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Amanda Diekman

Low Demand Parenting

A Parenting , Kids & Family and Health & Fitness podcast

#141 in Kids & Family · 🇩🇰 #191 in Parenting · 🇿🇦
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About the show

The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. Hosted by Amanda Diekman—author, autistic adult, and mom of three—this podcast isn’t about perfection or expert advice. It’s about learning together how to drop the demands that weigh us down and find the ease we crave in our families. Whether you’re navigating neurodivergence, challenging behaviors, or simply the highs and lows of life, this show offers honest conversations, practical insights, and a whole lot of compassion. Let's thrive, even when it feels like life is on level 12 hard.

Newest episodes

What Burnout Is Really Like

28 min

What happens when your kid is suddenly or persistently exhausted, raging, avoiding school, crying, or withdrawn? What do you call it when your child is struggling day after day? What does it mean when the light goes out of their eyes, when they no longer connect or communicate? We have faced all of that and more -- and discovered that it is a classic part of childhood burnout. It can impact children, teens, and young adults, and is little known, studied, and understood. In this podcast, I share the introduction from my new book, "The Parent's Handbook for Kids in Burnout" (warning: I do cry in reading it to you). If you have felt alone, if you care for struggling families, if you work with parents of neurodivergent kids, I guarantee you need to understand burnout, as it can save lives. FIND THE BOOK (available worldwide in ebook and print) - www.amandadiekman.com/book -- Additional Resources: Explore the new book - the Parent's Handbook for Kids in Burnout Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Part 2: Deep-diving PDA

38 min

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Katherine Olson, we deep dive into PDA and why so many of the strategies we're told to use can backfire for PDA kids. We talk about autonomy, neuroception, connection, and the invisible energy underneath our words—and why relationship is probably the most powerful intervention we have. -- ABOUT KATHERINE: Dr. Katherine L. Olson is a licensed clinical psychologist who lives and works on the central coast of California. She is a part-time psychologist and full-time mom and caregiver to two wonderful, neurodivergent kids, one of whom is PDA. Despite her years of training in neurodevelopment, she continually learns and unlearns so much more from her kids than she ever expected (or bargained for!). Through her private practice consultations, she has been privileged to work with many other PDA families along their journey, as well as other professionals who are hoping to better understand and support their PDA clients. Dr. Olson’s hope is to help bring autonomy focused, neurodiversity affirming care to the families who need it most. Learn more about her practice here: https://www.katherinelolsonphd.com/  -- Additional Resources: Explore the new book - the Parent's Handbook for Kids in Burnout Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Part 1: Deep-diving PDA

23 min

In this first part of a deep dive into PDA from a professional's lens, I’m talking with Dr. Katherine Olson, a clinical psychologist with extensive training in autism, early childhood intervention, and neurodevelopment. But Katie is also a parent who had to completely rethink what she thought she knew clinically, when her own child didn't fit the frameworks she'd been trained to use. Next week we'll talk more about the definition of PDA itself and why so many common parenting strategies fail so spectacularly for PDAers. -- ABOUT KATHERINE: Dr. Katherine L. Olson is a licensed clinical psychologist who lives and works on the central coast of California. She is a part-time psychologist and full-time mom and caregiver to two wonderful, neurodivergent kids, one of whom is PDA. Despite her years of training in neurodevelopment, she continually learns and unlearns so much more from her kids than she ever expected (or bargained for!). Through her private practice consultations, she has been privileged to work with many other PDA families along their journey, as well as other professionals who are hoping to better understand and support their PDA clients. Dr. Olson’s hope is to help bring autonomy focused, neurodiversity affirming care to the families who need it most. Learn more about her practice here: https://www.katherinelolsonphd.com/  -- Additional Resources: Explore the new book - the Parent's Handbook for Kids in Burnout Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be hono...

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All episodes

What Burnout Is Really Like

28 min

What happens when your kid is suddenly or persistently exhausted, raging, avoiding school, crying, or withdrawn? What do you call it when your child is struggling day after day? What does it mean when the light goes out of their eyes, when they no longer connect or communicate? We have faced all of that and more -- and discovered that it is a classic part of childhood burnout. It can impact children, teens, and young adults, and is little known, studied, and understood. In this podcast, I share the introduction from my new book, "The Parent's Handbook for Kids in Burnout" (warning: I do cry in reading it to you). If you have felt alone, if you care for struggling families, if you work with parents of neurodivergent kids, I guarantee you need to understand burnout, as it can save lives. FIND THE BOOK (available worldwide in ebook and print) - www.amandadiekman.com/book -- Additional Resources: Explore the new book - the Parent's Handbook for Kids in Burnout Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Part 2: Deep-diving PDA

38 min

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Katherine Olson, we deep dive into PDA and why so many of the strategies we're told to use can backfire for PDA kids. We talk about autonomy, neuroception, connection, and the invisible energy underneath our words—and why relationship is probably the most powerful intervention we have. -- ABOUT KATHERINE: Dr. Katherine L. Olson is a licensed clinical psychologist who lives and works on the central coast of California. She is a part-time psychologist and full-time mom and caregiver to two wonderful, neurodivergent kids, one of whom is PDA. Despite her years of training in neurodevelopment, she continually learns and unlearns so much more from her kids than she ever expected (or bargained for!). Through her private practice consultations, she has been privileged to work with many other PDA families along their journey, as well as other professionals who are hoping to better understand and support their PDA clients. Dr. Olson’s hope is to help bring autonomy focused, neurodiversity affirming care to the families who need it most. Learn more about her practice here: https://www.katherinelolsonphd.com/  -- Additional Resources: Explore the new book - the Parent's Handbook for Kids in Burnout Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Part 1: Deep-diving PDA

23 min

In this first part of a deep dive into PDA from a professional's lens, I’m talking with Dr. Katherine Olson, a clinical psychologist with extensive training in autism, early childhood intervention, and neurodevelopment. But Katie is also a parent who had to completely rethink what she thought she knew clinically, when her own child didn't fit the frameworks she'd been trained to use. Next week we'll talk more about the definition of PDA itself and why so many common parenting strategies fail so spectacularly for PDAers. -- ABOUT KATHERINE: Dr. Katherine L. Olson is a licensed clinical psychologist who lives and works on the central coast of California. She is a part-time psychologist and full-time mom and caregiver to two wonderful, neurodivergent kids, one of whom is PDA. Despite her years of training in neurodevelopment, she continually learns and unlearns so much more from her kids than she ever expected (or bargained for!). Through her private practice consultations, she has been privileged to work with many other PDA families along their journey, as well as other professionals who are hoping to better understand and support their PDA clients. Dr. Olson’s hope is to help bring autonomy focused, neurodiversity affirming care to the families who need it most. Learn more about her practice here: https://www.katherinelolsonphd.com/  -- Additional Resources: Explore the new book - the Parent's Handbook for Kids in Burnout Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be hono...

