Emotionally Intelligent Parenting with Stephanie Pinto

Messing up as a parent: It’s not IF, it’s WHEN. 😅Trust me, even I mess up and I speak on Emotional Intelligence daily, I run conferences on it, I have courses and a book on it... so let me give you permission to lose your cool too!!However - we DO need to talk about the messy, completely normal experience of losing your cool, whether it’s yelling at the kids, snapping at your partner, or going quiet and shutting down. Especially what to do AFTER the blow-up, and how to handle it with your kids.Because emotional intelligence isn’t about being calm all the time. It’s about learning how to repair, reconnect, and actually teach our kids to do the same.I talk about:💥 Why it’s 100% human to lose your cool sometimes🧠 What’s going on in your brain and body when you snap or shut down❤️ How to do a proper repair (not just a quick “sorry”)🧒🏼 How to TEACH your kids to repair when they muck up too😶 And what to do if you’re someone who goes quiet after conflictIf you’ve ever ended the day thinking, “Ugh, why did I do that…”, this one’s for you. Let’s normalise the mess-ups and get really good at the bounce-back. 💛 Steph.🌟🌟🌟 Hi, I'm Stephanie Pinto. I'm an Emotional Intelligence best-selling author, award-winning coach and international speaker. I'm also a paediatric anxiety therapist (and previous speech language pathologist!) and I love helping people use emotional intelligence to become calmer, more connected and live happier lives. ✅ Want me to speak to the staff your school/preschool, team or organisation on Emotional Intelligence? Email us and we'll make it happen! If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@stephaniepinto.com and send me your thoughts, feedback or questions! 🩷Join over 130,000 people in my online community! ➡️ www.facebook.com/groups/letsraiseemotionallyintelligentkids   💡 Head to www.stephaniepinto.com for free resources, courses, coaching, collaborations or speaking engagements. 🥳 Find me on the socials...Insta: www.instagram.com/emotionally.intelligent.parentFB: www.fb.com/stephpintoYT: www.youtube.com/c/StephaniePinto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi all, today on the Emotionally Intelligent Parenting podcast I'm diving deep into a game-changing topic that will profoundly shift the way you view your child's behaviour: HIDDEN TRIGGERS.Have you ever had a moment when your child or teen suddenly melts down over what seems like nothing? One moment they're fine, but the next, it's chaos over the "wrong" snack, the innocent question you asked, or a change in plans. You're left wondering, "What the heck just happened?!" Yep. I've been there too.So today, I'm letting you in on the truth: your kids aren't being difficult; they're responding to unseen triggers that their brains and nervous systems register long before they can articulate their feelings. Imagine if you could spot these triggers before they escalate into emotional blow-ups?! That’s the power of emotional intelligence in parenting! Trust me.Today I've got 11 hidden triggers that can sneakily and instantly impact your child’s emotions and behaviour, along with a few practical solutions for each that you can implement right away to support them in a more emotionally intelligent way. I explore everything from sensory overload and hunger to the effects of parental stress and overwhelming expectations.You'll hear about:Overstimulation and sensory sensitivities"Hangry” meltdownsKeeping your kids hydrated (seriously!)Creating a supportive emotional climate that models self-regulationHow to create smoother transitions between activitiesPerceived injustices (definitely a hidden trigger for many kids!)Physical discomforts and pain that you can't seeAdjusting your expectations to fit their developmental level (NOT age)Conflict exposureAnd the last one I'll keep a secret cause it's my ultimate favourite - sorry not sorry! Here's where you can really deepen your emotional intelligence and see the results... less conflict, fewer arguments, reduced yelling - seriously! And more calm, connection, and understanding.Tune in and let me give you a few more tools to navigate your kids' big emotions with grace and emotional intelligence.🌟🌟🌟 Hi, I'm Stephanie Pinto. I'm an Emotional Intelligence best-selling author, award-winning coach and international speaker. I'm also a paediatric anxiety therapist (and previous speech language pathologist!) and I love helping people use emotional intelligence to become calmer, more connected and live happier lives. ✅ Want me to speak to the staff your school/preschool, team or organisation on Emotional Intelligence? Email us and we'll make it happen! If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@stephaniepinto.com and send me your thoughts, feedback or questions! 