Brain First Parenting with Eileen Devine

SUMMARY -

In this episode, Eileen dives into a common characteristic in children and teens with brain-based differences and challenging behavioral symptoms, which is 'on 'and 'off' days. Eileen begins helping parents identify this common lagging skill in their kids, and how they can begin to accommodate their child or teen as it relates to on and off days.

TAKEAWAYS

• The definition of 'on' and 'off' days as it related to cognitive skills.
• How on and off days are linked to a brain that functions differently.
• What this lagging skill looks like behaviorally.
• What factors can lead to a child or teen living with a brain-based difference to have off days.
• How not recognizing off days can lead to burnout for the parent.
• How parents can work to see on and off days as a "brain thing" and how they can respond to off days in ways that result in skills growth and increased connection.

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If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!

You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com

And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

SUMMARY -

In this episode, Eileen explains why so many kids and teens with brain-based differences struggle to make and keep friends, and how parents can support their children by building the cognitive skills required to be in relationship with peers.

TAKEAWAYS

• Why the process of making and keeping friends creates nearly universal challenges for kids and teens with brain-based differences.
• How to see this challenge through a Brain First Parenting lens (vs a behavioral lens).
• The specific lagging cognitive skills that get in the way of your child or teen having successful peer relationships.
• How parents can help their children grow in these cognitive skills.
• Common experiences for the parent of a child who struggles with making and keeping friends and why it's important to recognize the emotions this common struggles can bring to the forefront as a parent.

RELATED BLOG POSTS:

Moving Forward by Circling Back

'Why Can't We Be Friends?' - ​Cognitive Skills Your Child Needs for Successful Relationships...

Helping Our Children Navigate Friendships

Dysmaturity and the Challenges of Friendship

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If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!

You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com

And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

SUMMARY

In this episode, Eileen explains what it looks like when a child, teen, or young adult lags behind in the skills to be cognitively flexible, and how to then accommodate them in this specific skill set.

TAKEAWAYS

• The definition of cognitive rigidity
• Common behaviors that reflect this lagging skill in kids and teens
• How parents can help their children and teens grow in this cognitive skill set
• What parents can expect to see, think, and feel as they shift their lens from a behavioral lens to a Brain First lens with this specific skill set
• Concrete and specific steps parents can take to support and accommodate a child or teen who struggles with cognitive flexibility

RESOURCES

Blog Post: The Uncompromising Child: Four Responses to Rigid Thinking

Free Infographic Poster: 8 Necessary Mind Shifts

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If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!

You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com

And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

SUMMARY

In this episode, Eileen delves into the first step to understanding a neurodiverse child, teen, or young adult with challenging behaviors.

TAKEAWAYS

• This first, essential step to understanding your child who lives with a brain-based difference and challenging behaviors begins with neuroscience research on the brain/behavior connection.
• Understanding the foundation behind the Brain First Parenting approach is where we always need to begin as parents.
• Feeling internal resistance to seeing your child or teen through a Brain First lens is understandable, expected, and an opportunity for growth.
• The difference between seeing your child or teen through a behavioral lens vs a Brain First lens.

RESOURCES

Your Lens Matters FREE downloadable infographic

Blog Post: The Brain First Approach Will Change How You Parent

Blog Post: Looking Through a Different Lens

Thanks for listening! Please be sure to review and share the Brain First Parenting podcast with any listeners who might be interested. To see more tools, resources and learn more about Eileen you can visit eileendevine.com

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If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!

You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com

And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

SUMMARY

In this first episode, Eileen introduces herself and explains how Brain First Parenting came to be. She shares personal stories about her own experience of parenting a teenage daughter who lives with a serious and permanent brain-based disability (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). Eileen also talks about her therapy and coaching practice where, for the last decade, she has supported parents who are also parenting kids, teens, and young adults with brain-based differences and challenging behavioral symptoms, and how this led to the creation of Brain First Parenting.

RESOURCES

Learn more about Diane Malbin and her FACETS Program.

More about the work of Dr. Ross Greene

Dr. Kristin Neff's work on Self Compassion

Thanks for listening! Please be sure to review and share the Brain First Parenting podcast with any listeners who might be interested. To see more tools, resources and learn more about Eileen you can visit eileendevine.com

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If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!

You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com

And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

Welcome to the Brain First Parenting podcast with Eileen Devine! I'm thrilled you're here, and look forward to diving into the many elements of the Brain First parenting approach in the episodes to come. This trailer -- Episode 0! -- is a brief introduction to my goals and hopes for this podcast, and an invitation to parents and caregivers who will benefit from this transformational parenting model.

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If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!

You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com

And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest