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Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents

Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents

By: Dr. Amy Patenaude Ed.D. NCSP
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About this listen

 Welcome to Psyched2Parent, turning brain science into Tiny Wins. I'm Dr. Amy Patenaude, a school psychologist and parent coach. I work in the real-life intersection of big feelings, nervous system regulation, executive function, learning, and school supports. This podcast is for parents raising big-feeling, strong-willed, big-hearted kids, especially the ones who keep it together at school and unravel at home. If you're exhausted from the daily loop of meltdown, guilt, over-accommodating, and trying again tomorrow, you're in the right place. If you're constantly wondering "Is this ADHD? Anxiety? Autism? A learning difference? Or just temperament?" you're in the right place. If school emails make your stomach drop and you don't know what to ask for in an IEP, 504, or parent-teacher meeting, you're in the right place. Here's what you'll get from this show: * You'll learn what's happening under the behavior, not just how to react to it * You'll stop taking every meltdown personally and start seeing patterns * You'll have a plan for the hardest moments of the day, not a pile of advice you can't implement * You'll respond with warmth and boundaries, without over-functioning or walking on eggshells * You'll feel clearer and more confident when talking to teachers, counselors, and school teams We talk about the stuff parents are living: * After-school meltdowns and restraint collapse * Morning chaos and slow launching * Transitions, "no" moments, and boundary blowups * Homework shutdowns, perfectionism spirals, and "I can't" tears * Anger, anxiety, worry loops, and bedtime battles * Screen-time conflict and emotional whiplash * Executive function challenges like planning, flexibility, impulse control, and emotional regulation * The school side of the mountain: IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, accommodations, executive functioning supports, and how to advocate without burning out Most episodes follow the same calming, repeatable format so you can binge and actually use what you learn: * What's happening in the brain and nervous system, explained in parent-friendly language * Tiny Wins, three max, because your life is already full * A script you can steal for the exact moment things are going sideways * School Translator Minute, where I decode school language and give you a simple next step for emails and meetings This is a specialist show for parents who want practical tools, not perfection. My promise is that you'll finish an episode with at least one small thing you can do today that makes home feel steadier and school conversations feel less scary. If you're parenting a child with big feelings and big reactions, or you suspect ADHD, autism, anxiety, or learning differences, subscribe and come climb with me. Tiny steps add up. You're not here because you need "better parenting hacks." You're here because you're carrying a lot. * You're trying to keep mornings from imploding and evenings from escalating * You're managing school expectations while your child is masking all day * You're second guessing yourself after every tough moment * You're worried about whether your child is falling behind socially, emotionally, or academically * You're tired of advice that assumes your kid is being defiant when they're actually overwhelmed This podcast helps you move from survival mode to steadier ground. The goal isn't a perfectly smooth day. The goal is recovery and repair. The goal is fewer power struggles, more connection, and a clearer path forward. Because when you understand the why, you can choose the how. * You can set boundaries without lighting the fuse * You can respond to anxiety without feeding it * You can support your child's nervous system without doing everything for them * You can stop over-accommodating and start building skills in tiny reps * You can walk into school meetings with a plan, the right words, and the confidence to advocate If you're looking for practical support with: * Parenting strong-willed kids without constant conflict * Parenting kids with ADHD, autism, anxiety, sensory sensitivity, or learning differences * Emotional regulation, big feelings, and explosive meltdowns * Executive functioning support for kids and teens * School support, accommodations, and special education navigation * IEP meetings, 504 plans, psychoeducational testing, and reading the evaluation results without feeling overwhelmed * Scripts for boundaries, transitions, homework, bedtime, and hard conversations You'll feel at home here. Subscribe for Tiny Wins for big feelings, at home and at school. Educational content only. This podcast does not provide therapy, diagnosis, or medical advice. If you're concerned about safety or your child's wellbeing, please contact a licensed professional in your area.2025
Episodes
  • Winter Break Meltdowns: Why Kids Struggle Without Routine and What Helps

    Winter Break Meltdowns: Why Kids Struggle Without Routine and What Helps
    Dec 22 2025
    Winter Break Meltdowns: Why Kids Struggle Without Routine and What Helps

    Winter break is supposed to feel cozy and fun. But for a lot of families, it turns into clingy kids, more meltdowns over tiny things, and that constant question on repeat: "What are we doing next?" In this bonus episode, Dr. Amy Patenaude explains what's happening in your child's brain when the school routine disappears, why "relaxing family time" can feel like chaotic whiplash, and how to build a simple winter break rhythm that helps kids feel safe without turning you into a drill sergeant. You'll leave with an easy daily plan, ready-to-steal scripts, and one Tiny Wins tool: Move, Meet, Mellow.

