Parenting strong-willed kids can be exhausting—but it doesn’t have to be a constant battle. In this episode, Dr. Meg is joined by Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm and host of the Calm Parenting Podcast, to talk about how to handle big emotions—starting with your own. From defusing power struggles to managing anxiety and sibling fights, Kirk shares practical, often humorous strategies to help you stay calm, confident, and connected to your kids.
You Will Learn:
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About Our Guest:
Kirk Martin is the founder of Celebrate Calm, a behavior training resource that has helped over 500,000 parents and teachers worldwide. He is also the host of the Calm Parenting Podcast. Known for his practical strategies and relatable humor, Kirk teaches families how to stop yelling, defuse defiance, and build stronger connections with their kids.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction: Parenting strong-willed kids
00:27 – Meet Kirk Martin
01:37 – Why parental self-control matters most
02:50 – Strategies for managing defiance
06:42 – Creative homework solutions
09:48 – Handling sibling fights without yelling
14:16 – Reducing parental stress
17:47 – From controlling to teaching
18:52 – Dealing with tween attitude
21:00 – Understanding and easing anxiety in kids
27:35 – How humor builds connection
32:02 – Encouraging honest communication
34:32 – Final thoughts and resources
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