The radical freedom of trusting our kids

29 min

Listen in as I talk with somatic coach and artist Jo Kelly about what happens when we practice truly trusting our children (and ourselves) for the long haul. Jo shares her experience stepping away from traditional schooling and choosing a radically child-led educational path for her children, who are now young adults, including what she learned about feeling our feelings, self-trust, curiosity, and the ways children flourish when we release the expectation of conformity. We talk about how conditioning teaches us to disconnect from our own bodies and feelings, why so many of us struggle to trust our instincts as parents, and what it can look like to create a life where our children are allowed to follow their interests, honor their needs, advocate for themselves, and become who they already are. What if our work isn't to fix or heal our children, but to stop interrupting the incredible humans they already are?  About Jo: Jo Kelly is the founder of To Be Or Not To Act and creator of the 33-Day Reset Journey. For over 30 years, she has explored human instinct, emotional freedom and the conditioning that disconnects us from our natural intelligence. With an MBA specialized in systemics and human resources, her work looks beyond the individual to the family, education and social systems that shape how we learn to behave, express ourselves and trust our own internal signals. She is also directing the documentary Why Isn’t Everyone Dancing?, exploring what happens to our natural freedom and expression as we learn to behave, perform and fit in. Website: https://www.tobeornottoact.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobeornottoact_jokelly/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jo.kelly.77/  About the Podcast: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdo...

Parenting a gamer

31 min

  DISCOVER THE LOW DEMAND COURSE This powerful 8-week course hones your parenting intuition, builds your self-trust, supports collaborative work with your kid, and yields massive shifts in families. I love it. I hope you love it too. Find out more here.   ABOUT ANDREW Andrew Fishman, LCSW, is a licensed mental health professional in Chicago, where he specializes in the impact of video games on mental health. He earned a master’s degree in social work at Loyola University and is certified to counsel gaming disorder by the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization. His new book, Parenting a Gamer, is a comprehensive guide to all the challenges of parenting a gamer. Andrew has written extensively for Psychology Today, and he has been featured in interviews with outlets including The Wall Street Journal, AJ+ and Fintech Beat, among others. Connect with him online.   Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

How does unschooling work?

29 min

Esther Jones is a long-time unschooling parent who joins me to talk about how kids learn, how we can support learning, and what it looks like to truly trust our kids in their own educational journey. A rich conversation for people regardless of your schooling approach, Esther embodies a conviction that learning is our kids' native state, and that all we have to create a open, trusting, collaborative space, and they will learn in abundance! Meet Esther: - Esther's website: https://www.esther-jones.com/  - Read Esther's book: https://us.jkp.com/products/the-parents-handbook-to-unschooling-yourself  -Explore the Unschooling Summit: https://www.theunschoolingsummit.org/  - Esther's podcast: https://theunschoolspace.buzzsprout.com/  Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Healing parenting burnout

26 min

What if the reason compassion feels so hard isn't because you're failing—but because your nervous system is protecting you? In this conversation, Melissa Corkum and I explore the concept of "blocked care," why so many parents of high-needs kids experience it, and how shame, grief, and chronic stress can leave us feeling disconnected from the children we love so desperately. We talk about soothing and practical ways to begin restoring connection by caring for ourselves first. ABOUT MELISSA CORKUM: Web: risetoregulation.com Book: Every Parent's Guide to Reclaiming Compassion Email: melissa@risetoregulation.com

Maternal ambivalence: when you love your kids and sometimes hate parenting

26 min

In this episode, I talk with psychotherapist and researcher Dr. Margot Lowy about maternal ambivalence—the reality that parenting often holds both joy and grief, love and frustration, freedom and limitation all at the same time. We explore why these difficult feelings remain so taboo, how perfectionism and social expectations keep parents isolated, and why naming our experiences can be profoundly healing. Margot shares insights from decades of research and clinical work, reminding us that parenting isn't meant to be perfect. It's messy, interrupted, loving, and deeply human. ABOUT DR. MARGO LOWRY: Dr. Margo Lowy is a psychotherapist and researcher specializing in motherhood and women’s reproductive health. She holds a PhD and Research Masters from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, with a focus on maternal ambivalence and infertility. Her newest book, Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood (Post Hill Press, 2025), examines the complex emotions that accompany motherhood. She is also the author of The Maternal Experience: Encounters with Ambivalence and Love (Routledge, 2020), which grew out of her doctoral research, and a contributor to Psychology Today. Through her writing and clinical work, she aims to disrupt the silence surrounding the unspoken realities of motherhood.  Learn more:   - https://drmargolowy.com    - https://www.instagram.com/drmargolowy   - https://www.facebook.com/drmargolowy

Helping sensory-sensitive kids thrive

26 min

When we think about demands, we often think about the obvious ones: brush your teeth, sit at the table, get dressed, go to school. But what about the demands we can't see? In this conversation with pediatric occupational therapist Laura Petix (known online as The OT Butterfly), we explore how sensory experiences place demands on the nervous system—and why understanding those demands can completely change how we support our kids! We talk about: Why sensory tools don't work all the time The difference between accommodations and demands How to observe your child like a scientist Why "good behavior" can actually be a sign of distress The hidden costs of lights, sounds, textures, and environments The concept of a "nervous system budget" Why sensory sensitivity increases during burnout How to support kids even when you don't fully understand their experience This episode is a powerful reminder that our kid's behaviors aren't a "problem." They're showing us what the kid is carrying, often unseen, and giving us important clues of what it looks like to support them into thriving. ABOUT LAURA: Laura Petix is a Filipino American, neurodivergent pediatric occupational therapist, author, and nationally recognized voice in sensory processing and nervous system–informed behavior support. She is the founder of The OT Butterfly, a leading education platform trusted by hundreds of thousands of parents, educators, and clinicians for translating neuroscience into practical, real-world strategies. With a background spanning clinical practice, research, and large-scale digital education, Laura is known for making complex sensory science accessible, affirming, and actionable. You can find her kids book, podcast, and all her helpful resources at www.theotbutterfly.com. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step f...

Becoming a self-healer

28 min

In this deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Carolina Ramirez to explore what happens when parenting stops being a journey of “fixing” our children and becomes an invitation to heal ourselves. Carolina shares her experience as a Latina therapist, neurodivergent mother, and spiritual guide. Together, we talk about intuition, surrender, masking, productivity culture, systemic oppression, and the transformative power of meeting our children’s needs without shame or fear. This episode is about reclaiming your inner voice, trusting your child, and discovering that often healing is about returning home to yourself. JOIN THE MASTERMIND! (enrollment ends 6/12/26) Additional Resources: Find Carolina's programs and work with her Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!    TRANSCRIPT:  Becoming a Self-Healer — Transcript In today’s episode, I’m talking with Carolina Ramirez. Carolina is a spiritual therapist, coach, and guide for women and mothers doing deep inner healing work and reconnecting with their truth. She is especially passionate about supporting Latina women and women of color in reclaiming their power, breaking intergenerational cycles, and mothering themselves and their children with intention. I know many of you are going to recognize pieces of your own story in this conversation. I felt deeply witnessed and inspired by Carolina’s honesty, wisdom, and vulnerability. And whi...