    New here? Start with…
    • If your child melts down more on break, start with Your kid lost their trail map
    • If you want a simple plan that's not a strict schedule, start with The Daily Trail Map
    • If boredom and screen fights are taking over, start with Move, Meet, Mellow
    In this episode, you'll learn
    • Why kids' brains often struggle when routines suddenly disappear
    • What "winter break wobbles" can look like in real life and why it's normal
    • How predictability helps your child's nervous system feel safer
    • A simple daily rhythm that reduces decision fatigue and control battles
    • How to reframe "they're being ungrateful" into "they feel wobbly"
    • Scripts to use when your child is stuck, clingy, or spiraling
    • A Tiny Wins framework that makes break feel easier for everyone
    Tiny Wins (pick 1–2)
    • Put a Daily Trail Map on the fridge for tomorrow using 5–7 simple blocks
    • Choose one anchor you'll keep steady all week (outside after lunch, quiet time at 2:00, consistent bedtime start)
    • Try Move, Meet, Mellow once a day and keep everything else flexible
    • Use one script one time before the meltdown hits: "Your brain likes to know the plan. Here's our rhythm today."
    Scripts you can borrow (quick wins) Name what's happening in the brain

    "Break days feel really different to your brain. School days have a rhythm. On break, things feel wobbly, so big feelings show up faster. Let's make a simple plan for today."

    The gentle daily map

    "We're not doing a strict schedule, but here's our rhythm: breakfast, then quiet play while I work, lunch, outside, then screen time."

    The stuck moment menu

    "You're not sure what to do right now. Want to pick one: something to move your body, something with another person, or something mellow?"

    The transition reframe

    "Switching from school days to home days is a big change. Your grumpy feelings are your brain saying, 'This is different.' We're going to give it time and a little structure."

    Episode quotes
    • "Nothing is wrong with you or your kids. Their brains just lost their trail map."
    • "You don't need a strict schedule. You need a few trail markers."
    • "Big feelings on break are often a nervous system signal, not a gratitude problem."
    Free resource

    Download the Boredom Buster Cheat Sheet, a kid-friendly Move, Meet, Mellow menu with activity ideas, simple steps to use it, and calm scripts for screen-time boundaries: https://psyched2parent.myflodesk.com/boredomebusterguide

    Disclaimer

    This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized mental health, medical, or educational advice.

    Links
    • Big Feelings Decoder: https://psyched2parent.myflodesk.com/bigfeelingsdecoder
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    17 mins
  • You Yelled. Now What? Repairing After You Lose It (in 90 seconds)

    You Yelled. Now What? Repairing After You Lose It (in 90 seconds)
    Dec 22 2025
    Episode 4: You Yelled. Now What? Repairing After You Lose It (in 90 seconds) Episode Description

    You snapped. You raised your voice. And now you're stuck in the shame spiral wondering if you just messed everything up. In this episode, Dr. Amy Patenaude walks you through what actually matters after you yell: repair. You'll learn what's happening in your brain when you "flip your lid," why repair is more powerful than perfection, and a 90-second reset you can use the same day. You'll leave with simple scripts and Tiny Wins to rebuild connection without a big lecture for you or your child.

    New here? Start with…

    If you're stuck in "I'm the worst parent" shame, start with Repair over Perfection

    If you want practical words to say tonight, start with The 3-Sentence Repair

    If you keep yelling at the end of the day, start with The Pause and Park It Plan

    In this episode, you'll learn

    Why "losing it" is often a nervous system overload moment, not a character flaw

    The simplest brain-based explanation for why yelling happens and why it's hard to stop mid-stream

    The rupture to repair idea that protects trust and emotional safety over time

    What a repair actually looks like in real life without over-explaining or groveling

    A repeatable 90-second repair script that builds safety and models accountability

    How repair helps your child build a healthier story: We can have hard moments and still be okay

    Tiny Wins (pick 1–2)

    Try the 3-sentence repair once this week, even if it feels awkward

    Choose a one-word cue for yourself when you feel the surge: Pause, Yellow light, or Not yet

    Use Park It language once: I'm too heated to talk kindly. I'm going to cool down and we'll come back.

    Add one next time sentence after repair: Next time I'm going to step into the other room before I respond.

    Scripts you can borrow (quick wins)

    The basic repair (90 seconds): Hey, about earlier when I yelled… I was really overwhelmed and I raised my voice. That wasn't okay. I'm sorry. I love you and we're okay.

    The check-in: Did that scare you or hurt your feelings? You can tell me the truth. I want to know.

    The next-time plan: Next time I'm starting to feel that mad, I'm going to take a break instead of shouting.

    One line for you: I messed up, and I'm also a good parent who's learning.

    Episode quotes

    Kids don't need perfection. They need a parent who comes back.

    Repair is a deposit in the relationship bank account.

    Flip your lid less when you can, and repair faster when you can't.

    Free resource

    Join the Tiny Wins email list and download the free Big Feelings Decoder here: https://psyched2parent.myflodesk.com/bigfeelingsdecoder

    Big Feelings Decoder helps you translate intense kid behavior like backtalk, shutdowns, whining, or meltdowns into what might be happening underneath, plus calm, nervous-system-friendly scripts you can use in the moment and after repair.

    Disclaimer

    This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized mental health, medical, or educational advice.

    Links

    Big Feelings Decoder: https://psyched2parent.myflodesk.com/bigfeelingsdecoder

    Instagram: @psyched2parent
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    18 mins
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