Ep. 294: You Can’t Teach Calm If You Can’t Be Calm: The Power of Self-Regulation

Ep. 294: You Can’t Teach Calm If You Can’t Be Calm: The Power of Self-Regulation

Author: Dr. Meg Meeker October 1, 2025 Duration: 37:54
In You Can’t Teach Calm If You Can’t Be Calm, Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes guests Kahlila Robinson and Sarah Gerstenzang, co-authors of The Self-Regulation Workbook for Children Ages 5 to 8. Together, they unpack how parental self-regulation plays a crucial role in helping children build emotional resilience and develop lifelong emotional skills. This episode dives into why your own calm sets the tone for your child’s behavior, especially when dealing with post-COVID stress, emotional outbursts, or peer conflicts. Kahlila and Sarah share practical, science-backed tools to help parents recognize emotional contagion, model regulation, and foster secure attachments. Whether you're managing meltdowns or building daily routines with intention, this conversation reminds us: you can’t teach calm if you can’t be calm yourself. 👉Want personalized guidance from Dr. Meg? If you're struggling to stay calm in the chaos of parenting—or just want expert advice tailored to your family's needs—Dr. Meg offers one-on-one coaching for parents who are ready to grow, heal, and lead with confidence. Learn more here. 🧷Links  The Self-Regulation Workbook for Children Ages 5 to 8 by Kahlila Robinson and Sarah Gerstenzang https://amzn.to/4gLC8fq Meg's Amazon Favs https://amzn.to/42QT3re As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 📌 Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Parenting Challenges 00:33 – Launch of the Self-Regulation Workbook 01:26 – Why Parental Self-Regulation is Key 02:40 – Staying Calm in Heated Moments 05:29 – How Emotions Transfer Between Parent & Child 08:31 – Addressing Post-COVID Anxiety in Kids 11:08 – Helping Kids Develop Emotional Awareness 12:34 – Simple De-Escalation Tools for Parents 17:44 – Matching Strategies to Different Child Personalities 18:37 – Connection-Based Discipline 21:28 – Children’s Core Emotional Needs 23:31 – Teaching Kids to Cope with Stress 25:15 – Managing Peer Conflict and Social Stress 28:30 – Healing Emotional Wounds in Childhood 30:50 – Balancing Work, Stress & Parenting 36:14 – Final Thoughts & Resources Sponsors:Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEGFam Gabs – 10% off conversation cards with code DRMEGPODK12-powered Schools – Tuition-free, accredited online learning for K–12Thrive Causemetics – Clean beauty with purpose. 10% off your first order Listen to Aidee, “Nothing Rhymes With Orange”: https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a cultural moment that often overcomplicates the fundamental task of raising good people, Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker offers a return to grounded, compassionate wisdom. This isn't about theoretical perfection; it's a conversation rooted in decades of clinical practice and real-life experience. Dr. Meg Meeker, a practicing pediatrician and mother, draws from her unique perspective as both a medical doctor and a bestselling author to address the anxieties and questions modern parents face. Each episode feels like a thoughtful dialogue, whether she's speaking with a fellow expert on child development or unpacking a listener's concern. You'll hear discussions that span the practicalities of daily discipline to the deeper challenges of fostering resilience and character in kids and teens. The tone is consistently reassuring yet direct, cutting through the noise of conflicting advice to focus on what truly strengthens a family. Listening to this podcast provides more than just strategies; it offers a framework for building trust and connection through every age and stage. Dr. Meeker’s approach validates the difficulties while empowering parents with actionable insights, making the journey feel less lonely and more manageable. It’s a resource for anyone who wants to move beyond survival and actively nurture great kids.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker
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