Constantly bracing for the next outburst?

Parent Coaching for Meltdowns, Outbursts &
Challenging Child Behavior

Nervous System–Informed Parent Coaching for LGBTQ+, blended, neurodiverse, and co-parenting families

It may not be disobedience.
It may be stress being misunderstood.

When your child’s meltdowns, outbursts, or challenging behavior feel constant, confusing, or increasingly intense, most parenting advice focuses on control.

But stress-sensitive kids don’t respond to tighter discipline.
They respond to regulated leadership.

Confident, connected parenting isn’t about trying harder.

It’s about interrupting the escalation cycle.

In my work, we address the nervous system strain driving that cycle — not your identity or family structure.

When your child is dysregulated and you’re running on empty, both of your nervous systems shift into protection. Over time, the escalation cycles become habitual — repeating even when you’re trying your hardest to be patient.

Hi! I'm Kathy

When my children were two, five, and eleven, I became a single parent. I was navigating school mornings, homework battles, and cultural messages about “broken” families — all while trying to hold myself together.

I was the parent stuck bracing for the next outburst.

One of my children had intense, frequent meltdowns that didn’t respond to the usual parenting tools. I tried time-outs, sticker charts, reasoning, therapy, bribing — and yes, yelling. Nothing worked. I felt exhausted, overwhelmed, and increasingly disconnected.

I didn’t understand that my child was stress-sensitive.

This wasn’t a discipline problem. It was a misunderstanding of what was happening in my child’s nervous system — and in mine.

As my family evolved — remarriage, blended dynamics, and my teenager coming out as queer — the stress didn’t disappear. It shifted. And the escalation continued.

I was on the verge of losing my relationship with my almost-adult child.

That was when I found a different framework.

I learned how stress shapes behavior.

I learned how dysregulation fuels escalation.

I learned that leadership begins with shifting my own state and stance.

When I reacted less and led more, everything changed.

Over the next six months, we rebuilt.
Not perfect connection — resilient connection.
The kind that holds and repairs under pressure.

It’s been over fifteen years since that repair, and our relationship continues to deepen.

Today, as a Registered Nurse and Parenting & Family Regulation Specialist, I bring both nervous system science and lived experience to the families I support.

In 2009, I founded Parenting Beyond Words to help parents and caregivers in blended, LGBTQ+, adoptive, neurodiverse, and co-parenting families do this work sooner — without losing years to frustration, self-doubt, and shame.

Because it’s not too late to rebuild connection — even after years of strain.

Start Rebuilding Today

Schedule a Connection Call

What one mom shared after rebuilding connection at home.

❝I feel very connected to my kids now and am able to tune in to what they need in the moment.”

--Janine - Acupuncturist, Yoga teacher, mom of 2

When I started working with Kathy I felt so overwhelmed - like it was all beyond me and I had no idea how to handle what was going on with my kids. We were always yelling, things would escalate and it was ugly. No-one was happy and i didn't know what to do.

Now I feel very connected to my kids and am able to tune in to what they need in the moment. When there's an outburst, I can step back and not have to take it personally. I have confidence that we can shift and deal with what’s really going on...and I know we’re all going to be OK!