Have a strong-willed child who doesn't respond to consequences, argues like an attorney, and refuses to do things your way? Good! You're in the right place. Celebrate Calm Founder Kirk Martin has given over 1,000,000 parents and teachers around the world practical, life-changing strategies to stop power struggles, yelling, and defiance NOW. Based on work with 1,500 challenging kids (many with AD/HD, OCD, ODD, ASD, etc.) in his home, and years spent in classrooms, Kirk's approach is refreshingly…
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Expect Big Battles From Morning to Midnight: Here’s Your 5-Step Game Plan #625
Morning grumbling. After-school complaints. Grocery store meltdowns over cookies. Sibling fights while you’re trying to cook dinner, all while your spouse gets increasingly stressed by a picky eater... and you haven’t even gotten to tears over homework, bath, or bedtime yet! If your days feel like a 24/7 non-stop war of attrition, then use these 5 concrete scripts so you know exactly what to do…
Why Do I Have to Do This?" How to Motivate the Child Who Questions Everything #624
Do you have a child who pushes your buttons, avoids hard tasks, and always asks "Why?" instead of just doing what you ask? It’s exhausting! It's easy to label them as lazy or rude—but there’s a better way to look at it. Listen to this episode if you want to stop losing battles and reframe your child’s irritating traits to motivate, connect and build their confidence. **Tomorrow CAN be different…
Q&A With Casey #1: Mistaking Intensity for Unhappiness, Feeling Like A Bad Kid & More #623
What is it like to grow up as an intense, strong-willed child—and how does that intensity follow you into adulthood and marriage? In this special Q&A episode with my son, Casey reveals what he’d tell his 8-year-old self and what “Don’t assume my intensity means I’m not happy” means. The unscripted moments are gold: when you had bad moments, were you internalizing anger at me for being overbearing…
Let's Make Discipline Easy Without Being Authoritarian or Permissive #622
What works with most kids backfires with our kids! So how can we discipline without being authoritarian or permissive? How can we go beyond consequences that don't work to actually change behavior while building trust? What are appropriate expectations of your child and yourself? I simplify discipline by giving you three practical action steps and scripts that work with kids of all ages.…
Adoption #2: Kids Who Never Seem Full or Happy, Unhealthy Attachments, Separation & Sleep Issues #621
In this special episode, I address these specific issues from parents of adopted kids: Our son will attach himself to anyone who gives him positive or negative attention. Our daughter always wants to be attached to only me and won’t separate. Our child has a "love bucket" with a giant hole in the bottom. Our kids never seem full, even with so much constant attention and love. It seems like she is…
Dreading Calls from School? The Ultimate Back-to-School Behavior Guide #620
There is nothing worse than the pit in your stomach when you see the school's number on your phone. If your child struggles with following directions, transitions, impulse control, blurting out, or acting silly in class, it's easy to feel helpless. In this episode, I provide concrete strategies and exact scripts to hand your child's teacher before the drama starts. So teachers know how to help…
"I'm Not Going!" 5 Ways to Overcome School Refusal & Separation Anxiety #619
You know those morning meltdowns and battles are coming! What specific words and actions work when you have a child who struggles with separation anxiety, doesn’t like and refuses to go to school, and becomes rigidly defiant? You’ll quickly learn 5 practical, action-oriented steps that work for both parents at home and teachers in the classroom. P.S. You can share our proven school programs…
Parents often believe if you adopt a child from birth and provide a loving home, that will mitigate most issues. It doesn’t usually work that way. There is no judgment here. Just the reality that trauma triggers different issues. That can manifest in kids with an insatiable craving for intensity, sensory pressure, connection, food, and things. I do not want you feeling guilty or alone. In the…
The Meltdown That Changed Me Forever (And 2 Phrases You Must Use To Teach Instead of Punish). #617
This is the day I realized I was so consumed with how my son’s attitude made me feel, that I wasn’t actually helping him . I needed him to behave... so I could behave. In this episode, I provide a step-by-step guide for navigating those combustible situations you face daily—including the two phrases that work 99% of the time to de-escalate and allow you to teach instead of punish. PS: This is the…
Stop the Stand-Offs: Real-Life Fixes for Your 5, 10, or 15-Year-Old #616
Ever find yourself locked in a screaming match with your strong-willed child and suddenly realize, "Wait... I’m arguing with a five-year-old?" Whether you're dealing with a tantrumy toddler, a 10-year-old who makes everything a battle, or an unmotivated teenager who has shut down, Kirk shares powerful, real-world examples that will show you exactly how to de-escalate the tension and motivate your…