Enlightening Motherhood
by Emily Hamblin & Ashley Schultz
As a mom, raising a child with big emotions can be overwhelming, frustrating, and stressful. The Enlightening Motherhood Podcast, hosted by two friends who are currently in the thick of raising kids with big feelings (Emily Hamblin and Ashley Schultz) offers a compassionate community where you can learn practical tips to help make your motherhood lighter.Connect with us!http://emily-hamblin.comInstagram/FB @enlighteningmotherhood
Episodes
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6 Tips for Vacations with Neurodivergent Kids
Have you ever come home from a family vacation feeling more exhausted than refreshed? Traveling with neurodivergent kids can come with big emotions, unexpected changes, and plenty of challenges. In this episode, Emily shares six practical tips from her recent six-day family vacation to…
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Why We Crash After Big Events (& What to Do About It)
Have you ever noticed how your child falls apart after birthday parties, holidays, sleepovers, or even a regular school day? In this episode, Emily unpacks the "post-big event crash," why it happens so often for neurodivergent kids (and adults!), and what you can do to help your child move…
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When Your Kid Resists Emotional Regulation
Does your neurodivergent child push back every time you try to help with big emotions? You’ve probably tried therapy, books, rewards, sticker charts, bribery, and maybe even bigger rewards…but somehow, you still end up in a power struggle. What if they just need a different approach? In this...
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How to Find More Good in the World (Even When Life Feels Hard)
Grab your FREE ticket to the Raising Emotionally Healthy Neurodivergent Families Summit September 1-4, 2006 💛 https://www.emotionallyhealthyfamilies.com Have you ever been surprised by a small act of kindness that meant more to you than you expected? When life feels stressful or frustrating, it...
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Starting a New School with a Neurodivergent Child (Our Real Story)
Back to school is full of excitement and nerves. And when routines change, so does the predictability our kids depend on. In this episode, Emily shares her own family's transition as her youngest three children began a new school. She walks through what helped, what didn't, and the setback that's...
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When Your Partner Isn't on the Same Parenting Page (For Neurodivergent Families)
Have you ever felt frustrated because your partner parents differently than you do? When you have a husband, wife, or partner who’s making different parenting choices than you do, it can be incredibly challenging. That is, until you have a healthy perspective. What you'll take away: Why it's easy...
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How I Broke Generations of Emotional Dysregulation (My Real Story)
Do you ever catch yourself thinking, "If my child could just [insert the daily task that often ends in a meltdown], I'd feel like I won the lottery"? It can feel silly to celebrate those moments when they finally happen, but they're actually signs of something much bigger. In this episode, Emily...
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Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Year 4...Is This Dream Possible?
Ever wonder what really happens behind the scenes of a growing parenting business and why some families experience such powerful transformations? In this special annual reflection episode, Emily is pulling back the curtain on the biggest lessons, challenges, and wins from the past year of...
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Letting Go of Comparison of Shame and Judgement for Neurodivergent Families
Do you ever look at another family and wonder why parenting isn’t seems so much easier for them? If you're raising a neurodivergent child, it's easy to fall into the comparison trap. You see the child sitting quietly at a performance, the family whose house always seems organized, or the parent…
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Why Parents of Neurodivergent Kids Struggle to Get Enough Sleep (& How to Fix it!)
You know you need more sleep. So why can't you just... go to bed? If you're a mom of a neurodivergent child, you know that some days, the exhaustion is next-level. But sleep deprivation isn't always just about kids keeping us awake. Often, we're the ones staying up late scrolling, working…
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Critical Thinking & Emotional Regulation: The Surprising Connection Your Neurodivergent Child Needs
Does your child stop to think things through, or do they go with the first thought that pops into their head? Most parents want to raise kids who can think for themselves. But in a world built for quick reactions, that skill is getting harder to find, even in grown-ups. If your child is...
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Parenting Tools That Don't Work for Neurodivergent Kids
Most of us parent the way we were parented. Threats, punishment, taking things away. But with neurodivergent kids, those inherited tactics don't just fail. They backfire. In this episode, Emily sits down with Wendy Snyder, a parent coach, author, and founder of Fresh Start Family to talk about…
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Are You a Bad Mom for Yelling at Your Neurodivergent Child?
