Ep. 41 | Rethinking "I'm a Bad Parent."
From Brain First Parenting with Eileen Devine by Eileen Devine
May 4, 2026 · 15 min
About this episode
Eileen discusses the common feelings of inadequacy among parents of children with intense behaviors and emphasizes the importance of self-compassion in self-reflection.
SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen reflects on a common theme that comes up again and again in sessions with parents: the belief that “I’m failing” or “I should be better at this by now.” When you’re parenting a child with intense, relentless behaviors, it’s easy for self-blame to take hold, but these thoughts often point to something deeper. This episode explores what may be underneath this narrative and how to shift toward more compassionate, supportive self-reflection. TAKEAWAYS: Feeling like you’re “failing” is a common experience for parents of children with brain-based differences and intense behaviors These thoughts are often signals of deeper emotion, not objective truth Irritability and reactivity can be protective layers masking fear, grief, and resentment Fear may show up as worries about your child’s future or long-term functioning Grief can stem from the gap between what you expected parenting to be and your lived reality Resentment may be connected to the intensity of the demands and lack of adequate support Self-reflection is important, but it needs to be paired with self-compassion, not harsh criticism Your willingness to question yourself reflects how deeply you…
People in this episode
Host: Eileen Devine
Topics covered
- parenting challenges
- self-reflection
- self-compassion
- neurodivergent children
- emotional well-being
Keywords
- bad parent
- self-blame
- parenting
- neurodiversity
- emotional support
- grief
- resentment
- self-reflection
More episodes of Brain First Parenting with Eileen Devine
- Ep. 43 | Interrupting Those Exhausting Escalation Cycles · June 1, 2026 · 17 min
- Ep. 42 | 8 Essential Mind Shifts for More Connected Parenting · May 18, 2026 · 19 min
- Ep. 40 | When Your Child’s Behavior Feels Personal: Understanding Relational Cognitive Skills · April 20, 2026 · 22 min
- Ep. 39 | Dismantling Restraint and Seclusion: A Conversation with Guy Stephens (Pt. 2) · April 6, 2026 · 33 min
- Ep. 38 | Dismantling Restraint & Seclusion: A Conversation with Guy Stephens (Pt. 1) · March 23, 2026 · 34 min
- Ep. 37 | Supporting Siblings: Practical Brain First Tools for Parents - Pt. 2 · March 9, 2026 · 22 min
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