The Shift That Helps Parents Stop Reacting in Fear

Raising a strong-willed child was never really about them — it was about you. 🌀 Tia Graham talks with Mary Van Geffen, author of Parenting the Spicy One, about the healing journey that starts when you raise an intense, deep-feeling kid, and the tools that keep you calm when they're not. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS Parenting a strong-willed child often surfaces your own unhealed wounds Understanding someone doesn't mean agreeing with them Name your fears out loud — vague fear has more power than a written one Ask "who's upset here?" to separate your feelings from theirs The "zip up" technique helps you stay calm when they're not Repair matters more than perfection ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 — Intro 03:12 — The 18-year spiritual retreat begins 05:31 — Finding a play therapist, discovering her daughter is gifted 13:06 — Checking in with your body 15:00 — Moving through fear as a parent 21:35 — The serenity prayer & letting go of control 26:37 — Grounding statements & the "zip up" technique 30:47 — The fingertip calming practice 33:14 — Where to find Mary + outro 🔗 CONNECT WITH MARY VAN GEFFEN Instagram: @maryvangeffen Book: Parenting the Spicy One (available in print and audiobook) Community: Moms of Spicy Ones Academy 🔗 CONNECT WITH TIA GRAHAM & THE FEEL GOOD CLUB Free discovery call: http://tiagraham.com/discoverycall Learn more about the Feel Good Club Community for Working Moms with Neurodivergent Kids at http://tiagraham.com If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow ambitious working mom who needs to hear this today. ---------------------------------------- #FeelGoodClub #SpicyKids #NeurodivergentParenting #WorkingMoms #Motherhood #InnerChildHealing