Have you ever felt that soul-crushing mom guilt that comes from completely losing it on your own child — especially when you're supposed to be the one holding it all together while helping them with their big emotions? What if that guilt isn't the sign of a bad mom, but actually the sign of a…
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How to Like Your Neurodivergent Teen (Even When They’re Difficult)
What if you didn’t have to wait for your teen to change in order to feel close to them again? In this episode, Emily sits down with pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, author of Love the Teen You Have, to talk about the emotional reality of parenting a neurodivergent teen—especially...
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Mom Brain Is NOT Permanent (Here’s How to Fix It)
“Mom brain” gets talked about like it’s a permanent loss, but what if that’s not actually true? In this episode, Emily sits down with neurologist Dr. Sui Wong to unpack what’s really happening in the brain during seasons of sleep deprivation, chronic stress, and the intensity of parenting. They...
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Dyslexia, Deep Thinking, and Reparenting
Dyslexia is almost always framed as a struggle — but what if that's only half the story? In this episode, Emily sits down with neurodiversity advocate and dyslexic mom Melissa Jackson to talk about the very real gifts that come with dyslexic wiring, why our school systems have been measuring all...
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What Neurodivergent Learners Actually Need
"If all of their energy is spent trying to stay still in a seat, it makes sense that they might not be able to use energy to listen." - Dr. Emily King What does a neurodivergent learner actually need in order to learn? In this episode, host Emily Hamblin and Dr. Emily King break down the five...
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Grief Isn’t Weakness — It’s Emotional Strength
Do you ever feel like being emotionally healthy means you’re not supposed to feel devastated, angry, or overwhelmed? When you’re parenting neurodivergent kids, the emotional waves can feel constant—and when grief enters the picture, it can feel impossible to stay regulated. Many parents silently...
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3 Mindset Shifts Every Neurodivergent Kid Needs for Better Emotional Regulation
Struggling with your neurodivergent child's big emotions? The key might not be another behavior strategy—it's about shifting their core beliefs. In this episode, emotional regulation educator Emily Hamblin reveals three powerful beliefs that help neurodivergent children develop genuine emotional...
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Painting with a Hammer: Tools That Actually Help Neurodivergent Kids
Ever feel like you're doing everything "right"—and still nothing is working with your neurodivergent child? In this episode, Emily sits down with Kate, a homeschool mom of three, whose youngest was recently diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Kate shares what parenting looked like when she didn’t…
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School Refusal, Punishments & Consequences for Neurodivergent Kids
Two twin boys. One chaotic morning. And the moment Ashley almost reverted to her old parenting patterns—but didn't. Instead, she got curious. She collaborated. And she used logical consequences that actually taught skills instead of bringing shame. This episode is packed with real-life examples…
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Breaking Christmas “Rules” (on purpose)
Society has normalized the idea that mothers should work themselves to the breaking point during the holidays — that if they’re not burnt out, they’re doing it wrong. But what if this year could be different? In this raw and real episode, Emily Hamblin — neurodivergent mom of four and emotional...
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Finding Joy When Motherhood Feels Hard
Feeling burned out, stuck in survival mode, or struggling to connect with your child—especially if they're neurodivergent? You are not alone, and today’s episode offers something powerfully simple yet incredibly impactful.Join host Emily Hamblin and guest Rachel Nielson—host of the top-ranked 3…
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How I’m Overcoming Phone Addiction as a Neurodivergent Mom
Do you ever pick up your phone for “just a minute”… and then suddenly 45 minutes have passed? If you're a stressed or neurodivergent parent who finds yourself doom scrolling or reacting more harshly to your kids when you're on your phone, you're not alone—and there's hope. In this episode, host...
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Hope, Growth, and Emotional Intelligence - Ashley's Story
Is emotional growth really worth the sacrifice? In this inspiring episode, Ashley shares why she pulled her kids from piano lessons in order to invest in emotional intelligence—and how it is helping to transform her neurodivergent family. You’ll leave with hope, clarity, and encouragement. Check...
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Raising Emotionally Healthy Neurodivergent Kids Without Burning Out
If you're raising a neurodivergent child with ADHD, autism, or sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation challenges can feel like a daily battle. But burnout doesn’t have to be your norm. In this powerful episode of Enlightening Motherhood, I’m interviewed by Kami Wanous on The Freedom Scholar...
