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.

• 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

• 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

• 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."

"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."

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

"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?"

"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."

• "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."

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Instagram: @psyched2parent