From Tears to Talking

For many kids, the hardest part of the day isn’t the big stuff — it’s the in-between moments. Moving from playtime to bedtime. Switching from recess back to math. Turning off the TV to sit down for dinner. These small shifts can feel overwhelming, and for some kids, they trigger tears, power struggles, or full-on meltdowns.

In this episode of From Tears to Talking, Ashley Bell unpacks why transitions are so difficult for children, what’s happening in their brains during these moments, and how you can use simple, consistent strategies to make daily shifts smoother for everyone.

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why transitions trigger big emotions in kids
• The hidden role routines and predictability play in behavior
• Step-by-step strategies to make moving between activities calmer and easier
• Practical tools for parents and teachers to use at home, in the classroom, or on the go

👩‍🏫 Perfect for parents, homeschool families, and educators who want fewer battles, smoother routines, and calmer kids during daily transitions.

💡 Free Resource: Grab the companion Transition Strategies Printable, a kid-friendly visual to help guide smoother shifts and reduce meltdowns.

Together, we’ll turn the tears into talking. 💛

👉 Grab this week’s free printable: http://bit.ly/46FvcvZ

👉 Follow Ashley on Instagram: http://bit.ly/4mKafGM

👉 Shop kid-friendly resources on: 

TpT 👉https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/mrs-bell-the-crafty-counselor

Etsy 👉 https://thecraftycounselormb.etsy.com 

The Crafty Counselor Shop👉 https://mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com/shop/

Learn more at mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com 

💛 Let’s go from chaos to connection, together.

Want More? Subscribe and never miss an episode! 

And if today's strategies helped you, please share this episode with a friend or colleague.

Have you ever asked your child a simple question — “Did you brush your teeth?” — and heard a bold “Yes!” … even though the toothbrush is bone dry? 

Lying can spark big emotions on both sides: kids often feel fear, shame, or embarrassment, while parents feel frustrated or betrayed. But here’s the truth — lying is a normal part of child development, and it can actually be a powerful teaching moment.

In this episode of From Tears to Talking, Ashley Bell, school counselor and mom of two, breaks down:
✅ Why kids lie — and the big feelings underneath it
✅ The 4 main types of lies: bold-face, white lies, leaving it out, and adding to it
✅ What not to do when your child lies (and why it backfires)
✅ Practical steps to make honesty feel safe and teachable
✅ How to connect before you correct so your child builds honesty and trust

This week’s freebie is a Sentence Starters activity that helps kids playfully explore truth vs. lies. It’s a fun, hands-on way to start conversations about honesty without lectures or power struggles.

✨ Want to go deeper? My full resource, Types of Lies Town, is a complete lesson with sorting cards, posters, and activities that turn tricky conversations about lying into playful, engaging learning moments.

Together, we’ll turn the tears into talking. 💛

👉 Grab this week’s free printable: http://bit.ly/46FvcvZ

👉 Follow Ashley on Instagram: http://bit.ly/4mKafGM

👉 Shop kid-friendly resources on: 

TpT 👉https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/mrs-bell-the-crafty-counselor

Etsy 👉 https://thecraftycounselormb.etsy.com 

The Crafty Counselor Shop👉 https://mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com/shop/

Learn more at mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com 

💛 Let’s go from chaos to connection, together.

Want More? Subscribe and never miss an episode! 

And if today's strategies helped you, please share this episode with a friend or colleague.

Why do kids seem to “explode” over the smallest things? In this episode of From Tears to Talking, Ashley Bell breaks down anger in kids using the powerful “volcano” metaphor. You’ll learn how anger builds up inside, what warning signs to watch for, and practical, step-by-step calming techniques to help your child cool down before they erupt.

Ashley shares insights from her years as a school counselor and mom of two high-energy kids, giving parents and educators simple, effective tools for handling meltdowns, defiance, and explosive emotions at home or in the classroom.

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why anger builds up like a volcano and what’s happening in your child’s brain and body
• How to spot the early warning signs of an emotional eruption
• Step-by-step calming techniques to prevent meltdowns before they happen
• Ways to build your child’s emotional awareness and coping skills

👩‍🏫 Perfect for parents, homeschool families, and teachers looking for real-world strategies to manage anger, big feelings, and emotional regulation.

You’ll walk away with practical, step-by-step strategies to recognize the early signs of anger, defuse emotional outbursts, and help kids cool down before they “erupt.”

