Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection)

Is it true what they say? "Kids are resilient; they'll be fine!"

We're diving into that very question in today's episode, plus three essential steps for supporting your child through challenging times.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• What resilience actually is
• 2 key ingredients for building resilience
• Common myths and mistakes parents make when supporting kids through hard times
• 3 things you can do today to help you raise resilient kids (without "losing your cool" or crushing their spirit)

NOTE: This episode is a replay from my popular guest webinar on this very topic, hosted by Fresh Starts Registry － a fabulous divorce support network full of resources for any stage of divorce.

Related resources:

⭐️ Fresh Starts Registry: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/

⭐️ Free resources from Dr. Gila: parentingwithconnection.com/freshstarts

Related episodes:

🎙️ 2. Keeping Your Cool: Emotion Regulation for Parents

🎙️ 6. 2 Reasons You Can't "Calm" Your Way Out of the Hard Stuff

🎙️ 7. Why Kids "Lose It": What's Beneath the Big Behaviors

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❤️ Enrollment is open for Coaching Circles! Only 3 spots per Circle. 👉 parentingwithconnection.com/circles

❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

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CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: [email protected]

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©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

Back-to-school season is here! And for parents of complex kids, the new notebooks and backpacks often come with a side of anxiety and angst.

This week I'm joined by Scotti Weintraub, host of the Unlocking School Success podcast, to talk about tips for setting you and your kids setting up a thriving new year.

You'll hear:

• The low-lift inventory that tells you more about last year than any report card (and why your kid is the best source)
• How to reach out to a new teacher so it lands as partnership, not a list of demands
• The tip that keeps you from firehosing the teacher on day one
• How to send that email even when part of you is scared of being "that parent"
• ...and more.

RELATED EPISODES:

🎙️ 34. Supporting Your Neurodivergent Learner at School and at Home (with Dr. Emily King)

🎙️ 25. Strength-Based Parenting & Schooling for Gifted and Neurodivergent Kids (with Sam Young)

ABOUT SCOTTI

Scotti Weintraub, MA, founder of Reframe Parenting, is a parent coach, school navigator, problem-solver, and podcast host. Parenting her own 2 teens has taught her about unexpected things like anxiety, ADHD, learning disabilities, and the exhausting process of advocating with schools. She helps other parents through the noise, understand what their child’s needs really are, and finally feel confident walking into school conversations that used to feel impossible.

👉 Website: www.reframeparenting.com

👉 Podcast: Unlocking School Success

👉 IG | Threads

👉 Free resource: The School Support Superpower Quiz

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❤️ Enrollment is open for Coaching Circles! Only 3 spots per Circle. 👉 parentingwithconnection.com/circles

❤️ FREE guide: Tantrums, & Meltdowns, & Rages...Oh My! The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

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CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: [email protected]

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©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

An encore episode, just in time for back-to-school season!

But first...

🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide

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If you can't reach 'em, you can't teach 'em. That's true whether we're talking about math class or tying shoes.

No one knows this more than Dr. Emily King, a school psychologist, child psychologist, and author of the upcoming book The Neurodivergent Learner.

In this episode, we dig into why the system was never really designed for kids like yours, and what that means for you at home and at school.

You'll hear...

• Why your kid struggles in traditional school systems
• What skill readiness actually looks like, and how to stop pushing at the wrong moment
• Why kids lose skills they already have, and when to worry vs. wait
• How to talk to your child's teacher in ways that actually move things forward
• Why academic achievement and "success" are not the same thing

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

👉 The Neurodivergent Learner (available for pre-order)

👉 Learn with Dr. Emily, on Substack (30-day free trial)

RELATED EPISODES:

🎙️ 25. Strength-Based Parenting & Schooling for Gifted and Neurodivergent Kids (with Sam Young)

🎙️ 28. Executive Functioning: The brain skills behind your kid's "lazy" or "difficult" behavior (with Carrie Bonnett)

ABOUT DR. EMILY

Dr. Emily King is a Child Psychologist and former School Psychologist who has worked with neurodivergent children and teens for over 20 years. Dr. Emily hosts the Learn with Dr. Emily Substack, and is the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom®, a professional development curriculum for educators. Dr. Emily’s new book, THE NEURODIVERGENT LEARNER, is available for pre-order.

👉 www.learnwithdremily.com

👉 Substack | Podcast

👉 Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

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CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: [email protected]

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

A fan favorite — back for the summer!

But first...

🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide

Boundaries! Parents talk about this A LOT. But are we actually talking about the same thing?

In this episode, Dr. Gila breaks down the three distinct concepts that get lumped together into the term "boundaries," and why getting clear on the difference isn't just semantic.

In this episode:

• The difference between boundaries, limits, and expectations...and why it matters.
• The key ingredients for boundaries that work.
• How to increase cooperation without compromising connection.
• What to ask yourself when you're not sure whether to "hold a boundary."

Related resources:

⭐️ Episode 7. Why Kids "Lose It": What's Beneath the Big Behaviors

⭐️ Episode 9. Power Struggles with Neurodivergent Kids: Beyond the Battles, with Dr. Danika Maddocks

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: [email protected]

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

A fan favorite — back for the summer!

But first...

🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide

Parent burnout is real, and it’s not just about being tired. In this powerful conversation with Low-Demand Parenting author Amanda Diekman, we explore what parent burnout really means, and how to find your way back to yourself.

If you’ve been running on empty or wondering how to keep going when you’re already at your limit, this one’s for you.

Connect with Amanda Diekman:

Amanda is a late diagnosed PDA autistic adult, parent coach, and author of the book Low Demand Parenting, published July 2023. Amanda runs a successful coaching practice for parents of neurodivergent children, offering a variety of online courses. She is the host of Low Demand Parenting podcast. She lives with her husband and three neurodivergent children in an intentional community in Durham, NC.

WEBSITE: www.amandadiekman.com

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lowdemandamanda/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lowdemandamanda/

PODCAST: Low-Demand Parenting

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CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: [email protected]

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

A fan favorite — back for the summer!

But first...

🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide

You’ve done the deep breathing and tried every self-regulation trick in the book...So why does single-parenting still feel so freaking hard?!

In this episode, Dr. Gila shares two often overlooked pieces of the puzzle, and why a parent's self-regulation, while essential, isn’t the whole answer (especially when single-parenting a strong-willed or neurodivergent child!).

Tune in to hear:

• The limits of self-regulation (and why that’s not your fault)

• How to find acceptance without giving up hope

• The missing “kid piece” that changes everything

Resources mentioned in this episode:

👉 Free guide: Tantrums and Meltdowns and Rages, Oh My! The Single Parent’s Guide to Understanding Challenging Behaviors.

👉 Episode 2: Keeping Your Cool: Emotion Regulation for Parents

👉 Episode 3: Parent burnout: Radical shifts to survive and thrive, with Amanda Diekman

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: [email protected]

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

A fan favorite — back for the summer!

But first...

🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide

Why does your kid push back so hard, even over simple stuff? And how can you break free of these battles so life doesn't feel like a trek through molasses?

Power struggles may be the bane of your existence, but they're also a glimpse into your kid's brain. Join Dr. Gila and her guest, Dr. Danika Maddocks, an expert in parenting gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) kids, for a deep dive into this incredibly common (and incredibly frustrating!) parenting challenge.

In this episode:

• What power struggles are actually telling you about your child’s needs (and their nervous system).
• Why gifted, 2e, and neurodivergent kids may push back harder and more often, even when they “know better.”
• The common piece of parenting advice that often backfires, and what to do instead.
• One small phrase that can defuse tension and model emotional flexibility.

