Enlightening Motherhood

Ever wonder if what your child eats could actually make emotional regulation easier — or harder?

In this episode, Emily Hamblin — neurodivergent mom of four and parent coach for neurodivergent families — welcomes Katie Kimball, two-time TEDx speaker and expert in kids’ life skills and real food, to talk about a piece of the emotional health puzzle that’s often missed.

You’ll learn simple, realistic strategies to strengthen your child's emotional resilience through small shifts in food, life skills, and critical thinking — all without guilt, shame, or complicated rules.

Get ready for empowering ideas you can actually use — no perfectionism required.

So many parents feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, and like they’re barely holding it together — especially when raising a neurodivergent child in a world that wasn’t built for their nervous system.

It’s not just hard — it’s exhausting. And traditional parenting advice often misses the mark.

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Boyd of Resilient Little Hearts to talk about what it means to build an emotionally healthy family when the world feels too loud.

We unpack how to work with your nervous system (and your child’s), not against it — and how to turn down the noise in a real, practical way.

👇 Connect + Resources:

🧠 Join the waitlist for The Neurodivergent Survival Kit:

Feeling stretched thin but still want to help your neurodivergent child with emotional regulation? You’re not alone! Amidst all the daily chaos of parenting, finding time to support your child’s big emotions can feel impossible. But what if just a few minutes a week could make a real difference?

In this episode, Emily Hamblin and co-host Ashley Schultz share simple, low-effort strategies to help your child practice emotional regulation—even if you’re incredibly busy. Ashley, a mom of five neurodivergent kids, explains how she fits emotional intelligence tools into her packed schedule and the small but powerful changes that have helped her family.

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🎧 Understanding Sensory Processing & Emotional Regulation in Kids

Ever wonder why some kids get overwhelmed in noisy places—while others may seek out loud music, rough play, or tight squeezes?

Sensory processing plays a huge role in our kids' emotions and behavior, often in ways we don’t even realize. In this episode of the Enlightening Motherhood podcast, host Emily Hamblin sits down with Carrie Carman & Jen Papasodoro, the OT Parent Coaches, to explore sensory processing differences—what they are, how they impact children’s emotions, and what parents can do to help.

Whether you're parenting a neurodivergent child or just want to better understand sensory differences, this episode will give you the tools to create a calmer, more connected home.

Ever wonder why you or your child struggle with stress, meltdowns, or big emotions? It all comes down to the nervous system—the control center for how we think, feel, and react.

In this episode of Enlightening Motherhood, neurodivergent parent coach Emily Hamblin sits down with nervous system coach Leah Davidson to explore how our nervous system influences parenting, kids’ behavior, and emotional regulation—especially in neurodivergent families.

Understanding how the nervous system works can transform your parenting journey—helping you feel calmer, more connected, and more in control.

Most parents of neurodivergent children have tried every generic sleep solution—only to find little success. The truth is, traditional sleep methods often fall short for kids with autism, ADHD, or anxiety. These kids need a different approach, and that’s exactly what we’re here to share with you.

Join host Emily Hamblin and sleep specialist Lindsay Clark (autism, anxiety & PDA specialist) as we break down why typical sleep advice doesn’t work for neurodivergent children and how you can finally help your child get the rest they need. Together, we'll address tricky topics such as night wakings, demand avoidance, sensory needs, anxiety, and other underlying factors that make sleep a challenge—and how to create a personalized sleep plan that works for your unique child.

It’s time to ditch the generic advice and discover a fresh approach to peaceful nights.

Are academic struggles leaving you (or your kid!) feeling frustrated or helpless? You’re not alone.

In this episode of Enlightening Motherhood, host Emily Hamblin invites academic success coach Scotty Weintraub to share powerful strategies for reframing how parents think about their child’s school challenges.

Discover why mindset matters, how to lead with curiosity, and the surprising ways to turn academic struggles into strengths.

Whether your child is neurodivergent, struggles with big emotions, or just needs extra support, this conversation is packed with actionable tips to help you guide them toward success – on their terms.

