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Become A Calm MamaLearn how to stop yelling at your kids and feel calm Author: Darlynn Childress
Become a Calm Mama is a parenting podcast where you learn practical parenting tools and strategies so you can stop yelling, feel more calm, and show up as the mom you want to be. Darlynn is the top parenting coach for moms who want to know exactly how to handle misbehavior and create a peaceful home. Darlynn is known for her practical strategies and a down to earth understanding of what its really like to be a mom raising kids in the 21st century. Over the past 15 years, Darlynn has dedicated her life to becoming the mom she wanted to be for my kids. In that process, she created a parenting model called The Calm Mama Process that helped her navigate every tricky parenting moment thats been thrown her way. From hitting to bullying, from toddler meltdowns to teenage shenanigans, from missing assignments to college admissions, from getting kids to bed to getting kids out of bed, from kids not wanting to get out of the bath to middle schoolers that dont want to take a shower, from kids fighting in the car to kids who drive their own car, shes seen it all. Darlynn has taught her model to hundreds of moms since 2015 and when they apply the Calm Mama Process to their tricky parenting moments they have calm and peace in their homes. Their kids' behavior improves, their relationship with their children gets so much better, and they enjoy motherhood (most of the time!). Darlynn teaches her process inside her coaching program, The Emotionally Healthy Kids course, where you learn how to master your reactivity, teach kids how to manage their big feelings, and set limits that work. Each week she brings practical and simple strategies to the podcast so you can stop yelling and create a peaceful home. Language: en Genres: Education, Kids & Family, Parenting, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Make Mornings Better with the Gentle Handoff
Episode 190
Thursday, 11 September, 2025
In today’s short and sweet episode, I’m giving you two simple strategies for better mornings (which I know you can use now that school is back in session!). You’ll Learn:The most important thing about morningsHow to make a gentle handoff to school, daycare, or campWhat to do first when you see your kid in the morningHow to get back on track after a rough momentI show you how to help your kids get physically and emotionally ready for their day.----------------------------------------------When I think about a kid getting ready for school in the morning, I imagine that they are armoring up. No matter how great their school is or how much they love their teacher and their friends, school is stressful for kids. They have to think, listen, and deal with other kids (and their behaviors). They have to do things on a schedule that isn’t always the way they want it, and there are a lot of expectations on them. This isn’t a bad thing, but it is a lot of work for them.So we want to help facilitate and support them as they get physically and emotionally ready for their day. Strategy #1: The Gentle HandoffThe “handoff” is that moment when you drop your child off at school, daycare, camp, wherever they’re going for the day. From the time my kids were young up to this very day, my goal when I’m dropping them off anywhere is to deliver the most emotionally regulated human being that I can to that activity. That means that I have created an environment for my kids that is emotionally regulated. We’re not in chaotic, frantic, stressed energy. …Which means I have to be in my calm energy. Here are some ways to work toward a gentle handoff. Prioritize Emotional RegulationOur kids borrow our energy. So whatever energy you’re in (chaotic or calm) will transfer to your child. The key to prioritizing your emotional regulation and your kid’s emotional regulation is to start your day gently.Some simple ways to do this are:Spend a few minutes silently breathing when you wake upStretch your bodyMake a cup of coffee or teaDelay checking email, social media, or the news if these are likely to stress you out DelayIf possible, delay the other non-kid stuff until after dropoff. If messages, problems, or stress come up, tell yourself, “I’m going to have to deal with this. But I’m going to deal with it later, because my goal is to deliver the most emotionally regulated person I can to school today.” Know Your CuesWe all have cues that we’re getting dysregulated. When you know what yours are, you can pause before things get too far off.Some of the clues I see when I’m getting dysregulated are:Talking a lotBarking commandsGetting quiet and just barreling through, trying to do everything on my ownPhysical tension or sensations in my chest and belly (these signs tend to come later)Yelling is also a good indicator that you’re dysregulated. Because if you’re yelling, you’re not calm. Period. If you have a rough moment or yell at your kid. see if you can do a little repair on the way to school or while you’re waiting for the bus. You may not be ready to take full accountability, but just recognizing that you lost your cool will help. Try saying something like, “Whoa, sorry. That was a rough morning. I got out of control of my emotions a little. We’re going to do better tomorrow.” Say GoodbyeI know this isn’t always possible, but when it is, little kids really benefit from having you park and walk them toward the school.
