Robot Unicorn

This week, we are revisiting a previously aired episode.

When your child refuses to go to school, what's really behind the struggle—and how can you help without dismissing their feelings or removing every challenge? Jess and Scott explore the overlapping roots of school refusal, from separation anxiety and post-pandemic disruptions to bullying, friendship difficulties, learning needs, and parental anxiety. They also discuss how sleep, screen-time boundaries, and overscheduled evenings can make school mornings harder. 

You’ll get tools to understand, support, and nurture your child through these challenging times. 

This episode was originally released on March 17, 2025. 

If you are looking for more resources to support your child through school refusal, anxiety and separation struggles, we can help: 

Separations & Goodbyes Course – If your child struggles with separation anxiety—whether at school drop-off, with a babysitter, or at bedtime—this course provides the tools and support to make goodbyes easier.

The School Toolkit – Whether your child is starting a new school, facing challenges at school, or you simply want to help them feel more confident, this toolkit is designed to support them every step of the way.

The Friendship Toolkit – From making new friends to handling friendship ups and downs, this toolkit helps kids navigate social challenges with confidence.

The Worry Toolkit – If your child has big worries—about school or anything else—this toolkit offers practical strategies to help them manage anxiety and feel more at ease. 

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. 

Credits:
Editing by The Pod Cabin 
Artwork by Wallflower Studio 
Production by Nurtured First 

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

This week, we are revisiting a previously aired episode. 

Why is your child perfect at school, only to completely fall apart the moment they get home? This episode dives deep into the common but misunderstood phenomenon of 'After-School Restraint Collapse.' Jess and Scott will help you understand that these explosions are a sign that your child feels safest with you, and give you practical strategies—from co-regulation to creating a 'soft landing'—to help your child decompress and turn these challenging moments into opportunities for connection.

This episode was originally released on September 22, 2025. 

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. 

Credits:
Editing by The Pod Cabin 
Artwork by Wallflower Studio 
Production by Nurtured First 

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

In this episode, Jess sits down with Emmy award-winning author, artist, and director Loryn Brantz to discuss her brand new children's book, "I Am a Spicy Nugget." They dive deep into the magic of playful parenting, sharing practical and hilarious ways to use humour and imagination to defuse toddler tantrums. Tune in to learn why we all become "spicy nuggets" sometimes, how to combat "garbage thoughts," and why shifting your parenting mindset can completely transform your home's dynamic.

To hear more from Loryn and check out her books, including her brand new children’s book, “I Am a Spicy Nugget,”, click here. 

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. 

Credits:
Editing by The Pod Cabin 
Artwork by Wallflower Studio 
Production by Nurtured First 

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

In this episode, Jess dives deep into the often misunderstood world of inattentive ADHD, focusing closely on why these individuals are so frequently labelled as 'daydreamers.' We explore the hidden hyperactivity that happens entirely within the mind, which can lead to dissociation, anxiety, and overwhelm. Tune in to discover how to harness the power of the wandering mind and better support the daydreamers in your life.

Want to learn more tools for supporting your child with ADHD? Check out our course, Parenting Your Child with ADHD, here. 

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. 

Credits:
Editing by The Pod Cabin 
Artwork by Wallflower Studio 
Production by Nurtured First 

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

Drawing on her experience as a school therapist, Jess shares essential 'friendship truths’ that parents can teach their kids quickly and easily to help them have a great year at school. 

Want to learn more about supporting your kids and tweens through friendship struggles? 
For kids ages 3-8, check out our Friendship Toolkit here. 
For kids 8+, check out our Puberty Toolkit here. 

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. 

Credits:
Editing by The Pod Cabin 
Artwork by Wallflower Studio 
Production by Nurtured First 

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!