🩷Join over 130,000 people in my online community! ➡️ www.facebook.com/groups/letsraiseemotionallyintelligentkids   💡 Head to www.stephaniepinto.com for free resources, courses, coaching, collaborations or speaking engagements. 🥳 Find me on the socials...Insta: www.instagram.com/emotionally.intelligent.parentFB: www.fb.com/stephpintoYT: www.youtube.com/c/StephaniePinto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever hear people throw around terms like “fight, flight, freeze,” “nervous system,” or “relational safety” and think… what are they actually talking about? Yep, me too.As a parent (and someone who works with families), I didn’t really understand what those phrases meant... until I came across Mona Delahooke’s work. And let me tell you, once I did, everything about my kids’ behaviour suddenly made a LOT more sense!In this special re-release of our 2022 interview, Mona - who’s a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience - breaks down the science behind those frustrating, baffling behaviours our kids send our way.But this isn’t just theory—Mona shares practical, real-life strategies to help you stay calm and support your child when they’re overwhelmed.This conversation feels even more meaningful today because, in 2023, Mona survived a brain aneurysm—an experience that’s led her to slow down and prioritize her health. I feel so lucky we still have her voice and wisdom to learn from, and I’m beyond grateful to share this life-changing conversation with you.In this episode, we dive into:✅ Why your child’s “bad behaviour” is often a sign their nervous system is in distress✅ How understanding the brain makes parenting so much easier (and less stressful!)✅ Simple, effective ways to respond without yelling, punishing, or losing your coolIf you’re ready to stop feeling frustrated and start feeling empowered, this one’s for you.🌟🌟🌟 Hi, I'm Stephanie Pinto. I'm an Emotional Intelligence best-selling author, award-winning coach and international speaker. I'm also a paediatric anxiety therapist (and previous speech language pathologist!) and I love helping people use emotional intelligence to become calmer, more connected and live happier lives. ✅ Want me to speak to the staff your school/preschool, team or organisation on Emotional Intelligence? Email us and we'll make it happen! If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@stephaniepinto.com and send me your thoughts, feedback or questions! 🩷Join over 130,000 people in my online community! ➡️ www.facebook.com/groups/letsraiseemotionallyintelligentkids   💡 Head to www.stephaniepinto.com for free resources, courses, coaching, collaborations or speaking engagements. 🥳 Find me on the socials...Insta: www.instagram.com/emotionally.intelligent.parentFB: www.fb.com/stephpintoYT: www.youtube.com/c/StephaniePinto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if parenting didn’t have to be a battle of wills? And wouldn't it be nice to welcome your child's "no!" instead of it igniting a power struggle?! I feel you.Today on the Emotionally Intelligent Parenting Podcast, I sit down with Vivek Patel, founder of Meaningful Ideas, to explore what some call a radical yet deeply effective approach—Noncoercive Collaborative Parenting.Vivek shares why kids resist us more when they trust us less - and how the common fallback to coercion damages that trust.But instead of simply telling us what not to do, Vivek offers clear, practical steps for building a relationship where cooperation flows naturally.We dive into:✨ The "Model, Guide, Friend" framework and how it can transform your parenting.✨ Why hearing “no” from our kids feels so triggering and how to embrace it as a gift.✨ How to teach kids to set boundaries and resist peer pressure, without controlling them.✨ Debunking the myth that noncoercive parenting raises “soft snowflakes” or kids who walk all over us.✨ Inspiring through values—and the importance of knowing and living your own.Vivek also shares his personal journey of raising his now-28-year-old daughter this way—despite being raised in a home filled with control and coercion. His insights are powerful, practical, and guaranteed to shift the way you think about guiding your child.💡 One of Vivek’s most powerful reminders:“When your child says no, say: ‘Thank you so much for telling your truth.’” Mindblowing?! Yup. Have you ever tried it? Probably not. Radical, powerful - TRY IT.If you’re ready to move beyond power struggles and create a parenting approach built on trust, connection, and collaboration—this episode is for you.