Looking for success? Join our village! We are a community of parents committed to learning and growing our EQ alongside our children. 

You can find out more on my website.

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You will leave the episode feeling like you are not alone and with tools to utilize in your own home for those difficult moments and emotional outbursts that happen to us all.

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In this episode, we explore the powerful emotional intelligence insight that behind every behavior is an unmet need or feeling. When we begin to decode behavior through this lens, we move from reacting to connecting.

Through relatable examples and practical strategies, you'll learn how to tune in to your child’s emotional world, respond with empathy, and build deeper trust. This conversation is for any parent who wants to raise emotionally aware, resilient kids—and feel more confident and calm in the process.

✨ If you find this episode helpful, please subscribe, share it with a fellow parent, and leave a rating or review. Your support helps us reach more families and keep the conversations going. Thank you for listening!

If you want the FREE download, click here.

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Little monkey calms down

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How we feel — and how we handle those feelings — has a powerful, often invisible impact on everyone around us, especially our children. In this episode of Raising EQ, we explore the vital role of self-awareness in shaping our emotional environment and raising emotionally intelligent kids.

Host Dr. Holly unpacks:

How our unspoken emotions influence the room.
Why children absorb our energy and behavior more than our words.
The science behind emotional contagion and co-regulation.
Practical tools for managing your emotions in the moment.
How to model emotional intelligence without being perfect.

Whether you're navigating your kids' big emotions or your triggers, this episode will help you reflect, reset, and respond with greater awareness and compassion.

Your emotional presence is your greatest parenting tool.

✨ If you find this episode helpful, please subscribe, share it with a fellow parent, and leave a rating or review. Your support helps us reach more families and keep the conversations going. Thank you for listening!

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From naming feelings to building empathy and social skills, storytime becomes a safe space for kids to learn about their inner world—and the world of others. Backed by research and filled with practical tips, this episode will help you turn your everyday reading routine into an emotionally rich learning experience.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, you’ll walk away with simple, powerful ways to raise emotionally aware, kind-hearted kids—one book at a time.

*Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever.
*How books teach empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.
*5 simple techniques to make storytime more emotionally engaging.
*Book recommendations for sparking meaningful conversations.

Perfect for anyone who wants to raise emotionally intelligent children, with just a little help from books.

✨ If you find this episode helpful, please subscribe, share it with a fellow parent, and leave a rating or review. Your support helps us reach more families and keep the conversations going. Thank you for listening!

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But if you’ve ever felt awkward, unsure, or just too busy to play, you’re not alone.

In this episode of Raising EQ, I explain why play is such a powerful parenting tool, what the research says about its impact, and how you can use the DRIP Technique — a simple, four-step method — to make play meaningful and natural again.

You don’t need hours of free time, fancy toys, or to feel like an entertainer — just a few minutes and a willingness to show up and connect.

✅ Why play is essential for your child’s emotional and social development
✅ How play benefits you as a parent — lowering stress and improving connection
✅ The science behind how just 10–15 minutes of play can make a difference
✅ A step-by-step guide to the DRIP Technique:

D — Describe what your child is doing
R — Reflect their emotions or thoughts
I — Imitate their actions and join their world
P — Praise their effort and creativity

Plus: practical examples you can use during your next play session — even if you only have a few minutes.

Download the free DRIP Cheat Sheet.
Listen to the previous episode: Listen Now
Follow me on Instagram for more tips: @Raising_eq

If you try the DRIP technique this week, I’d love to hear how it goes!
Tag me on social or send me a message — I love hearing your stories.

And if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another parent who could use a little more connection in their day.

In this episode of Raising EQ, we dive into why intentional breathing is one of the most powerful tools for self-regulation, supported by research and real-life parenting challenges.

You’ll learn four practical breathwork techniques — including 4-7-8 breathing, box breathing, sigh of relief, and 5-finger breathing — to help you stay grounded, even when everything feels chaotic.

These tools are quick, accessible, and easy to teach to kids, too.

✨ Breathe first. Then parent.

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Whether you're a parent sending your little one off for the first time or helping an older child adjust to a new environment, this episode offers relatable stories, emotional insights, and practical strategies for fostering emotional resilience through change.

Join us as we talk about:

Preparing your child (and yourself!) emotionally for school
Handling separation anxiety with empathy
Building routines that support smoother transitions
Encouraging confidence and independence at every stage

Tune in to gain reassurance, laugh through the relatable moments, and walk away with tools to support your family through the ups and downs of school transitions.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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💫The neuroscience behind gratitude and why it’s more than “positive thinking”

💫How to use gratitude in real-life parenting challenges (yes, even during meltdowns)

💫Four simple, parent-friendly gratitude practices that fit into everyday life

Whether you’re raising toddlers, teens, or somewhere in between, this episode will give you practical tools to stay grounded — and help your whole family thrive emotionally.

Download your Free Gratitude Guide

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In this episode of Raising EQ, we’ll dive into:

💫Why transitions feel so tough for kids (and parents!)
💫How kids mirror our stress—and what we can do about it
💫5 research-backed EQ tools to ease back-to-school stress, including:
       🌱Naming and normalizing feelings
       🌱Creating simple morning and bedtime routines
       🌱Leading with empathy before problem-solving
       🌱Modeling emotional regulation out loud
       🌱Building daily one-on-one connection time

Whether your child is starting reception/kindergarten or heading into secondary/high school, these simple practices will help set the tone for a calmer, more connected school year.

🎒 Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean chaos—let’s make it a chance to practice emotional intelligence together.

Download your Back to School Tip Sheet

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🌱Why empathy matters for secure attachment, communication, and resilience

🌱The three core layers of empathy in parenting: perspective-taking, staying out of judgment, and communicating understanding.

🌱Everyday tools to help kids name, validate, and process their feelings.

🌱How modeling empathy (and even repairing when you miss the mark) teaches kids emotional intelligence for life.

💫You’ll also get a simple challenge you can try this week to practice empathy in the heat of the moment.

Empathy doesn’t mean giving in—it means showing your child they are seen, heard, and understood. And that’s one of the greatest gifts you can give them.

Download your Raising Resilient Kids Resource here.

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Listeners will hear real-life examples of how empathy shows up in toddlers, school-aged children, and teens, along with strategies to guide them through moments when they seem self-focused.

The episode introduces five practical tools for parents:

*Modeling empathy in everyday situations.
*Using emotion-language at home to build awareness.
*Encouraging perspective-taking through stories and questions.
*Guiding children to repair after conflict with reflection and accountability.
*Creating opportunities for kindness through small but meaningful actions.

To wrap up, parents are given a weekly challenge: pick one moment each day to pause, ask “What do you think that person is feeling or thinking?”, and model empathy themselves.

This empowering conversation reminds us that empathy is a skill that can be strengthened with practice — ultimately preparing our children to thrive with kindness and understanding in a complex world.

Download your Raising Resilient Kids Resource here.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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In this episode of Raising EQ, we unpack the powerful connection between social skills and emotional intelligence (EQ). You’ll learn why skills like self-awareness, empathy, and problem-solving matter just as much—if not more—than IQ when it comes to long-term success.

We’ll walk through practical, everyday strategies you can use at home for kids at any age, including teaching kids “feelings first” language, modeling empathy out loud, guiding sibling conflicts without fixing them, and creating opportunities for kids to problem solve and practice EQ in real-life situations.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have simple tools to help your child strengthen their emotional intelligence—and in turn, their social confidence. These small steps today can lead to big growth tomorrow.

Download your Social Skills Resource here.

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You’ll discover:

💫Why conflict can actually strengthen family bonds
💫The four pillars of emotional intelligence every parent can practice
💫Practical tools to calm big emotions (yours and your child’s)
💫How to move from power struggles to collaboration
💫The importance of repairing after conflict

By the end, you’ll have a simple challenge to put these tools into practice at home. Because every conflict is a chance—not just to solve a problem, but to build resilience, empathy, and connection with your kids.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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You’ll walk away with:

 🌱 A clear understanding of why feedback matters in parenting.

🌱 Five practical steps to ask for and receive feedback without defensiveness.

🌱 A simple weekly challenge to put self-awareness into action

By modeling openness and curiosity, you’re not just growing yourself—you’re teaching your kids one of the most important emotional skills for life.

Download your Free Resource here.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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In this episode, Dr. Holly Symons takes you inside the science and practice of repair from the lens of emotional intelligence and attachment theory. We’ll unpack insights from Dr. Dan Siegel, who emphasizes the mantra “repair, repair, repair,” and explore Ed Tronick’s groundbreaking Still Face Experiment, which vividly demonstrates both the fragility and resilience of early relational bonds.

