Psychologist shares how learning the skill of validation can transform your relationships
Send us a textDo you ever wonder why your child’s big emotions feel so overwhelming—or why small conflicts with your partner can spiral? In this episode, I sit down with psychologist Dr. Caroline Fleck to unpack the skill of validation—what it is, why it matters, and how it can radically change the way you connect with yourself, your kids, and everyone you love.We explore what invalidation really sounds like (it’s often subtle) and why even well-meaning parents can accidentally shut down their child’s emotions. Dr. Fleck shares simple, powerful scripts for validating feelings without condoning hurtful behaviors, and we discuss research showing how invalidation increases the risk of mental health struggles and gets passed across generations.Whether you’re parenting a toddler or a teen—or just want more connected relationships—this episode will give you tools to break cycles of invalidation and build deeper trust through emotional clarity.Don’t miss this conversation—because learning to “validate the valid” might be the most important parenting skill you ever master.Sources:Caroline's Book: Validation (amazon.ca and amazon.com)Science Sources:Examining the intergenerational transmission of parental invalidation: Extension of the biosocial modelParental Validation and Invalidation Predict Adolescent Self- HarmMore ways to build emotion regulation skills with Curious Neuron! Record your message to ask a question, share an insight or give us some feedback! https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast Start your 7 day FREE trial of the Reflective Parent Club A science-based course that helps you learn how to cope with emotions, stress, your child's behaviour and your partner! Plus, a weekly coaching call to help you build awareness and practice new tools. https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Not sure if the club is for you? Or need private sessions? Let's jump on a call! https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/discovery-call-with-cindy Join our FREE Monthly Parental Well-Being Webinar Series: https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/989145490b Grab a Free Resource: FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions FREE Kids Activity: Help! My Emotions Are Confusing ...
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59:53
What Happens When You Let Kids Just Be Kids? (And Why It Matters)
Send us a textwith Amy ChiuIn today’s fast-paced world, it can be tough to slow down and truly let kids be kids. We often get caught up in schedules, expectations, and the pressure to “make learning happen.” But what if the most powerful learning happens when we pause, play, and simply show up with presence?In this episode, Dr. Cindy Hovington speaks with early childhood expert Amy Chiu about the magic of free play and the importance of slowing down. Amy explains how play isn’t just fun—it’s a key tool for building curiosity, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. She shares why giving kids space to lead their play fosters deeper learning than worksheets ever could.Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or educator, you'll find science-backed insights and simple, practical ways to support your child—by doing less.🔑 What You’ll Hear:Why slowing down and free play matter for real learningHow presence and pause transform connectionThe power of observing rather than directing kids’ playSimple ways to bring downtime and emotional check-ins into daily lifeRelated Podcast Episode:Over-parenting (helicopter parenting)Mentioned in This Episode: 📖 The Work of Play→ Amy Chiu’s website and resource hub for parents and educators reimagining early childhood learning.Follow Amy on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-chiu-msed-a09a1a27b/Scientific Article: Learning Through Play at School – A Framework for Policy and PracticeMore ways to build emotion regulation skills with Curious Neuron! Record your message to ask a question, share an insight or give us some feedback! https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast Start your 7 day FREE trial of the Reflective Parent Club A science-based course that helps you learn how to cope with emotions, stress, your child's behaviour and your partner! Plus, a weekly coaching call to help you build awareness and practice new tools. https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Not sure if the club is for you? Or need private sessions? Let's jump on a call! https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/discovery-call-with-cindy Join our FREE Monthly Parental Well-Being Webinar Series: https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/989145490b Grab a Free Resource: FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions FREE Kids Activity: Help! My Emotions Are Confusing ...
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45:33
How not having a present father impacted my life
Send us a textIn today's solo episode, I share a little more of my personal story with the hopes of helping you feel validated, less alone or even empowered. Father's Day (or even Mother's Day) can be difficult when you have a parent that is alive yet you have no idea where they are because they left your family decades ago. They knew you existed and they chose to leave you. I share a little more about my childhood and about how that impacted me later when I became a parent. Do you have a story you want to share (anonymously) with me about your own dad or your journey as a dad? Click the link below!https://curiousneuron.typeform.com/to/kd6zw438Here is the study I referred to in the episode in case you want more details. https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/1342C24F368FB2953C342AFF875E04A6/S0954579423000354a.pdf/div-class-title-father-contribution-to-human-resilience-div.pdfIf you are a dad ready to learn how to cope and regulate your emotions, try out the Reflective Parent Club, free for 7 days before committing. See link below. More ways to build emotion regulation skills with Curious Neuron! Record your message to ask a question, share an insight or give us some feedback! https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast Start your 7 day FREE trial of the Reflective Parent Club A science-based course that helps you learn how to cope with emotions, stress, your child's behaviour and your partner! Plus, a weekly coaching call to help you build awareness and practice new tools. https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Not sure if the club is for you? Or need private sessions? Let's jump on a call! https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/discovery-call-with-cindy Join our FREE Monthly Parental Well-Being Webinar Series: https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/989145490b Grab a Free Resource: FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions FREE Kids Activity: Help! My Emotions Are Confusing ...