Teens in distress

28 min

In this episode, I’m talking with author and therapist Katie May about something so many parents are facing—and so few feel equipped to handle: what to do when your teen is engaging in self-destructive or self-harming behaviors. Because everything in us wants to stop it. Fix it. Control it. And yet, the strategies we’ve been taught—punishment, consequences, taking things away—often make things worse. Katie helps us understand what’s actually going on underneath these behaviors, why teens turn to them in the first place, and what they really need from us in those moments. We talk about how to stay connected even when you’re scared, how to create safety without control, and how to show up in a way that supports real healing—not just behavior change. If you’re parenting a teen who is struggling, this conversation will give you a different lens—and a place to start. CHECK OUT OUR UPCOMING BURNOUT COURSE ABOUT KATIE Katie K. May is a licensed therapist, author, speaker, and group practice owner. She founded Creative Healing, a multi-location teen support center in the Philadelphia area, and wrote the #1 Amazon best-seller You’re On Fire, It’s Fine. With lived experience as a teen who turned to self-harm, Katie is one of only 11 Linehan Board Certified DBT Clinicians in Pennsylvania, the gold standard treatment for self-harm and suicidal behaviors. She equips parents and clinicians with practical, trauma-informed tools to decode behavior as survival and create lasting change.   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativehealingphilly  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creative_healing  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiekmay  Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiekmay  Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@teensupportcenter   

Mailbag: Back to Basics with Low Demand

23 min

In this episode, I’m answering a listener question I hear all the time: What does low demand actually look like? I walk through the foundations of low demand parenting by breaking it down into a clear, practical process—using real-life examples to show how we identify what’s too hard, drop demands that aren’t doable, and increase accommodations in ways that actually bring relief. I explain how low demand isn’t about “giving up” or being permissive, but about attuning to capacity—our kids’ and our own—and responding with intention instead of force. I also introduce the six-step low demand process, unpack how demands work like a layer cake (surface demand → expectation → adult need), and share how learning to truly listen to our kids’ communication changes everything. If you’ve ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or unsure whether you’re “doing low demand right,” this episode is meant to give you clarity, structure, and reassurance that there is a path through this.

Meeting our own needs

28 min

What if the hardest part of low demand parenting isn’t your child’s needs — but what their needs bring up in you? In this solo episode, we will explore the deep inner work beneath low demand parenting: how many of us were taught to suppress our needs, feel ashamed of them, or believe they hurt other people…and how those old messages get activated when we’re raising kids with big needs of their own. This episode unpacks why so many parents feel burned out, resentful, or stuck in a painful “it’s me or it’s my kids” mindset, and offers a different framework: your needs and your child’s needs are not in competition. They are deeply interconnected. I share mindset shifts, lived examples, and practical steps for rebuilding a compassionate relationship with your own needs — without abandoning your child, without self-sacrifice, and without shame. This episode is especially for all my beloved fellow parents who feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or quietly resentful. I hope that this episode helps you imagine a world where both you and your kids can be needy, sensitive, and deeply connected, all at once. Additional Resources: The Low Demand Reset - your gentle reflective guide to the new year Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you! 

Throw Out the Manual: Rewriting Fatherhood for a PDA Kid

25 min

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and neighbor Jeff Parrott to talk about parenting a PDA, pressure-sensitive child while letting go of the “typical” parenting manual. Jeff shares their family’s pivot from high academic expectations to unschooling, how discovering PDA reframed everything, and why consent became the key non-negotiable in their parenting. He walks me through his family’s practical, proactive demand-drops (like rethinking laundry and mealtimes), handling criticism as a father, and the affirmation that anchors him: “connection over correction.” If you’ve ever wondered how to live out your low demand beliefs when your identity is tied to achievement, this conversation is a powerful roadmap. About Jeff: Jeff Parrott is a proud father and husband in a neurodiverse family and is committed to learning from his lived experience practicing Low Demand. With a focus on personal growth, he is committed to the appreciation, understanding, and support of neurodiversity, sensory sensitivities, Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA), and Low Demand. Jeff has B.E. degrees in engineering (Biomedical and Electrical) and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Women’s Health and Reproductive Endocrinology) and has much experience in academic and pharmaceutical development laboratories. A persistent problem solver, he strives to find everyday solutions that work for his beautiful, developing, gifted family. In this space, he identifies with the username @JeffAugmen. “Augmen” is a Latin for “growth. Mentions in this episode: Occupational therapist Jenna Meehan, of Be Me OT in Durham, NC: https://www.bemeot.com/ PDA framing; “pressure-sensitive kids” (Dr. Naomi Fisher, reference by Jeff) Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom...

Low Demand - But Make It Structured

27 min

In this episode, I sit down with writer and disabled parent Jessica Slice about what it looks like to practice low demand parenting… and also not. Jessica shares how parenting her autistic daughter showed her that “endless freedom” actually made her child more anxious — and that loving, predictable structure was the real low demand move for their family. We talk about how disability culture dismantles shame, why some kids panic in the face of too many choices, how to build rules that are genuinely child-centered, and why no one on the internet gets to tell you whether you’re “doing low demand right.” This conversation is a permission slip for families who need containers, timers, and posted rules on the wall, not because you’re trying to control your kid, but because that’s what actually lowers demands in your unique family culture. In this episode we talk about: Why “low demand” can’t be one-size-fits-all How Jessica realized unlimited choice was actually the demand for her autistic daughter The family’s TV setup: timers, platform limits, and why it calms her kid Using rules to reduce suffering, not to control behavior Parenting inside disability culture — naming needs without shame The difference between “parent-imposed rules” and “kid-centered structure” Letting go of performing “good parenting” for outsiders Why no one can look from the outside and decide whether what you’re doing is “low demand” My Guest:Jessica Slice is the Toronto author of four books about disability and has written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, the Guardian, The Globe & Mail, LitHub, Alice Wong’s bestselling Disability Visibility, Slate, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and more. She’s also been featured in Vogue, The New Yorker, PBS, NPR, The Cut, the BBC, and more. She lives with her husband, two kids, and two dogs.  https://www.jessicaslice.com/  https://bookshop.org/shop/jessicaslice  https://jessicaslice.substack.com/  Additional Resourc...

Listening Deeply To Our Kids

28 min

In this solo episode, I get to dive into one of the most radical, healing, and countercultural practices in Low Demand Parenting: listening deeply to our kids. As the third step in the six-step Low Demand Method, listening is the heart of it all—the bridge between understanding and letting go. Together we will explore how to listen when our kids won’t answer a single question, when what they say triggers us, and when their truth doesn’t match what we wanted to hear. I share real-life stories, practical tools (like “bark if you love cereal!”), and deep reflections on the power of curiosity, differentiation, and radical humility. This episode will help you release the pressure to “get it right,” and instead, open your ears—and your heart—to what your child is really communicating. Additional Resources: Low Demand Coaching with our incredible team. Receive support and compassion; get un-stuck with practical help; find someone to talk to who fully gets it. Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Parenting at the Intersections

24 min

What happens when parenting meets the deep work of liberation? In this episode, I talk with Jaya Ramesh and Priya Saaral, authors of Parenting at the Intersections, about raising neurodivergent children of color, unlearning oppressive systems, and redefining what it means to love our kids exactly as they are. Together, they explore how intersectionality shapes parenting, why “expert culture” often misses the mark, and how resistance, both ours and our children’s, is a form of love. This is a tender, eye-opening conversation about healing generational wounds, honoring ancestral wisdom, and raising children who belong without apology. About my Guests Priya Saaral, LICSW, RPT-S is a proud mama, play therapist and parenting coach specializing in the emotional wellbeing of neurodivergent children and parents by helping them reconnect to their playful spirit amidst personal and structural adversity. She is a late-identified neurodivergent person with caste privilege and a first generation immigrant settler from India and Singapore, settled on Duwamish land (Seattle). Jaya Ramesh, LMHC is psychotherapist in private practice, specializing in supporting BIPOC and neurodivergent individuals and couples in having more authentic relationships. She also runs a DEI consultancy supporting communities and organizations in creating more anti-racist spaces. She identifies as a caste-privileged Indian-American who is neurodivergent. She is married, raising two kids and an adorable dog and lives on the unceded lands of Duwamish (colonially known as Seattle). Read "Parenting at the Intersections" Jaya Ramesh Counseling Priya Saaral - Play Therapy and Parent Coaching Additional Resources Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for update...

Low Demand in a Blended Family

27 min

In this raw, tender conversation, Chris and Jasmine open up about navigating a “big blended family crisis,” discovering PDA, and rebuilding connection in a stepfamily with three kids. They share the pressure cooker of custody battles, school expectations, aggression at home, and the moment low-demand and CPS (Ross Greene) reframed everything around autonomy and safety. We talk deconditioning from “good parent” scripts, stepmom complexity, marriage repair, and how Chris’s autistic burnout changed the pace of their whole family. It’s honest, nuanced, and deeply human.  📌 Content note: brief mention of a child’s disclosure of self-harm early in the story. Guest Bio Ten years married, Chris and Jasmine are an interracial couple raising three PDA kids aged 14,6 and 4 in Goolwa Beach, South Australia. They navigated an intense blended family crisis with intense child behaviors, catalysing their conscious parenting journey before discovering PDA. Chris is an entrepreneur and a coach who helps people reprogram their reality. Jasmine is the author of Behind That Shiny Resume. She supports stepmoms navigating complex family dynamics as well as neurodiverse couples. Follow their journey at @unschooling.pda on Instagram Find stepmum support at Linktr.ee/stepmumcoach Additional Resources Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you! 

What to do when low demand is killing you

24 min

In this solo episode, I reframe “low-demand” beyond crisis triage and into a proactive, sustainable practice. I explain why dropping demands only in the moment can leave parents burned out—and how to move toward durable drops that create real ease and joy for everyone. Using a concrete “can’t get out of bed for school” example, I show you how to become a demand detective, uncover the deeper beliefs and personal history driving our pressure, and design accommodations that actually work. We also tackle internally driven demands (especially with teens), dismantling the cultural “shoulds,” and why believing yourself is the first liberating step to building a life that fits your child—and you. Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Single parenting with low demands

29 min

Clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist, and single mom Dr. Gila shares hard-won, compassionate guidance for solo parents of high-needs kids: naming the grief and stressors unique to single parenting, why stress is “the great magnifier,” and how radical permission + perspective help us stay out of shame and make workable choices. We get concrete about the “tiger in the room” (what to do when the meltdown is happening right now), expanding what counts as support (yes, screens sometimes), asking for help when choice A isn’t available, and building micro-practices—audio journaling, body-based resets, and community—to keep one adult resourced when there’s no one to tag in. Meet our guest: Dr. Gila (she/her) is a Jai-certified parenting coach and certified Clini-Coach®, in addition to being a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist. Most importantly, she’s a single mom to a beautifully complex kid. Dr. Gila is passionate about parenting with connection, NOT perfection. She specializes in supporting single parents, and parents of strong-willed, spirited, or neurodivergent kids. Her motto is: Even if you're on your own, you don't have to do it alone! Biz name: Dr. Gila Parenting Website: www.drgilaparenting.com   Email: info@drgilaparenting.com IG: www.instagram.com/drgila_parenting FB: www.facebook.com/drgilaparenting/ Facebook group: Single-Parenting with Connection, not Perfection (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/154KRmy72k/) Free Guided Meditation for Single Parents (or anyone who feels like one!): https://www.drgilaparenting.com/SP_meditation Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast...

Becoming Your Child's School Advocate

24 min

In this conversation, therapist and long-time school advocate Keischa Pruden shares 25 years of hard-won wisdom on helping neurodivergent kids access safety and learning inside traditional schools. We talk whole-child lenses (bio-psycho-social), what actually derails learning (surprise transitions, sensory overload, inflexible expectations), and how to build a true “village” between home and school. Keischa walks through the key components of practical school advocacy—and names the heavy load parents carry (and why support is non-negotiable). It’s a compassionate, concrete guide to lowering demands at school without losing sight of what matters most: each child’s definition of a meaningful day. Meet our guest: Learn more about Keischa Pruden here. Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!   

The PDA Safe Circle

35 min

In this rich, practical conversation, Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman—PDA adult, rabbi, and creator of the PDA Safe Circle—maps out a body-based way to understand PDA using her “safe circle” metaphor. We explore why capacity, not compliance, defines what’s truly “safe,” how trauma can sensitize antenna without being the cause of PDA, and what actually widens a nervous system’s circle. Learn more about Shoshana: Experience a free week in the PDA Safe Circle community Download the PDA Safe Circle Coloring Book (for free!) Follow Shoshana on Instagram Additional Resources: Low Demand Course - a powerful 6 week course to learn the 6-step Low Demand approach and change your parenting journey! Enrolling now through September 15. Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow @LowDemandAmanda on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Unburdening Parenthood with IFS

27 min

In this episode, I welcome Dr. Angele Close, a psychologist, motherhood coach, and author, to discuss the transformative power of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy in parenting. We explore how understanding and healing our internal parts can lead to more effective, compassionate, and empowering low-demand parenting. Dr. Close shares her personal journey with IFS, how it changed her approach to parenting her neurodivergent son, and offers practical insights into how parents can shift their inner dialogues to better manage triggers and stress. Our personal and raw conversation sheds light on the importance of unburdening ourselves from societal expectations and embracing the dynamic healing journey, which gifts us with a richer relationship to our children and ourselves. Bio: Dr. Angele Close is a clinical psychologist, motherhood coach, and certified mindfulness teacher who supports mothers and couples through the emotional challenges of parenting and partnership. A mom to a neurodivergent teen, she discovered the therapeutic model of Internal Family Systems (IFS) during her own parenting journey and found its tools transformational. Practicing and training in IFS helped her shift from chronic reactivity to greater clarity, calm, and compassion, for her kids and herself. Dr. Close now brings this approach to her clients, guiding them to feel more grounded, connected, and confident through their own inner healing. She is the author of the forthcoming book Unburdening Motherhood and is passionate about helping parents apply IFS in everyday moments so they can not only show up with the steady, wise presence their children and relationships need most, but also experience more ease, joy, and fulfillment in parenting. - Episode Resources: 5 part free video series - https://www.drangeleclose.com/courses IFS Book: You Are The One You've Been Waiting For IFS Workbook Dr. Close is also hosting a workshop/webinar for PDA North America August 21st (6pm CST) titled Find...

Healing Sibling Relationships

33 min

In this episode, we delve into the intricate dynamics of sibling relationships in families with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Whether your family is neurodivergent or mixed neurotype, sibling interactions can be challenging. We'll explore practical strategies for creating a safe, compassionate, and understanding environment. Learn about the importance of repairing relationships, avoiding comparisons, and fostering open conversations about disabilities. Additionally, I introduce my self-paced course, 'When Siblings Feel Like Enemies,' designed to help you navigate these dynamics with tools and conversation guides. When Siblings Feel Like Enemies - a transformative DIY course for PDA families with challenging sibling dynamics Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you! 

What is autistic burnout?

