Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: Navigating Defiance, Meltdowns, and Anxiety to Raise Confident, Connected Kids
Big kids mean big feelings and sometimes that shows up as defiance, meltdowns, or even anxiety. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really going on beneath the surface and why it’s not just “bad behavior.” We often think school-aged is cruising with emotions but big feelings are common.
I’m joined by returning guest Alyssa Campbell, a child development expert, to provide the right tools for when emotions can feel overwhelming. We’ll talk about how age bias often shapes the way adults respond to older kids’ emotions, why yelling or punishment backfires, and how collaborative emotional processing can help kids feel understood while still respecting boundaries.
You’ll learn:
Why defiance is often a sign of unmet needs, not disrespect
The role of age bias in how we label behavior in older vs. younger kids
How collaborative emotional processing helps kids regulate big emotions
Practical, evidence-based ways to respond to meltdowns, worry, and pushback using her “F.A.C.T.S.” method
How to raise kids who feel both confident and connected
To connect with Alyssa Campbel check out all her resources at https://www.seedandsew.org/about. Follow her on Instagram at @seed.and.sew. Buy her new book “Big Kids, Bigger Feelings” here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/big-kids-bigger-feelings-alyssa-blask-campbellrachel-stuart-lounder?variant=43408468377634
We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!
00:00 – The “Easy Years” Myth01:16 – Why 5–12 Isn’t Smooth Sailing02:38 – Meet Alyssa Blas Campbell03:11 – Parents Feel Blindsided05:28 – Big Kid Development Shifts07:25 – What Big Meltdowns Look Like09:12 – Do We Expect Too Much?11:04 – 9 Senses & Nervous System15:23 – Different Kids, Different Needs18:08 – Handling Defiance With Compassion22:53 – Sibling Differences in Regulation25:48 – The F.A.C.T.S. Acronym31:29 – Amusement Park Example34:53 – Why Age Bias Misleads Us38:18 – The S.I.P. Method Explained42:12 – Rethinking Respect & Defiance44:40 – Parenting Is a Relationship46:22 – Closing Thoughts & Resources
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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51:48
The Follow-Up: Your Baby in the NICU
Having a baby in the NICU is something no parent plans for. Whether your child is born premature, needs extra support after delivery, or faces unexpected medical challenges, the NICU experience can feel overwhelming and full of unknowns.
You’ll learn:
Why babies are admitted to the NICU (and what that first moment feels like for parents)
What doctors, nurses, and staff monitor day-to-day to support growth and healing
How NICU rounds work and the key questions parents can ask
Why every care plan is individualized—and how parents are essential members of the team
The emotional side of being a NICU parent, from guilt to uncertainty, and how staff help families feel supported
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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16:17
Childhood Anxiety: From Symptoms to Support in a Time of Rising Rates
Anxiety in kids doesn’t always look like worry. Sometimes it shows up as stomachaches, sleep struggles, irritability, or even constant visits to the school nurse. As pediatricians, we know this is one of the most common challenges families face today and parents are often left wondering: Is this normal? Do I need to be worried? What do I do next?
In this episode, I’m joined by pediatrician and author Dr. Natasha Burgert, who just released Managing Childhood Anxiety For Dummies. We talk about how anxiety can look different in kids, when parents should reach out for help, and the many supportive steps families can take before medication is even on the table.
We cover:
The many faces of anxiety in children (it’s often a chameleon)
How to talk to your child about anxiety without making it scarier
Why early screening matters and what those forms really mean (spoiler: not a label)
Common myths about medication and how SSRIs actually work
How school transitions (hello, September stomachaches) can trigger anxiety
To connect with Dr. Natasha Burgert check out all her resources at https://kckidsdoc.substack.com/. Follow her on Instagram at @kckidsdoc. Buy her “Managing Childhood Anxiety For Dummies” book here: https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F4dYyaim&e=AT16kIumYZsC0TK4slk9a-qlSR7mzOsrHwpM4fOhdheESkam-cNuVmg2csHv-v6wgf8dHsUidIsW79nQA45rMXUvzxKmwOktxXr63UcHi-2Fxwq2
Another great listen: What is the gut-brain axis and how does anxiety play a role
We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!