Do your child’s big emotions feel like a storm you’re constantly navigating? Are meltdowns, power struggles, or emotional outbursts leaving you feeling exhausted and unsure of how to help?

You’re not alone. As parents, we want to teach our kids to manage their emotions, but it can feel overwhelming—especially when the chaos seems unending. What if there was a way to not only support your child through their emotions but also strengthen your connection with them in the process?

In this episode, Emily Hamblin, a mom of four (including neurodivergent kids), shares four transformative tips that help kids build emotional regulation skills while empowering parents to feel confident and calm during even the toughest moments.

You’ll discover how to:

• Include your child in your own emotional growth journey.
• Model healthy ways to process frustration, anger, and disappointment.
• Stay grounded when you feel like you’re about to lose control—and what to do if you do.
• Repair after conflict to rebuild trust and connection.

If you’re tired of feeling stuck in a cycle of emotional chaos, this episode is for you. These practical, proven strategies can help you create a calmer, more connected home where your child can thrive.

Why Your Thoughts Matter: Shifting the Stories You Tell Yourself

Have you ever felt judged, offended, or even hurt by a simple interaction? What if the stories you tell yourself about those situations are causing unnecessary emotional stress?

In this episode, Emily Hamblin dives into real-life examples of how our inner narratives can lead to chaos or peace in our lives. Whether it’s interpreting a friend’s comment, a child’s remark, or even a neighbor’s actions, Emily shares how intentionality and emotional empowerment can transform the way you show up as a parent and a person.

Join Emily as she shares personal insights and actionable tools to help you reclaim your emotional power, embrace your worth, and raise emotionally healthy families.

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Are you feeling overwhelmed as the year comes to a close? For many moms, the end of the year can bring extra stress, guilt, and self-criticism. In this episode, Emily Hamblin shares the powerful practice of self-compassion—how it can transform your emotional health, your parenting, and even your family dynamics.

Join us for two special guided audios: one designed for all parents and another faith-based option to help you see yourself through God’s loving eyes. Discover how treating yourself with kindness can reduce stress, model emotional resilience for your kids, and help you step into the new year with renewed strength and peace.

Because when moms embrace self-compassion, everyone benefits.

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"It’s okay if things don’t go perfectly. There’s beauty in the hard moments too." - Ashley Schultz

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Are you dreading the holidays with your big-emotions kids?

From simplifying gift-giving to managing transitions and family gatherings, this episode is packed with tips to help you stay intentional, focus on beautiful moments, and handle emotional meltdowns with grace. Learn how mindset shifts and practical preparations can make the holiday season magical for your family—without so much overwhelm.

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Feeling overwhelmed by motherhood? Wondering how to inject more joy into your hectic days? In today’s episode, Emily sits down with Dr. Mike Rucker, author of The Fun Habit, to explore how fun can be the antidote to burnout. Discover how to create micro moments of joy even in the most chaotic days, and why finding fun can transform your parenting and emotional health. Learn practical tips to recharge your energy and enjoy motherhood more—even when life feels overwhelming. Plus, we share how incorporating small moments of joy can build resilience and create a happier home for you and your kids.

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Do your child’s big emotions trigger intense reactions in you? Parenting kids with strong feelings can stir up our own unresolved emotions, making it challenging to stay calm and supportive.

In this episode, host Emily Hamblin welcomes parenting coach Dajana Yoakley to explore how we can heal these emotional triggers and bring more peace into our parenting. Discover practical strategies to calm your nervous system, respond compassionately to your child’s meltdowns, and transform these moments into opportunities for emotional growth.

Learn how to recognize and manage triggers, practice self-compassion, and create a supportive environment that fosters resilience for both you and your child.

