Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron

• Why boredom is important for your child's development with Susie Allison

  Send us a textBoredom is not a problem to solve but an essential skill children must develop for emotional regulation and creative thinking. When parents constantly entertain their children or rescue them from boredom, they unintentionally prevent crucial developmental growth. In today's replay episode (this is the second most downloaded episode of our podcast!) I chat with Susie Allison, founder of Busy Toddler with over 2 MILLION followers. • Boredom is where creativity, problem-solving, and intrinsic motivation are born• Children as young as babies can practice independent play when parents allow them space• "Boredom busters" should be avoided - instead, honor the emotion but don't rush to fix it• Screen time should be a predictable, scheduled tool for parents, not a boredom solution for kids• Play shouldn't always involve adults - independent, unstructured play is where deep learning happens• Start small with independent play - use a visual timer for young children to understand timeframes• Creating the right environment with fewer, more intentional toys helps children engage independently• Neurodivergent children may need different approaches to handling boredom• Child-led play means letting children determine how they use toys without adult interference• Expensive toys aren't necessarily better - simple household items often make the best play materialsTry the Reflective Parent Club for free for seven days to build emotion regulation skills and join our supportive community. Visit CuriousNeuron.com to access resources and learn more about supporting your child's emotional development.Learn more from Susie on Instagramhttps://busytoddler.com/Search for a past podcast episode or guest: https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/ Want to join The Reflective Parent Club? If you are ready to learn healthy emotional coping skills and to get support on. how to teach your child these skills, join below or book a call with me below: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Book a call with me:https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/intro-chat-for-1-1-coaching FREE WORKBOOK: Why do I feel triggered by my child's emotions and behaviours? https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/f9fd208c09 FREE ACTIVITY FOR KIDS: Help! My emotions are confusing to me! https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/c6701d059a Please leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected] and I will send you our most popular guide called Meltdown Mountain.Join me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Join our Facebook group called Reflective Parenting:...

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• Why meaningful friendships are important for parental well-being with Dr. Miriam Kirmayer

  Send us a textDr. Miriam Kirmayer, clinical psychologist and friendship expert, joins Cindy to discuss the profound impact of friendships on our psychological well-being and how we can cultivate meaningful connections despite the challenges of parenthood.Here is what we discussed:• Social connections are one of the most powerful predictors of health, happiness, and longevity• The "over-under" phenomenon: we overestimate the effort relationships take and underestimate their benefits• Loneliness during parenthood is normal and serves as a signal of our need for connection• Even brief interactions (10 minutes) with friends can significantly impact our overall happiness• Different friendships serve different purposes – identify which ones provide restoration versus maintenance• Self-reflection helps determine which relationships align with your values and current needs• Vulnerability and imperfection create stronger connections than projecting a perfect image• Friendship skills are actually a constellation of different abilities that develop throughout life• Workplace connections are powerful drivers of wellbeing, productivity, and organizational success• When we prioritize our friendships, we model for our children that relationships are worth investing inWatch this on YouTube and share this episode:https://youtu.be/QNsB7iFxC5cLearn more from Dr. Kirmayer:https://www.miriamkirmayer.com/https://www.instagram.com/miriamkirmayer/Learn more about psychological well-being:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8989714/pdf/nihms-1737166.pdfSearch for a past podcast episode or guest: https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/ Want to join The Reflective Parent Club? If you are ready to learn healthy emotional coping skills and to get support on. how to teach your child these skills, join below or book a call with me below: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Book a call with me:https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/intro-chat-for-1-1-coaching FREE WORKBOOK: Why do I feel triggered by my child's emotions and behaviours? https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/f9fd208c09 FREE ACTIVITY FOR KIDS: Help! My emotions are confusing to me! https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/c6701d059a Please leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected] and I will send you our most popular guide called Meltdown Mountain.Join me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Join our Facebook group called Reflective Parenting:...

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• When you discipline your child are you also doing this one important thing?