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25:45
Working parent guilt: What no one tells you
Send us a textwith Daisy DowlingBalancing work and parenting feels impossible sometimes, doesn’t it? Between deadlines, meetings, and the constant demands at home, many working parents feel overwhelmed, guilty, and stretched too thin.In this episode, Dr. Cindy Hovington talks with Daisy Dowling, author of Work Parent, about redefining what work-life balance really means — and why aiming for a perfect “straight line” isn’t the goal. Instead, Daisy shares practical “hacks” to help working parents manage stress, set realistic expectations, and take meaningful moments for rest and self-care.They dive into how to build your personal and professional “brand,” why keeping an “already done” list can lower overwhelm, and how small choices today can lead to a happier future — both at work and at home.This episode is full of relatable insights and actionable strategies to help working parents feel less frazzled and more grounded.🔑 What You’ll Hear:Why work-life balance isn’t a fixed state — it’s more like riding wavesHow to define your professional and parenting “brands” to empower your identityThe Zeigarnik Effect & the power of an “already done” list to combat overwhelm and guiltWhy rest and recovery are essential — even in small daily momentsTips to reframe self-doubt and reduce anxiety about work performanceMentioned in This Episode: 📖 Work Parent by Daisy Dowling→ A go-to guide for working parents struggling with the dual challenges of careers & kids.Scientific Source:Burnout and Mental Health in Working Parents: Risk Factors and Practice ImplicationsRead our blog post:https://curiousneuron.com/2025/06/08/parental-burnout-is-real-what-every-working-parent-needs-to-know/More ways to build emotion regulation skills with Curious Neuron! Record your message to ask a question, share an insight or give us some feedback! https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast Start your 7 day FREE trial of the Reflective Parent Club A science-based course that helps you learn how to cope with emotions, stress, your child's behaviour and your partner! Plus, a weekly coaching call to help you build awareness and practice new tools. https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Not sure if the club is for you? Or need private sessions? Let's jump on a call! https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/discovery-call-with-cindy Join our FREE Monthly Parental Well-Being Webinar Series: https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/989145490b Grab a Free Resource: FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions FREE Kids Activity: Help! My Emotions Are Confusing ...
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59:31
2 min reflection for days you feel like you are failing at parenting
Send us a textHi dear friends, From the number of you that downloaded our last grounding meditation, it seems like you enjoyed it!I decided to created another one for you, this time it is to help you on a day when you feel like you are failing. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170?i=1000709341181If there is a specific moment you struggle with, tell me in the form below and I will create an audio for this moment.https://curiousneuron.typeform.com/to/UoUF6piCI hope you enjoy it! More ways to build emotion regulation skills with Curious Neuron! Record your message to ask a question, share an insight or give us some feedback! https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast Start your 7 day FREE trial of the Reflective Parent Club A science-based course that helps you learn how to cope with emotions, stress, your child's behaviour and your partner! Plus, a weekly coaching call to help you build awareness and practice new tools. https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Not sure if the club is for you? Or need private sessions? Let's jump on a call! https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/discovery-call-with-cindy Join our FREE Monthly Parental Well-Being Webinar Series: https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/989145490b Grab a Free Resource: FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions FREE Kids Activity: Help! My Emotions Are Confusing ...
A parenting podcast that doesn't tell you HOW to parent your own child. We teach you how to think during parenting challenges and help you build emotional intelligence skills to lower your stress and help you cope with those challenging emotions that come with parenting.Neuroscientist, Dr. Cindy Hovington can help you parent your child with confidence and feel competent by helping you understand your triggers, recognize and break your emotional patterns and teach you how to model healthy emotional coping skills for your child. Cindy is the founder and CEO of Curious Neuron, is an internationally recognized emotional well-being resource for parents with their evidence-based educational content being consumed in over 70 countries! She is a leading thought expert in emotion regulation and parental well-being as well as an international speaker on well-being and emotional development in children. The goal of this podcast is to help parents gain awareness of their emotional triggers, build your confidence as a parent, understand how their past influences behavioural patterns they can stuck in and help them learn how to model healthy emotional coping skills for their children. We do this by discussing the science of emotional intelligence and effective parenting practices. Join us every Monday for conversations with leading researchers and best selling authors in parental well-being, childhood adversity, attachment, emotional development, stress management and emotion regulation skills. Past guests include Dr. Bruce Perry, Dr. Marc Brackett and best-selling authors Dr. Ramani Durvasula and Stephanie Harrison.Join me and become a Reflective Parent! Subscribe today not to miss next week's episode! To learn more from Curious Neuron or to join The Reflective Parent Club, visit www.curiousneuron.com.Follow us on Instagram @curious_neuron.
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