When my child is struggling...What's normal?

The Unexpected Reality of Moving Abroad

Moving abroad with kids… are we preparing for the logistics, but missing the emotional side of the transition? In this week’s episode, we unpack some of the things families often underestimate when moving abroad, especially when it comes to children. We talk about why kids don’t always respond to big transitions in the ways we expect, and why excitement, sadness, resistance, anxiety, or behavioral changes can show up weeks or even months later. We explore how children experience moves differently than adults. While parents may be focused on adventure, travel opportunities, or a new beginning, children are often thinking about something much smaller, but much bigger to them: Who will I play with? What will my school look like? Will I see my friends again? We also dive into how moving affects a child’s sense of control, predictability, and emotional safety. From routines suddenly changing, to losing familiar places and relationships, we talk about practical ways parents can support regulation and create more familiarity during a season filled with uncertainty. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why children's emotional responses to moving can be delayed and unpredictable - How behavioral changes can sometimes be a stress response, not “bad behavior” - Why routines and familiarity matter so much during transitions - Ways to create excitement while still honoring grief and uncertainty   If you are looking for support, get in touch and share your questions and concerns at: meltdownabroad@gmail.com [meltdownabroad@gmail.com] Find us on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@meltdownabroad?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/meltdownabroadpodcast/] and YouTube! [https://www.youtube.com/@MeltdownAbroadPodcast] Follow Tara [https://www.instagram.com/taraeddyglobalpsych/]! Follow Shaenelle [https://www.instagram.com/shaenelle.murray/]!

Test Anxiety

Test anxiety… is it really about the test, or is there something bigger happening underneath it? In this week’s episode, we unpack what’s actually happening in a child’s brain and body when pressure, performance, and fear start to take over. From blanking during exams to shutting down, we explore why test anxiety is about so much more than “just studying harder.” We talk about how anxiety impacts the nervous system, executive functioning, memory recall, and regulation, and why so many children struggle to access what they already know once stress enters the picture. We also dive into why many kids are never explicitly taught how to study in ways that actually support their brains. From movement-based learning and sensory strategies to playful recall games and environmental supports, we explore practical ways to make studying feel less overwhelming and more effective. In this episode you'll learn: - Why anxiety often shows up physically before children can verbalize it - How sensory and movement strategies can support focus and regulation - How parents can support studying without turning it into a battle - Why practicing regulation before stressful situations matters   If you are looking for support, get in touch and share your questions and concerns at: meltdownabroad@gmail.com [meltdownabroad@gmail.com] Find us on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@meltdownabroad?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/meltdownabroadpodcast/] and YouTube! [https://www.youtube.com/@MeltdownAbroadPodcast] Follow Tara [https://www.instagram.com/taraeddyglobalpsych/]! Follow Shaenelle [https://www.instagram.com/shaenelle.murray/]!

Screen Time & Digital Mentoring

Screen time… are we overthinking it, underthinking it, or just overwhelmed by it? In this week’s episode, we unpack one of the most common (and loaded) questions parents ask: Is screen time bad? Especially when you’re raising kids abroad and noticing different cultural norms around technology use. We talk about why this conversation isn’t about “good vs bad,” but about understanding what screen time is replacing in your child’s day and how that impacts their development, regulation, and relationships. For younger children, we break down how screen use connects to sensory development, movement, and play, and why balance matters more than strict rules. For older kids, we explore how screen time shifts into social connection, identity, and independence and why teaching them how to use technology is just as important as setting limits. In this episode, you’ll learn:  - Why not all screen time is created equal (TV vs iPads vs phones)  - What meltdowns after screens might actually be telling you  - Why “balance” is about more than just time limits  - How to use screen time as a teaching opportunity, not just something to control   If you are looking for support, get in touch and share your questions and concerns at: meltdownabroad@gmail.com [meltdownabroad@gmail.com] Find us on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@meltdownabroad?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/meltdownabroadpodcast/] and YouTube! [https://www.youtube.com/@MeltdownAbroadPodcast] Follow Tara [https://www.instagram.com/taraeddyglobalpsych/]! Follow Shaenelle [https://www.instagram.com/shaenelle.murray/]!

Finding Time For Yourself When You Don't Have Your Village

Feel like you haven’t had a second to yourself lately? This one’s for you. In this week’s episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to find small moments for yourself when you’re parenting abroad and don’t fully have your village yet. We unpack why “time for yourself” does not have to mean a spa day or some big self-care routine, and how it can start with much smaller things: a quiet walk, a slower shower, a silent drive, waking up a little earlier, or simply not using every transition in your day to be productive. We also talk about how hard this can feel in the beginning of expat life, when everything is still new and every spare minute seems to go toward logistics, work, or family needs. And we get into why building your village matters so much, not just for support in emergencies, but for creating the kind of everyday breathing room that helps you feel more like yourself again. This episode is about taking the pressure off, noticing the pockets of time you already have, and slowly creating a life abroad that includes you in it too. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why rest does not always have to look big or luxurious to matter - How to turn everyday moments into real pockets of recovery - Simple ways to create more balance with a partner, friends, or parent community - Why building your village abroad makes personal time more possible over time

When my child is struggling...What's normal?

Is this just a phase… or something more? In this week’s episode, we unpack one of the most common questions parents find themselves asking. When everyday challenges like not listening, big reactions, or difficulty settling start to feel bigger than expected, it’s not always clear what’s typical and what might need more support. We talk about how living abroad can amplify that uncertainty—when systems are unfamiliar, expectations vary, and it’s harder to know what “normal” really looks like. We introduce a simple way to think about it through a green, yellow, and red light system, helping you make sense of what you’re seeing without jumping straight to worst-case scenarios. This episode is about creating more clarity, catching things earlier, and feeling more confident in how you support your child, without waiting until things feel overwhelming. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How to tell the difference between typical behavior and signs that may need support - Why uncertainty can feel amplified when parenting abroad- Simple ways to support your child when things feel “a bit off”   If you are looking for support, get in touch and share your questions and concerns at: meltdownabroad@gmail.com [meltdownabroad@gmail.com] Find us on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@meltdownabroad?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/meltdownabroadpodcast/] and YouTube! [https://www.youtube.com/@MeltdownAbroadPodcast] Follow Tara [https://www.instagram.com/taraeddyglobalpsych/]! Follow Shaenelle [https://www.instagram.com/shaenelle.murray/]!