"Being proactive about your needs and boundaries leads to a more joyful and balanced motherhood experience." - Kristy Mia

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Are you struggling to set boundaries as a mom? Do you feel overwhelmed by the endless to-do list and lack of support? In this episode, Emily Hamblin chats with Kristy Mia, a mother’s coach and holistic health expert, about the importance of boundaries in motherhood. Discover practical tips for defining and holding boundaries, learn how to communicate your needs effectively, and explore strategies for reducing stress and increasing joy in your parenting journey. Whether it's with your kids, partner, or even yourself, understanding and implementing healthy boundaries can transform your life.

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Do you ever feel like you are the problem behind your child’s big emotions? In this episode, Emily Hamblin shares a powerful message of hope: You are not your child’s problem; you are the solution. Emily recounts a personal story of losing control and how she found the tools to become the calm her family needed. How do you become the solid rock for your family, even when everything feels overwhelming? Listen in for an empowering conversation on how you have the strength within you to help your child and create an emotionally healthy family. Believe in yourself, and if you can’t just yet, borrow Emily's belief in you. 💛

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"What if your child’s big emotions could be the foundation for their future strength and impact?"

Do your child's intense emotions feel overwhelming at times? What if their emotional intensity could actually be a gift? In today’s episode, Emily shares a powerful perspective shift that can bring more hope and empowerment to your parenting journey. She dives into ways to see your child's big emotions as a foundation for future strength, empathy, and even leadership. Tune in for actionable tips and inspiring stories that will help you embrace this plot twist and support your child’s emotional growth.

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🎉 Exciting News! Join us for the Angry Kids Birthday Party 🎉

Are you ready to transform how your family handles anger and big emotions? Don't miss our special 3-day live event starting October 1st, 2024!

The Angry Kids Birthday Party is a unique opportunity to:

• Learn practical strategies for managing anger in your family
• Connect with other parents facing similar challenges
• Gain insights from expert-led sessions on emotional resilience

Are you a parent struggling to help your anxious child? With anxiety rates in kids spiking, it’s more important than ever to give our children the tools to handle their emotions. In this episode, Emily Hamblin welcomes Penny Williams, host of the Beautifully Complex podcast, to discuss practical strategies for supporting neurodivergent and anxious kids. Learn how to create a neuroaffirming home environment, regulate your own emotions to help your child, and empower them with the skills they need to thrive.

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"Understanding your child's brain and the role of the amygdala helps in responding better to emotional outbursts." - Ashley Schultz

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Do you ever feel overwhelmed when your child has an emotional meltdown? In this episode, Ashley shares a personal experience with her son's after school meltdown and how she helped him navigate his big feelings. Understanding your child's brain can lead to better responses and stronger connections. Tune in to learn practical tips on managing emotional outbursts, balancing school routines, and fostering emotional intelligence in your kids.

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"Connection is not something that children earn; connection is something that they need. It's their emotional food."

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of raising boys with big emotions? Join us as we dive into practical solutions with Tasha Shore, founder of Parenting Boys Peacefully. Discover how to address behaviors like aggression and screaming, and learn the crucial steps to support your child's emotional health. Whether you’re parenting boys or girls, this episode offers valuable insights for fostering a peaceful and emotionally intelligent family environment.

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"What if it's a lagging skill, not a lack of effort? Understanding this can transform how we support our kids." - Carrie Bonnet

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Are you wondering what executive function is and how it impacts your child's daily life? From task initiation to task completion, organization and time management, and everything in between - executive functioning skills impact our kid's lives quite a bit.

In this episode of Enlightening Motherhood, host Emily Hamblin welcomes executive function coach Carrie Bonnett to discuss the essentials of executive functioning. Keri explains why these skills are crucial for all kids, not just those who are neurodivergent, and offers practical strategies for parents to help their children develop better time management, organization, and task initiation.

Learn how to make invisible tasks visible, the importance of chunking projects, and why a no-shame approach is vital. Tune in for actionable tips to support your child's executive function growth.

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"Teaching children about sensory processing in a way they understand can help them navigate their emotions without shame."

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Do you know why hunger makes you angry? Do your kids know why (without feeling shame)? Are your children (or you) ever overstimulated or understimulated?

