Why are we triggered when our kids "copy bad behavior"?

It has a lot to do with the stories we tell ourselves about the way they're acting.

If we shift our perspective just slightly, we can reduce conflict AND build the emotional regulation muscle in our children.

Here's what Heidi covers in this podcast, taken from a live Q&A call in her parenting program:

• Why the stories we tell ourselves can increase conflict with our kids
• The hidden reason why our bodies switch to 'fight-or-flight' when we think we're being manipulated
• What our children *actually* need when it seems like they're *choosing* difficult behavior

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Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minute quiz *https://heidilinks.com/quiz-pod*

At the end, you'll receive a free, in-depth report containing a bunch of insights and helpful strategies to meet their unique needs!

--

If you find this episode helpful, please don't forget to rate and subscribe.

It helps grow the channel and reach more people who need the unique tools for navigating parenthood with a strong-willed or neurodivergent child

--

Connect With Me

YouTube: https://heidilinks.com/pod-yt
Facebook: https://heidilinks.com/pod-fb
Instagram: https://heidilinks.com/pod-ig
Speaking events: https://heidilinks.com/pod-speaking

What if the secret to parenting an ADHD child isn’t trying harder—but trying differently?

It makes sense when you think about it.

ADHD brains are wired differently, and so are their challenges. ADHD coach Sharon Collon shares her journey from chaos to calm and how you can tailor solutions to your family’s unique needs.

After spending over $30,000 in her son's first year post-diagnosis and developing an autoimmune condition from burnout, Sharon discovered that success comes not from trying harder, but from trying *differently*.

In this episode of Tell The Others, Heidi and Sharon dive deep into the surprising strategies that work for ADHD families while avoiding shame and overwhelm.

• Transform your approach to daily life with systems designed for ADHD brains.
• Discover why traditional parenting advice fails ADHD families and what actually works.
• Uncover the real reasons behind ADHD behaviors and how to address them.

Timecodes

00:00 - Introducing Sharon Collon.

01:33 - Sharon's ADHD origin story.

07:54 - The gift of lived experience.

17:05 - What is ADHD coaching?

25:17 - One-handed systems.

38:44 - Working with your brain.

41:50 - Five ADHD parenting tips.

52:37 - Connection over correction.

1:04:54 - Limiting beliefs about ADHD.

1:11:05 - How to take action.


About Sharon

Sharon is an award winning, credentialed ADHD Coach, Consultant & Parent Expert (who is families trained). She is passionate about helping people with ADHD understand how their brain works and creating joyful, functional lives with ADHD.  She loves anything that makes life easier with ADHD!

Her husband and her three sons all have ADHD (throw in some Tourettes, ODD, OCD, SPD and SLD too).    

As well as Sharon's lived experience, she has been researching ADHD for over 15 years, studied at ADDCA in New York and the International Coaching Federation.

Sharon has runs on the board, assisting over 35,000 families since The Functional Family was created.  Sharon has won multiple awards including Business Awards - Outstanding Education Service, AusMumpreneur - Disabled Business Excellence, People's Choice Leadership, People's Choice Making a Difference and the Cook's Community Award.

Learn more about Sharon's membership, ADHD & Families Program, and free resources -> https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/work-with-me

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Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minute quiz *https://heidilinks.com/quiz-pod*

At the end, you'll receive a free, in-depth report containing a bunch of insights and helpful strategies to meet their unique needs!

--

If you find this episode helpful, please don't forget to rate and subscribe.

It helps grow the channel and reach more people who need the unique tools for navigating parenthood with a strong-willed or neurodivergent child

--

Connect With Me

YouTube: https://heidilinks.com/pod-yt
Facebook: https://heidilinks.com/pod-fb
Instagram: https://heidilinks.com/pod-ig
Speaking events: https://heidilinks.com/pod-speaking

Ever feel like your SPICY kid is allergic to the word "no"?

They're actually wired to struggle with three things that make it *look* like they're being difficult 'on purpose' (when it's really just their brain asking for help).

Tune in for a perspective shift to help you parent with less stress and more connection.

Explore why spicy kids struggle with “no” (and how to set boundaries that stick).
Understand why connection is like oxygen for them, and what you can do about it.
Learn the SPICY framework that’s transformed thousands of families around the world.

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Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minute quiz *https://heidilinks.com/quiz-pod*

At the end, you'll receive a free, in-depth report containing a bunch of insights and helpful strategies to meet their unique needs!

--

If you find this episode helpful, please don't forget to rate and subscribe.

