh96w
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/
Email: amanda@amandacalfee.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas
Young Living Essential Oils: Amanda's Favorites
Related Episodes
Episode 48: Emotional Regulation for Summer: Why Acknowledging Your Emotions Changes Everything
Episode 49: Emotional Regulation for Summer: Why Allowing Your Emotions Matters More Than You Think
Episode 50: Emotional Regulation for Summer: Stop Carrying What Was Never Meant to Stay
Episode 51: Emotional Regulation for Summer: Why Your Reactions Aren't Random
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.

Jul 2, 2026
Jul 2, 2026
14 min
Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 2.5% of Podcasts Worldwide!
Do you ever find yourself wondering why you keep reacting the same way during your child's meltdowns?
Wish you could respond with more peace instead of feeling overwhelmed or guilty afterward?
Have you ever wondered if your reactions are revealing something deeper beneath the surface?
Longing to stop surviving summer and start rebuilding connection with your strong-willed or neurodivergent child?
Episode Highlights
In this episode, we're connecting the dots between your thoughts, emotions, and actions to uncover why your reactions aren't random.
If you're parenting a strong-willed child or neurodivergent child with ADHD, ODD, PDA, or ASD, you've probably experienced moments of dysregulation where you react in ways you never intended.
Together we'll explore how the thoughts you believe create emotions, how those emotions drive your actions, and why buffering often keeps us stuck in survival mode.
You'll also discover how Scripture's picture of the old man and new man can help you move from reacting out of fear toward responding from your identity in Christ.
Whether you're navigating daily meltdowns, defiant behavior, or simply longing to become a more Present Parent through Present Parenting, this episode will encourage you to approach yourself with curiosity instead of condemnation.
Mama, lasting emotional regulation and building connection begin beneath the surface, and through the Holy Spirit, peace is possible one faithful step at a time.
Faith Anchor
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."
Transformation doesn't happen by trying harder. As we renew our minds with God's truth, He gently transforms the way we think, feel, and respond. Mama, the Father isn't asking you to be perfect. He's inviting you to become more like Christ one moment at a time.
Micro Shift of the Week
The next time you notice yourself reacting, pause before judging yourself. Ask:
What was I feeling?
What thought created that feeling?
Was I responding from my old man or from the new man Christ has already made me to be?
Then invite the Holy Spirit into that moment with compassion instead of condemnation, trusting Him to guide your next step.
Links & Resources
Join my FREE Summer Workshop: https://amandacalfee.com/workshop
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
Essential Oils: Amanda's Favorites
Related Episodes
Episode 47: Seeing More Meltdowns and Dysregulation This Summer? The Power of Taking Your Thoughts Captive
Episode 48: Emotional Regulation for Summer: Why Acknowledging Your Emotions Changes Everything
Episode 49: Emotional Regulation for Summer: Why Allowing Your Emotions Matters More Than You Think
Episode 50: Emotional Regulation for Summer: How to Process Emotions Instead of Carry Them
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.