🎧 Tune in now and discover how to guide your child while respecting their voice.Find out more about Vivek’s work here:W: meaningfulideas.comIG: @meaningfulideasFB: facebook.com/meaningfulideasYT: youtube.com/c/meaningfulideas🌟🌟🌟Hi, I'm Stephanie Pinto. I'm an Emotional Intelligence best-selling author, award-winning coach and international speaker. I'm also a paediatric anxiety therapist (and previous speech language pathologist!) and I love helping people use emotional intelligence to become calmer, more connected and live happier lives. ✅ Want me to speakto the staff your school/preschool, team or organisation on EmotionalIntelligence? Email us and we'll make it happen! If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email usat hello@stephaniepinto.com and send me your thoughts, feedback or questions! 🩷Join over 130,000 people in my online community! ➡️www.facebook.com/groups/letsraiseemotionallyintelligentkids   💡 Head to www.stephaniepinto.com for free resources, courses, coaching, collaborations or speaking engagements. 🥳 Find me on the socials...Insta: www.instagram.com/emotionally.intelligent.parentFB: www.fb.com/stephpintoYT: www.youtube.com/c/StephaniePinto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🚨 Your child just lied. STOP. Ignore all the advice you’ve ever been given! 🚨Have you ever caught your child in a lie and thought, “Why would they lie about something so small??” Or maybe you worry about your teen lying about the big stuff, vaping, sneaking out, or who they’re really with at night? You’re not alone.Here’s the truth (lol, pun intended): Lying isn’t just a ‘kid problem’, it’s human nature.You’ve done it, I’ve done it, we all have. But the way we react when our kids lie will shape their honesty for life. And spoiler alert: Most of us are doing it wrong.In this episode, I’m breaking down:✅ The real reasons kids lie (hint: fear, shame, and disappointment play a huge role!)✅ What NOT to do when you catch your child lying (you can totally avoid these common mistakes)✅ How to actually build a home where honesty feels safe, not scary 🩷Because let’s be real. Your child WILL mess up. It’s inevitable. The question is: Will they trust you enough to tell you the truth?It's a solo one today, you've just got me 😉 Enjoy!***If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@stephaniepinto.com and send me your thoughts, feedback or questions! Have you joined my Facebook Group for parents? There are over 130,000 parents in the community! 🎉➡️ www.facebook.com/groups/letsraiseemotionallyintelligentkids Hi! I am an Emotional Intelligence best-selling author, award-winning coach and international speaker. I'm also a paediatric anxiety therapist (and previous speech language pathologist!) and I love helping people use emotional intelligence to become calmer, more connected and live happier lives! Book a consult with me to discuss coaching, support, collaborations or speaking engagements. 💡 Head to www.stephaniepinto.comOr stalk me on the socials...Insta: www.instagram.com/emotionally.intelligent.parentFB: fb.com/stephpinto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by the incredible Marissa Taylor, an Aussie, a passionate advocate for neurodivergent children and a mum to five neurodivergent kiddos.She shares how emotional intelligence has completely changed her parenting and why so many neurodivergent children are being missed, dismissed, or even punished in schools - simply for being themselves.We also dive into:✨ The lens shift parents and teachers need to truly support neurodivergent kids (hello, Dr. Ross Greene!)✨ Why the mainstream school system often fails kids emotionally and academically✨ Why so many parents are turning to homeschooling (and whether it might be right for you)✨ PDA: Pathological Demand Avoidance (or Persistent Drive for Autonomy!), what it is and how to parent a PDA kiddo✨ How Marissa courageously navigates burnout as an ND family - such profound message in there.This episode is packed with insights, eye-openers, and of course emotional intelligence at the heart of it all. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or just someone who wants to understand neurodiversity better, you neeeed this conversation in your life.💡 Ready to rethink what’s possible for your child? Let's go.Connect with Marissa here:PDA Home Education AU: https://pdahomeedau.com/*** If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@stephaniepinto.com and send me your thoughts, feedback or questions! Have you joined my Facebook Group for parents? There are over 130,000 parents in the community! 🎉➡️ www.facebook.com/groups/letsraiseemotionallyintelligentkids Hi! I am an Emotional Intelligence best-selling author, award-winning coach and international speaker. I'm also a paediatric anxiety therapist (and previous speech language pathologist!) and I love helping people use emotional intelligence to become calmer, more connected and live happier lives! Book a consult with me to discuss coaching, support, collaborations or speaking engagements. 