Mindful Mama: Raising Kind, Confident Kids Without Losing Your Cool | Parenting Strategies For Big Emotions & More

So many of us know how we want to parent…And yet, in the moments that matter most, we find ourselves reacting instead of responding. In this episode, Hunter Clarke-Fields explores why this happens—not as a personal failing, but as a biological stress response—and how mindfulness helps parents work with their nervous systems instead of against them. You’ll learn: Why parenting triggers are rooted in brain biology, not willpower What happens in the brain when we “lose it” (and why it’s not your fault) How mindfulness strengthens the pause between stimulus and response What neuroscience tells us about meditation, emotional regulation, and neuroplasticity Why presence—not perfection—is the foundation of mindful parenting How small, realistic practices can lead to less yelling, more connection, and greater ease Mindfulness isn’t about being calm all the time. It’s about creating just enough space to choose how you want to respond—even on the hard days. This episode is an invitation to come back to yourself… one breath, one pause, one moment at a time. ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MindfulMamaMentor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Motherhood is a profound transformation — yet many moms feel overwhelmed by guilt, anxiety, and an unforgiving inner critic. In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, Hunter Clarke-Fields talks with Dr. Angele Close, clinical psychologist and author of Unburdening Motherhood, about how the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model helps mothers understand their inner world, release “good mom” myths, and reconnect with calm, confidence, and self-compassion. Together, they explore matrescence, the role of the inner critic, and simple ways moms can access their steady, compassionate center — even in the middle of parenting chaos. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why motherhood is a major identity shift (matrescence) How IFS helps us understand our inner “parts” Why the inner critic isn’t the enemy What to do when worry and anxiety take over How IFS builds on mindfulness for deeper healing One simple IFS practice for tough parenting moments ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MindfulMamaMentor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do your child’s meltdowns or aggressive outbursts leave you feeling frustrated, anxious, or unsure how to respond? On this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, I talk with Dr. Bethany Bilodeau, behavioral expert and founder of The Behavior Bootcamp, about practical strategies to manage challenging behavior with humor, compassion, and science-backed techniques. Dr. B explains why behavior escalates, how to spot early warning signs, and what parents and teachers can do to keep kids safe, calm, and regulated — without losing their own patience. She also shares a light-hearted story about her own son’s burping habits and how a playful approach can actually foster self-control while strengthening connection. Connection over correction, and humor as a parenting superpower. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Common misperceptions about meltdowns and aggressive behavior How to spot early warning signs before situations escalate Strategies to de-escalate in the moment and keep everyone safe What emotional and behavioral “safety” really means for children Sensory-based strategies and body awareness tools for self-regulation Why humor and positive reinforcement work better than punishment Lessons from classrooms that parents can apply at home ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MindfulMamaMentor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do kids show challenging behavior—and what actually helps? In this episode, Dr. Ross Greene shares a powerful mindset shift: behavior isn’t about motivation, it’s about skills and unmet expectations. When we view behavior as communication, we can move from reacting to problems to proactively solving them with our kids. This conversation will help you bring more calm, connection, and collaboration into your parenting. ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MindfulMamaMentor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, I talk with Mary Van Geffen, parenting coach and mom, about what it means to parent a “Spicy One” — children who are strong-willed, deeply feeling, and emotionally intense. Mary shares practical strategies for staying calm, kind, and firm, setting limits without breaking a child’s spirit, and protecting parents and siblings from burnout. She also explores how parenting a Spicy One transforms the parent, why traditional approaches often backfire, and ways to focus on delighting in your child while cultivating connection and self-regulation. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to recognize if your child is a Spicy One Why traditional parenting techniques often backfire Practical tools for managing meltdowns and aggression How to discipline without turning into the “mean mom” Ways to protect siblings and prevent parental burnout The importance of self-regulation and delighting in your child ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MindfulMamaMentor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices