The Brain First Parenting podcast supports parents who are raising children, teens or young adults with brain-based differences and challenging behavioral sympt...
Ep. 5 | Making Sense of Those Frustrating On and Off Days
SUMMARY -In this episode, Eileen dives into a common characteristic in children and teens with brain-based differences and challenging behavioral symptoms, which is 'on 'and 'off' days. Eileen begins helping parents identify this common lagging skill in their kids, and how they can begin to accommodate their child or teen as it relates to on and off days.TAKEAWAYSThe definition of 'on' and 'off' days as it related to cognitive skills.How on and off days are linked to a brain that functions differently.What this lagging skill looks like behaviorally.What factors can lead to a child or teen living with a brain-based difference to have off days.How not recognizing off days can lead to burnout for the parent.How parents can work to see on and off days as a "brain thing" and how they can respond to off days in ways that result in skills growth and increased connection.=======================If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.comAnd of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:FacebookInstagramPinterest
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Ep. 4 | Why Your Child Struggles to Make Friends
SUMMARY -In this episode, Eileen explains why so many kids and teens with brain-based differences struggle to make and keep friends, and how parents can support their children by building the cognitive skills required to be in relationship with peers.TAKEAWAYSWhy the process of making and keeping friends creates nearly universal challenges for kids and teens with brain-based differences.How to see this challenge through a Brain First Parenting lens (vs a behavioral lens).The specific lagging cognitive skills that get in the way of your child or teen having successful peer relationships.How parents can help their children grow in these cognitive skills.Common experiences for the parent of a child who struggles with making and keeping friends and why it's important to recognize the emotions this common struggles can bring to the forefront as a parent.RELATED BLOG POSTS:Moving Forward by Circling Back'Why Can't We Be Friends?' - Cognitive Skills Your Child Needs for Successful Relationships...Helping Our Children Navigate FriendshipsDysmaturity and the Challenges of Friendship=======================If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.comAnd of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:FacebookInstagramPinterest
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Ep. 3 | Help Your Rigid Thinking Child Become More Flexible
SUMMARYIn this episode, Eileen explains what it looks like when a child, teen, or young adult lags behind in the skills to be cognitively flexible, and how to then accommodate them in this specific skill set.TAKEAWAYSThe definition of cognitive rigidityCommon behaviors that reflect this lagging skill in kids and teensHow parents can help their children and teens grow in this cognitive skill setWhat parents can expect to see, think, and feel as they shift their lens from a behavioral lens to a Brain First lens with this specific skill setConcrete and specific steps parents can take to support and accommodate a child or teen who struggles with cognitive flexibilityRESOURCESBlog Post: The Uncompromising Child: Four Responses to Rigid ThinkingFree Infographic Poster: 8 Necessary Mind Shifts=======================If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.comAnd of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:FacebookInstagramPinterest
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Ep. 2 | Step One to Understanding Your Child or Teen
SUMMARYIn this episode, Eileen delves into the first step to understanding a neurodiverse child, teen, or young adult with challenging behaviors.TAKEAWAYSThis first, essential step to understanding your child who lives with a brain-based difference and challenging behaviors begins with neuroscience research on the brain/behavior connection.Understanding the foundation behind the Brain First Parenting approach is where we always need to begin as parents.Feeling internal resistance to seeing your child or teen through a Brain First lens is understandable, expected, and an opportunity for growth.The difference between seeing your child or teen through a behavioral lens vs a Brain First lens.RESOURCESYour Lens Matters FREE downloadable infographicBlog Post: The Brain First Approach Will Change How You ParentBlog Post: Looking Through a Different LensThanks for listening! Please be sure to review and share the Brain First Parenting podcast with any listeners who might be interested. To see more tools, resources and learn more about Eileen you can visit eileendevine.com=======================If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.comAnd of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:FacebookInstagramPinterest
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Ep. 1 | Eileen's Story and the Founding of Brain First Parenting
SUMMARYIn this first episode, Eileen introduces herself and explains how Brain First Parenting came to be. She shares personal stories about her own experience of parenting a teenage daughter who lives with a serious and permanent brain-based disability (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). Eileen also talks about her therapy and coaching practice where, for the last decade, she has supported parents who are also parenting kids, teens, and young adults with brain-based differences and challenging behavioral symptoms, and how this led to the creation of Brain First Parenting.RESOURCESLearn more about Diane Malbin and her FACETS Program.More about the work of Dr. Ross GreeneDr. Kristin Neff's work on Self CompassionThanks for listening! Please be sure to review and share the Brain First Parenting podcast with any listeners who might be interested. To see more tools, resources and learn more about Eileen you can visit eileendevine.com=======================If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.comAnd of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:FacebookInstagramPinterest
The Brain First Parenting podcast supports parents who are raising children, teens or young adults with brain-based differences and challenging behavioral symptoms. We are a safe space for parents who have historically felt like there isn't a place for them in the parenting advice world. At Brain First Parenting, we see each child as a unique individual with a unique brain, who deserves accommodations to thrive in a world that is frequently not set up for people with neurobehavioral challenges. We prioritize supporting the parents of these kids and teens so that they can, in turn, feel hope and confidence and joy in their parenting experience.