Related resources:

⭐️ From Dr. Danika Maddocks: Reduce Power Struggles with Your Gifted/2e Kid

⭐️ From Dr. Gila: The single parent's guide to understanding challenging behaviors

About Dr. Danika Maddocks

Dr. Danika Maddocks is a gifted/2e parent coach and owner of The Gifted Learning Lab. She helps parents let go of standard parenting advice – that doesn’t work and often makes things worse - and build a unique family life that actually works for their kid and themselves. Her approach is rooted in the neurodiversity paradigm and is informed by 15+ years of supporting gifted/2e families as a teacher, therapist, researcher, and consultant - plus personal experiences growing up gifted, recognizing her own twice-exceptionality, and raising a young gifted/2e kid.

👉 WEBSITE: https://www.giftedlearninglab.com/

👉 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/giftedlearninglab/

👉 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/giftedlearninglab

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: [email protected]

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

A fan favorite — back for the summer!

But first...

🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide

If the idea of “being playful” with your kid makes you want to crawl into a cave, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Dr. Gila talks with Mia Wisinski from Playful Heart Parenting, who has a seemingly endless bucket of low-effort, high-connection ideas for sneaking silliness into the cracks of real-life parenting… even when you’re wiped.

You'll hear:

• Why play feels so hard for so many of us adults (including me!).
• How to tap into even the tiniest spark of silliness when you're running on fumes.
• Why playfulness can actually save you time, energy, and headaches.
• Simple ideas you can try today...from your couch!

And yes… there will be fart noises. Consider yourself warned.

Related resources:

⭐️ FREE Play Break Bingo from Playful Heart Parenting

About Mia and Playful Heart Parenting

Mia is a theater educator, performer, songwriter, and more — but her favorite role by far is being Mommy to Zal and Novi, and “Mama Mia” (stepmom) to Aliya.

Mia is deeply passionate about play, creativity, and laughter. Since starting Playful Heart Parenting in 2023, she's connected with hundreds of thousands of parents who are looking to bring more lightness, humor, and connection into everyday life.

Her mission is simple: to help families create more joyful, meaningful moments through laughter — even on the busiest days and in the hardest seasons.

👉 WEBSITE: http://www.playfulheartparenting.com/

👉 INSTAGRAM: @playfulheartparenting

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: [email protected]

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

A fan favorite — back for the summer!

But first...

🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide

Snapping at your kids more than you’d like? Or do they keep "losing it," with tantrums and meltdowns that seem to come out of nowhere and leave you walking on eggshells?

In this episode, Dr. Gila shares her signature framework for understanding emotion regulation. It’s a simple visual and a powerful tool for kids and adults alike. And it just might change how you see yourself and your child.

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: [email protected]

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

A fan favorite — back for the summer!

But first...

🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide

When your child can't get started, loses everything, or shuts down, it's easy to blame attitude. But what looks like "lazy" or "defiant" behavior might actually be related to executive functioning.

In this episode, executive functioning coach Carrie Bonnett and I break down the brain skills behind your child's struggles at school and at home, and what you can actually do about it.

You'll hear:

• What is "executive functioning," and why is it so important?
• The language shift that changes how you - and your child! - interpret their difficulties
• Why your struggles as a parent might actually be an asset
• How to help your child build the skills they need to navigate daily life with more ease
• Where to start when everything feels like a battle

RELATED RESOURCES:

👉 FREE from Carrie: Task Initiation Toolkit

👉 Episode 22: The Superpower Every Parent Has (And How to Use It for Good)

ABOUT CARRIE BONNETT

Carrie Bonnett is a veteran teacher, lifelong list-maker, and Executive Function coach based in Bend, Oregon. She works with students and families around the country using a practical, no-shame, brain-first approach that empowers students to thrive, helps parents and teachers better support them, and gives adults tools to stay on top of all that life requires.

In addition to coaching, Carrie creates digital resources, including her signature course Get the Brain on Board and a series of No-Shame Guides for Parents. She also provides brain-based workshops and trainings for parents, teachers, and other professionals. And she is an adjunct instructor at the University of Portland, where she supports early-career teachers.

👉 Website: www.carriebonnett.com

👉 Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

CONNECT WITH DR. GILA

👉 Join the newsletter for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox.

🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com

✉️ E-mail: [email protected]

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content.

Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).