Emotionally Intelligent Parenting with Stephanie Pinto

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.

Most of us were never taught how to handle our emotions... we were just told to "calm down" or "stop overreacting."But here’s the truth: all emotions are okay, not all behaviour is. And as parents, the way we handle our emotions directly shapes how our kids learn to manage theirs.Today on the Emotionally Intelligent Parenting podcast, I’m sharing 10 powerful lessons about emotions:How to work with them instead of against them, how to stop stress from taking over, and how to develop the emotional intelligence you need to parent with confidence, calm, and connection. Stop taking things personally, stop believing there are bad emotions, and stop thinking your kids' emotions are out of control (even when it really seems like they are!)Because let’s be real... if we don’t learn to handle our emotions, they’ll handle us. 🫣🌟🌟🌟 I forgot to mention my upcoming Emotional Intelligence for People-Pleasers live class - it's in February, tickets via my Facebook Community, link below.🎟️ Here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1WiQyUxynD/I mentioned my Emotional Intelligence courses for parents and educators, here are a few of them:Introduction to Raising Emotionally Intelligent KidsSupporting Anxious KidsFrom Reactive to Responsive Parenting: Stop the Yelling with Emotional IntelligenceEFT Tapping: Overcoming Stress and Strong Emotions RapidlyFrom Blowups to Balance: Supporting ADHD Kids✅ All available at www.stephaniepinto.com/courses*** 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 some people just naturally more resilient? Or is resilience something we can actually build? And what if we’ve been thinking about stress and adversity all wrong when it comes to raising kids?Today on the Emotionally Intelligent Parenting Podcast, I’m joined by Tim Curtis—former Aussie SAS Squadron Commander, resilience expert, and co-author of The Resilience Shield. Tim has spent years leading high-stakes military operations, consulting for the UN, and now helping people understand what actually makes us resilient.And trust me, his insights will challenge everything you thought you knew. Sorry!We speak about:🛡 The science of resilience—how much is genetic, and how much can we change?⚖️ Why kids actually need some stress and adversity to grow stronger🚁 The downside of helicopter and bulldozer parenting💡 The key factors that build resilience: mindset, social connections, and physical healthAlso he’s given us all free access to his online resilience assessment you can take today!Tim brings fascinating research, real-life stories, and game-changing insights on how to help both ourselves and our kids become more resilient.If you want to raise strong, adaptable, and confident kids (and build your own resilience while you’re at it), this episode is a must-listen! 🎧✨Find out more about Tim and his work at:www.mettle.globalwww.resilienceshield.comwww.linkedin.com/in/tim-curtis-64b8581*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is emotional intelligence making kids “soft”? Or is it actually the secret to raising strong, resilient humans? 🤔And here’s another big question — are some emotions “bad,” or do they all serve a purpose? Today’s guest is here to set the record straight— and he does it with brains, humour, and a whole lot of real talk!In this wildly insightful (and surprisingly hilarious) conversation, I chat with Professor Marc Brackett, the founding director of Yale’s Centre for Emotional Intelligence and author of Permission to Feel. We talk about:🎭 Marc’s childhood & the mentor who changed his life❄️ Why EI isn’t about raising “snowflakes”🔬 What it means to be an “emotion scientist”🏡 How parents can teach emotional intelligence—even if they weren’t raised that way🔥 Handling your own emotions when your kids are losing itMarc is real, funny, and super smart, and this episode will leave you rethinking everything you thought you knew about emotions.Ready to dial up your emotional intelligence in 30 min with us? Let’s dive in! 🎧✨Find out more about Prof. Marc Brackett, his webcast (here on YT!), emotions app, his renowned RULER method and more at:YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRA3Ffn23Cl8W4xyev6EGIwWeb: https://marcbrackett.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/marc.brackett/🥳 And don't forget to check out my self-paced online Emotional Intelligence courses at www.stephaniepinto.com/courses***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.

