This episode is about the version of parenting no one talks about. The one where you’re running on almost nothing. Where your child still needs you, and you’re not sure what you have left to give. We’re not talking about burnout as a concept, or fatigue as a buzzword. We’re talking about the real-life moments when you're holding a meltdown with one hand and your own regulation with the other. When you want to be calm, present, available but you’re overstretched and running late and the toast is wrong again. This conversation won’t give you tricks. Just clarity. A way to think about tiredness that doesn’t make it a personal failing. A way to respond to your child without having to pretend you’re okay. For parents who are doing their best, even when their best is quiet, slow, and not very pretty.

Mentioned in this episode: Making Sense of Anxious Children A course for parents who want to understand what’s really going on beneath the behaviour

Available at www.huddlewisdom.com

Is your child's misbehaviour leaving you frustrated, confused, or exhausted? You're not alone. In this powerful episode of The Huddle Wisdom Podcast, host Dr Tan unpacks a crucial concept that will transform how you view your child's struggles: challenging behaviour is not the problem, it's the signal.

Learn why parents often fall into the trap of "fixing the smoke" (addressing outward child behaviour like yelling, tantrums, defiance, or meltdowns) instead of uncovering the true "fire" beneath. Often anxiety, overwhelm, perfectionism, or unmet emotional needs.

Learn actionable strategies to:

• Pause before reacting to your child's difficult moments.
• Get curious, not furious, about what might be driving their actions.
• Gently name the underlying emotions or "fire" you observe.
• Stay present and connect, even when things feel chaotic.

To navigate your anxious child's behavior with confidence and calm, explore Dr Davin Tan's signature online course: "Making Sense of Anxious Children." Learn how to identify those hidden fires, build essential communication skills, and foster a more peaceful home environment.

Find out more and enroll today at: www.huddlewisdom.com

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why misbehaviour is a signal, not the core problem.
• The dangers of "smoke-fixing" in child behavior.
• How to identify the "fire" (underlying anxiety or needs) beneath challenging behaviors.
• Practical steps to respond with curiosity and connection instead of frustration.
• A real-life example of transforming homework meltdowns by addressing underlying perfectionism.

When Connection Feels Impossible: Parenting Through the Disconnection Feeling disconnected from your child? This Huddle Wisdom podcast episode with Dr. Davin Tan explores why kids withdraw and offers practical parenting strategies for staying grounded and fostering connection, even when it feels impossible. Learn the power of presence and how to navigate those challenging moments of silence and emotional distance.

Key Discussion Points:

• Understanding the frustration and pain of feeling disconnected from your child.
• Recognising that disconnection isn't always personal rejection but can be a sign of a child's internal struggles.
• The counterintuitive power of "being there" without demanding a response.
• Why pushing for conversation or resorting to control can backfire.
• The importance of creating a safe, non-judgmental space for children to open up when they are ready.
• The concept of "containment", offering a steady and emotionally regulated presence.
• Acknowledging the difficulty of remaining present and patient during disconnection.
• Reframing connection as an ongoing process built through consistent, small acts of support.
• The enduring impact of a parent's unwavering love and availability, even in silence.

Resources Mentioned:

Courses: Parenting for Anxious Children, Making Sense of Anxious Children

Actionable Advice:

• Focus on consistent presence rather than forcing interaction.
• Offer a calm and reassuring energy in shared spaces.
• Resist the urge to ask accusatory questions or demand explanations.
• Practice patience and create a safe space for future communication.
• Be a steady anchor point, allowing your child to process their emotions.
• Remember that your consistent support is making a difference, even if it's not immediately visible.

When your child is overwhelmed, your calm presence, not your solutions can be the most healing thing you offer. Through quiet reflection, grounded insight, and relatable examples, Dr. Tan helps parents understand why emotional safety matters more than strategies, and how doing less can actually help our children feel more seen, safe, and supported.

• Why “fixing” your child’s anxiety often backfires

• The deeper message we send when we try to calm emotions quickly

• What it means to stay present instead of reactive

• Practical language and mindset shifts that help anxious children feel safe

• How presence, not perfection, builds emotional resilience

• 🎧 Audio Course: Parenting for Anxious Children

• Website: www.huddlewisdom.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_wisdom_parenting/

• Newsletter: https://www.huddlewisdom.com/14days for insights, and resources

In this episode, Dr. Davin Tan addresses a common but often unspoken fear among parents: "Am I raising a child who lacks empathy?"

He explores the complexities of childhood development, distinguishing between normal behaviors and potential red flags. Dr. Tan explores the neurological basis of empathy, the influence of parenting styles, and practical strategies for nurturing compassion in children.

He also discusses when to seek professional help and offers hope for families facing challenging behavioral patterns.

Key Takeaways:

• Empathy develops gradually and unevenly throughout childhood.

• Many behaviors that seem callous are actually developmental or related to anxiety.

• Authoritative parenting (clear boundaries with high warmth) is most conducive to empathy development.

• Children learn empathy by experiencing empathy and having their emotions validated.

• Practical strategies like emotional coaching, perspective-taking, and repair after conflict can nurture empathy.

• Professional help is beneficial when behavioral concerns persist or significantly change.

RESOURCES:

www.huddlewisdom.com/courses

Raising children is a unique journey for every family, but when siblings have different neurotypes, the path can feel particularly complex. This insightful episode dives deep into the realities of nurturing neurodivergent children within the same household. Learn practical, actionable strategies to bridge communication gaps, understand and accommodate diverse sensory needs, and navigate the varied ways anxiety can manifest. Discover how to cultivate an environment of open communication, create a truly supportive home sanctuary, and recognize the vital importance of individual decompression time. For parents seeking to move beyond daily challenges and foster profound connection and growth with each of their neurodivergent children, this episode offers essential guidance and heartfelt understanding.

Key Takeaways:

• Reframing Neurodiversity: Understand the fundamental concept of neurodiversity as natural human variation, shifting the focus from "problems" to unique strengths and needs.
• Beyond "Fair": Individualized Approaches: Explore why treating all children the same isn't always equitable and learn how to implement truly individualized strategies that honor each child's unique profile.
• Bridging the Divide: Gain practical techniques for effectively addressing communication breakdowns and navigating the often-significant differences in sensory processing.
• Understanding Anxiety's Many Faces: Learn to recognize and respond to the diverse ways anxiety can present itself in neurodivergent children, moving beyond traditional presentations.
• Building a Supportive Ecosystem: Discover concrete tips for fostering open dialogue, creating a home environment optimized for diverse needs, and establishing predictable and supportive routines.

Audio Program:

https://www.huddlewisdom.com/empathicdiscipline

In this episode of The Huddle Wisdom Podcast, Dr. Davin Tan explores the neuroscience behind teenage meltdowns, their common triggers, and provides evidence-based strategies for parents and caregivers. Learn practical insights into the adolescent brain's development, effective mindfulness techniques, and empathic communication methods to navigate the challenges of raising teenagers.

• The Neuroscience of the Teenage Brain: Understanding the ongoing development of the prefrontal cortex and its impact on teenage behavior.
• Common Emotional Triggers: Identifying factors that lead to emotional dysregulation in adolescents, such as academic pressure, social dynamics, and sleep deprivation.
• Mindfulness as a Neurological Tool: Using mindfulness exercises to strengthen neural connections in the prefrontal cortex and improve self-regulation.
• The Neuroscience of Empathy: How empathy and active listening facilitate co-regulation and create safe spaces for self-expression.
• The SAVE Protocol: A structured approach to empathic response: See, Attune, Validate, Empathise.

AUDIO COURSE: Empathic Discipline for Anxious KIds - CLICK HERE