Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron
Parenting shouldn’t be defined by stress, guilt, and self-doubt. Yet for 94% of parents, that’s what our days feel like. As a neuroscientist and mom of three, I know firsthand how easy it is to end the day overwhelmed, wishing you’d been calmer, more present, or more patient with your child. That’s why I created The Reflective Parenting Podcast—a place where we pause, reflect, and discover a new way forward.
Join me every Monday as we explore science-backed skills that replace guilt with confidence and stress with calm so that you, and your child, can thrive. Some weeks, I’ll share my own reflections as a parent who’s still learning, just like you. Other weeks, I’ll bring in experts from psychology, neuroscience, and beyond to dive into the research and uncover practical ways we can make parenting feel lighter, less overwhelming, and more connected.
Parents don’t need more advice or another education-heavy podcast. What they truly need is a space to pause, reflect, and grow. Reflective parenting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about noticing what drives our reactions and choosing to show up with intention. This podcast is about building resilience, trust, and connection, and joining a movement to reimagine what parenting can feel like—for us, and for our kids.
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Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron
Why understanding your nervous system helps you with your emotions (part 1)
You’ve heard the advice: “Teach your child to name their emotions.”
But what if the real secret to helping your child (and yourself) regulate emotions starts deeper inside the body?
In this episode, I sit down with pediatric occupational therapist Laura Petix (The OT Butterfly) to uncover what’s really going on when kids have meltdowns, get overstimulated, or shut down. Spoiler alert: it’s not about being “bad” or “defiant.”
Laura explains how your child’s behavior is actually a message from their nervous system and why understanding this changes everything about the way you respond.
You’ll learn:
- Why meltdowns, shutdowns, and big reactions are signs of nervous-system overload
- How sensory sensitivities (sound, touch, movement) shape your child’s emotions and behavior
- The difference between a tantrum and a meltdown and why that matters
- Why co-regulation starts with your calm nervous system
- The mindset shift that helps you see behavior through compassion instead of control
If you’ve ever wondered “Why does my child react this way — and why do I lose my cool, too?” this episode will open your eyes to what’s really happening beneath the surface.
Listen now and get ready to see your child’s behavior through a completely new lens.
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