💡 Head to www.stephaniepinto.comOr stalk me on the socials...Insta: www.instagram.com/emotionally.intelligent.parentFB: fb.com/stephpinto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ok - big moment you guys. I’m excited (and somewhat embarrassed!) to share this special conversation with you—one that originally aired back in 2022 in my Facebook community Let's Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids.Looking back, I can’t help but cringe! I was SO nervous and excited to be speaking with the universal expert on parenting, education, and human behaviour: Alfie Kohn.Let’s just say I wasn’t as polished or professional as I am now… but the insights and wisdom? They’re just as powerful today as they were then.Alfie Kohn, renowned author of Punished by Rewards, No Contest, The Homework Myth, and my personal favourite, Unconditional Parenting, (plus many others!) brings his groundbreaking research and passion for progressive education to this chat.In this episode, we dive into:🔍 Why rewards can be just as harmful as punishments for children.💡 What people really mean when they say, "I want to motivate my child" (spoiler: it’s often about compliance).🎭 The hidden problems with praise—especially those high-pitched, "good job!" moments.🚫 The true impact of time-outs and forcible isolation on kids’ emotional well-being.One of the most profound ideas we explored? The belief that we need to reinforce kids to behave a certain way. This comes from a hidden assumption that children aren’t naturally inclined to do well on their own—and it’s time we rethink that.I’m so grateful Alfie agreed to let me share this conversation here on the podcast—it’s one you won’t want to miss.*** If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@stephaniepinto.com and send me your thoughts, feedback or questions! Have you joined my Facebook Group for parents? There are over 130,000 parents in the community! 🎉➡️ www.facebook.com/groups/letsraiseemotionallyintelligentkids Hi! I am an Emotional Intelligence best-selling author, award-winning coach and international speaker. I'm also a paediatric anxiety therapist (and previous speech language pathologist!) and I love helping people use emotional intelligence to become calmer, more connected and live happier lives! Book a consult with me to discuss coaching, support, collaborations or speaking engagements. 💡 Head to www.stephaniepinto.comOr stalk me on the socials...Insta: www.instagram.com/emotionally.intelligent.parentFB: fb.com/stephpinto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are We Training Kids to Perform? The Truth About Rewards, Behaviour & Connection with Megg Thompson.We’ve all used them—sticker charts, gold stars, rewards for good behaviour. But what if these systems aren’t actually helping kids grow? What if they’re just training them to comply? (And then when we're not around, they stop "performing" because the motivation was never really theirs to begin with...)In this episode, I sit down with Megg Thompson, a former Kindergarten teacher turned neuro-affirming Certified Behavior Consultant and Life Coach, to unpack the real impact of rewards and compliance-based parenting and teaching.We dive into:✨ Why kids "hold it together" at school but melt down at home✨ The hidden problems with reward charts and behavior incentives✨ Why compliance shouldn’t be the goal—and what to focus on instead✨ How traditional discipline alienates neurodivergent and struggling kids✨ What actually works to build cooperation, trust, and connectionMegg brings her signature humour and deep insight to a conversation that will challenge what you think you know about kids’ behaviour.Also, she made me keep in the drunk-squirrel moments she and I had around 22-23 min mark - enjoy listening to us rack our brains when she lost her train of thought!If you're ready to shift from power-over to partnership, ditch the rewards, and start building real, lasting connection with your kids—this episode is a must-listen.Find Megg Thompson here:http://www.instagram.com/meggthompsonbehaviorhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn5Q6ZPasX6ebCZ59ClM4qwhttps://meggthompson.com/*** If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@stephaniepinto.com and send me your thoughts, feedback or questions! Have you joined my Facebook Group for parents? There are over 130,000 parents in the community! 🎉➡️ www.facebook.com/groups/letsraiseemotionallyintelligentkids Hi! I am an Emotional Intelligence best-selling author, award-winning coach and international speaker. I'm also a paediatric anxiety therapist (and previous speech language pathologist!) and I love helping people use emotional intelligence to become calmer, more connected and live happier lives! Book a consult with me to discuss coaching, support, collaborations or speaking engagements. 💡 Head to www.stephaniepinto.comOr stalk me on the socials...Insta: www.instagram.com/emotionally.intelligent.parentFB: fb.com/stephpinto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all want our kids to be emotionally intelligent, right? Buuut are we actually teaching it in a way that helps them thrive?In this episode, I let loose a mini-rant (sorry not sorry) about some common myths and misconceptions that are sending mixed messages about emotions to our kids - without us even realising it.🤔 We tell kids to “calm down” when they’re upset, but do we always model calmness when everything goes wrong?🤔 We expect them to “use their words,” but are we showing them how?🤔 The truth is, emotional intelligence isn’t just something we teach... it’s something our kids learn from us.Join me as I share simple, powerful ideas that can help us guide our kids through big emotions, build REAL connection, and create a home where feelings are understood, not shut down.No guilt, no pressure. Just an honest chat (aka rant) about how we can show up as the emotional leaders our kids need.Let’s rethink the way we teach emotional intelligence - starting today. 💛Share with someone you know might find this helpful or insightful!Steph.***Welcome to the Emotionally Intelligent Parenting podcast,I’m Stephanie Pinto. I’m an Aussie mum of 2, a best-selling author, international speaker and award-winning coach… And I love all things Emotional Intelligence and parenting.Although we’re far from perfect as parents and our kids still have big emotions from time to time, meltdowns are few and far between.Compassion, listening and problem-solving are our go-to strategies when things go sideways, and our home is a really nice place to be.Oh and, our house is a punishment-free zone!!We’re only able to do all of this because we’ve learnt to handle our own emotions, we understand our kids’ emotions and behaviour, and we work together to solve problems as a team.If you have caught some of the episodes I've recorded with my husband Alex, go back to these episodes:Ep 54: Parenting on the Same Page: My Husband’s Journey into Emotional Intelligence.Ep 60: How We Failed As New Parents with Steph and Alex.Ep 64: When Meltdowns Turn Physical - Handling Hitting, Throwing, Kicking, And Keeping Your Cool.Follow me on Insta @emotionally.intelligent.parentHave you joined my Facebook Group for parents? There are 130,000+ parents in the community! 🎉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/letsraiseemotionallyintelligentkids Hi! I’m an award-winning Emotional Intelligence parenting consultant, best-selling author and international speaker. I’m also a paediatric anxiety therapist and I love helping kids, parents and educators use emotional intelligence to become calmer, more connected and live happier lives!Book a FREE 30 min consult with me to discuss coaching, support, collaborations or speaking engagements.💡 Head to https://www.stephaniepinto.com/ Or stalk me on the socials...Insta: https://www.instagram.com/emotionally.intelligent.parent/FB: fb.com/stephpintoFB Business: fb.com/stephaniepintoeqcoach Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parenting is always challenging, but doing it solo comes with its own set of unique hurdles that can feel utterly overwhelming at times. In this episode, I chat with the amazing Dr. Gila - a single parent coach, psychologist, neuropsychologist, and a single mum who’s been through it all.We dig into why single parents need supportive spaces (no one should have to do this alone) and explore the unique challenges and unexpected joys of raising kids solo.Dr. Gila gets real about the pressure to be perfect and why letting go of that myth can be one of the best gifts you give yourself and your kids.And let’s get into the buzzword of the moment: self-care. Dr. Gila introduces her practical “sink model” for managing emotions, showing us why it’s not about the one drop that overflows but the build-up that leads to it.Learn how to spot when your sink is filling up and what true self-care looks like when you’re already stretched thin.If you’re a single parent or know someone who is, this episode is packed with insights, practical tips, and the reassurance that you’re not in this alone.We can tackle the messy, beautiful chaos of single parenting—together.🩷🩷🩷 DR. GILA'S SINGLE PARENTING SUMMIT IS NOW LIVE! 10-12 Feb, 2025.Your free ticket is here:https://qnghcne02w.krtra.com/t/G34pWzhLgTrKWeb: www.drgilaparenting.com  Email: info@drgilaparenting.comIG: www.instagram.com/drgila_parentingFB: www.facebook.com/drgilaparenting/Free resources: PDF GUIDE: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviours (https://www.drgilaparenting.com/SP_tantrum_signup)AUDIO: Guided Meditation for Single Parents (https://www.drgilaparenting.com/SP_meditation)VIDEO: What Every Parent Needs to Know When the S**T Hits the Fan. (https://www.drgilaparenting.com/3truths) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.