How attachment-first parenting helps kids thrive in the age of screens and AI

In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, I sit down with Todd Sarner, parenting coach, marriage therapist, and author of The Calm and Connected Parent: An Attachment-First Guide to Raising Resilient Kids in the Age of Screens and AI.

Todd’s work centres on helping parents lead with calm confidence, strong boundaries, and deep connection. His attachment-based approach is steady, warm, and refreshingly practical, especially for parents of neurodivergent kids.

This conversation goes deep into the heart of modern parenting, and why connection is the foundation for everything else, including behaviour, emotional regulation, sibling dynamics, and screen time.

We explore:

• Why “attachment-first parenting” matters more than ever in a world of screens, AI, and constant distraction

• The real reason many common parenting approaches fall flat (hello, pendulum swings between “gentle” and “tough love”)

• How kids signal their need for connection, even when it looks like resistance, complaining, or pushing you away

• Why teenagers often open up only right before bed, and how to use that time wisely

• The truth about sibling rivalry and how much of it comes down to a child’s fear of losing your attention

• Why one-size-fits-all parenting doesn’t work, and how to read each child’s unique temperament and needs

• Simple shifts parents can make to build resilience, cooperation, and trust

• How to balance warmth and boundaries without yelling, threatening, or feeling like you’re constantly firefighting

Parents today are raising kids in a completely different world, social media, algorithms, AI, academic pressure, and constant stimulation.
Todd explains how secure attachment acts like a compass, helping children feel safe, grounded, confident, and better able to manage challenges.

If you’ve ever felt:

• torn between being “gentle” and setting firm limits

• confused by conflicting parenting advice

• frustrated when strategies work for one child but not another

• overwhelmed by kids fighting, screen battles, or emotional ups and downs, this episode gives you clarity and direction.

Todd is a parent coach and couples therapist based in the U.S., known for his attachment-based, developmentally aware approach to raising resilient kids. His new book, The Calm and Connected Parent, offers a clear, compassionate roadmap for parenting in the digital age.

This is one of those conversations that will leave you feeling seen, supported, and equipped with practical tools you can use right away.

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, or listen now on Parent Like a Psychologist.

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Parenting in a digital world can feel overwhelming – especially with constant talk of screen time, social media, and bans that seem to change every five minutes. In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, I’m joined by Dr Jo Orlando, researcher and author of Generation Connected: How to Parent in a Digital World at Every Age and Stage.

Jo has spent the last 15 years in Australian homes, schools, and communities – from big cities to very remote towns – watching how real families actually use technology. Her work shows that it’s not just the devices or apps themselves that matter, but how we use them, why we use them, and what our kids’ brains are doing at each age and stage.

Together we unpack her framework of the three forces of digital parenting –

1. Brain development

2. Tech design

3. Social context

…and how these three pieces help us move away from “just limit screen time” and towards practical, realistic strategies that protect our kids and our relationship with them.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why blanket advice like “just limit screen time” doesn’t work – and what to focus on instead

• The difference between screen time and screen quality, and why 30 minutes isn’t always equal

• How tech use looks different at every age, from babies through to older teens

• The special role tech can play for neurodivergent kids, including social connection and success online

• What to look for in apps, games, and shows that might be overstimulating for younger or sensitive kids

• Simple ways to support your child’s transition off screens (and why some kids need a few quiet minutes to “re-enter” the offline world)

• How Jo’s three forces framework can help you problem-solve tricky situations – like tracking apps, Fortnite arguments, and social media drama

• The impact of our own tech habits as parents, right from baby feeding days through to the teen years

• Alternatives to using screens as our only calming/waiting strategy – and how to build more tools into your parenting toolkit

• The upcoming social media ban in Australia, why it hits 14–15 year olds hardest, and how to talk with your teen about FOMO, validation, and friendship

Jo also shares powerful real-life stories from Australian families (with names changed), showing that there isn’t one “right” way to parent around tech – there are many paths that can work, once you understand what’s going on underneath.

If you’ve ever worried you’re “doing it wrong” with screens, or felt stuck between fear-based headlines and “she’ll be right,” this episode will help you feel more informed, more confident, and more connected to your child in our digital world.