You’ll learn why consistent repair strengthens secure attachment, how it lays the foundation for emotional intelligence, and the practical steps parents can take to reconnect meaningfully after moments of disconnection. Rather than striving for perfection, this conversation reminds us that the real growth happens in the repair, where children learn empathy, regulation, and trust.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply curious about human connection, this episode offers both scientific grounding and practical wisdom for building healthier, more resilient relationships with children.

The Whole Brain Child By Dr. Dan Siegel

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You’ll learn how values act as a bridge between emotions and actions, helping kids understand why they feel what they feel and how to respond in ways that reflect your family's values. 

Create a visual values chart, Jar, or Piece of Art that fits your family’s unique culture.

Use values language and reinforce positive behavior by naming and celebrating lived values. You will also build emotional vocabulary, empathy, and connection. Intrinsic motivation grows as you have a shared family goal and each work hard to reach it.  

By the end, you’ll see how anchoring your parenting in shared values helps children not only behave better — but feel better, think more clearly, and grow into emotionally intelligent, grounded young people.

** If you use stars, etc, as a reward system to start, the idea is to support your child in gaining an understanding of the shared goal and how to get there. Therefore, you cannot take away stars already given, and eventually, they will not need stars to show how you reach the goal. You can always be working toward a positive goal together as a family, which is why your "rewards" are family-based time together, adventures to celebrate your hard work. Not toys or treats or extrinsic rewards. Start with an attainable goal and continue to reach for bigger and bigger goals. **

Don't forget to share how this idea comes to life in your house!

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We often think kids internalize what we say to them, but research shows they also absorb what we say about ourselves. From small sighs of frustration to moments of harsh self-criticism, our children are watching — and learning how to treat themselves.

You’ll learn:

🌱Why kids reflect our emotional patterns (and what that means for their confidence and resilience)
🌱The link between self-criticism, anxious parenting, and secure attachment
🌱A simple daily tool — Reframe Your Brain— to transform your self-talk into a powerful model of self-compassion

With science-backed insights and relatable storytelling, this 10-minute episode is a reminder that the way you talk to yourself becomes the way your child talks to themselves.

Don't forget to share how this idea comes to life in your house!

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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👻Why up to 5% of children experience specific phobias (like fear of costumes or masks)

🫶How to validate your child’s emotions without reinforcing fear

🫶Simple, gentle tools — from “dress-up at home” exposure games to calm-down routines — that help kids feel safe and empowered

🫶Ways to model calm and build emotional resilience through play and empathy

By the end, you’ll have a step-by-step approach to turn Halloween from a night of fright into a night of connection and self-efficacy.

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and keep raising emotional intelligence — one small moment at a time.

Download your FREE Resource here.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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In this episode of Raising EQ, host Dr. Holly Symons breaks down what emotional intelligence looks like in kids and how it becomes the foundation for resilience. You’ll learn four simple tools to help your child identify emotions, manage stress, and grow through challenges — all backed by recent research from Harvard, Yale, and the American Psychological Association.

Whether you’re navigating toddler emotional outbursts or teen tension, this episode will help you turn emotional chaos into calm connection — and raise kids who don’t just survive life’s challenges, but thrive through them.

✨ Listen now to start raising your child’s EQ — and their resilience.

Together, they unpack the emotional highs and lows of being a working mother — from burnout and guilt to balance and purpose. They talk about what emotional intelligence looks like in the middle of chaos, how entrepreneurship can be both freeing and exhausting, and why grace might be more important than balance.

Along the way, they weave in real-world stats that paint a striking picture:

* 68% of working mothers report feeling stressed frequently.

*42% experience burnout “often or always.”
And only 38% of workplaces offer adequate parental mental health support.

But amidst the challenges, they find hope — in connection, creativity, and self-awareness. This episode is a love letter to every mother doing her best to build a meaningful life while keeping her emotional health in focus.

Key themes:
💫  Emotional health and EQ for working moms
💫  Motherhood and entrepreneurship
💫  Coping with guilt, burnout, and perfectionism
💫  The power of community and self-compassion

The truth is, balance isn’t a destination — it’s an emotional practice. And every working mom is already doing better than she thinks. Look at the Tada moments rather than the to-do list!

If you want more information about Femke and Merry Go Round you can find her on Instagram: @merrygoroundclub or her website

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and keep raising emotional intelligence — one small moment at a time.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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In this episode, Dr. Holly Symons dives into the idea of “ghosts in the nursery,” a concept introduced by child psychoanalyst Selma Fraiberg, who showed how unhealed parts of our past can quietly influence our parenting.

