The Baffling Behavior Show {Parenting after Trauma}

Ep. 199: Scaffolding Relational Skills as Brain Skills with Eileen Devine

Nov 12, 2024

Eileen Devine, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in neuroimmune disorders, shares her insights on understanding the brain's role in behavior. She emphasizes that relational skills are brain-based abilities, urging parents to adopt empathy and set boundaries. The conversation delves into the nuances of parenting children with brain-based differences, the importance of collecting evidence to understand behaviors, and the need for community support. Devine also highlights her new podcast aimed at fostering connections for parents facing similar challenges.

01:05:08

Episode guests

Eileen Devine

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Understanding that relational skills are brain-based highlights the need for empathy and appropriate scaffolding in parenting.

The podcast emphasizes the importance of fostering emotional connection over behavioral strategies to support children with traumatic backgrounds.

Recognizing the unique cognitive development of each child allows for more effective and supportive parenting approaches to behavioral challenges.

Deep dives

Opening the Club for Connection

The club serves as a virtual community aimed at supporting families with children who experience baffling behaviors due to various vulnerabilities, such as complex trauma or neurodevelopmental disorders. Its primary focus is on fostering connection and co-regulation among members, acknowledging that the most crucial aspect of improvement comes from emotional connection rather than just behavioral strategies. In December, the club features special sessions called 'Connect and Co-Regulate' that emphasize communal support without the pressure of teaching new concepts. This approach underscores the importance of being seen and heard in a nurturing environment during a potentially stressful season.

Intro

3min

Understanding Brain-Based Differences in Children

16min

Understanding Cognitive Skills in Child Development

5min

Understanding Attachment and Parenting

10min

Collecting Evidence for Understanding Child Behavior

4min

Navigating Parenting Challenges

23min

Launching a Supportive Podcast

3min

Connecting Parents through Community and Resources

4min

The brain is the brain is the brain. All behaviors have their origin in the brain. But for some behaviors, it is easy to lose sight of this important truth.

Behaviors that would be easy to label as manipulative or controlling or selfish just feel so personal! But if we can remember that even relational skills are brain-based skills, we can reclaim our empathy, set boundaries, and offer the scaffolding or accommodations necessary to help our child be successful.

In this episode, you’ll learn

How to break down relational skills as brain-based skills
How to scaffold or accommodate relational brain-based skills

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

NEW!!!! Brain-First Parenting Podcast! With Eileen Devine

Read the full transcript at: RobynGobbel.com/relationalskills

Follow Me On:
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Over on my website you can find:
Webinar and eBook on Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior (FREE)
eBook on The Brilliance of Attachment (FREE)
LOTS & LOTS of FREE Resources
Ongoing support, connection, and co-regulation for struggling parents: The Club
Year-Long Immersive & Holistic Training Program for Parenting Professionals: Being With

Check Out All Robyn's Free Resources!
You can download all sorts of free resources, including webinars, eBook, and infographics about topics such as lying, boundaries, and co-regulation!

RobynGobbel.com/FreeResources

:::

The All-About-Me workbook will help your child grow their owl brain and develop ways to calm their watchdog and possum brain. 24 page, full-color, instant download at RobynGobbel.com/store

:::

Buy Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors at RobynGobbel.com/BafflingBook

Join The Club (or get on the waiting list!) over at RobynGobbel.com/TheClub

Hop on the waiting list for Being With- an immersive professional training program exploring the neurobiology of big, baffling behaviors at RobynGobbel.com/BeingWith

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