Mindful Motherhood

In the season 2 finale of the Mindful Motherhood Podcast, Dr. Katie discusses the intricacies of parenting highly sensitive children. She explores how anxiety hides beneath the behaviors of highly sensitive children — shutdowns, rigidity, “I don’t care" attitudes, quitting, and perfectionism — and what’s actually happening inside their nervous system.You’ll learn:how highly sensitive kids process the world differentlywhy frustration, quitting, and “I don’t care” responses are often rooted in anxiety and a protective reflex, not defiancehow perfectionism shows up in subtle wayshow to anchor your child with connection and curiositypractical strategies to help build tolerance and resilienceResources:Parenting from the Floor | @parentingfromthefloorWebsite: https://mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.alitu.com/Connect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.com

In the latest episode of the Mindful Motherhood Podcast, Dr. Katie discusses how everyday anxieties impact children and offers practical tools to manage them. Focusing on the importance of understanding the brain's response to routine changes, she shares personal experiences illustrating the effectiveness of strategies like setting verbal expectations, using visual countdowns, and calming physiological responses with different breathing exercises. By using visual reminders, parents can help anchor their child’s thinking and ease the stress of transitions. This episode also emphasizes the need for caregivers to address their own anxieties, promoting a balanced approach to family well-being.Resources (Books):Ruby Finds a WorryThe Magical YetA Little Spot of AnxietyA Kids Book About AnxietyWhat To Do When You Worry Too MuchHelp Your Dragon Deal With AnxietyWebsite: https://mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.alitu.com/Connect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.com

Season 2 of the Mindful Motherhood podcast, hosted by Dr. Katie Gorham, delves deep into childhood worries and anxieties. This season focuses on a variety of challenges that children and teens may face, from general worries to fear of the dark and social pressures, and how anxiety symptoms often show up through behavior. Dr. Katie combines her wisdom as a psychologist and a mother to offer insights and strategies to handle these situations effectively. She emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and intention in parenting and discusses ways to turn difficult moments into opportunities for deeper connection and growth with our children. Tune in July 2nd wherever you listen to podcasts! Website: https://mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.alitu.com/Connect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.com

The holiday season can be a magical time for families, but it can also be a source of stress for kids. In this special holiday bonus episode, Dr. Katie dives into the reasons why children often feel overwhelmed during the holidays, including increased social interactions, performance pressure, disrupted routines, and sensory overload. She provides practical tips to help parents manage their child's stress and create a more peaceful holiday experience for everyone.Happy holidays!Website: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.com

This episode of the Mindful Motherhood podcast delves into the challenging world of parenting and emotional regulation. Dr. Katie explores how parents' emotional triggers, often rooted in past experiences, can impact interactions with their children. She emphasizes the significance of recognizing these triggers to maintain composure during tough moments. The episode provides actionable advice, including identifying physical signs of stress, employing relaxation techniques, and talking openly with partners or support systems. By understanding and managing their own triggers, parents can create a more emotionally supportive environment for both themselves and their children. Dr. Katie also discuss what to do when parents inevitably lose their cool with their kids, including how to repair the relationship by modeling a genuine apology.Website: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.comTimestamps:

In this episode of the Mindful Motherhood podcast, Dr. Katie focuses on managing children's meltdowns. She covers how physical presence, language, and environment adjustments can help calm the situation. Understanding the brain's role during these intense emotional periods is key. By being aware of our own reactions and employing calming strategies, parents can better support their children through these challenging moments. This episode emphasizes the importance of co-regulation, suggesting that a calm adult presence can help a child regain control. Tips include adjusting body language and maintaining a safe environment.Website: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.comResources: First Emotions Series (11 books)Little Monkey Calms DownMy Body Sends a SignalListening to My BodyListening with My HeartTimestamps:4:07 - What does a meltdown look like for your child?6:16 - Counteracting the emotional flood of a meltdown7:23 - Assessing the physical environment9:16 - Altering our physical presence to appear less threatening12:48 - When physical touch registers as a pain response14:51- Altering the sensory environment16:03 - Allowing the emotional release17:48 - Reintegrating the brain by offering choices and validating feelings22:29 - Resisting the urge to talk through what happened26:34 - Avoiding statements that bring attention to our emotions31:36 - Challenge of the week!

In this episode of the Mindful Motherhood podcast, Dr. Katie explores the challenges parents face during transitions and provides practical strategies to make these moments smoother. Dr. Katie emphasizes the importance of connecting with your child before issuing directives and highlights tools like visual timers and voice assistants to help manage time. By understanding the developmental science behind children’s emotions, parents can better navigate daily routines and avoid power struggles. This episode is part one of a two-part series aimed at giving parents effective tools for setting boundaries and fostering a calmer and more connected household.Additional Resources:Visual Timer VIsual Timer AppWebsite: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.comTimestamps:2:40 - Parenting approaches and buzzwords5:36 - How to navigate transitions throughout the day9:04 - Using timers to help ease the overwhelm of transitions11:38 - Thinking strategically about how we use questions and make requests16:30 - Using simple choices to ease overwhelm 22:23 - Incorporating choice with teens23:21 - Challenge of the week!

This episode delves into the concept of emotional dysregulation in children and provides insights into what goes on inside their developing brains. Your host, Dr. Katie Gorham, explains how children's immature brain systems make them more prone to emotional outbursts and challenging behaviors. She discusses executive functions, which play a crucial role in everyday functioning, and highlights the limitations children face due to their ongoing brain development. The episode also introduces the idea of flipping the lid, a term coined by Dr. Dan Siegel, to describe when the emotional brain takes over and disconnects from the thinking brain. The window of tolerance, which refers to each individual's capacity to handle stress and demands, is also explored. Dr. Katie emphasizes the importance of understanding that emotions dysregulation is a normal part of development and offers strategies to help parents respond effectively when their child's lid is flipped.Additional Resources: Books written by Dr. Dan SiegelWebsite: mindfulmotherhoodpodcast.comConnect with us! mindfulmompod@gmail.comTimestamps:1:14 - What is executive functioning and how does it impact my child?4:01 - Getting to the core of emotional dysregulation.6:31 - Exploring the concept of flipping the lid and what it means for child and adolescent behavior.11:00 - The window of tolerance (and how it causes the lid to flip).14:14 - Triggers that commonly tip our children into emotional dysregulation territory.16:49 - Listener challenge of the week!