It helps grow the channel and reach more people who need the unique tools for navigating parenthood with a strong-willed or neurodivergent child

--

Connect With Me

YouTube: https://heidilinks.com/pod-yt
Facebook: https://heidilinks.com/pod-fb
Instagram: https://heidilinks.com/pod-ig
Speaking events: https://heidilinks.com/pod-speaking

Dental anxiety isn't just about teeth — it's also about feeling powerless.

It's a topic I covered on a recent Prism Perspective call.

Tune in to learn...
 
• How to help your child understand their anxiety

• Simple strategies to make dental visits less traumatic

• Why lying about pain backfires (and what to say instead)

• Ways to empower your child with choice and control

--

Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minute quiz *https://heidilinks.com/quiz-pod*

At the end, you'll receive a free, in-depth report containing a bunch of insights and helpful strategies to meet their unique needs!

--

If you find this episode helpful, please don't forget to rate and subscribe.

It helps grow the channel and reach more people who need the unique tools for navigating parenthood with a strong-willed or neurodivergent child

--

Connect With Me

YouTube: https://heidilinks.com/pod-yt
Facebook: https://heidilinks.com/pod-fb
Instagram: https://heidilinks.com/pod-ig
Speaking events: https://heidilinks.com/pod-speaking

'Does everyone need therapy?'

It's kind of like asking 'does everyone need deodorant'?

Not strictly.

BUT...

Do you remember your last train ride on a summer day?

Or that Uber trip? Or the customs line at the airport?

Yechh...

The sights, the sounds... the... smells.

Body odor (and lack of deodorant!) in a small space is kind of like our emotional struggles and unresolved traumas.

Both have an impact on the people around us, and we often don't even realize it!
 
The thing to remember is that therapy benefits everyone, not just people with severe trauma.

And one of the best things we can do for our children is investing in our own mental health.

By addressing our own issues, we create a healthier, more stable environment for our family to thrive in.

Join me on this hot take to find out why, and learn what you can do about it.

Timecodes

00:00 - Misconceptions about therapy
00:54 - Therapy as a family gift
01:23 - Understanding childhood trauma
01:58 - Recognizing personal trauma
02:56 - Addressing childhood beliefs
03:50 - Benefits for everyone

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Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minute quiz *https://heidilinks.com/quiz-pod*

At the end, you'll receive a free, in-depth report containing a bunch of insights and helpful strategies to meet their unique needs!

--

If you find this episode helpful, please don't forget to rate and subscribe.

It helps grow the channel and reach more people who need the unique tools for navigating parenthood with a strong-willed or neurodivergent child

--

Connect With Me

YouTube: https://heidilinks.com/pod-yt
Facebook: https://heidilinks.com/pod-fb
Instagram: https://heidilinks.com/pod-ig
Speaking events: https://heidilinks.com/pod-speaking

I don't know about you, but I like to imagine parenting as a marathon, not a sprint ‍♀️

But it's hard to think long-term when every day feels like a race to the finish line.

It's like the parenting version Groundhog Day...

…we roll into bed exhausted, disconnected, frustrated, and anxious because we KNOW we're only hours away from doing it all again

So, here's a little secret…

By making small changes to the way we parent each day, the wins start to rack up - fast.

And in the process, we create a beautiful legacy for future generations.

That's how you become a cycle breaker - by modelling a new way of parenting for your children, your grandchildren and beyond.

So where do we start? A great place is learning how to fill your child's 'buckets'.

This builds a solid foundation of love and understanding while preparing them to be amazing parents themselves one day.

Unpack the buckets analogy with me to learn the 3 tools you can use to help your child feel 'ok', connected and respected (which leads to better behavior and greater emotional regulation!).

Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
00:19 - What are the buckets?
04:45 - Being a cycle breaker
05:23 - The source of resistance
06:56 - The buckets: breakdown
08:37 - The source of power struggles

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Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minute quiz *https://heidilinks.com/quiz-pod*

At the end, you'll receive a free, in-depth report containing a bunch of insights and helpful strategies to meet their unique needs!

--

If you find this episode helpful, please don't forget to rate and subscribe.

It helps grow the channel and reach more people who need the unique tools for navigating parenthood with a strong-willed or neurodivergent child

--

Connect With Me

YouTube: https://heidilinks.com/pod-yt
Facebook: https://heidilinks.com/pod-fb
Instagram: https://heidilinks.com/pod-ig
Speaking events: https://heidilinks.com/pod-speaking

If you're battling your teenager over late-night phone sessions, you're not alone!

In this episode, Heidi shares why phone and tech boundaries are especially tricky for strong-willed and neurodivergent kids (you know - the SPICY children who don't respond to 'traditional' parenting techniques ).

Learn how to identify what's really driving their behavior and unpack strategies for compromise that work for everyone.

