Website: 🌐 www.andiclark.com

Support Circle Membership: https://andiclark.com/work-with-me/

Intake Form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZqpIgPgFXB_V8_1NGsiClJ6O2GAHb5jXdJNzSxg-yY/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode of the Kids with Big Emotions podcast, Andi Clark dives into the mystery behind homework meltdowns—those emotional outbursts that leave both parents and kids feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. If you’ve ever wondered why homework is such a battle, even for bright, capable children, this episode breaks down the hidden executive functioning challenges that lead to tears, procrastination, and avoidance.

Learn how to decode what’s really happening when your child struggles with homework, what executive skills are getting in the way, and how to create a calm, supportive environment to help them build independence and confidence.

• It’s Not About Intelligence: Homework struggles aren’t about how smart your child is—they’re about the executive functioning skills required to manage tasks, transitions, and emotions.
• Why Kids Melt Down: Homework activates multiple executive skills, including planning, task initiation, time management, and self-regulation. When these systems get overloaded, meltdowns happen.
• Signs of Overload: Procrastination, avoiding homework, or emotional outbursts can all point to executive functioning challenges, not defiance or laziness.
• Practical Strategies: Reducing overwhelm by breaking tasks into steps, setting clear routines, and creating a supportive, low-pressure environment can make a huge difference.
• Progress Is a Process: Building these skills takes time, patience, and the right tools—not perfection.

[00:00:00] Introduction: Andi shares her personal experience navigating homework battles and why this topic resonates with so many parents.

[00:04:00] Why Homework Feels So Hard: A breakdown of the executive functioning demands homework places on kids and why even small tasks can feel overwhelming.

[00:08:00] The Real Problem: It’s not about intelligence—bright kids often struggle because their executive skills (like planning and initiation) are underdeveloped.

[00:12:00] Signs Your Child Is Struggling: From avoidance to emotional outbursts, Andi explains the common signs of executive functioning overload during homework.

[00:18:00] Practical Solutions: Tips for creating a calm homework environment, breaking tasks into steps, and helping your child develop routines that reduce stress.

[00:24:00] Redefining Success: Why progress looks different for every child, and how celebrating small wins can build long-term confidence.

[00:30:00] Final Thoughts: Encouragement for parents feeling overwhelmed by homework struggles and practical next steps to support your child.

• Executive Functioning Checklist: A tool to help parents identify specific skills their child may be struggling with and target support where it’s needed most.
• Homework Routine Planner: A free template to create step-by-step plans for smoother homework sessions.
• Support Circle Membership: Join a community of parents...

Website: 🌐 www.andiclark.com

Support Circle Membership: https://andiclark.com/work-with-me/

Intake Form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZqpIgPgFXB_V8_1NGsiClJ6O2GAHb5jXdJNzSxg-yY/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode of the Kids with Big Emotions podcast, Andi Clark reflects on the unique challenges and triumphs of parenting while managing the expectations and realities of a new year. Parenthood in 2025 isn’t about doing it all at once—it’s about celebrating small wins, pacing yourself, and acknowledging the progress you and your child make each step of the way.

Drawing on personal stories, lessons from years of coaching, and practical advice, Andi highlights how slowing down and prioritizing one piece of the puzzle at a time can create long-term success for you and your child. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the weight of juggling your parenting responsibilities, this episode is your reminder that you’re not alone—and you’re doing better than you think.

• Progress Takes Time: Focus on small, incremental steps instead of rushing to fit every piece of the puzzle together all at once.
• The Cognitive Ladder: Think of your child’s development as climbing a ladder—each rung is necessary, and you can’t skip steps to get to the top.
• You Are Doing More Than You Realize: Parents often underestimate how much they’re already doing to support their children. Reflecting on your efforts can reveal how far you’ve come.
• Breaks Are Okay: Both parents and children need breaks to process and implement what they’ve learned before taking on the next challenge.
• Build Community: Support groups and shared experiences with other parents can make a huge difference in feeling less isolated and gaining fresh ideas.