28 min

I am joined by Amelia Nagoski, co-author of Burnout, for a deep conversation about autistic burnout, systemic stress, and why traditional self-care often fails. We both reflect on our personal experiences of autistic burnout and how healing can begin by dropping unrealistic expectations—especially those rooted in systemic oppression. Episode Details: Burnout Workshop - June 12, 4-6pm - Get a ticket for $27 Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski Amelia and Emily’s YouTube channel with autistic insights on burnout recovery Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Screens, Shame, and Saying Yes: Real Talk About Screen Time in Burnout

22 min

In this episode of the Low Demand Parenting Podcast, I’m answering your toughest, most honest questions about screen time — especially during burnout. Together, we unpack big concerns about whether screen use is “addictive,” whether dropping limits is the right choice, and how to respond when your child is glued to YouTube all day or spending your entire budget on Roblox. I offer a grounded, shame-free perspective on how screens can meet vital needs for rest, novelty, and autonomy — especially for neurodivergent kids — and how we can offer our most powerful parenting tool: a wholehearted yes. Whether you’re new to low demand or deep in phase two of burnout, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical insight for one of the most emotionally loaded topics in parenting today. More details on this topic: To listen to more about burnout, check out episodes 11 and 14! I also have a mini-course on screens to get more of this compassionate, shame free approach. Screens Without Shame,    Additional low demand resources: For shame-free coaching, including a safe space to process your kid's screen use, check out coaching with the Low Demand team! We have skilled, passionate, deeply compassionate coaches ready to help you step into more acceptance and support. Find out more about coaching. Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

What about the siblings?

29 min

When you’re parenting a high-needs or PDA child, it often feels like their needs dominate the household. But what about the siblings? In this episode, I share five core truths that have helped me show up with compassion and clarity in the most impossible-feeling moments of sibling conflict. From managing competing needs, to navigating rupture and repair, to having real conversations about disability, this episode explores the messy, nuanced reality of raising multiple children in a low demand household. I’ll walk you through practical steps and hard-won insights, all rooted in deep love, radical acceptance, and the commitment to building safe, shame-free family relationships. - When Siblings Feel Like Enemies - a transformative DIY course for PDA families with challenging sibling dynamics - Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom  - Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest  - The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Mailbag: Low demand partnerships

25 min

This week, I’m answering your questions about partnerships — about how to talk to your spouse about low demand parenting, what to do when they’re not on board, how to respond when they’re getting really triggered by meltdowns or moments of being hit or yelled at, and how to support a PDA partner in sharing their emotions safely. I share how I approach partnerships: with radical acceptance, deep listening, and letting go of expectations that are too hard. I also name that this conversation is based on my own experience being married to the person I co-parent with — and that things might look different if you’re navigating co-parenting after separation or with trauma present. I hope this episode gives you a fresh way to think about dropping demands for the other adults in your life and trusting that you can do your work, even when someone else is on their own journey. Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you! 

From high-demand to low-demand: my journey of letting go

26 min

This is a deeply personal episode. I am in the guest seat to share my transformation from high-demand, perfectionist parenting to the radical practice of Low Demand Parenting. Interviewed by my dear friend Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman, I open up about the turning point in my parenting journey, how the collapse of old paradigms gave way to deep healing, and why letting go isn’t failure—it’s freedom. Together, we explore the spiritual depth of radical acceptance, the impact of privilege on parenting choices, and why practicing low demand is never all-or-nothing. This episode is a love letter to the part of you that’s wondering if it’s okay to stop trying so hard. Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman: https://www.rabbishoshana.com The PDA Safe Circle is a new app, course, and welcoming online community designed to decrease distress and increase thriving for PDAers and our loved ones. Diane Gould of PDA North America calls The PDA Safe Circle Approach “a game changer.” No waitlist. Membership rates are equity-based and no one is turned away for financial reasons. Ross Greene and the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions model: https://livesinthebalance.org Misophonia information: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24460-misophonia 

Why motherhood is killing us

28 min

In this powerful and deeply moving conversation, I am joined by Ambreia Meadows-Hernandez of Free Black Motherhood. Together, we unpack what it means to mother freely within systems built to demand your erasure. Ambreia shares how she is deconstructing martyr-based motherhood, reclaiming her identity as a liberated Black mother, and moving toward a more expansive and embodied parenting practice rooted in presence, emotional transparency, and intergenerational healing. We talk about the impossibility of perfection, the false expectations placed on mothers—especially Black mothers—and how parenting can be a radical act of justice. If you’ve ever felt like you had to disappear to be a “good” mom, this episode is for you. ~~Join the next Masterclass community group in April 2025!~~ MEET AMBREIA: Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez is a storyteller, public speaker, facilitator, and motherhood scholar who processes the world through her award-winning writing. Sometimes, these efforts are birthed as reported journalistic-style pieces. Other times, they manifest as essays where she tries to use her personal experiences as a window into larger societal trends. She found her writing voice in the aftermath of birth trauma. The experience compelled her to share her story and create Freeblackmotherhood – a way of mothering that asks 'Black mothers and others' to prioritize self-love and authentic expression in all things while asking them to imagine a world where Black women are free to feel. Her mediums change, but her passion for health, especially reproductive matters, remains the same.  • Learn more about Ambreia  • Follow her on Instagram at Free Black Motherhood  • SisterSong  • Patricia Hill Collins (Black Feminist scholarship)  • Adrienne Rich (Of Woman Born)  • Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now)  • Ambreia's article exploring Partus sequitur ventrem (status of the child follows the mother)  

Mailbag: Should I pull my kid from school?

21 min

I respond to a question from a parent navigating a painful dilemma: when a child is really struggling in school, how do we know when it’s time to pull them out? I explore two intertwined questions—how to recognize when it’s truly “too much,” and how to care for ourselves in the aftermath of such a big, life-changing decision. I share tools for tuning into our child’s nervous system, identifying red flags, and listening to our own inner knowing. I also talk about how to create sustainable routines, even in the chaos of burnout and unpredictability. This is an episode for anyone in the limbo of indecision, wondering if it’s “bad enough yet.” You are not alone. Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you! 

What I Wish I Knew Sooner About My Kid's Brain

26 min

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Robyn Gobbel, trauma therapist and author of Big Baffling Behaviors. Together, we explore how to talk to our kids about their brains, why it matters so much, and how understanding our nervous systems helps us parent with compassion and connection. Robyn shares her Owl, Watchdog, and Possum framework—a playful and accessible way to explain our brain states—and we dive deep into how nervous system science can transform the way we understand our kids’ struggles, our own reactions, and the path to healing for the whole family. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt baffled by their child’s behavior and longed for a way to explain the unexplainable—with love, curiosity, and a lot less shame. Explore the Restore Your Soul Mastermind here --> Mastermind LINKS FOR MORE DETAILS: • Robyn Gobbel’s website: https://robyngobbel.com • Robyn’s book Big Baffling Behaviors: https://robyngobbel.com/book • Polyvagal Theory by Dr. Stephen Porges: https://www.stephenporges.com • Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model: https://www.neurosequential.com

