Tantrum of the Week

A Promise That Didn't Happen

In this episode of Tantrum of the Week, Lynn McLean explores a powerful and emotional moment many families experience: a nine-year-old who melts down when a long-anticipated family dinner plan is canceled at the last minute because of work. Even though older children can understand the reason intellectually, broken plans can feel like broken promises—and the disappointment can overwhelm their ability to stay regulated. This episode looks at what’s really happening in a child’s nervous system when plans fall apart and how parents can respond with empathy instead of defensiveness or over-explaining. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why children take promises so literally * What to say (and what not to say) during moments of big disappointment * Why justifying or fixing the problem in the moment often makes things worse * How to repair trust after a plan changes * How to help children cope with frustration and unexpected change If your child has ever exploded when something they were looking forward to didn’t happen, this episode will help you feel more confident, more connected, and less alone. This content is for educational purposes only and is not therapy. Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ [https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/] Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw [https://www.instagram.com/lmcleanlcsw] Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054475749741&sk=about] 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter [https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter] ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.

Sibling Bedtime Battles

Episode 8: Sibling Bedtime Battles In this episode of Tantrum of the Week, Lynn McLean talks about a bedtime struggle many families face: a young child who melts down because an older sibling gets to stay up later. What feels like a small difference to adults—just 30 minutes—can feel deeply unfair and overwhelming to a young child. When nightly tantrums take over bedtime, parents are often left exhausted, frustrated, and unsure how to respond without giving in. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why young children struggle so much with bedtime fairness * What’s happening in your child’s nervous system during these meltdowns * Why trying to teach “fairness” during a tantrum doesn’t work * What to say (and what not to say) when your child is upset * How to hold bedtime limits calmly while staying empathic If bedtime has turned into a nightly battle because siblings have different rules, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on—and how to bring more calm and confidence back to your evenings. Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ [https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/] Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw [https://www.instagram.com/lmcleanlcsw] Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054475749741&sk=about] 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter [https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter] ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.

When Your Child Lies.

What do you do when your child clearly broke something—but insists they didn’t? In this episode of Tantrum of the Week, Lynn talks about a common parenting moment: a seven-year-old who breaks something and then denies it, even when the evidence is right in front of everyone. Moments like this can feel especially upsetting for parents, because teaching honesty and trust is one of the most important values many families want to pass on to their children. But when kids lie about mistakes, it doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t know right from wrong. In this episode, Lynn explains what may actually be happening developmentally for kids in these moments and how parents can respond in ways that build honesty rather than escalating the conflict. You’ll learn: * Why children sometimes lie when they know they’re in trouble * What’s happening in a child’s brain during these moments * Why arguing about the details often makes things worse * How to respond calmly without turning it into a power struggle * Ways to help kids take responsibility and repair mistakes Parenting moments like this can feel stressful and discour Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ [https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/] Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw [https://www.instagram.com/lmcleanlcsw] Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054475749741&sk=about] 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter [https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter] ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.

Back-To-School Meltdowns, Solved

Podcast Description Going back to school after a break can be surprisingly hard — for kids and parents. In this episode of Tantrum of the Week, we talk about what’s really going on when a 5–8 year old who was doing great suddenly melts down over socks, hair brushing, and getting out the door. If your child seems more emotional, anxious, or resistant after a school break, you’re not alone. We explore why tantrums after vacation or holiday breaks are so common, especially for sensitive or big-feeling kids, and what you can do to make mornings calmer and more manageable. You’ll learn: * Why kids often struggle with routines after a break * How anxiety and emotional overload show up as tantrums * Simple morning routine strategies that reduce power struggles * How offering the right kind of choices helps kids feel more in control * What to do when your child can’t explain why they’re upset This episode is full of practical, compassionate tools to help you support your child — and yourself — through back-to-school transitions without rewards, punishments, or constant battles. Listen, subscribe, and share wherever you get your podcasts.  Have a tantrum of the week? Send it to us — your question might be featured in an upcoming episode. Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ [https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/] Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw [https://www.instagram.com/lmcleanlcsw] Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054475749741&sk=about] 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter [https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter] ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.

Why Do I Have To Share?

Why Do I Have to Share? In this episode of Tantrum of the Week, Lynn McLean explores a common and exhausting parenting moment: a four-year-old who melts down when a younger sibling picks up a toy they weren’t even using. When screaming, grabbing, or pushing happens, parents are often left wondering how to stop the behavior and teach important lessons about sharing, generosity, and turn-taking. This episode explains what’s really going on beneath these sibling toy battles and how to respond in ways that actually help children learn. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why sharing is developmentally hard for young children * What to do immediately when hitting or pushing happens * Why teaching lessons during a tantrum doesn’t work * How turn-taking helps kids feel secure and reduces meltdowns * How true sharing grows when children feel they have enough If sibling fights over toys are a regular struggle in your home, this episode will help you feel calmer, clearer, and more confident about how to handle them. This content is for educational purposes only and is not therapy. Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™. New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection. Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/ [https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/] Follow us on Instagram: @lmcleanlcsw [https://www.instagram.com/lmcleanlcsw] Check us out on Facebook: Lynn M. McLean, LCSW [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054475749741&sk=about] 📩 Join our email list for parenting tips and updates: https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter [https://lynnmclean.podia.com/newsletter] ❤️ If you found this helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help other parents find support.