[00:00:00] Introduction: Andi shares the inspiration for this episode—the importance of slowing down as parents to focus on meaningful progress.

[00:03:00] Personal Story: Reflections on a family vacation and the progress Andi’s son has made in flexibility and emotional regulation.

[00:09:00] The Stages of Parenting: From feeling lost and overwhelmed to discovering solutions, and the realization that parenting is an evolving process.

[00:14:00] The Cognitive Ladder: Why skipping steps in your child’s development can lead to setbacks and how pacing creates sustainable growth.

[00:18:00] Avoiding Burnout: Andi discusses her own feelings of parental guilt, burnout, and the realization that taking a slower approach often yields better results.

[00:25:00] Taking Breaks: Why it’s okay to pause therapies or interventions when they’re no longer serving your child or family’s needs.

[00:29:00] Building Community: The value of connecting with other parents to share successes, challenges, and practical advice.

[00:35:00] Moving Into 2025: Encouragement to celebrate small wins, focus on achievable steps, and keep your expectations realistic for the year ahead.

• Cognitive Ladder Framework: Andi discusses the importance of building foundational skills step by step....

In this episode of the Kids with Big Emotions podcast, we dive into the world of impulsivity and explore strategies to help kids pause, reflect, and make thoughtful decisions. If your child often acts without thinking, struggles to stop themselves, or faces social and emotional challenges due to impulsivity, this episode is for you.

Learn why impulsivity happens, the foundational skills kids need to develop inhibition, and practical steps you can take to support them in creating that all-important pause before they act.

• What is Inhibition? Inhibition is the ability to pause and think before acting on impulse. It helps kids (and adults!) avoid blurting out, interrupting, or reacting emotionally without considering the consequences.
• What Impacts Impulsivity? Impulsivity can stem from an underdeveloped executive functioning system. Kids need attention, perception, and working memory to stop and think before acting.
• Why "Just Stop!" Doesn't Work: Simply telling kids to stop isn't enough. They need help learning how to pause, reflect, and process the situation.
• Practical Strategies: Teaching kids to use alarms, create plans, and break tasks into steps can build their inhibition skills over time.
• Understand the Whiteboard Effect: When kids’ brains are overloaded with distractions, emotions, and external stimuli, their ability to pause is diminished. Reducing this "whiteboard clutter" is key to helping them focus.

[00:00:00] Introduction: Recognizing impulsivity in kids and how it shows up in daily life (e.g., blurting out, hitting, or struggling to wait their turn).

[00:02:00] What is Inhibition? The ability to pause and think before acting—and why it’s crucial for social and emotional development.

[00:04:00] The Building Blocks of Inhibition: How skills like attention, perception, and working memory play a role in self-control.

[00:08:00] The Impact of Overload: Why kids struggle more with impulsivity when their executive functioning system is taxed (e.g., after a late night or an overstimulating event).

[00:10:00] The Whiteboard Effect: How distractions, emotions, and screens overload a child’s mental "whiteboard," making it harder for them to pause and think.

[00:16:00] Why Screens Make Impulsivity Worse: The high working memory demands of screens and how they pull kids’ attention away from what they should be doing.

[00:18:00] Creating Space to Pause: How to teach kids to stop and reflect before acting, and why this skill builds healthier relationships and better emotional regulation.

[00:22:00] Strategies That Work: Practical tips for helping kids navigate impulsivity, including alarms, breathing exercises, and step-by-step plans.

[00:30:00] The Power of Individualized Plans: Why each child’s inhibition strategies need to match their unique executive functioning profile.

[00:34:00] Long-Term Growth: Understanding how inhibition develops over time and why challenges may resurface during different life stages.

• Inhibition Intake Form: A detailed self-assessment tool to help parents identify their child’s challenges and strengths in inhibition. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZqpIgPgFXB_V8_1NGsiClJ6O2GAHb5jXdJNzSxg-yY/edit?usp=sharing
• Support Circle Membership:...