Plus, this week’s free craftivity, the Anger Volcano Printable, helps kids visualize how emotions build up and explore calming techniques in a fun, hands-on way.

👉 Grab this week’s free printable: http://bit.ly/4pjrqAE
 

👉 Follow Ashley on Instagram: http://bit.ly/4mKafGM
 

👉 Shop kid-friendly resources on: 

TpT 👉https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/mrs-bell-the-crafty-counselor

Etsy 👉 https://thecraftycounselormb.etsy.com 

The Crafty Counselor Shop👉 https://mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com/shop/

Learn more at mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com 

💛 Let’s go from chaos to connection, together.

Want More? Subscribe and never miss an episode! 

And if today's strategies helped you, please share this episode with a friend or colleague.

Etsy: https://thecraftycounselormb.etsy.com 

Website: https://mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com/shop/ 

TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/mrs-bell-the-crafty-counselor

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrsbellthecraftycounselor/ 

It stings to hear words like “I hate you!” or “You’re the worst!” from a child you love.

But here’s the truth: those mean words often come from big feelings, not true intentions.

In this episode of From Tears to Talking, Ashley Bell, school counselor and mom of two, breaks down:
✅ Why kids say hurtful things when they’re overwhelmed
✅ The do’s and don’ts of responding in the moment
✅ How to set limits calmly without escalating the situation
✅ What to say later to turn the moment into a teachable one

You’ll walk away with practical, step-by-step strategies you can start using right away at home or in the classroom. 

Plus, this week’s free craftivity, the Calming Strategies Poster, helps kids reflect on the power of using calming strategies in a hands-on, meaningful way.

👉 Grab this week’s free printable: http://bit.ly/3I3Y0FY
 👉 Follow Ashley on Instagram: http://bit.ly/4mKafGM
 👉 Shop kid-friendly resources on: 

TpT 👉https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/mrs-bell-the-crafty-counselor

Etsy 👉 https://thecraftycounselormb.etsy.com 

The Crafty Counselor Shop👉 https://mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com/shop/

Learn more at mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com 

💛 Let’s go from chaos to connection, together.

Want More? Subscribe and never miss an episode! 

And if today's strategies helped you, please share this episode with a friend or colleague.

 ✨ Next Week’s Sneak Peek ✨
Episode 4 dives into Emotional Volcanoes — how anger builds up like lava under the surface, the warning signs to watch for before an eruption, and step-by-step calming techniques to prevent full meltdowns. 

You’ll also get a brand-new printable resource to bring the lesson to life. 

Together, we’ll turn the tears into talking. 💛

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@fromtearstotalking  

Etsy: https://thecraftycounselormb.etsy.com 

Website: https://mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com/shop/ 

TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/mrs-bell-the-crafty-counselor

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrsbellthecraftycounselor/ 

Tired of yelling to get your child to listen? Feel like your only options are giving in or exploding? You're not alone — and this episode is for you.

In Episode 2 of From Tears to Talking, school counselor and mom of two Ashley Bell dives deep into one of the most common parenting and classroom challenges: how to set boundaries and enforce rules without yelling, shaming, or losing your cool.

You’ll learn how to use the 3 C’s of Boundary Setting — Clear, Calm, and Consistent — to create a home or classroom environment that’s safe, predictable, and emotionally supportive. 

Whether you’re dealing with bedtime battles, screen-time struggles, or snack standoffs, this episode gives you practical, real-world tools to stay firm and loving at the same time.

✅ Why boundaries matter (even when kids fight them)
✅ How to be specific with your expectations
✅ The role of emotional regulation for YOU as the adult
✅ How consistency builds trust and decreases power struggles over time
✅ What to say (and not say) when your child pushes back

🎙️ Plus, this week’s free printable activity, the Stop & Go Choices Puzzle Craftivity, gives kids a hands-on way to sort behaviors we want to stop vs. behaviors we want to encourage using a fun traffic light metaphor. 

This low-pressure learning tool makes it easy to teach self-control, emotional regulation, and respectful decision-making at home or school.

💬 Perfect for:

• Parents looking for positive tools
• Homeschool families needing social-emotional learning ideas
• Teachers and school counselors supporting behavior goals
• Anyone ready to stop yelling and start connecting

🎨 Download your FREE printable Stop & Go Choice Puzzle Craftivity here --> http://bit.ly/45YKETD 

Expand Your Toolbox: For even more engaging activities and resources, check out the expanded Stop & Go Bundle. 

