Complicated Kids Attunement, Play and Making a Mess with Rebekah Marler
In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, I talk with Rebekah Marler, a former school principal and current parent to a neurodivergent child, about how her experience challenged everything she thought she knew about development and learning. She shares how traditional milestone-based approaches failed her son and how discovering practices like floor time and Anji Play helped her reconnect with joy, regulation, and intuition. We explore the process of unlearning "educator brain," the importance of co-regulation, and how her family transformed their North Carolina backyard into a self-directed play haven—mud pits and all—reminding us that real growth often starts with play.
To find out more about Rebekah, visit her website at www.playshire.org.
About your host, Gabriele Nicolet
Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.
Complicated Kids Resources and Links:
📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.
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👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story
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🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/