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Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
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If your school mornings feel like a battle zone — with lost shoes, tears, or tense standoffs at the door — you’re definitely not alone. In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, Educational and Developmental Psychologist Leanne Tran unpacks why mornings can be so hard for kids (and parents!) and what you can do to bring more calm and cooperation to the start of your day.

You’ll learn:
✨ Why mornings are especially tough for neurodivergent kids — from anxiety and sensory overload to executive functioning challenges.
✨ How to set up your home and routines to reduce chaos and prevent meltdowns before they start.
✨ Simple, evidence-based strategies like visual schedules, positive reinforcement, and small choices that help kids feel more capable and in control.
✨ When morning struggles are a sign of deeper issues — like anxiety, learning difficulties, or sensory needs — and how to know when it’s time to seek extra support.

Leanne also shares practical examples from her own family and clients, helping you see that these moments aren’t about “bad behavior” — they’re opportunities to teach emotional and practical skills for life.

Because when we understand why our kids are struggling, we can stop reacting and start helping.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to turn your morning battles into connection, confidence, and calm.

➡️ Want more support? Download Leanne’s free Visual Routines Guide to create a calmer morning rhythm at www.leannetran.com.au

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Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
Visit my website: learn.leannetran.com.au

Does your child burst into tears when dinner looks different, refuse a birthday party invite, or panic at the thought of trying swimming lessons? You’re not alone — and it’s not stubbornness or “bad behaviour.” In this episode, we unpack what’s really going on when kids resist new experiences and how you can support them with compassion and confidence.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
✨ The real reason behind inflexibility — why children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or sensitive temperaments crave sameness and find change so overwhelming.
🧠 The mindset shift parents need to better understand their child’s reactions and reduce conflict.
🧺 Why prevention is 90% of the work when it comes to behaviour — and what to do before tricky moments happen.
🧒 Practical strategies to gently build flexibility, including:
• Offering meaningful control and choices
• Using visuals, social stories, and play-based exposure
• Introducing small, manageable steps that reduce anxiety
• Celebrating tiny wins to build confidence
💛 How to respond calmly in the moment — with empathy, coaching, and connection (not pressure)
💬 The exact language to validate your child’s feelings, reduce fear, and encourage resilience
🌱 Why progress — not perfection — is the goal when supporting a child who finds new things hard

If your child struggles with change, unpredictability, anxiety, or big feelings, this episode will help you understand them more deeply and guide them forward with kindness.

You’ll walk away with tools to:
✔ Prevent overwhelm and meltdowns before they happen
✔ Support your child to try new things at their pace
✔ Build their emotional skills, courage, and resilience over time

For parents wanting extra support in teaching these skills at home, I also share how we can work together through Chaos to Calm.

Press play to feel calmer, more confident, and equipped to help your child approach new experiences with courage — one small step at a time.

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Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
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In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, Leanne is joined by Adelle Sushames—a late-diagnosed AuDHD clinical psychologist, creator of the NDME and Spoon Theory card decks, and the voice behind Neurodivergent Ally. Together, they explore how neurodivergent children (and adults) can better understand their needs, communicate them, and feel empowered rather than pathologized.

Adelle shares how her card decks help shift the language around autism and ADHD from deficits to preferences, strengths, identity, and lived experience. The conversation dives deep into Spoon Theory, a framework for understanding fluctuating energy levels, why children can appear “fine at school but melt down at home,” and how families and educators can use this language to support kids with compassion instead of pressure.

This episode is warm, insightful, validating—and full of practical tools for supporting neurodivergent children with space and grace.

• Why traditional clinical descriptions of autism and ADHD often don’t reflect lived experience

• The purpose and philosophy behind the NDME identity-affirming cards

• How Spoon Theory helps explain fluctuating capacity and energy levels throughout the day

• Why some children can cope at school but collapse emotionally at home

• Understanding school-based burnout and school can't

• The emotional experience of being neurodivergent in a world not designed for your brain

• How cards can open gentle, low-pressure conversations between parents and kids

• The importance of self-compassion for both children and parents

• The idea of parenting neurodivergent kids with space + grace, rather than endless demands

Adelle Sushames is a late-diagnosed AuDHD Clinical Psychologist and the creator of several neurodiversity-affirming card decks designed to help autistic and ADHD individuals better understand themselves and communicate their needs. Her NDME, Spoon Thieves, and Spoon Savers card decks are used across therapy, home, school, and community settings.