0:00 – Understanding Childhood Anxiety: The Great Mimicker
01:21 – Welcome & Why Anxiety Matters for Kids Today
03:19 – Recognizing Signs: What Anxiety Looks Like in Children
08:00 – Talking to Kids About Anxiety in a Supportive Way
09:51 – Screening, Diagnosis & Why Rates Are Rising
17:33 – First Steps After a Positive Screen (Beyond Medication)
21:28 – Medications, Myths & How SSRIs Actually Work
30:17 – Parental Mental Health, Myths, and Back-to-School Anxiety
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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42:29
The Follow-Up: 5 Things to Stop Doing as Parents
In this week’s Follow Up, Dr. Mona revisits one of her earliest and most popular episodes: 15 Things We Need to Stop Doing as Parents. This quick-hit version pulls out 5 powerful reminders that every parent needs to hear.
From the viral Instagram post that sparked thousands of saves and shares, Dr. Mona brings back the tough love truths that free parents from comparison, guilt, and perfection obsession.
You’ll hear why it’s time to:
Stop comparing your child to others
Stop spanking as a form of discipline
Stop trying to be your child’s “friend” instead of their parent
Stop chasing the “perfect” kid
Stop neglecting your own needs and your partnership
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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16:46
Healthy Kids Need Healthy Policy: The Case for Advocacy with Senate Hopeful and Pediatrician Dr. Annie Andrews
What happens when politics ignores kids? Pediatrician and South Carolina Senate hopeful Dr. Annie Andrews joins me to talk about why children’s health depends on more than just doctor’s visits - it depends on the policies shaping their lives. From Medicaid cuts to paid leave, gun safety, and the cost of insulin, Dr. Andrews explains why neutrality in medicine isn’t an option and why pediatricians, and parents, have a responsibility to speak up.
We discuss:
Why Dr. Andrews made the leap from pediatrics to politics
How policies like Medicaid cuts directly hurt children, families, and the health care system
Why pediatricians and parents need to get louder in advocacy
How healthcare has become political and why we need to be louder for our kids’ future
The child tax credit and other policies that could transform children’s futures
How better policy can prevent burnout among doctors and improve care for every family
To connect with Dr. Annie Andrews follow her on Instagram @annieandrewsmd, check out all her resources at https://drannieandrews.com/
We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!
00:00 – Why Advocacy Alone Isn’t Enough
01:11 – Politics Is Already in Our Lane
02:32 – Meet Dr. Annie Andrews: Pediatrician, Mom, Senate Hopeful
04:04 – From Clinic to Campaign: Why She Ran
07:06 – Kids Left Behind in Red vs. Blue States
09:30 – Why Staying Neutral Can Hurt Kids
12:22 – Advocacy vs. Politics: What Really Creates Change
15:26 – Looking Ahead: Policy Priorities if Elected
16:50 – Medicaid Cuts and What They Mean for Families
22:02 – How Cuts Affect Doctors, Patients, and the Whole System
25:14 – Burnout, Reimbursement, and a Broken System
28:15 – Why Pediatricians Must Step Into Politics
30:17 – Fixing the Workforce Crisis in Pediatrics
33:52 – Final Call to Action: Getting Loud for Kids
35:30 – How to Connect With Dr. Annie Andrews
38:21 – Closing Thoughts: Hope Through Action
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Über The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
The PedsDocTalk Podcast is your go-to parenting resource, hosted by Dr. Mona Amin, a trusted pediatrician, parenting expert, and mom of two. As a top 30 Parenting Podcast in the U.S., this show delivers expert-backed guidance on child development, health, illness, behavior, feeding, and sleep—giving parents the confidence to navigate every stage from baby to teen.
Each episode dives into real-life parenting challenges, featuring conversations with specialists in pediatrics, child psychology, nutrition, and parental well-being. From potty training and sleep training to tackling tantrums, picky eating, discipline, screen time, postpartum recovery, and developmental milestones, Dr. Mona provides practical, science-backed advice that actually works.
Tune in on Mondays and Wednesdays for actionable insights, mindset shifts, and expert interviews that empower you to raise healthy, resilient, and happy kids—while thriving as a parent yourself!
Höre The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom, Dr. Matthias Riedl - So geht gesunde Ernährung und viele andere Podcasts aus aller Welt mit der radio.de-App
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