Today I’m sharing the hard-earned lessons that have completely transformed my parenting, marriage, and overall outlook on life. If you’ve ever felt like emotional intelligence is valuable but complicated or time-consuming to master, this episode is for you!I share with you some pretty personal (and profound) shifts:✅ The things I’ve stopped stressing over—like perfectionism, guilt, and control—and how this shift has freed up my energy for what truly matters.✅ How I’ve tackled my anxiety head-on and the tools I use to stay calm in high-stress moments.✅ The conflicts I no longer have in parenting and marriage, thanks to replacing blame with curiosity and knowing when to pick my battles.✅ A fresh perspective on parenting—seeing big emotions as opportunities to connect, not punish, and embracing the messy, imperfect moments.✅ How I see my husband through a new lens, respecting his "blueprint" and working as a team without forcing change or taking things personally.Plus, I’ll share the mindset shifts and practical strategies that have fast-tracked my emotional intelligence, so you can skip the trial-and-error and start building stronger, more connected relationships today.Whether you’re navigating tantrums, tackling disagreements, or trying to stop spiraling into guilt, this episode is packed with insights and tools to help you thrive. 📱 Tune in now to learn how to fast-track your emotional intelligence journey—without all the stress and second-guessing!If you are ready to take the next small step in your journey, JOIN ME in an online course! Here's why:🌟 Flexible Access: You can learn anytime, anywhere, whether at home or on the go.🌟 Self-Paced Learning: Complete courses at your own speed, fitting lessons into your schedule.🌟 Stop and Start: Pause lessons when life gets busy and pick up where you left off.🌟 Cost-Effective: Always more affordable than private coaching, saving time and costs.🌟 Wide Variety of Resources: Access videos, worksheets, and interactive content to suit your learning style.💻 Find my emotionally intelligent parenting courses at https://www.stephaniepinto.com/courses*** 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.

Today I'm sharing about the fascinating (and sometimes baffling) world of early warning signs of dysregulation in kids. Have you ever noticed your child getting overly silly, suddenly antagonizing their sibling, or making strange noises like growling or hissing? These little quirks aren’t random. They’re often signs that your child is beginning to feel emotionally overwhelmed or out of sync. When you learn to recognise these subtle cues, you can step in with calm and supportive strategies that help prevent meltdowns, build connection, and teach emotional resilience.Plus, a special guest makes an unexpected appearance! My daughter video-bombs the intro with some dance moves and plenty of giggles, so if you’re watching on YouTube, you’re in for a treat. You're welcome ;)(Watch at youtube.com/c/StephaniePinto)Tune in to learn the signs of emotional overwhelm by finding clues in your child's (frustrating) behaviour.*** 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: instagram.com/emotionally.intelligent.parentFB: fb.com/stephpinto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does your child or teen ever lash out, shut down, or completely refuse to listen? Maybe you’ve tried timeouts, threats, or punishments, but they just don’t work—or worse, they seem to make things even harder. Sound familiar? Here’s the thing: those big emotional outbursts are NOT about being “naughty” or “willful.” There’s so much more happening under the surface, in their brain and body, and that’s exactly what we’re diving into today. Today I’ll help you understand what’s *really* going on when your child is argumentative, explosive, or just plain "rude", why some of those old-school parenting tactics aren’t helpful, and, most importantly, how you can use positive strategies to co-regulate with them to bring their emotions back in balance and support their behaviour. If you’re ready to feel less overwhelmed and more connected to your child, you’re in the right place.And as I mentioned in the episode, I created a course specifically for this topic and these challenges. It's called Defusing and Decoding Challenging Behaviour, and it covers how understanding the nervous system of your child gives you the tools you need to navigate (and even often avoid) really challenging/disruptive behaviours. One parent who took the course emailed me within minutes of finishing the course saying: "STEPH. This is by far the BEST course I have taken, I finally get why my son erupts and goes off, and I feel like I have a whole bag of tools to deal with it! Thank you so so much. I'm recommending it to all my friends!"Find the course at https://www.stephaniepinto.com/courses *** 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.

YAY! The kids are home for 6 WEEKS STRAIGHT for the summer school holidays! (For us in the southern hemisphere at least) 😩If you've heard "I’m bored!" 5000 times already, you're in the right place. But this is still very much relevant if you're not on vacation but maybe you're heading on a road trip, or just home with the kids but you need to get some work done!Today I'm talking about the challenge of managing kids’ boredom head-on. You’ll learn practical strategies to help your kids embrace downtime, spark creativity, and build independence, all while strengthening your connection as a family.I explore:Why boredom isn’t the enemy, it’s an opportunity.Fun and creative ideas to keep kids engaged without breaking the bank.How to involve kids in planning their days and encouraging independence.The importance of balancing activity with rest (aka emptiness) for both you and your kids.How emotional intelligence plays a role in tolerating and managing their whines and complaints (without losing your cool!).Plus, I share how you can dive even deeper into building your parenting toolkit with my online courses. This week, three of my most popular courses—From Reactive to Responsive Parenting, Decoding and Defusing Challenging Behaviour, and Supporting Anxious and Sensitive Kids—are on sale for 50–61% off! Don’t miss out - check them out at www.stephaniepinto.com/courses.Tune in for tips, laughs, and encouragement to help you navigate the holiday season with confidence. You’ve got this!👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode, and let me know which tip you’ll try first!*** 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.