Raising Resilient Kids: A Preschool Teacher on Toddlers, Tantrums and Emotional Growth

Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast! In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with Nicole Gamboa, a preschool teacher who’s been working with young kids for decades—and has truly seen it all. What starts as a hilarious trip down memory lane (including Adam’s unforgettable attempt at coaching little kid soccer) turns into a real conversation about what it actually takes to guide children through the most intense stage of emotional and developmental growth.Nicole shares what it’s like teaching two- and three-year-olds, why her “favorite” age group is usually four and five, and how quickly kids change when you’re working with them every single day. Adam and Nicole also dig into parenting culture shifts over time—how we went from dismissing kids’ feelings completely to sometimes swinging too far into coddling—and what gentle parenting actually looks like when it includes boundaries, consistency, and real emotional skill-building.Listeners will hear a grounded, relatable take on modern motherhood and family life: balancing work, parenting, and self-care; building community as an adult; and navigating the double standards that still show up for moms and dads. They also talk about mental health, therapy, medication (from a responsible, real-world perspective), ADHD in boys vs. girls, media literacy, and why “me-search” isn’t the same thing as actual research.If you’ve ever wondered why emotional regulation is so hard for kids (and honestly, for adults too), or how early childhood experiences shape the way people handle conflict, identity, and decision-making later in life—this episode will hit home.Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions.Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dcOther ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast:Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcastFollow the show on Instagram: @‌actoutpodcast & TikTok: @‌actoutpodcastCredits:Mural: Tara E. @‌taradiiiise and @‌tarayakisauce