Adelle is also known online as Neurodivergent Ally, where she shares support, education, and relatable parenting insights—delivered with professional expertise, heart, and her signature sass.

• Instagram: @neurodivergent_ally

• Facebook: Neurodivergent Ally

• Website & Card Decks: https://www.neurodivergentally.com/

• Free Children’s Book on Understanding AuDHD:
  https://www.neurodivergentally.com/freebies

After listening, you’ll walk away with:

✅ A clearer understanding of how neurodivergent brains manage energy
✅ A strength-based language to help kids recognise and express their needs
✅ Tools to reduce after-school meltdowns and emotional overwhelm
✅ Insight into burnout and why “just push through” doesn’t work
✅ Validation that supporting your child means supporting yourself, too

Follow me on:

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Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
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When we first recognize that our child is neurodivergent, it can feel like the ground shifts beneath us. Parenting becomes less about “fixing” behaviors and more about reshaping expectations, letting go of old norms, and creating a home environment that truly works for everyone.

In this heartfelt and personal episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, the host reflects on the real and often emotional shifts that come with parenting a neurodivergent child. Rather than focusing on clinical strategies or checklists, this conversation dives into three meaningful changes that transformed daily family life:

1. Letting Go of the Sit-Down Dinner – Redefining what connection at the table looks like, understanding sensory and movement needs, and lowering pressure for “perfect” family mealtimes.

2. Rethinking Physical Affection – Honoring a child’s boundaries while finding new, creative ways to stay connected.

3. Invitations Instead of Instructions – Moving away from rigid demands and toward collaborative, flexible communication that invites cooperation.

Through personal stories and gentle reflections, the episode explores how shifting parental expectations—rather than changing the child—can bring more calm, empathy, and connection into family life.

Listeners will gain:

• Practical mindset shifts that ease daily stress

• Tips for adapting routines without losing family values

• A reminder that letting go of old expectations isn’t “giving up” — it’s making space for a better fit for your family.

Perfect for: Parents of neurodivergent children, caregivers seeking more empathy-based approaches, and anyone ready to parent with greater flexibility and self-compassion.

“Sometimes the biggest change doesn’t come from our kids — it comes from us.”

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Travelling with kids can feel like an Olympic-level parenting challenge—especially when anxiety, boredom, or a strong need for control enters the mix. In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, we unpack practical, evidence-informed strategies to make family trips smoother and more enjoyable.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The power of preparation: How visual schedules and clear communication ease anxiety.

• Flexibility within structure: Why alternating “adult” and “kid” days keeps everyone engaged.

• Boredom busters: Creative ways to keep kids occupied — from scavenger hunts to card games.

• Reducing stress in transit: Simple safety systems and “no problem-solving zones” during high-stress moments.

• Kid-centric planning: How giving children choice turns travel into a shared adventure.

Key Takeaways:

• Kids cope better when they know what to expect.

• Building in choice and familiar activities can turn frustration into fun.

• Sandwiching challenging activities with enjoyable ones keeps spirits high.

• A little prep time before the trip leads to a lot more joy during it.

• Travel is a unique opportunity for growth, connection, and shared memories.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Parents of children with anxiety, ADHD, or other neurodivergent needs.

• Families who love to travel but want more peace (and fewer meltdowns).

• Caregivers looking for realistic, evidence-informed strategies.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Family travel to Athens and the Olympic Stadium

• Creative kid-friendly detours like visiting the largest outdoor escalator in Washington, D.C.

• Tips for using museum kids’ guides, scavenger hunts, and flexible schedules

Join the Conversation:

Got your own travel hacks for kids with different needs? Share your tips on Instagram at @LeanneTransPsychology or through the website contact form. Listener insights may even feature in an upcoming episode!

Follow me on:

Instagram:@leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
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Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
Visit my website: learn.leannetran.com.au