Welcome to a fresh episode of Parent Like a Psychologist with Leanne Tran, psychologist and parent coach. Today, Leanne takes a deep dive into Mel Robbins’ “Let Them Theory”—the viral parenting idea about letting go of control and embracing emotional maturity.

But this isn’t your average book review. Leanne unpacks the theory with both heart and expertise, offering a real-world perspective for parents—especially those raising neurodivergent kids—who feel overwhelmed by outside expectations and unsure how to support their children authentically.

What’s Inside This Episode?

Clinical Insight Meets Real Life:
Leanne carefully examines “Let Them Theory,” highlighting both its strengths and its shortcomings. She connects Robbins’ ideas to established psychological practices like Stoicism, Radical Acceptance, and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), showing where the theory is helpful and where it might fall short.

Ethics Over Hype:
With a professional lens, Leanne addresses the gap between catchy advice and genuine psychological responsibility. She calls out the overpromising language often found in pop psychology, but also shares how to take the useful parts and leave the rest.

Parenting Neurodivergent Kids:
This episode is especially valuable for parents of autistic or neurodivergent children. Leanne explains how “letting go” can empower kids when it’s adapted thoughtfully—offering guidance on low-stakes choices, gentle structure, and positive, neuroaffirming support.

Practical Tools You Can Use:
From homework battles to public meltdowns, Leanne gives specific, actionable examples of when to step back (“let them”) and when to step in (“let me”). You’ll get a toolkit of strategies to help you respond with calm, support, and intention.

Reducing Parental Pressure:
Leanne validates the guilt and stress so many parents feel. She encourages listeners to release unrealistic expectations and focus on what matters most: being present, connected, and authentic with their kids.

Key Takeaway:
Perfect parenting isn’t the goal—authentic, thoughtful parenting is. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is let go of control and lean into connection, honoring your child’s unique needs.

Tune in to:

• Set boundaries with confidence and less conflict
• Find peace and presence in your parenting
• Learn psychology-backed tools for neurodivergent kids
• Let go of guilt and unrealistic standards

Whether you’re in the thick of parenting challenges or just need a new perspective, this episode offers practical wisdom and a dose of empathy. Listen now—and give yourself permission to parent with more ease and less pressure.

Follow me on:

Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the complex world of ADHD at school—and most importantly, what your child’s teacher needs to know to support them effectively. Whether you're navigating primary school or high school, the challenges are real—but with the right knowledge and scaffolding strategies, the journey can become smoother for everyone involved.

What we cover in this episode:

• Why school is harder than it looks for children with ADHD

• The core executive functioning struggles: attention regulation, working memory, and impulse control

• Common misunderstandings teachers may have (like “They just need to try harder” or “They’re being disruptive on purpose”)

• Practical, teacher-friendly strategies like chunking instructions, visual aids, built-in movement, and celebrating effort—not just outcomes

• How parents can partner with teachers to advocate without overstepping, using compassion and collaboration

This episode is grounded in real clinical experiences and includes specific, actionable tools that educators can start using right away.

Bonus Resource: Don’t forget to download the free fact sheet for primary school teachers to share with your child’s teacher:

Copy and Download here: file:///C:/Users/Admin/Downloads/ADHD%20for%20Primary%20Teachers.pdf

Let’s change the conversation around ADHD in schools—by equipping teachers, empowering parents, and supporting kids exactly where they are.

Follow me on:

Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, we dive into a conversation that so many parents find themselves having: “Now what?” after receiving a diagnosis for their child. Whether it's autism, ADHD, a learning disorder, or another neurodevelopmental condition, a diagnosis can feel like both a lightbulb moment and a storm of new questions.

Bringing a candid, real-life tone (yes, complete with those “school pickup hustle” vibes), your host shares reflections from recent conversations with fellow parents and professionals about what a diagnosis does—and doesn’t—tell you about your child. Spoiler: it doesn’t come with a map.

You’ll hear about:

• The relief and confusion a diagnosis can bring

• Why the label is just one piece of a much larger puzzle

• The unique personality, strengths, and challenges your child has that don’t show up in any report

• The importance of moving beyond reactive parenting to responsive, empathetic support

• Why behavior charts and sticker systems aren’t the magic answer for every child

• How to notice your child’s patterns and support them in truly meaningful, individualized ways

• The importance of evolving strategies as your child grows—from primary school through to the teenage years

This episode encourages you to look deeper—past checklists and criteria—and begin noticing your child: their rhythms, their emotions, their brilliance, and their needs. You’ll walk away with permission to ditch the guilt, space to feel understood, and a gentle nudge toward building the skills and confidence you need to support your child in a way that works for your family.

If you’ve ever felt like a diagnosis answered some questions but left you with many more, this episode is for you. And if you're ready to move from chaos to calm, stay tuned to learn more about programs that can walk alongside you in your parenting journey.

Follow me on:

1. Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
2. Facebook: @Leanne Tran
3. Linked In: @leannetranpsychology
   
   

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

In this powerful and insightful episode, transformational coach and children’s book author Lisa Watson joins the show to discuss how healing our inner child is essential to raising emotionally resilient children. Drawing from her own journey of overcoming childhood trauma and toxic relationships, Lisa shares how she developed the "reparent yourself" method to break generational cycles of emotional pain.

Listeners will learn why our early childhood experiences shape our belief systems, how unresolved emotional wounds affect the way we parent, and why self-awareness is the first step toward change. Lisa explains how children form core beliefs based on how they are treated and why nurturing environments are critical to healthy emotional development.