In this encore episode of "Enlightening Motherhood," Emily Hamblin delves into the fascinating world of sensory processing and its impact on emotions. Discover how understanding the eight senses can help you and your kids manage big feelings better. Learn practical tips and expert insights to transform challenging behaviors and enjoy a more peaceful parenting experience. Join us for a deep dive into understanding the crucial connection between sensory processing and emotional regulation.

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"Changing established patterns can be stressful, but it's a necessary part of emotional growth."

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Join Emily Hamblin as she explores the emotional growth in parenting, symbolized by stretch marks and growing pains. This episode delves into the challenges of changing established patterns, managing expectations, and dealing with resistance from children or co-parents. Emily shares practical tips for navigating these growing pains, helping you build a healthier and more connected family. Tune in for insights on how these experiences contribute to a stronger, more emotionally intelligent family dynamic.

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"Changes in routine can affect us too. It's normal to feel stressed even when you're excited about the change."

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Feeling overwhelmed by the ups and downs of summer break? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Enlightening Motherhood podcast, we dive into the common struggles parents face during summer and offer practical solutions to manage those big emotions.

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Do your kids struggle to handle conflicts while still keeping their cool?

In this episode, Emily, a certified teacher and neurodivergent mom of 4, shares personal stories and seven practical tips to help your children manage disagreements calmly and effectively. Discover how to turn everyday moments into powerful lessons in empathy, emotional regulation, and problem-solving.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Emily’s personal journey from conflict avoidance to resolution
• Seven actionable strategies to teach your kids conflict resolution
• How to model healthy disagreements and emotional regulation
• Fun, easy activities to make learning conflict resolution enjoyable

Equip your children with the skills they need to thrive in their relationships. Press play now and start fostering emotionally intelligent kids who can handle conflicts with confidence and care.

Keywords: conflict resolution for kids, teach kids conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, parenting tips, child development

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"When we’re negative towards ourselves, it doesn’t just hurt us—it impacts our whole family."

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In this episode, Emily shares reflections from the 2024 Raising Emotionally Healthy Families Summit, focusing on the crucial role of self-love in breaking the cycle of negative parenting habits. She discusses how embracing imperfections and practicing self-compassion can empower parents to foster a more supportive and nurturing environment for their families. Listen as Emily provides practical advice and insights on integrating self-love into daily parenting practices to promote emotional health and resilience in both parents and children.

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Ever feel swamped by anxiety and depression while juggling parenting? You’re definitely not in this boat alone. This episode brings you Sierra’s real-life turnaround from battling mental health lows to finding her stride in parenting with confidence.

Learn the no-nonsense strategies and honest insights that changed the game for her, turning everyday parenting challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. Sierra doesn’t just share her story; she hands over the toolkit that transformed her approach to mental health and family life.

If you’re on the lookout for practical advice that cuts through the noise, stories that feel like talking to a friend, and genuine ways to boost your family’s emotional health, you’ve hit the right spot. Tune in to flip your own script on parenting amidst anxiety and depression. Let’s get to the heart of building a more joyful, resilient family life together.

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Join Ashley as she shares journal entries describing raw emotions and incredibly difficult parenting experiences in the past, without the tools and support she craved to show up as the mom she wanted to. Ashley shares what is helpful now and what a difference this support has made to empower her to be the best mom she can for her kids.

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In this episode, Emily goes off-script to talk candidly about the loneliness and challenges of parenting. She addresses the feelings of guilt and shame that can come from moments of losing patience with one’s children, and the overwhelming stress of juggling numerous responsibilities.

Emily encourages listeners to keep going, and reassures everyone that finding a supportive community is key. She also highlights an upcoming free event, the Raising Emotionally Healthy Families 2.0 Summit, where experts will share insights on various parenting challenges.

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"That first tax year, I made less than $300 after pouring countless hours into my passion. It was a stark introduction to the realities of starting a business - and yet, I could see so many parallels to raising an emotionally healthy family."

