When “Take a Breath” Makes the Meltdown Worse - Try This Instead!

How do we talk to children about autism, ADHD, and the different ways our brains work? Whether your child has a neurodivergent diagnosis or you're helping them better understand a sibling, friend, or classmate, these conversations matter.In this episode, Caley sits down with Dr. Kim Rivieccio, who specializes in supporting autistic individual’s mental health, to explore how parents can approach conversations about neurodiversity with honesty, compassion, and confidence. They discuss why talking about autism and ADHD doesn't need to be one big conversation, but many “micro conversations”, how to help children understand their strengths and challenges without shame, and why the language we use can shape how children see themselves and others.You'll walk away with practical ways to start these conversations early, support your child's developing self-awareness, and build empathy and understanding for the many different ways our brains work.Check-out the book list mentioned in the podcast for more guidance and inspiration!Learn more about Dr. Kim Riviecco's work on her website Connect With Kim.

“Gentle hands” sounds like helpful parenting advice, but is it actually teaching our children the skills they need?In this episode, Caley explores why this common reminder often misses the mark, especially when navigating sibling conflict. From hitting and grabbing to those seemingly out-of-nowhere sibling attacks, she shares practical ways to shift from simply managing behavior to coaching the skills children need to communicate their feelings, advocate for themselves, and navigate conflict.Because the goal isn’t just to stop the hitting, it’s to build the skills that make hitting less necessary.For one-on-one or small group parenting support, head to www.caleykukla.com to learn how to connect with Caley off the pod!

When your five-year-old hits, grabs, lashes out, or acts without thinking, it's easy to worry: Is this just a phase, or a glimpse of who they'll become?In this episode, Caley sits down with child psychologist Dr. Tori Cordiano to unpack what impulse control really is, why it's still developing in early childhood, and how we can help children build the skills they'll need to become kind, thoughtful, and responsible adults.Together, they explore the development of executive functioning and share practical, everyday strategies to strengthen impulse control through the moments that challenge us most.Because the goal isn't to expect adult-level self-control from young children. It's to help them build the skills to get there.

Halloween is here, bringing giant skeletons, creepy decorations, spooky sounds, and plenty of opportunities for little ones to feel BIG fear!But fear isn't exclusive to Spooky Season! From trying a new activity or entering an unfamiliar environment to navigating social situations or riding a roller coaster, childhood is full of experiences that can feel scary!As parents, our instinct is often to reassure our children with a quick, “It’s not scary!” But here's the thing... what if it really does feel scary to them?In this episode of COR Parenting Conversations, Caley explores why fear is a natural and important feeling, especially for young children with big imaginations, and how we can help them navigate scary experiences without dismissing their feelings or intensifying their fears.From offering choices and modeling confidence to bringing a little playfulness into the moment, Caley shares practical ways to help children feel safe, build confidence, and better understand their own limits.Because the goal isn't to raise children who are never afraid. It's to help them trust themselves and feel confident navigating fear.

Parenthood already asks so much of us. Our children have needs. Our bodies have needs. Work, relationships, schedules, meals, appointments, and everyday life all compete for our attention. And then there’s the stuff.In this episode, Caley sits down with decluttering expert Katy Wells to explore how our physical environment can impact our internal state, including how present, regulated, and reactive we feel.This isn’t about creating a picture-perfect home or adding another overwhelming project to your list. Katy shares simple ways to turn down the environmental “noise” through small, sustainable changes you can make in the micro moments of everyday life.Because sometimes creating a little more space around us can help us find a little more space within us, too.

Just in time for Halloween! Are you concerned about your child’s favorite games? Or maybe uncomfortable with their play, but don’t know how to handle it?Check-out this COR Conversation with Dr. Tori Cordiano, diving into the common themes of violent play that often show up in childhood, whether it's superhero battles, toy weapons, or hand-to-hand combat. Dr. Cordiano helped us unpack why kids are drawn to this type of play, what it signifies for their development, and shared ways you can respond confidently, aligning with your parenting values to support healthy social-emotional growth.

Your child is melting down. You calmly say, “Take a breath.” And somehow…that makes everything worse.In this episode, Caley explains why asking a child to regulate when they’re already overwhelmed can actually add fuel to the fire—and what to do instead. Using Dr. Bruce Perry’s Regulate, Relate, Reason framework, she shares practical ways to regulate yourself first, avoid co-escalation, and help your child move through big emotions before trying to reason or problem-solve.Plus, download Caley’s free Parent Calming Strategies poster for simple tools to use when things get heated.

Sick of the power struggles during everyday routines? Have you tried being playful, only to have your child get so silly that everything goes sideways?Join Caley and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson as they explore how play can help us connect with our kids, navigate tricky moments, and make everyday routines a little easier. Drawing from Tina’s book, The Way of Play, co-authored with Georgie Wisen-Vincent, they discuss practical strategies for bringing play into real life, even when you’re short on time, feeling overwhelmed, or not naturally playful.Discover how small, intentional moments of play can help shift the dynamic, support your child’s emotional development, and strengthen your relationship without adding another thing to your to-do list.Find all of Tina’s books, events, and more on her website: https://www.tinabryson.com/

If a parenting practice can help carry you through the unimaginable, imagine what it can do in the everyday.In this deeply personal episode, I open up about the past three years of our family’s medical journey following the birth of our third son and share the simple parenting practice that became a lifeline as I watched him fight to survive in the NICU. It helped me practice self compassion, care for my own mental health, and continue showing up for my children even when I felt like I was falling apart. My hope is that you leave this episode with a little inspiration, a new perspective, and a practical tool you can use during the hard moments in your own family.

This episode is a continuation of our healing journey with Baby K. Caley’s background in early intervention prompted her to reach-out to a dear friend and colleague to begin early intervention services as soon as we were discharged from the NICU. Nicole specializes in MNRI (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration) which optimizes movement patterns and the body’s function for optimal development. You can follow Nicole on Instagram at @momreflex To search for an MNRI provider near you go to: https://masgutovamethod.com/about-the-svetlana-masgutova-educational-institute/directory