Low Demand Parenting

I respond to a question from a parent navigating a painful dilemma: when a child is really struggling in school, how do we know when it’s time to pull them out? I explore two intertwined questions—how to recognize when it’s truly “too much,” and how to care for ourselves in the aftermath of such a big, life-changing decision. I share tools for tuning into our child’s nervous system, identifying red flags, and listening to our own inner knowing. I also talk about how to create sustainable routines, even in the chaos of burnout and unpredictability. This is an episode for anyone in the limbo of indecision, wondering if it’s “bad enough yet.” You are not alone.

Additional Resources:

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The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you! 

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Robyn Gobbel, trauma therapist and author of Big Baffling Behaviors. Together, we explore how to talk to our kids about their brains, why it matters so much, and how understanding our nervous systems helps us parent with compassion and connection. Robyn shares her Owl, Watchdog, and Possum framework—a playful and accessible way to explain our brain states—and we dive deep into how nervous system science can transform the way we understand our kids’ struggles, our own reactions, and the path to healing for the whole family. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt baffled by their child’s behavior and longed for a way to explain the unexplainable—with love, curiosity, and a lot less shame.

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LINKS FOR MORE DETAILS:

• Robyn Gobbel’s website: https://robyngobbel.com

• Robyn’s book Big Baffling Behaviors: https://robyngobbel.com/book

• Polyvagal Theory by Dr. Stephen Porges: https://www.stephenporges.com

• Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model: https://www.neurosequential.com

When I started practicing low demand parenting, it wasn’t because I read a book or found a perfect system. It was because our family hit a wall—and nothing else was working. One of the very first mindset shifts that saved me, and continues to guide me every single day, is this: shifting from won’t to can’t.

This episode is all about that shift—from believing our kids (or ourselves) won’t do something, to realizing they can’t in this moment. I unpack:

If you’ve ever thought, “They won’t just put their shoes on, they won’t go to bed without me, they won’t do their homework,” this episode is for you. Let’s rethink it together.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

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Previous episode: What is Low Demand Parenting?

Toileting struggles, periods, and body care—these are some of the trickiest internal demands our kids face. When a child refuses to wear a seatbelt, smears poop, or struggles with managing their period, how do we support them in a way that respects their nervous system while still meeting real needs?

In this episode, I break down:

 • What internal demands are and why they can be so distressing for neurodivergent kids

 • How burnout impacts basic needs like sleep, eating, and toileting

 • Why forcing solutions backfires—and how to approach these struggles through support, not control

 • Creative, low-demand ways to navigate seatbelt struggles, poop smearing, and period care

 • How parents can reduce their own stress while supporting kids who struggle with bodily functions

This episode is for every parent who’s felt like, “I can’t drop this demand, but I also can’t keep fighting this battle.”

Additional Resources:

Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more! 

The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you! 

How do you create a low-demand partnership while raising neurodivergent kids? This week, I sit down with Lindsay and Daryl Flanagan—fellow low-demand parents—who share their journey of shifting from traditional parenting to a more intuitive, needs-centered approach. We explore how dropping demands for each other and for our children has transformed their relationship and family life.

In this episode, we discuss:

✔️ Letting go of traditional expectations in relationships and parenting.

✔️ Navigating marriage when one or both partners are neurodivergent.

✔️ The power of humor, shorthand phrases, and texting in low-demand communication.

✔️ How to balance needs and avoid resentment in a partnership.

✔️ Understanding PDA in both kids and adults—and how it impacts relationships.

✔️ Why acknowledging capacity (not intent) is key to mutual respect.

If you’re wondering how to create a partnership that thrives alongside parenting neurodivergent kids, this episode is for you! 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

More Resources:

Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more! 

The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, I dive into the essential work of teaching our kids to trust themselves, even when the world tells them otherwise. Using real-life examples, I share how traditional parenting approaches—like pushing through discomfort or faking calm—can break trust and escalate stress. Instead, I advocate for dropping the demands, honoring a child’s “no,” and embracing co-regulation as a path to healing and connection.

You’ll learn:

This episode is a permission slip to drop the weight of perfectionism and embrace honest, boundaried, and compassionate parenting.

Episode Resources:

In this listener mailbag episode, I tackle the tough questions about phase two of burnout recovery—what I call Curious but No Capacity. This is the messy middle where your child starts to re-engage with the world but lacks the skills or energy to follow through fully. I explore:

Key Takeaways:

Find More About Low Demand:

Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more! 

The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you! 

In this honest and heartfelt conversation with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Emma Svanberg, known online as the "Mumologist," we explore the intersection of grief and parenting. Emma shares her journey from studying attachment theory to supporting parents in navigating the overwhelming pressures of modern parenting. Together, we unpack the grief that arises when reality doesn’t match our idealized parenting fantasies, the importance of slowing down, and the power of self-compassion.

Emma and Amanda discuss:

This episode is an invitation to honor the messy, beautiful, and deeply human work of parenting—and to give yourself grace along the way.

Links Mentioned:

Additional Resources:

Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more! 

The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

In a lovely and inspiring conversation on The Low Demand Parenting Podcast, Amanda Diekman sits down with Iris Chen, founder of Untigering, to discuss her journey from authoritarian parenting to a radically respectful and connected approach. Together, they explore:

Iris shares her personal story, the challenges of parenting in countercultural ways, and the importance of living your values to inspire change. Whether you're navigating parenting, breaking cycles, or creating your own family culture, this episode will leave you inspired to step into radical acceptance and connection.

Aligning With Yourself: Break free from 'shoulds.' Step into your power.

This innovative course about letting go of the guilt, shame, and “shoulds” that keep us stuck in an identity that no longer serves us. With insightful journaling pages, fresh mindfulness exercises, and engaging rituals, this course is for parents who are tired of performing, tired of people-pleasing, and ready to reclaim their energy, their identity, and their truth.

Main Topics Discussed:

Resources Mentioned:

Additional Resources:

Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more! 

The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Burnout can feel endless and all-consuming, both for children experiencing it and for the parents navigating it alongside them. In this solo episode, I’m sharing four key steps to understand and support your child’s journey out of burnout. We’ll tackle common misconceptions, unpack what burnout truly is, and explore how to create a healing cocoon of safety and love. I’ll also outline the stages of recovery and offer practical tools to meet your child where they are. Burnout is challenging, but it’s also transformative—and together, we can embrace this journey with compassion, hope, and acceptance.

Aligning With Yourself: Break free from 'shoulds.' Step into your power.

This innovative course about letting go of the guilt, shame, and “shoulds” that keep us stuck in an identity that no longer serves us. With insightful journaling pages, fresh mindfulness exercises, and engaging rituals, this course is for parents who are tired of performing, tired of people-pleasing, and ready to reclaim their energy, their identity, and their truth.

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

Additional Resources:

Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more! 

The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!