Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection)

[Encore] Being Playful When You're Running on Fumes, with Mia Wisinski

A fan favorite — back for the summer! But first... 🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide [https://go.drgilaparenting.com/pod_sptantrum] If the idea of “being playful” with your kid makes you want to crawl into a cave, this episode is for you. In this episode, Dr. Gila talks with Mia Wisinski from Playful Heart Parenting, who has a seemingly endless bucket of low-effort, high-connection ideas for sneaking silliness into the cracks of real-life parenting… even when you’re wiped. You'll hear: * Why play feels so hard for so many of us adults (including me!). * How to tap into even the tiniest spark of silliness when you're running on fumes. * Why playfulness can actually save you time, energy, and headaches. * Simple ideas you can try today...from your couch! And yes… there will be fart noises. Consider yourself warned. Related resources: ⭐️ FREE Play Break Bingo [https://playfulheartparenting.kit.com/bingo] from Playful Heart Parenting About Mia and Playful Heart Parenting Mia is a theater educator, performer, songwriter, and more — but her favorite role by far is being Mommy to Zal and Novi, and “Mama Mia” (stepmom) to Aliya. Mia is deeply passionate about play, creativity, and laughter. Since starting Playful Heart Parenting in 2023, she's connected with hundreds of thousands of parents who are looking to bring more lightness, humor, and connection into everyday life. Her mission is simple: to help families create more joyful, meaningful moments through laughter — even on the busiest days and in the hardest seasons. 👉 WEBSITE: http://www.playfulheartparenting.com/ [http://www.playfulheartparenting.com/] 👉 INSTAGRAM: @playfulheartparenting [https://www.instagram.com/playfulheartparenting/] ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter [https://go.drgilaparenting.com/pod_email] for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com [https://www.drgilaparenting.com/] ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

[Encore] Keeping Your Cool: Emotion Regulation for Parents

A fan favorite — back for the summer! But first... 🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide [https://go.drgilaparenting.com/pod_sptantrum] Snapping at your kids more than you’d like? Or do they keep "losing it," with tantrums and meltdowns that seem to come out of nowhere and leave you walking on eggshells? In this episode, Dr. Gila shares her signature framework for understanding emotion regulation. It’s a simple visual and a powerful tool for kids and adults alike. And it just might change how you see yourself and your child. ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter [https://go.drgilaparenting.com/pod_email] for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com [https://www.drgilaparenting.com/] ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

[Encore] Executive Functioning: The brain skills behind your kid's "lazy" or "difficult" behavior (with Carrie Bonnett)

A fan favorite — back for the summer! But first... 🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide [https://go.drgilaparenting.com/pod_sptantrum] When your child can't get started, loses everything, or shuts down, it's easy to blame attitude. But what looks like "lazy" or "defiant" behavior might actually be related to executive functioning. In this episode, executive functioning coach Carrie Bonnett and I break down the brain skills behind your child's struggles at school and at home, and what you can actually do about it. You'll hear: * What is "executive functioning," and why is it so important? * The language shift that changes how you - and your child! - interpret their difficulties * Why your struggles as a parent might actually be an asset * How to help your child build the skills they need to navigate daily life with more ease * Where to start when everything feels like a battle RELATED RESOURCES: 👉 FREE from Carrie: Task Initiation Toolkit [https://www.carriebonnett.com/toolkit] 👉 Episode 22: The Superpower Every Parent Has (And How to Use It for Good) [https://www.drgilaparenting.com/episode-22-the-superpower-every-parent-has-and-how-to-use-it-for-good/] ABOUT CARRIE BONNETT Carrie Bonnett is a veteran teacher, lifelong list-maker, and Executive Function coach based in Bend, Oregon. She works with students and families around the country using a practical, no-shame, brain-first approach that empowers students to thrive, helps parents and teachers better support them, and gives adults tools to stay on top of all that life requires. In addition to coaching, Carrie creates digital resources, including her signature course Get the Brain on Board and a series of No-Shame Guides for Parents. She also provides brain-based workshops and trainings for parents, teachers, and other professionals. And she is an adjunct instructor at the University of Portland, where she supports early-career teachers. 👉 Website: www.carriebonnett.com [https://www.carriebonnett.com] 👉 Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/coachcarriebonnett/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/coachcarriebonnett] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@carriebonnett] ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter [https://go.drgilaparenting.com/pod_email] for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com [https://www.drgilaparenting.com/] ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

[Encore] Raising securely attached kids in single-parent families, with Aurisha Smolarski