Won't versus Can't: The mindset shift that changes everything

18 min

When I started practicing low demand parenting, it wasn’t because I read a book or found a perfect system. It was because our family hit a wall—and nothing else was working. One of the very first mindset shifts that saved me, and continues to guide me every single day, is this: shifting from won’t to can’t.   This episode is all about that shift—from believing our kids (or ourselves) won’t do something, to realizing they can’t in this moment. I unpack:  Where the “won’t” mentality comes from and why it’s so ingrained in us. How shifting to “can’t” opens up curiosity and compassion (for your kid and yourself). What happens in the early phases of low demand parenting when all the hidden can’ts start tumbling out. How safety, masking, and nervous system overwhelm all play into what your child can (and can’t) do—and how that changes from moment to moment.   If you’ve ever thought, “They won’t just put their shoes on, they won’t go to bed without me, they won’t do their homework,” this episode is for you. Let’s rethink it together.   ADDITIONAL LINKS Ross Greene’s Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (Plan B) - https://www.livesinthebalance.org Submit a question for future episodes via SpeakPipe Previous episode: What is Low Demand Parenting? Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom

Mailbag: Toileting & body care

22 min

Toileting struggles, periods, and body care—these are some of the trickiest internal demands our kids face. When a child refuses to wear a seatbelt, smears poop, or struggles with managing their period, how do we support them in a way that respects their nervous system while still meeting real needs?   In this episode, I break down:  • What internal demands are and why they can be so distressing for neurodivergent kids  • How burnout impacts basic needs like sleep, eating, and toileting  • Why forcing solutions backfires—and how to approach these struggles through support, not control  • Creative, low-demand ways to navigate seatbelt struggles, poop smearing, and period care  • How parents can reduce their own stress while supporting kids who struggle with bodily functions   This episode is for every parent who’s felt like, “I can’t drop this demand, but I also can’t keep fighting this battle.”   Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you! 

Marriage and PDA: Living the low demand way

24 min

How do you create a low-demand partnership while raising neurodivergent kids? This week, I sit down with Lindsay and Daryl Flanagan—fellow low-demand parents—who share their journey of shifting from traditional parenting to a more intuitive, needs-centered approach. We explore how dropping demands for each other and for our children has transformed their relationship and family life. In this episode, we discuss: ✔️ Letting go of traditional expectations in relationships and parenting. ✔️ Navigating marriage when one or both partners are neurodivergent. ✔️ The power of humor, shorthand phrases, and texting in low-demand communication. ✔️ How to balance needs and avoid resentment in a partnership. ✔️ Understanding PDA in both kids and adults—and how it impacts relationships. ✔️ Why acknowledging capacity (not intent) is key to mutual respect. If you’re wondering how to create a partnership that thrives alongside parenting neurodivergent kids, this episode is for you! 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! More Resources: Follow Lindsay (with cameos from Daryl) on Instagram Discover Lindsay’s courses, coaching, and community through Hive Parents Brooke from No Pressure PDA – insight on humor as a signal of safety. Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!    

Trusting Their 'No'

29 min

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, I dive into the essential work of teaching our kids to trust themselves, even when the world tells them otherwise. Using real-life examples, I share how traditional parenting approaches—like pushing through discomfort or faking calm—can break trust and escalate stress. Instead, I advocate for dropping the demands, honoring a child’s “no,” and embracing co-regulation as a path to healing and connection. You’ll learn: Why your child’s meltdowns are not your fault and how to reframe them as panic responses. The power of honoring your child’s body cues and trusting their “no.” How traditional ideas like “pushing through” can harm sensitive kids. Why co-regulation is about authenticity, not forced calm. Practical ways to stay connected to your child, even when their distress is distressing you. This episode is a permission slip to drop the weight of perfectionism and embrace honest, boundaried, and compassionate parenting.

Mailbag: Coming Out of Burnout

21 min

Episode Resources:  Aligning with Yourself Course: Designed to help you shed perfectionism and show up in your truth, this course supports you through tough seasons like burnout. [Learn more here]  Episode 11: Burnout Doesn't Last Forever.   In this listener mailbag episode, I tackle the tough questions about phase two of burnout recovery—what I call Curious but No Capacity. This is the messy middle where your child starts to re-engage with the world but lacks the skills or energy to follow through fully. I explore:   Differentiating “hard” vs. “too hard” and why it matters   How to honor your child’s desires while protecting their capacity   Finding creative, flexible solutions to navigate burnout recovery   Advocating for your child in spaces that weren’t built for them   The importance of trust, collaboration, and dropping demands   Key Takeaways:   Burnout Recovery Isn’t Linear: Expect one step forward and two steps back—it’s all part of the process.   Hard vs. Too Hard: Learn how to assess your child’s capacity and build safety before tackling challenges.   Advocacy Matters: Find ways to prepare others to support your child’s unique needs in shared spaces.   The Middle Path: Move beyond “yes or no” decisions to a collaborative approach with your child.   Find More About Low Demand: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you! 

The Hard Stuff: Parenting grief and shame

26 min

In this honest and heartfelt conversation with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Emma Svanberg, known online as the "Mumologist," we explore the intersection of grief and parenting. Emma shares her journey from studying attachment theory to supporting parents in navigating the overwhelming pressures of modern parenting. Together, we unpack the grief that arises when reality doesn’t match our idealized parenting fantasies, the importance of slowing down, and the power of self-compassion.   Emma and Amanda discuss: How parenting grief reshapes our identities. Signs of unprocessed grief in parents, including resentment, disconnection, and autopilot living. The myth of calm parenting and the pressure it places on parents. Why self-compassion and community are essential for breaking cycles and creating change. This episode is an invitation to honor the messy, beautiful, and deeply human work of parenting—and to give yourself grace along the way.   Links Mentioned: Emma’s book: Parenting for Humans Find Emma Svanberg, also known as the "Mumologist," on Instagram.   Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Untigering and Low Demand Parenting

23 min

In a lovely and inspiring conversation on The Low Demand Parenting Podcast, Amanda Diekman sits down with Iris Chen, founder of Untigering, to discuss her journey from authoritarian parenting to a radically respectful and connected approach. Together, they explore: Detoxing from authoritarian and fear-based parenting Breaking free from the "good girl" and "good mom" identities Letting go of obedience as a measure of success Building meaningful relationships across generational and cultural divides Embracing radical acceptance in parenting and beyond Iris shares her personal story, the challenges of parenting in countercultural ways, and the importance of living your values to inspire change. Whether you're navigating parenting, breaking cycles, or creating your own family culture, this episode will leave you inspired to step into radical acceptance and connection. Aligning With Yourself: Break free from 'shoulds.' Step into your power. This innovative course about letting go of the guilt, shame, and “shoulds” that keep us stuck in an identity that no longer serves us. With insightful journaling pages, fresh mindfulness exercises, and engaging rituals, this course is for parents who are tired of performing, tired of people-pleasing, and ready to reclaim their energy, their identity, and their truth.   Main Topics Discussed: Detoxing from fear-based, authoritarian parenting paradigms Shifting from controlling outcomes to embracing connection and safety The journey of healing childhood wounds to parent differently Addressing cultural and generational challenges in parenting transitions Practical ways to hold boundaries with respect and nuance How to embody radical acceptance in relationships Resources Mentioned: Iris Chen’s book: Untigering: Peaceful Parenting for the Deconstructing Tiger Parent Iris Chen’s website: Untigering Follow Iris on social media: Instagram Facebook       Additional Resources: Low Demand Reset (Free Gift): www.amandadiekman.com/re...

