Calm Parenting Podcast 7 Favorite Ideas For Sleep, Anxiety, Meltdowns, School, Homework & Impulsivity #530
Oct 26, 2025
Discover effective strategies for managing sleep struggles and anxiety in children of all ages. Learn how to implement creative morning routines to energize your kids for school. Find out how to help impulsive children thrive with practical classroom tools. Kirk shares the importance of validating intense emotions and suggests calming rituals that promote relaxation without eye contact. Tune in for insights on observing sensory cues to tailor homework and calming approaches.
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Match Expectations To Child's Age
- Define age-based expectations: toddlers explore, elementary kids practice impulse control, middle-schoolers need listening, and high-schoolers need internal motivation.
- Tailor your responses to each developmental stage instead of forcing one-size-fits-all rules.
Use Intense Validation Then Space
- Validate strong emotions with intensity, not soft or dismissive empathy, so the child feels truly understood.
- Then give space or a brief physical break (bathroom, drink) to let the child calm without eye contact.
Start Mornings With A Mission
- Replace morning nagging with a sensory, mission-based wakeup like hiding breakfast for the child to find.
- Use foraging or obstacle tasks to shift their focus to accomplishment and engagement before school.