The conversation explores practical strategies for recognizing personal triggers, responding with compassion, and choosing conscious parenting over reactive habits. Lisa also emphasizes the importance of validating children's emotions, fostering emotional safety, and modeling healthy self-regulation. Special attention is given to the challenges parents of neurodivergent children face, and how to remain supportive and connected even when behavior doesn’t fit traditional expectations.

Lisa also shares her passion project: the Awaken the One children's book series, including upcoming titles like Courage Finds His Calm, which teach emotional regulation and mindfulness through storytelling. With a Kickstarter campaign launching to support the next books, Lisa offers resources and hope for parents who want to raise children in emotionally nurturing homes.

If you're seeking to parent with purpose, break harmful cycles, and raise a generation that doesn’t need to heal from their upbringing—this episode is a must-listen.

Follow me on:

1. Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
2. Facebook: @Leanne Tran
3. Linked In: @leannetranpsychology
   
   

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, we dive into the importance of routines for children with ADHD. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll learn:

The Power of Routines:
Routines may seem boring, but they are incredibly effective in creating calm and reducing stress for both parents and children.

The Science Behind Routines:
Predictability in routines helps reduce anxiety and improve behaviour by setting clear expectations.

Implementing Effective Routines:

• Start Small: Focus on one routine at a time to avoid overwhelming your child.

• Visual Timetables: Use visual aids to help children remember and follow routines, especially for those with executive functioning challenges.

• Involving Your Child: Engage your child in creating the routine to give them a sense of ownership and make the process smoother.

• Transition Strategies: Introduce changes gradually and use social stories or apps to illustrate the benefits of routines.

Join us as we explore how to make routines work for your family—and remember, sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective.

Follow me on:

1. Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
2. Facebook: @Leanne Tran
3. Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

In this insightful and reflective episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, we dive deep into Jonathan Haidt’s provocative and widely discussed book, The Anxious Generation. Host [Your Name], a psychologist and parent, shares a heartfelt and honest review of the book, exploring its key arguments, research foundations, and real-world implications for today’s families—especially those raising neurodivergent children.

From initial panic to practical reflection, [Your Name] discusses how Haidt’s core message—that smartphones and social media have fundamentally reshaped childhood—resonated personally and professionally. You’ll hear about the dramatic shift in children’s lives around 2010, as play-based, outdoor experiences gave way to screen-dominated, indoor ones, and how this shift has coincided with alarming rises in anxiety, depression, and social disconnection—especially among girls.

This episode covers:

• What Haidt gets right: the importance of unstructured play, the dangers of constant connectivity, the science behind sleep and screen use, and the growing mental health challenges in young people.

• Where the book may fall short: overemphasis on screens as the sole cause of rising anxiety, lack of attention to other societal pressures, and missing nuance for neurodivergent kids.

• How these insights apply specifically to ADHD and autistic children, who may rely more heavily on screens for connection, regulation, and learning.

• Practical tools and mindset shifts for parents, including collaborative screen boundaries, digital nutrition vs. restriction, and modeling healthy tech habits.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by the screen-time battle, curious about how to raise your kids in a digital age, or wondering how to support neurodivergent children in navigating online life, this episode offers thoughtful perspective, personal anecdotes, and evidence-informed guidance.

Parent Like a Psychologist is about meeting parents where they are, with empathy, clarity, and strategies that work in the real world—not just the ideal one. So if you’ve ever threatened to bring back the Nokia just to keep your sanity (guilty!), this episode is for you.

Follow me on:

1. Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
2. Facebook: @Leanne Tran
3. Linked In: @leannetranpsychology
   
   

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

In this insightful and reassuring episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, we dive deep into the nuanced relationship between screens, social skills, and our children's development. Leanne candidly shares a funny behind-the-scenes moment (spoiler: technical difficulties!) before expertly guiding parents through the positives and potential pitfalls of screen use in children's social lives. While screens often get a bad reputation, this episode highlights how technology can actually enhance social connection—especially for neurodivergent children—through shared interests, gaming, and online communities.

Leanne discusses key research findings, including the "double empathy problem," and explains why it’s crucial to focus on the quality of online interactions rather than simply limiting screen time. Listeners will learn practical tips for encouraging meaningful online social experiences, spotting early warning signs of screen-related anxiety or depression, and maintaining a healthy balance between virtual and in-person connections.

Referencing expert insights from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, Leanne empowers parents to become "smart guides" in their children's digital worlds. Packed with compassion, humour, and evidence-based advice, this episode offers a balanced and thoughtful perspective on raising socially connected children in a digital age.

Follow me on:

1. Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
2. Facebook: @Leanne Tran
3. Linked In: @leannetranpsychology
   
   

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

Struggling with screen time battles? You’re not alone.

In this episode, psychologist Leanne Tran tackles the modern parenting dilemma: how to set screen limits that stick—without meltdowns or guilt. Discover why neurodivergent children (ADHD, autism) need tailored strategies, how to craft a family media plan everyone follows (yes, even you!), and science-backed hacks to ease transitions (goodbye, tantrums!). Learn why screens aren’t the enemy—just a tool to balance—and get actionable tips for mindful usage, age-appropriate rules, and reclaiming calm.

Perfect for: Parents drowning in digital chaos, craving practical fixes for TikTok obsession, Fortnite marathons, or bedtime scroll battles.

Key Takeaways:

• Why "one-size-fits-all" screen rules fail (and what works instead).

• How to involve children in boundary-setting (spoiler: fewer power struggles!).

• The magic of visual timers and "boring" alternatives that actually work.

👉 Follow/Subscribe for more strategies to parent like a pro—not a referee.

Follow me on:

1. Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
2. Facebook: @Leanne Tran
3. Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au