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My Raw, Unscripted Response to Recent Tragedies: Why Emotional Regulation is Urgent
What can we really do when the world feels like it's falling apart?In this raw and deeply personal episode, Emily Hamblin shares her unfiltered response to recent heartbreaking tragedies — from school violence to the ripple effects of hate. She explores one powerful solution that’s often...
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Ep159 - Why Your Child’s Perspective of Neurodivergence Matters
What if the traits your child gets in trouble for are the very things that will make them shine as an adult? In this episode, Emily shares five traits she was constantly criticized for as a child — like being too talkative, too energetic, or not following directions — and how those exact...
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Ep158 - You Were Born With This Brain for a Reason: Finding Purpose in Neurodivergence
Ever feel like your brain is just too much — too chaotic, too forgetful, too overwhelming to manage? Especially when you're parenting neurodivergent kids with your own neurodivergent brain? In this powerful and vulnerable episode, Emily's podcast cohost, Ashley, shares what changed when she…
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Ep157- Perfect Parenting vs. Empowered Parenting: What Neurodivergent Families Need to Know
Are you chasing “perfect” parenting—only to end every day feeling like you’ve failed? The truth is, perfection isn’t only impossible, it’s exhausting… and it can actually make parenting harder. In this episode, Emily unpacks the difference between perfect parenting and empowered parenting—and why...
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Ep156 - Why Your Neurodivergent Child Blames Others (And How to Help)
Does your child ever seem to flip into fight-or-flight after they’ve done something wrong or made a simple mistake? You’re not imagining it — their brain is protecting them from shame, even if it means shifting blame onto others. In this episode, Emily Hamblin unpacks the shame-blame cycle in…
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Ep155 - The Truth About Parenting Strong-Willed Kids
Tired of constant arguments, pushback, or defiance from your strong-willed child? You’re not alone—and the usual discipline tactics may be making things worse. Your child isn’t a curse—they’re a leader in the making. In this episode of Enlightening Motherhood, Emily Hamblin talks with parenting...
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Ep154 - 3 Mistakes Moms of Neurodivergent Kids Make (That Keep Them Stuck in Survival Mode)
Are you trying everything to help your neurodivergent child with emotional regulation — but nothing seems to work? In this video, I’ll share 3 common mistakes that keep even the most loving moms stuck in survival mode (and what to do instead). Want tools that *actually* work — without burning...
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Ep153 - Your Neurodivergent Child’s Not Broken—And Neither Are You
Do you ever feel like you’ve tried everything—and yet nothing seems to help your neurodivergent family? In this quick video, Emily Hamblin, neurodivergent mom of four, certified teacher, and emotional health coach, shares the truth every neurodivergent family needs to hear: You’re not broken.…
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Ep152 - Trauma Healing, Perfectionism & Self Compassion
Do you ever feel like parenting brings out parts of you that you didn’t even know were there? If you grew up in a home where emotions weren’t safe or your needs were often unmet, becoming a parent yourself might hit extra hard. In this episode of The Enlightening Motherhood Podcast, host Emily...
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Ep151 - 3 Years in Business: Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peak
Feeling like you have to do it all alone? Three years ago, I started a podcast from a van with no plan—just a phone and a deep desire to help moms like you. Now it’s a thriving business supporting thousands of neurodivergent families. In this behind-the-scenes episode, neurodivergent emotional...
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Ep150 - The Overlooked Link Between Nutrition and Emotions
Ever wonder if what your child eats could actually make emotional regulation easier — or harder? In this episode, Emily Hamblin — neurodivergent mom of four and parent coach for neurodivergent families — welcomes Katie Kimball, two-time TEDx speaker and expert in kids’ life skills and real food…
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Ep149 - How I Stopped Yelling and Started Connecting With My Neurodivergent Kids
Ever found yourself sobbing on the bathroom floor after a morning filled with meltdowns—your kid’s and your own—and thinking, “I can’t do this anymore”?In this episode, Emily Hamblin gets painfully honest about a moment that broke her—and became the turning point for everything that followed....