Burnout doesn't last forever.

26 min

Burnout can feel endless and all-consuming, both for children experiencing it and for the parents navigating it alongside them. In this solo episode, I’m sharing four key steps to understand and support your child’s journey out of burnout. We’ll tackle common misconceptions, unpack what burnout truly is, and explore how to create a healing cocoon of safety and love. I’ll also outline the stages of recovery and offer practical tools to meet your child where they are. Burnout is challenging, but it’s also transformative—and together, we can embrace this journey with compassion, hope, and acceptance.   Aligning With Yourself: Break free from 'shoulds.' Step into your power. This innovative course about letting go of the guilt, shame, and “shoulds” that keep us stuck in an identity that no longer serves us. With insightful journaling pages, fresh mindfulness exercises, and engaging rituals, this course is for parents who are tired of performing, tired of people-pleasing, and ready to reclaim their energy, their identity, and their truth.   Resources mentioned in this podcast:  Megan Anna Neff's burnout workbook PANS/PANDAS CIRS - mold toxicity illness     Additional Resources: Low Demand Reset (Free Gift): www.amandadiekman.com/reset Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Embracing Our "Spiky-Profile" Kids

19 min

In this episode of The Low Demand Parenting Podcast, Amanda Diekman welcomes Debbie Reber, founder of Tilt Parenting and author of Differently Wired. Together, they delve into the unique challenges and strengths of raising twice-exceptional (2E) kids—children who are both gifted and neurodivergent. From understanding asynchrony to fostering self-advocacy and embracing parenting as activism, this episode offers invaluable insights for parents navigating the complexity of 2E parenting.   Episode Highlights: What it means to be twice-exceptional (2E) and how to recognize it. Understanding the asynchrony between giftedness and lagging skills. How parents can reframe perplexing behavior as a sign of lagging skills rather than willful disobedience. Encouraging self-discovery and self-advocacy in 2E kids. Advocating for systemic change to better support differently wired children. The importance of self-compassion and conscious maintenance for parents.   Resources Mentioned: Tilt Parenting Website Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World by Debbie Reber Tilt Parenting Podcast Articles and resources on twice-exceptionality available at Tilt Parenting.   Follow Debbie Reber: Instagram: @TiltParenting Facebook: Tilt Parenting Community Additional Resources: Low Demand Reset (Free Gift): www.amandadiekman.com/reset Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Holiday Mailbag: Santa secrets, food woes, and surviving the season

21 min

In this special Holiday Mailbag episode, Amanda Diekman answers listener questions about navigating the holidays as a low-demand parent. From food struggles to Santa dilemmas, and handling judgment in public, Amanda offers compassionate insights and practical strategies for making this season work for your unique family. Key topics include: Supporting kids with PDA who struggle with eating. Navigating the Santa conversation when siblings are at different stages. Handling partner disagreements about parenting approaches during high-stress times. Advocating for your parenting style and setting boundaries in public. If you’re looking for ways to drop the pressure and embrace connection this holiday season, this episode is for you.   Additional Resources: Low Demand Reset (Free Gift): www.amandadiekman.com/reset Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!

Rewards and punishments don't work.

19 min

In this episode of The Low Demand Parenting Podcast, Amanda Diekman breaks down why the dominant parenting paradigm of rewards and punishments isn’t serving our kids—or us. Grounded in brain science and personal insight, Amanda shares how focusing on connection and attunement unlocks long-term trust, regulation, and growth in our children. Through real-life examples and a compassionate lens, Amanda encourages parents to step away from control-based strategies and embrace the transformative power of safety and belonging.   Low Demand Reset: Reflect, Release, Realign  A gentle guide to closing the year with intention and compassion. Get yours here: www.amandadiekman.com/reset   Key takeaways include: Why rewards and punishments miss the mark. The science of behavior as communication. Shifting from “earning love” to modeling unconditional connection. Practical strategies for supporting dysregulated children.   Additional Resources: Low Demand Reset (Free Gift): www.amandadiekman.com/reset Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!    Transcript:  Welcome to the Low Demand Parenting Podcast, where we drop the pressure, find the joy, and thrive, even when life feels stuck on level 12 hard. I'm Amanda Diekman, author, autistic adult, and mom of three. I'm not here as an expert, but a fellow traveler. Together, we're learning how to live more gently, authentically, and vibrantly in this...

Mailbag: Aggression, name calling & meltdowns

21 min

In this deeply empathetic mailbag episode of the Low Demand Parenting Podcast, Amanda Diekman answers two listener questions about navigating the challenges of dysregulated kids: Physical Aggression and Meltdowns: What do you do when your child is physically aggressive, whether toward you or siblings? Amanda shares strategies for: De-escalation: Dropping demands in the moment to reduce tension and prioritize safety. Co-regulation: Staying grounded so your child can borrow your calm to find their own. Practical tips for balancing priorities like safety versus expectations, and the importance of repair after meltdowns. Name-Calling and Emotional Pain: How do you handle deeply painful words from a dysregulated child? Amanda dives into: Why name-calling is a symptom of deep dysregulation, not malice. How dropping the expectation that “hurtful words won’t happen” fosters connection and healing. The transformative work of exploring why certain behaviors hurt you, healing your own emotional wounds, and modeling resilience for your child. This episode is filled with actionable strategies, personal reflections, and encouragement for parents navigating the complexities of dysregulated kids.   Time Stamps: 00:46 Understanding Dysregulation in Children 03:14 De-escalation and Co-regulation Strategies 10:16 Addressing Name Calling and Emotional Safety 18:39 Healing and Self-Reflection for Parents 20:38 Conclusion and Listener Engagement Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you...

Intersectionality and Low Demand Parenting

25 min

In this deeply engaging episode of The Low Demand Parenting Podcast, Amanda Diekman sits down with Morénike Giwa Onaiwu—an activist, advocate, and thought leader in neurodiversity and intersectionality. Together, they unpack how intersectionality informs low demand parenting, highlighting the overlap of privilege and marginalization in parenting and life. From understanding how societal norms rooted in white supremacy affect neurodivergent families to exploring the complexities of unmasking for marginalized communities, this conversation challenges us to reflect on how our identities shape the demands we place on ourselves and our children. Morénike shares practical insights on navigating cultural expectations, systemic biases, and building stronger, more inclusive connections across neurotypes. This episode is a must-listen for parents seeking to align their parenting practices with authenticity, humility, and the realities of diverse lived experiences. Additional Resources: Dr. Onaiwu's books, including "Sincerely, Your Autistic Child" Dr. Onaiwu’s work as Director, Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) Dr. Onaiwu's Google Scholar page "What To Say Next" book that Dr. Onaiwu mentions in the episode Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!    Transcript:    Welcome to the low demand parenting podcast, where we drop the pressure, find the joy and thrive. Even when it feels like...

The Myth of Permissive Parenting

27 min

Permissive parenting has been labeled the boogeyman of modern parenting—but is it time to rethink what "permissive" really means? In this episode, I unpack the history of parenting styles, challenge the fear and judgment around permissiveness, and explore why flexibility, collaboration, and permission might just be the tools we desperately need to raise thriving, neurodivergent kids. Join me as we dig into neuroscience, attachment theory, and real-life parenting moments to rewrite the rulebook for a new generation of families.   00:35 The Permissive Parent Myth 02:27 Historical Context of Parenting Styles 06:04 Reevaluating Permissive Parenting 09:27 Modern Research and Neuroscience 13:51 Practical Examples and Strategies 21:45 The Need for Permission in Parenting   Read my article in the journal (Di)verge entitled, “Rethinking Permissive Parenting”   Additional Resources:   Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!    Transcript:    Welcome to the low demand parenting podcast, where we drop the pressure, find the joy and thrive. Even when it feels like life is stuck on level 12 hard. I'm  Amanda Diekmann, author, autistic adult, and mom of three. I'm not here as an expert, but a fellow traveler.  Together, we're learning how to live more gently, authentically, and vibrantly in this wild parenting life.   If there's one boogeyman that modern parents have been thoroughly i...

Mailbag: How do I get my own needs met?

19 min

  In this mailbag episode, I answer listener questions about one of the things I get asked most: How to balance adult needs with low demand parenting. We dive into what to do when your family isn’t on board with low demand and how to meet your own core needs when your kid can’t leave the house for months. From finding support as a low demand parent to managing a PDA child’s need for closeness, we’ll explore how to identify our true needs and disentangle them from specific expectations. Tune in for real-life strategies, deep insights, and a reminder that we can meet our needs while respecting the capacity of our loved ones.   Time Stamps:   00:53 Understanding Adult Needs and Low Demand Parenting 02:53 Navigating Family Dynamics and Expectations 07:07 Personal Journey and Real-Life Examples 11:44 Addressing Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Additional Resources: Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!  Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward! Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom   Follow us on social for updates on the podcast, blog, and more!  Instagram Facebook Pinterest   The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!    Transcript:   Welcome to the Low Demand Parenting Podcast, where we drop the pressure, find the joy, and thrive, even when it feels like life is stuck on level 12 hard. I'm Amanda Diekmann, author, autistic adult, and mom of three. I'm not here as an expert, but a fellow traveler. Together, we're learning how to live more gently, authentically, and vibrantly in this wild parenting life. Today, we have a mailbag episode where I answer your questions about things that are con...

Parenting With the Nervous System In Mind

20 min

In this episode, Amanda speaks with Dr. Megan Anna Neff, psychologist and co-host of the Neurodivergent Conversations podcast, to discuss how understanding the nervous system changes everything about parenting. They explore how stress responses affect both parents and children, the power of co-regulation, and why meltdowns are more than just big emotions. Dr. Neff shares insights on the autonomic nervous system, practical strategies for supporting neurodivergent kids, and the science of repair after ruptures. Tune in for a conversation on finding compassion and resilience, even in the most challenging parenting moments.   12 Days of Low Demand Holidays:  I'll say it: Holidays can be the absolute worst. This transformative course is tailored for families navigating the unique challenges of the holiday season. Discover impactful video lessons, a comprehensive workbook, and recording of an interactive Q&A to empower you through the festivities. See all the details here!   Links: Meet Dr. Megan Anna Neff Explore Neurodivergent Insights page Check out Megan Anna's wonderful book "Self-Care for Autistic People" Listen to Divergent Conversations podcast with Dr. Neff and Patrick Casale   Time Stamps: 00:34 Meet Megan Anna Neff 02:18 Understanding the Nervous System 04:29 Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Systems 06:50 Nervous System Responses to Stress 09:17 Interacting Nervous Systems in Parenting 10:31 The Science of Interpersonal Neurobiology 11:19 Understanding Mirror Neurons 12:42 The Pressure of Staying Regulated 14:58 The Importance of Repair in Parenting 15:43 Modeling Self-Regulation for Children 17:49 Honesty and Trust in Parenting     Additional Resources: As we move into the end of 2024, you're going to LOVE the Low Demand Holidays course -- your step-by-step holiday survival guide. With your high-needs kids, with burnout hovering, and too much on your plate -- Is celebration and joy even possible? It absolutely can be when you drop demands and...

How Low Demand Parenting Will Change Your Life

16 min

What it's about: In this episode of The Low Demand Parenting Podcast, I’m diving into what low demand parenting really looks like. As an autistic adult, mom of three, and someone who’s been on this journey myself, I’ve seen firsthand how letting go of traditional parenting pressures opens the door to more trust, connection, and joy in our families. Inspired by Ross Green’s Collaborative and Proactive Solutions, I share how releasing control and truly respecting our kids’ boundaries can change everything. We’ll talk about how meltdowns are a form of communication, how to build genuine trust, and the growth that comes when we parent from a place of understanding and reflection. It’s all about moving away from power struggles and toward a more peaceful, respectful home life.   12 Days of Low Demand Holidays:  I'll say it: Holidays can be the absolute worst. This transformative course is tailored for families navigating the unique challenges of the holiday season. Discover impactful video lessons, a comprehensive workbook, and recording of an interactive Q&A to empower you through the festivities. See all the details here!   Links: Ross Greene's The Explosive Child Collaborative and Proactive Solutions approach   00:00 Introduction to Low Demand Parenting 00:59 Early Parenting Struggles 02:20 Discovering Ross Green's Approach 03:30 Building Trust and Letting Go 03:59 Core Principles of Low Demand Parenting 08:46 Proactive and Reflective Practices 10:46 The Path to Freedom and Joy 12:51 Personal Transformation and Final Thoughts 15:12 Conclusion and Call to Action   Ready to Start Dropping Demands? If you’re ready to dive deeper into low demand parenting, I’ve got some great FREE resources to help you get started! Quiz: Why is Everything So Hard? – This quick, insightful quiz will help you understand why parenting might feel so overwhelming right now and give you personalized steps to lighten the load. Take the quiz here. Free Chapter: Low Demand Parent...

What Is Low Demand Parenting All About?

17 min

What it's about: In this very first episode of The Low Demand Parenting Podcast, I share the story behind my journey into low demand parenting. It all started when my middle child faced autistic burnout during the pandemic, and I realized that traditional parenting approaches were breaking us down. Through this episode, I explain how letting go of expectations and embracing trust, connection, and safety changed everything for our family. I also give a glimpse into what future episodes will cover, including interviews, mailbag questions, and more real-time reflections on parenting, neurodiversity, and behavior.   00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 01:26 The Beginning of Our Low Demand Journey 02:09 A Turning Point: The Breaking Day 04:09 Understanding Autistic Burnout 05:36 Discovering Low Demand Parenting 07:44 The Origins of Low Demand Parenting 09:52 Developing the Low Demand Method 10:48 The Core Principles of Low Demand Parenting 12:54 Addressing Common Concerns 13:52 The Importance of Safety and Connection 15:37 Conclusion and Future Topics     Ready to Start Dropping Demands? If you’re ready to dive deeper into low demand parenting, I’ve got some great FREE resources to help you get started! Quiz: Why is Everything So Hard? – This quick, insightful quiz will help you understand why parenting might feel so overwhelming right now and give you personalized steps to lighten the load. Take the quiz here. Free Chapter: Low Demand Parenting – Curious about my book, Low Demand Parenting? Download the first chapter for free and start your journey toward more ease and joy. Get the free chapter here.   Transcript: This is a new podcast, and so we are going to be exploring in this episode more about how I came to be talking to you in your earbuds about low demand parenting, about my own journey, and what is low demand. In future podcasts, we're going to have all kinds of great stuff. We're going to have some of my favorite interviews with parents and profess...

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