  Send us a textThe one mistake many parents make when disciplining their children is forgetting to teach the underlying skills needed for emotional regulation. Focusing only on consequences without addressing skill development leaves children unable to manage emotions like disappointment and frustration.• The purpose of discipline should be education, not just punishment• Children need to learn how to regulate emotions like disappointment before they can behave appropriately• Co-regulation requires parents to first recognize and manage their own emotional state• When children are dysregulated, they need connection before correction• Creating "scaffolding" helps build skills gradually through small, manageable challenges• Waiting until both parent and child are regulated before teaching new skills• Skills like patience, emotional expression, and frustration tolerance must be explicitly taught• Disciplining without teaching skills creates a cycle of continued misbehavior• Reflection helps parents see past the behavior to the emotional need underneathWatch this on YouTube!https://youtu.be/SQKD_D7jglYJoin the Reflective Parent Club for weekly coaching calls and support in developing emotion regulation skills. Visit curiousneuron.com for articles, resources, and a free 7-day trial of the club.Search for a past podcast episode or guest: https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/ Want to join The Reflective Parent Club? If you are ready to learn healthy emotional coping skills and to get support on. how to teach your child these skills, join below or book a call with me below: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Book a call with me:https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/intro-chat-for-1-1-coaching FREE WORKBOOK: Why do I feel triggered by my child's emotions and behaviours? https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/f9fd208c09 FREE ACTIVITY FOR KIDS: Help! My emotions are confusing to me! https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/c6701d059a Please leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected] and I will send you our most popular guide called Meltdown Mountain.Join me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Join our Facebook group called Reflective Parenting:...

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• Exploring Perimenopause with Dr. Kristina Calder

  Send us a textDr's Cindy Hovington and Kristina Calder explore perimenopause, the hormonal transition that begins in women's 40s and significantly impacts mental health, energy, and body composition.• Perimenopause often starts in your 40s but can begin as early as late 30s• Symptoms include irregular periods, insomnia, anxiety, joint pain, mood swings, and diminished stress resilience• Declining estrogen affects the GABA-ergic system in the brain, explaining increased anxiety and mood changes• Strength training becomes crucial during perimenopause to maintain muscle mass and metabolic health• Most women need significantly more protein than they consume (aim for your ideal body weight in grams)• Practical supplements include magnesium for sleep, omega-3s for inflammation, creatine for muscle and brain health• Heart health requires special attention as declining estrogen increases cardiovascular risksVisit curiousneuron.com for more resources or join the Reflective Parent Club if you need more personalized support with emotional regulation.Follow Dr. Calder on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drkristinacalder/Sources mentioned by Kristina:https://www.drstacysims.com/nextlevelhttps://www.lisamosconi.com/the-menopause-brainhttps://peterattiamd.com/outlive/?_gl=1*1bp6al5*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTEzODc2NTAxNi4xNzM5OTg0Mzk5*_ga_1CG74LFGNE*MTczOTk4NDM5OS4xLjAuMTczOTk4NDM5OS4wLjAuMA..https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39077777/Search for a past podcast episode or guest: https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/ Want to join The Reflective Parent Club? If you are ready to learn healthy emotional coping skills and to get support on. how to teach your child these skills, join below or book a call with me below: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Book a call with me:https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/intro-chat-for-1-1-coaching FREE WORKBOOK: Why do I feel triggered by my child's emotions and behaviours? https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/f9fd208c09 FREE ACTIVITY FOR KIDS: Help! My emotions are confusing to me! https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/c6701d059a Please leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected] and I will send you our most popular guide called Meltdown Mountain.Join me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Join our Facebook group called Reflective Parenting:...

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• How to have emotionally intelligent arguments with your partner

  Send us a textEver caught yourself rattling off an endless list of reminders to your partner before they take the kids somewhere? "Don't forget snacks, water bottles, jackets..." Sound familiar? In this illuminating episode, I share a personal revelation that transformed my understanding of parenting partnerships.The awakening came when my mother called with a simple request—take my grandmother to her hair appointment—but followed with an exhaustive list of instructions. As frustration mounted within me ("Does she think I'm incompetent?"), I suddenly recognized this same pattern in my own behavior toward my husband. This moment of clarity prompted an immediate apology and deeper reflection on how our well-intentioned reminders can actually undermine our partners.The episode explores practical approaches to healthier communication: setting clear goals before difficult conversations, being mindful about how we begin discussions (as this predicts how they'll end), and creating safe spaces for honest dialogue. By shifting from "do this, don't forget that" to "do you have any questions?" we honor our partners' competence while still addressing needs.This isn't just about smoother partnerships—it's about modelling healthy relationship skills for our children. When they witness parents communicating with respect and allowing space for mistakes and learning, they absorb these patterns for their own relationships.Search for a past podcast episode or guest: https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/ Want to join The Reflective Parent Club? If you are ready to learn healthy emotional coping skills and to get support on. how to teach your child these skills, join below or book a call with me below: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Book a call with me:https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/intro-chat-for-1-1-coaching FREE WORKBOOK: Why do I feel triggered by my child's emotions and behaviours? https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/f9fd208c09 FREE ACTIVITY FOR KIDS: Help! My emotions are confusing to me! https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/c6701d059a Please leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected] and I will send you our most popular guide called Meltdown Mountain.Join me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Join our Facebook group called Reflective Parenting:...

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