Climbing Fish Parenting

You've said "calm down" a thousand times.

It never works.

Your child is drowning in their emotions, and you feel completely helpless because nothing you try makes it better.

Here's what's actually happening: Your child isn't choosing to stay dysregulated. They literally cannot calm themselves down in that moment. Their thinking brain is offline, and they need YOU to help them regulate. This is called co-regulation—and it's the most important parenting skill you'll ever learn.

In this episode, you'll discover:

- Why "calm down" makes meltdowns worse (and what actually works)

- The neuroscience behind why your child can't think or reason when they're escalated

- Exactly how to co-regulate at every age (toddlers through teens)

- Why this strategy is a game-changer for ADHD and autistic kids

- What to do when your child won't let you near them during a meltdown

By the end of this episode, you'll understand how to use your calm nervous system to help your child's dysregulated nervous system settle—and why this is the foundation for every other parenting strategy you'll ever use.

www.climbingfishparenting.com

Your kid isn't broken. Your parenting isn't broken. Sometimes we're just asking our fish to climb trees. That's what we fix here.

Dr. Kristi

Halloween is supposed to be fun—but if you're dreading tonight instead of looking forward to it, you're not alone.

For kids with ADHD, autism, sensory processing challenges, or anxiety, Halloween can be a perfect storm: scratchy costumes, unpredictable social interactions, scary decorations, and complete sensory overload.

In this bonus episode, you'll discover:

• Why Halloween is so overwhelming for neurodivergent kids (hint: it's their nervous system, not bad behavior)

• How developmental age affects what your child can handle—and why that matters

• Practical ways to modify costumes, timing, and expectations

• Permission to skip trick-or-treating entirely (yes, really)

• How to create new traditions that actually work for YOUR family

The goal isn't Instagram-perfect memories. It's keeping your kid regulated and your family intact. There's no "right way" to do Halloween—only what works for your fish.

Resources mentioned: Get more practical strategies at www.climbingfishparenting.com

Your kid isn't broken. Your parenting isn't broken. Sometimes we're just asking our fish to climb trees. That's what we fix here.

If your child "never listens" or you're constantly repeating yourself—the problem might not be defiance. It might be that your expectations aren't clear.

"Clean your room." "Be good at Grandma's." "Use good manners."

These feel like clear instructions, but to your child's brain, they're guessing games. And when kids don't know exactly what success looks like, they fail—over and over again.

In this episode, you'll discover:

- Why "clean up" and "be good" set everyone up for failure

- The three parts every clear expectation needs (most parents skip part 3)

- How to introduce clear expectations if you've been vague for years

- Why this strategy is essential for ADHD, autism, and anxious kids

- The real-life dinner table expectation that ended chaos in my own home

By the end of this episode, you'll know how to set crystal-clear expectations your child can actually follow—and why this one shift reduces power struggles, builds confidence, and teaches life-long executive functioning skills.

www.climbingfishparenting.com

Your kid isn't broken. Your parenting isn't broken. Sometimes we're just asking our fish to climb trees. That's what we fix here.

Does your child ignore you until you've repeated yourself five times? You're not alone—and it's not about defiance.

In this episode, Dr. Kristi breaks down the 7 reasons kids don't follow directions the first time, including:

- Why "get ready" and "be good" confuse their brains - The sneaky ways you're accidentally inviting negotiation - How asking instead of telling undermines your authority - Why they get more attention for NOT listening (and how to flip it) - The exact timing for explanations that eliminates power struggles

You'll walk away with concrete strategies you can use today to reset the pattern and get cooperation without repeating yourself.

Bonus: Sign up for the newsletter at www.climbingfishparenting.com to get 3 additional first-time listening strategies not covered in this episode.

Your kid isn't broken. Your parenting isn't broken. Sometimes we're just asking our fish to climb trees—and that's what we fix here.

I'm Dr. Kristi, a psychologist and behavior analyst, and here's what I need you to know: Your kid isn't broken. Your parenting isn't broken. Sometimes, we're just asking our fish to climb trees.

If you have a child who's wired differently and just doesn't respond to typical parenting strategies—this show is for you. In every episode, I'm giving you practical, actionable strategies rooted in behavioral science that work WITH your child's unique wiring, not against it.

No fluff. No judgment. Just real tools for real parents navigating real challenges.

Full episodes launch on October 20th. Hit subscribe now so you don't miss our first episode where we're diving into the real reason your kid doesn't listen the first time (hint: it's probably not what you think).

Let's stop trying to make your fish climb trees—and start helping them swim.