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Ep148 - Supporting Neurodivergent Kids in an Overstimulating World
So many parents feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, and like they’re barely holding it together — especially when raising a neurodivergent child in a world that wasn’t built for their nervous system. It’s not just hard — it’s exhausting. And traditional parenting advice often misses the mark. In…
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Ep147 - Finding Time for Neurodivergent Kids’ Big Emotions
Feeling stretched thin but still want to help your neurodivergent child with emotional regulation? You’re not alone! Amidst all the daily chaos of parenting, finding time to support your child’s big emotions can feel impossible. But what if just a few minutes a week could make a real difference?…
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Ep146 - SPD: Sensory Processing Differences & Kids' Emotions
🎧 Understanding Sensory Processing & Emotional Regulation in Kids Ever wonder why some kids get overwhelmed in noisy places—while others may seek out loud music, rough play, or tight squeezes? Sensory processing plays a huge role in our kids' emotions and behavior, often in ways we don’t even...
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Ep145 - How the Nervous System Affects Kids & Parents
Ever wonder why you or your child struggle with stress, meltdowns, or big emotions? It all comes down to the nervous system—the control center for how we think, feel, and react. In this episode of Enlightening Motherhood, neurodivergent parent coach Emily Hamblin sits down with nervous system…
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Ep144 - Helping Neurodivergent Kids with Sleep
Most parents of neurodivergent children have tried every generic sleep solution—only to find little success. The truth is, traditional sleep methods often fall short for kids with autism, ADHD, or anxiety. These kids need a different approach, and that’s exactly what we’re here to share with you....
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Ep143 - A Superpower For Emotional Healing
What do you do when life throws you a curveball? How do you stay emotionally strong in the face of unexpected challenges? In this episode, Emily shares a personal story about a traumatic experience that taught her an incredible lesson. It wasn’t easy, but the surprising takeaway has helped her...
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Ep142 - Reframing How Parents See Neurodivergent Kids’ Academic Struggles ~ with Scotti Weintraub
Are academic struggles leaving you (or your kid!) feeling frustrated or helpless? You’re not alone. In this episode of Enlightening Motherhood, host Emily Hamblin invites academic success coach Scotty Weintraub to share powerful strategies for reframing how parents think about their child’s…
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Ep141 - 4 Tips to Help Your Kids Handle Their Emotions Better
Do your child’s big emotions feel like a storm you’re constantly navigating? Are meltdowns, power struggles, or emotional outbursts leaving you feeling exhausted and unsure of how to help? You’re not alone. As parents, we want to teach our kids to manage their emotions, but it can feel...
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Ep140 - Overthinking, Intentionality & The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Why Your Thoughts Matter: Shifting the Stories You Tell Yourself Have you ever felt judged, offended, or even hurt by a simple interaction? What if the stories you tell yourself about those situations are causing unnecessary emotional stress? In this episode, Emily Hamblin dives into real-life...
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Ep139- Self-Compassion for Stressed Moms
Are you feeling overwhelmed as the year comes to a close? For many moms, the end of the year can bring extra stress, guilt, and self-criticism. In this episode, Emily Hamblin shares the powerful practice of self-compassion—how it can transform your emotional health, your parenting, and even your...
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Ep138 - Finding Joy During the Holidays with Neurodivergent &/or Big-Emotions Kids
"It’s okay if things don’t go perfectly. There’s beauty in the hard moments too." - Ashley Schultz - - - Are you dreading the holidays with your big-emotions kids? From simplifying gift-giving to managing transitions and family gatherings, this episode is packed with tips to help you stay...
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Ep137 - Avoid Mom Burnout with Micro-Moments of Fun ~ with Dr. Mike Rucker
Feeling overwhelmed by motherhood? Wondering how to inject more joy into your hectic days? In today’s episode, Emily sits down with Dr. Mike Rucker, author of The Fun Habit, to explore how fun can be the antidote to burnout. Discover how to create micro moments of joy even in the most chaotic…
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About this show
As a mom, raising a child with big emotions can be overwhelming, frustrating, and stressful. The Enlightening Motherhood Podcast, hosted by two friends who are currently in the thick of raising kids with big feelings (Emily Hamblin and Ashley Schultz) offers a compassionate community where you can learn practical tips to help make your motherhood lighter.Connect with us!http://emily-hamblin.comInstagram/FB @enlighteningmotherhood
Hosted by
Emily Hamblin & Ashley Schultz