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In this episode, Emily takes a vulnerable dive into the early days of her business, revealing the stark realities of entrepreneurship—starting with making less progres in her first year despite significant effort and investment. She candidly discusses the parallels between the resilience needed in business and in nurturing an emotionally healthy family, sharing insights on adaptability, creativity, and the unexpected joys found in both journeys. Through her story, listeners will find encouragement and understanding in the face of their challenges, whether in parenting, business, or personal growth.

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"Beginning this podcast was my way of seeking accountability, but it became so much more—a journey from learning about emotional health to actually applying it in real-life motherhood."

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In this episode, we mark two milestones: the second anniversary of the Enlightening Motherhood Podcast and the conclusion of Season 2. Emily Hamblin shares key insights and lessons from the journey so far. As we transition into Season 3, expect a reflection on the challenges, triumphs, and stories that have shaped the podcast. This episode is for anyone navigating motherhood, seeking community, and looking for real talk on parenting's ups and downs. Join us as we wrap up one chapter and enthusiastically begin another.

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"Despite the chaos of three screaming kids at dinner, I felt proud. Why? Because I didn't join the chaos. This is the progress we've made."

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In this episode, Emily shares a personal story that transforms a typical family dinner into an insightful lesson on emotional regulation, self-awareness, and the significance of modeling resilience and growth for our children. Amidst the challenges of a minor accident and the cacophony of children's screams, Emily discovers moments of profound pride and learning. This episode is an intimate exploration of the complex emotions parents navigate, emphasizing the power of controlling our responses and the beauty of celebrating our progress. Join Emily for an honest, uplifting journey through the highs and lows of parenting, offering practical wisdom and encouragement for embracing imperfection and fostering an environment of growth and understanding within our families.

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"Thoughts influence emotions, but they're not the entire story. Our senses play a key role too."

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Dive deep into the often-overlooked connection between sensory input, the nervous system, and emotional reactions in both children and adults. This episode challenges the common belief that thoughts are the sole influencers of our emotions, highlighting the crucial role of our eight senses in emotional regulation. Discover practical strategies to support your family's emotional health through sensory awareness and management.

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"This moving experience has brought up levels of stress and overwhelm that I haven't had for a while...I realized I had a choice. I could continue in this stress and overwhelm...Or, I could choose to do something about it."

We are in the process of moving and I realized I had to choose between staying constantly stressed & overwhelmed, or doing something about it. Listen to this episode for an un-scripted chat about what has helped change things for me.

Warmly,

Emily

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Connect with Emily Hamblin:

"The moment you choose gratitude over offense, you shift the power back into your own hands."

In this episode, Emily addresses the problem of navigating judgment in parenting, sparked by a personal story at the grocery store. She highlights how easily we can slip into feeling offended, agitating the stress this adds to daily life. Join her as she guides listeners on how to apply this mindset shift in everyday parenting challenges, to help empower you and your family in your journey.

Join Ashley as she shares tools to boost your teenager's self esteem. (Please note that these tools can be used for kids of all ages, however this podcast is shared through the lens of helping teenagers.)

Links mentioned in episode:

Exploring Your Children's Love Languages Ep 42

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep42-exploring-childrens-love-languages/id1615301027?i=1000586685287

The Power of Positive Affirmations in Parenting Ep 24

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/enlighteningmotherhood/episodes/Ep24---The-Power-of-Positive-Affirmations-in-Parenting-e1l8glo

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Worried about your kid's emotional development? Wish there were an easier way to help them learn emotional intelligence? There is. Introducing Emotionally Intelligent Kids, a brand new space to connect you with videos, printables, worksheets, activities, games, and more to help take the stress and overwhelm out of helping your child develop emotional intelligence.

In this episode, 'Building Emotional Intelligence: How to Teach Empathy and Resilience at Home,' Emily discusses effective methods for teaching children empathy and resilience. Interviewed by Sarah Miller, Emily provides practical, straightforward advice for parents and educators on fostering these crucial skills at home. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their child's emotional development in a realistic, manageable way.

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