But here’s the hope: awareness changes everything.

 When we understand why we react, we create space to respond differently—to parent the child in front of us instead of the one inside us still needing healing. 💫

We’ll explore:

🌱How your past shapes emotional triggers
🌱Why self-awareness is key to breaking intergenerational cycles
🌱Simple ways to reflect, repair, and reconnect
🌱And how healing yourself directly raises your child’s emotional intelligence

Because when you parent with awareness, you’re not just raising EQ in your children—you’re raising it in yourself. 💛

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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We break down the difference between punishments and boundaries, why boundaries feel so hard for many modern parents, and how to set limits with empathy instead of shame. 

You’ll hear research-backed insights — from Dr. Daniel Siegel and recent studies on child development — that show why consistent, compassionate boundaries are one of the strongest predictors of a child’s long-term success and wellbeing.

If you’ve ever struggled with setting limits, feared being “too hard,” or felt guilty enforcing rules, this episode will help you reframe boundaries as an act of deep love and emotional leadership.

✨Parenting is hard, but you don't have to do it alone! Join the Raising EQ Community and subscribe so you never miss an episode.✨

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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Hosted by Dr. Holly Symons, Raising EQ helps families navigate stress, communication, grounding, and self-regulation through accessible, compassionate guidance. Whether you’re a parent, educator, caregiver, or simply someone curious about emotional growth, this show brings you actionable insights to strengthen your inner calm and your family’s emotional well-being.

Tune in weekly for conversations, guided practices, and evidence-based tools to help you feel more grounded, present, and connected — especially in the seasons when emotions run high.

If you are looking for emotionally intelligent toys this season for all ages, including teens, download your FREE TOY Resource here.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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We explore what research shows about the impact of parental repair, including how acknowledging our missteps and validating our children’s perspectives can support healthier emotional development, strengthen attachment, and increase trust. 

You’ll hear why humility is a parenting superpower, how to set your own feelings aside in moments that matter, and how simple, honest ownership can turn conflict into connection.

If you’re ready to raise emotionally intelligent kids—and grow right alongside them—this episode gives you the tools, language, and mindset to start today.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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In this episode of Raising EQ Parents, we explore why the holidays trigger the nervous system and share research-backed, practical tools you can use in real time to support regulation—for yourself and your child. You’ll learn how to calm your body in moments of stress, co-regulate with a dysregulated child, and repair after things don’t go as planned.

This episode is a reminder that emotional intelligence isn’t about staying calm all the time—it’s about knowing how to return to connection.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

🌱Why holiday stress triggers the nervous system
🌱How to regulate yourself in the moment using neuroscience-backed tools
🌱What children actually need when they’re overwhelmed
🌱How co-regulation builds emotional intelligence
🌱Why repair matters more than perfection

Perfect for parents who want calmer holidays, stronger connections, and emotionally resilient kids—without unrealistic expectations.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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Research shows that self-awareness is a foundational component of emotional intelligence and plays a critical role in emotional regulation, stress management, and healthy relationships — including our relationships with our children. In this episode, we break down what self-awareness really means for parents, why reflection is backed by science, and how even small moments of intentional reflection can create meaningful change.

You’ll learn:

✨Why self-awareness is essential for emotionally intelligent parenting
✨How reflection improves emotional regulation and reduces stress
✨Simple, realistic reflection practices for busy parents
✨How modeling reflection helps children build their own emotional intelligence

Whether you have five minutes at the end of the day or a quiet moment with your morning coffee, this episode offers practical tools to help you pause, reflect, and grow — without adding more to your to-do list.

As the year closes, this episode invites you to reflect, not to judge yourself, but to better understand yourself — and to carry that awareness into the year ahead.

🔗 “The Value of Emotional Intelligence: Self-Awareness…” — Review on self-awareness and EI components (Technium Education & Humanities, 2024) 

 🔗 Measuring the Effects of Self-Awareness — Research demonstrating outcomes of self-awareness (NIH/PMC) 

 🔗 Why Self-Awareness Matters in Parenting — Practical insights on parent-child relationship benefits 

 🔗 Benefits of Self-Awareness for Well-Being — Summary of research linking self-awareness to emotional balance 

 🔗 Reflective Practice Enhances Emotional Skills — Study linking reflection to improved EI skills 

ResearchGate

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In this episode of Raising EQ, we explore why traditional goal-setting strategies don’t work unless emotional intelligence is part of the picture. Drawing from neuroscience and psychology, you’ll learn how emotions like frustration, fear, boredom, and shame can derail even the best intentions—and what parents can do instead.