Here's the question Heidi received for Q&A from a mom in the Prism Perspective community:

"My 13-year-old SPICY child thinks she should be able to determine her bedtime, which would be anywhere up to 3am if I let her on school nights.

"When do we enforce a ‘phones off’ policy with a SPICY child?"

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Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minute quiz *https://heidilinks.com/quiz-pod*

At the end, you'll receive a free, in-depth report containing a bunch of insights and helpful strategies to meet their unique needs!

--

If you find this episode helpful, please don't forget to rate and subscribe.

It helps grow the channel and reach more people who need the unique tools for navigating parenthood with a strong-willed or neurodivergent child

--

Connect With Me

YouTube: https://heidilinks.com/pod-yt
Facebook: https://heidilinks.com/pod-fb
Instagram: https://heidilinks.com/pod-ig
Speaking events: https://heidilinks.com/pod-speaking

When we're trying to improve our emotional wellbeing, we usually focus on the present or the future.

But what if the key to healing and feeling ‘whole’ is actually in our past?

That's where reparenting comes in.

Reparenting is about connecting with and caring for your inner child—the part of you that holds the memories and feelings from your early experiences.

Sound a little ‘woo woo’... or… maybe super-interesting?

Either way, this deep-dive coaching session with Leigh (one of our team members) will give you tonnes of insight into reparenting, understanding and practicing self-compassion, and breaking the glass of what we think we know about ourselves.

--

Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minute quiz *https://heidilinks.com/quiz-pod*

At the end, you'll receive a free, in-depth report containing a bunch of insights and helpful strategies to meet their unique needs!

--

If you find this episode helpful, please don't forget to rate and subscribe.

It helps grow the channel and reach more people who need the unique tools for navigating parenthood with a strong-willed or neurodivergent child

--

Connect With Me

YouTube: https://heidilinks.com/pod-yt
Facebook: https://heidilinks.com/pod-fb
Instagram: https://heidilinks.com/pod-ig
Speaking events: https://heidilinks.com/pod-speaking

Parenting a SPICY child is often lonely, exhausting, isolating and overwhelming.

I know because I have a SPICY child myself, and I see ya’ll in private practice every week

We live in a society that says children should all fit into a neat little box of behavior and personality… and if they don’t… well… it must be the parents’ fault!

But most of society has no clue what it’s like to parent a SPICY child!

Join me as I break down some of the myths surrounding self-compassion, and why making it a habit will forever change your life (like, in a positive way! ).

There’s also a little exercise at the end if you’d like to give this whole ‘self-compassion thing’ a try.

--

Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minute quiz *https://heidilinks.com/quiz-pod*

At the end, you'll receive a free, in-depth report containing a bunch of insights and helpful strategies to meet their unique needs!

--

If you find this episode helpful, please don't forget to rate and subscribe.

It helps grow the channel and reach more people who need the unique tools for navigating parenthood with a strong-willed or neurodivergent child

--

Connect With Me

YouTube: https://heidilinks.com/pod-yt
Facebook: https://heidilinks.com/pod-fb
Instagram: https://heidilinks.com/pod-ig
Speaking events: https://heidilinks.com/pod-speaking

Heidi answers the following question in this episode:

"Hi Heidi, why doesn’t positive parenting work on my spicy 8 year old? My 10 year old is so different and much more dutiful, compliant and easy. My 8 year old is aggressive, violent and hates any talk about feelings. It feels like we are all walking eggshells. My husband yells and isn’t as patient as me, but I lose it too, as nothing seems to work. I could talk about feelings and validate the emotions of my 10 year old but Mr 8 hates any kind of emotional chat. Why is he like this?"

Heidi answers this question by discussing:

• emotional regulation and how it's such a key issue for SPICY kids
• the two main beliefs SPICY kids have about themselves
• how needing choice, feeling anxious and angry outbursts are all interconnected
• a discussion around the belief a lot of people have that these kids are choosing to be this way and are just disrespectful, strong willed and defiant
• what to do and say when your child says 'I hate you!' or 'I'm running away!'

--

Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minute quiz *https://heidilinks.com/quiz-pod*

At the end, you'll receive a free, in-depth report containing a bunch of insights and helpful strategies to meet their unique needs!

--

If you find this episode helpful, please don't forget to rate and subscribe.

It helps grow the channel and reach more people who need the unique tools for navigating parenthood with a strong-willed or neurodivergent child

--

Connect With Me

YouTube: https://heidilinks.com/pod-yt
Facebook: https://heidilinks.com/pod-fb
Instagram: https://heidilinks.com/pod-ig
Speaking events: https://heidilinks.com/pod-speaking