A fan favorite — back for the summer! But first... 🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide [https://go.drgilaparenting.com/pod_sptantrum] Can kids form secure attachments in single-parent families? Or are they..."screwed"? In this compassionate conversation, I chat with therapist, mediator, and award-winning author, Aurisha Smolarski, LMFT, to unpack attachment theory and resilience (without the jargon!), and how to help kids feel safe and seen, even when co-parenting is hard or non-existent. You’ll hear us explore: * What secure attachment really looks like (beyond buzzwords). * Whether a child needs two healthy parent relationships to thrive. * The effects of missteps in parenting. * How to validate your child’s experience without bad-mouthing the other parent. * The connection-building moments that move the needle most. Resources mentioned in this episode: ⭐️ Dr. Gila's step-by-step guide to modeling the art of apology and repair with your kids. [https://go.drgilaparenting.com/apologies] ⭐️ Aurisha's "What's Your Communication Style?" Quiz [https://www.aurishasmolarski.com/] Connect with Aurisha Smolarski, LMFT: Aurisha Smolarski, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified co-parenting coach, mediator, and mother, with a clinical practice in Los Angeles, CA. She is the award winning author of Cooperative Co-Parenting for Secure Kids: The Attachment Theory Guide to Raising Kids in Two Homes. As a co-parent herself, Aurisha is very familiar with the challenges faced by parents raising kids in two households. For more than 15 years, she has drawn on attachment theory and other modalities to help clients move from conflict to cooperation, make child-centered agreements, and create a secure co-parenting two-home family system. She has been featured in Vogue, Newsweek, Huffington Post, Parents, and the Divorce and Beyond Podcast among many other media outlets. WEBSITE: http://www.cooperativecounselingcenter.com/ [http://www.cooperativecounselingcenter.com/] INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/coop [https://www.instagram.com/cooperativecoparenting/] ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter [https://go.drgilaparenting.com/pod_email] for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com [https://www.drgilaparenting.com/] ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).

[Encore] Screens: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything, with Ash Brandin

A fan favorite (and with good reason!). But first... 🌟 Get your free printable meltdown guide at parentingwithconnection.com/guide [https://go.drgilaparenting.com/pod_sptantrum] Encore episode: Stressed about screen time? (Who isn't?!) What you're about to hear might surprise you...and make this topic feel a lot less scary. In this episode, I'm joined by Ash Brandin, EdS, aka TheGamerEducator and author of the bestselling book, "Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family," for an eye-opening conversation that may just change how you think about screens. You'll hear: * Why screen-time conflicts feel so charged, and the mindset shifts that instantly lower the temperature. * What most parents miss about their kids’ relationship with screens. * Why common screen-time strategies can backfire, and what works better. * Practical ways to build healthier tech skills without shame, fear, or power struggles. Resources: ⭐️ Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family [https://a.co/d/7diyDQD], by Ash Brandin ⭐️ The Burnt Toast Guide to Division of Responsibility [https://virginiasolesmith.substack.com/p/the-burnt-toast-guide-to-division], by Virginia Sole-Smith About Ash Brandin Ash Brandin, EdS, known online as TheGamerEducator, empowers families to make screen time sustainable, manageable, and beneficial for the whole family. Now in their 15th year of teaching middle school, they help caregivers navigate the world of tech with consistent, loving boundaries, founded on respect for children, appreciation of video games and tech, and knowledge of pedagogical techniques. Ash has appeared on podcasts including Re:Thinking with Adam Grant, Good Inside with Dr. Becky, and Culture Study with Anne Helen Petersen, and has contributed to articles featured on Romper, Scary Mommy, Lifehacker, The Daily Beast, USA Today, and NPR. Their bestselling book, "Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family" debuted in August, 2025. 👉 WEB: thegamereducator.com [https://thegamereducator.com] 👉 IG: @thegamereducator [http://instagram.com/thegamereducator] 👉 SUBSTACK: thegamereducator.substack.com [https://thegamereducator.substack.com/] ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ CONNECT WITH DR. GILA 👉 Join the newsletter [https://go.drgilaparenting.com/pod_email] for practical parenting tips and a hefty dose of empathy, delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗 Website: www.parentingwithconnection.com [https://www.drgilaparenting.com/] ✉️ E-mail: hello@drgilaparenting.com ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ©️ 2026 Dr. Gila Parenting | All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: All episodes of Single-Parenting with Connection (NOT Perfection) are for educational and informational purposes only. Although Dr. Gila is a licensed psychologist and certified coach, this podcast and the information discussed within the podcast do not constitute therapy, counseling, coaching, or other professional service, and are not a substitute for professional services including medical or psychological advice. Moreover, the views expressed on the podcast are those of the host and guests. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. Any use of this intellectual property owned by Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA) may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free or paid, written or verbal), product, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Dr. Gila Parenting (DBA).