We break down how emotional regulation supports motivation, persistence, and follow-through, and share simple, science-backed tools you can start using right away with your kids. From emotion-based goal setting to helping kids name and manage feelings when things get hard, this episode offers practical strategies that build both confidence and resilience.

You’ll also learn why modeling your own emotional intelligence matters more than any reward system—and how focusing on process over outcomes helps kids stick with goals without pressure or power struggles.

If you want to raise kids who don’t give up when it feels hard, this episode will help you build the emotional foundation that makes goal-setting and goal-achieving stick.

If you want to read more about the areas spoke about check out the following links.

 🧠 Research & Further Reading 

James Gross – Emotion Regulation Research (Stanford):
 https://spl.stanford.edu/people/james-gross

Dan Siegel – Name It to Tame It & Interpersonal Neurobiology:
https://drdansiegel.com

Angela Duckworth – Grit & Perseverance:
https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-book/

Carol Dweck – Growth Mindset Research:
https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/

American Psychological Association – Emotional Regulation & Child Development:
https://www.apa.org/topics/emotion-regulation

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In this episode, we explore what AI can’t teach your kids—emotional intelligence. While machines can process information, they can’t replace empathy, self-awareness, emotional regulation, or meaningful human connection. These are the skills that help children adapt to change, build healthy relationships, make ethical decisions, and navigate an increasingly complex world.

You’ll learn:

✨Why emotional intelligence is becoming more valuable than IQ in the age of AI
✨What research shows about EQ, success, mental health, and future-ready skills
✨How parenting styles shape a child’s emotional development
✨Practical, everyday ways parents can raise emotionally intelligent kids
✨How to balance technology use while strengthening emotional awareness and resilience

This episode is a reminder that as technology grows smarter, our role as parents becomes even more important. By nurturing emotional intelligence at home, we’re not just preparing our kids to succeed—we’re helping them stay human in a machine-driven world.

This episode is perfect for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone raising children in the digital age.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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Research referenced in this episode reflects current findings in psychology, education, and workforce development. Sources are listed below for further exploration.

References & Research

Goleman, Daniel. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.
https://www.danielgoleman.info/topics/emotional-intelligence/
Frontiers in Psychology (2025).
Emotional Intelligence and Life Outcomes: Global Evidence.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology
World Economic Forum (2023).
The Future of Jobs Report.
https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/
Harvard University – Center on the Developing Child
Executive Function & Self-Regulation Skills.
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/executive-function/
CASEL – Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning
What Is SEL?
https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/
American Psychological Association (APA)
Emotional Intelligence and Leadership.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/nov01/emotional
OECD (2021).
Social and Emotional Skills for Life.
https://www.oecd.org/education/global-competence/social-emotional-skills/
National Scientific Council on the Developing Child
Children’s Emotional Development.
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/children%E2%80%99s-emotional-development-is-built-into-the-architecture-of-their-brains/
McKinsey & Company (2023).
Defining the Skills Citizens Will Need in the Future of Work.
https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/defining-the-skills-citizens-will-need-in-the-future-world-of-work
Pew Research Center (2022).
Parenting Children in the Digital Age.
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/

In this episode, we share research-backed, simple tools that parents can use to help children feel safe during scary or uncertain times—without overwhelming them or asking them to manage adult emotions. You’ll learn how to regulate yourself first, model healthy emotional processing, prevent emotional role reversal, and create the kind of steady presence that helps kids build lifelong resilience.

This episode is for parents who want to raise emotionally strong children while staying grounded themselves—especially when life feels heavy.

✨A Grounding Practice to Support You✨
When the world feels heavy

Pause.
Put one hand on your chest or belly.

Breathe in slowly through your nose.
Longer out than in.

This is hard.
And I am here.

Feel your body being supported
by the floor, the chair, the ground.

My child does not need me to be perfect.
They need me to be present.

Soften your jaw.
Drop your shoulders.

I can hold my feelings.
My child does not need to hold them for me.

Bring your child to mind.
Offer steadiness, not answers.