If you like this craftivity and want to check out the full resource, you can click to find it in TpT. 

Learn more at mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com or www.fromtearstotalking.com 

💛 Let’s go from chaos to connection—together.

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@fromtearstotalking  

Etsy: https://thecraftycounselormb.etsy.com 

Website: https://mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com/shop/ 

TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/mrs-bell-the-crafty-counselor

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrsbellthecraftycounselor/ 

Want More? Subscribe and never miss an episode! And if today's strategies helped you, please share this episode with a friend or colleague.

🌟 Up Next: Episode 3 – "When Kids Say Mean Things — How to Respond Without Losing It. "

Welcome to the very first episode of From Tears to Talking, the podcast dedicated to parents and educators who want practical solutions for navigating meltdowns, emotional outbursts, and challenging behaviors. Hosted by Ashley Bell—elementary school counselor, curriculum designer, children's book author, and most importantly mom of two—you’ll learn actionable strategies to transform chaos into calm, connected moments with your kids.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why emotional outbursts happen—understand the science behind meltdowns and why traditional discipline often falls short.
• A 3-Step Method to handle meltdowns effectively:
  1. Regulate – Help your child calm down first with practical strategies.
  2. Connect – Use empathy and understanding to reconnect with your child.
  3. Talk it Out – Build emotional intelligence by reflecting and problem-solving together.
• A relatable story of Ashley’s own parenting moment—the infamous block tower meltdown—and how calm connection made all the difference.

Bring this week’s lesson to life with our Calm Down Toolbox craftivity! 

This fun, interactive activity helps your child identify and practice calming strategies in a tangible way.

🎨 Download your FREE printable Calm Down Toolbox Craftivity here

If you're a visual learner, check out the YouTube demo of this craftivity here --> (coming soon)

Expand Your Toolbox: For even more engaging activities and resources, check out the expanded Calm Down Toolbox in The Crafty Counselor store or TheCraftyCounselorMB Etsy shop.

If you like this craftivity and want to check out the full resource, you can click to find it in The Crafty Counselor Store, TpT, or Etsy. 

🎧 New episodes drop weekly.

Learn more at mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com or www.fromtearstotalking.com 

💛 Let’s go from chaos to connection—together.

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@fromtearstotalking  

Etsy: https://thecraftycounselormb.etsy.com 

Website: https://mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com/shop/ 

TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/mrs-bell-the-crafty-counselor

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrsbellthecraftycounselor/ 

Want More? Subscribe and never miss an episode! And if today's strategies helped you, please share this episode with a friend or colleague.

🌟 Up Next: Episode 2 – "How to Set Boundaries Without Yelling." Learn practical tips for setting limits effectively without raising your voice or losing your cool.

Stay calm, stay connected, and remember—your presence is powerful. 

Are you ready to start the journey from tears to talking?

Are you a parent, homeschooler, or educator looking for real, practical help with emotional outbursts, tantrums, or behavior challenges at home? You’re in the right place. Welcome to From Tears to Talking—the podcast that helps you turn tearful moments with kids into talk-it-out opportunities.

I’m your host, Ashley Bell—school counselor, mom of two, and creator of Mrs. Bell The Crafty Counselor. Each week, I’ll share step-by-step behavior strategies, calming tools, and a free hands-on craftivity that actually helps kids build emotional regulation skills. Whether you're dealing with tricky transitions, anger, or anxiety, this show gives you real solutions you can use right away.

✅ Subscribe now for:

• Emotional regulation tips for kids
• Behavior strategies for parents & homeschoolers
• Printable SEL activities and craftivities
• Counselor-approved parenting support
• Quick wins for meltdowns, defiance, and big feelings

 🎧 New episodes drop weekly.

Learn more at mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com or www.fromtearstotalking.com 

💛 Let’s go from chaos to connection—together.

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@fromtearstotalking 

Etsy: https://thecraftycounselormb.etsy.com 

Website: https://mrsbellthecraftycounselor.com/shop/ 

TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/mrs-bell-the-crafty-counselor

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrsbellthecraftycounselor/ 

https://www.instagram.com/fromtearstotalkingg/