I am the adult.
I am the safe place.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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In this episode of Emotionally Intelligent Parenting, we unpack the science behind why apologies are emotionally challenging for adults and children alike. Drawing on research in psychology and child development, we explore how cognitive dissonance, ego protection, and shame can block accountability — and how parents can break that cycle at home.

You’ll learn:

✨Why apologizing feels threatening to the brain (and why that’s normal)
✨How owning your mistakes actually builds trust and authority with your child
✨What research says makes an apology meaningful and effective
✨Why forcing kids to say “sorry” often backfires
✨Practical scripts and strategies to help children apologize with empathy, responsibility, and repair
✨How to model accountability in age-appropriate, emotionally intelligent ways

This episode is for parents who want to raise emotionally intelligent kids — not by being perfect, but by showing how to repair, reconnect, and grow after mistakes.

Because strong families aren’t built on getting it right every time — they’re built on knowing how to make it right when things go wrong.

Research Links:
Why an apology is psychologically hard (cognitive dissonance & ego defense):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance

Child apologies are often prompted — research observation:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5386507/

Apology + restitution reduce negative emotion and build empathy:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7082420/

Framework on elements of an effective apology:
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/minds-business/effective-apologies-include-six-elements.html

✨A Grounding Practice to Support You✨
When the world feels heavy

Pause.
Put one hand on your chest or belly.

Breathe in slowly through your nose.
Longer out than in.

Feel your body being supported
by the floor, the chair, the ground.

Soften your jaw.
Drop your shoulders.

Bring your child to mind.
Offer steadiness, not answers.

I am the adult.
I am the safe place.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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Backed by psychology and neuroscience, you’ll learn practical, real-life EQ tools to:

✨Recognize and regulate your own emotions
✨Reduce stress and emotional overload
✨Respond instead of react when your child pushes your buttons
✨Model calm and emotional regulation for your kids

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck in cycles of yelling and guilt, this episode will help you pause, reset, and parent with more confidence and connection.

🎙️ Because raising emotionally intelligent kids starts with emotionally supported parents.

In this episode, we explore what these words really mean and what’s happening in your child’s emotional brain when they lash out. You’ll learn why children use hurtful language when they feel overwhelmed, and how your response can either escalate the situation or help your child develop emotional intelligence and self-regulation.

This episode includes practical, real-life tools you can use immediately to stay calm, respond with confidence, and strengthen your relationship — even in the hardest moments.

You’ll learn:

• Why children say “I hate you” (and what they really mean)
 • What’s happening in your child’s brain during emotional overwhelm
 • How to stay calm when your child says hurtful things
 • What to say instead of reacting with anger or punishment
 • How to build emotional intelligence and emotional safety
 • How calm responses strengthen trust and long-term resilience

This episode is especially helpful for parents dealing with tantrums, big emotions, anger, and emotional outbursts.

Raising emotionally intelligent children doesn’t require perfect parenting — it requires calm, connection, and understanding.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

Instagram @raising_eq

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In this episode, we explore what’s really happening beneath teenage behaviour—and why it’s not just “attitude” or defiance, but brain development in action.

Drawing on neuroscience and psychological research, we break down how the adolescent brain is still under construction, why emotions can feel overwhelming, and why risk-taking and independence are actually essential parts of growing up.

Most importantly, we look at how parents can support teenagers using emotional intelligence—building connection, strengthening emotional regulation, and helping teens develop into resilient, self-aware adults.

You’ll learn:

✨Why teenage behaviour changes so dramatically  
✨What’s happening in the adolescent brain  
✨Why emotions are more intense during adolescence  
✨How relationships shape brain development  
✨Practical, emotionally intelligent strategies to support your teen 

If you’ve ever wondered how to respond to mood swings, conflict, or emotional outbursts—this episode will give you both understanding and practical tools.

In this episode, we unpack the pressure to be everything to your child and explore a healthier, more sustainable approach to parenting. Using the powerful “put your own oxygen mask on first” mindset, we talk about why self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

You’ll learn why the quality of connection matters more than the quantity of time, how emotional intelligence (EQ) is shaped through modeling rather than perfection, and why a regulated parent is the greatest gift you can give your child.

If you’ve ever felt torn between taking care of yourself and showing up for your family, this episode will help you reframe that tension—and let go of some of the guilt along the way.

Because raising emotionally intelligent kids doesn’t require a perfect parent—just a present, self-aware one.

✨Join my community of parents raising our emotional intelligence and thriving.✨