What happens when we only measure our children's success by their high achievements? Join us for a compelling conversation with Dr. Kate Bachtel, where we discuss the vital need to focus on continuous growth for neurodivergent and gifted children. Drawing from her expertise in developing programs for exceptional youth, Dr. Bachtel reveals the pitfalls of an achievement-centric approach and emphasizes the importance of equitable learning opportunities. As both a parent and former teacher, I share firsthand experiences of raising gifted and sensitive children, illuminating the unique challenges and rewards of nurturing their distinctive needs.

Ever wondered why some gifted children struggle despite their high IQs? We explore the concept of asynchrony and its implications for neurodivergent and twice-exceptional (2E) children. Our discussion highlights the critical role of culturally responsive educators who understand these complexities and the need for monitoring growth data to ensure all students thrive. We also confront the historical under-identification of gifted children from diverse backgrounds and how this oversight impacts educational equity.

Advocacy within educational systems can be a labyrinth. Our episode provides practical strategies for parents to champion the needs of their neurodivergent gifted children, from forging partnerships with medical professionals to addressing social-emotional health. Dr. Bachtel and I discuss the necessity of creating educational environments that affirm each child's identity and foster a sense of belonging. We also introduce "rounding" as a proactive approach for teachers to regularly check in with students, ensuring their growth and well-being are prioritized. Prepare to be inspired by insights that could transform the educational journey for gifted and neurodivergent children.

Connect with Dr. Kate:
*Website: www.soulsparklearning.org
*LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kate-bachtel-10826954/
*Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=soulspark%20learning
*Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulsparklearning/

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Connect with Carrie:
*Website: https://hearttoheartlife.com/
*LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/hearttoheartparentspodcast
*Email: info@hearttoheartlife.com

Unlock the keys to authentic parenting and self-care with our special guest, Colby Wilk. Join us on this episode of Heart to Heart Parents as Colby, an intuitive healer and mentor, shares his remarkable journey of cultivating empathy and intuition within a challenging family environment. We'll dive into the crucial topics of emotional sensitivity, the dangers of neglecting self-care, and how setting boundaries can prevent emotional overwhelm. Learn how Colby's early experiences in a dysfunctional household led him to develop heightened empathic abilities and the lessons he discovered about protecting his well-being while connecting deeply with others.

Discover the ups and downs of living as a highly sensitive person and the practical strategies to navigate a world that's often too chaotic. From managing food sensitivities and sleep issues to the importance of self-honor over self-pity, we offer actionable advice for maintaining personal routines and self-care. Hear Colby's insights into embracing sensitivities rather than shutting them down, and the necessity for a more respectful and accurate vocabulary to describe sensitivity. We share tips on how to reframe high maintenance as essential self-care, helping you live a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Embrace the power of intuition in guiding life's significant decisions. Colby shares compelling stories, including moving children to a new school based on intuitive signs, illustrating how intuition aligns with our soul's true desires. We discuss the process of self-validation and the importance of acting on genuine wants for profound fulfillment. By reflecting deeply on what you truly desire, this episode encourages you to reignite your capacity to dream authentically and pursue a spiritually connected life. Tune in for a heartwarming conversation that promises to empower you to foster genuine connections with your children while maintaining your emotional well-being.

Connect with Colby:
*Website: colbywilk.com
*Instagram: @colbyswilk

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Connect with Carrie:
*Website: https://hearttoheartlife.com/
*LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/hearttoheartparentspodcast
*Email: info@hearttoheartlife.com

Ever wondered how to keep your kids from melting down during the summer? Join us as we chat with Jessica Irwin, a leading childhood routine expert and pediatric occupational therapist, who shares her wisdom on maintaining consistency in sleep, meals, and playtime during the summer months. Jessica breaks down the importance of regular routines, even in the most relaxed seasons, and how structure in key areas like sleep, morning activities, meals, and outdoor play can provide the stability your children need. Carrie from Heart to Heart Parents and Jessica also discuss practical tips for integrating outdoor play into your daily schedule and the importance of snack intervals for preventing those all-too-common summer meltdowns.

Switching gears, we tackle back-to-school transitions with effective strategies that balance new routines and extracurricular activities. Visual aids like weekly calendars and social stories are emphasized as essential tools for helping children adjust to changes, including family trips. Carrie shares personal stories on the challenges and triumphs of feeding routines and the significance of ergonomic seating for children. Plus, don't miss Jessica's unique superpower of exceptional parallel parking and how it ties into her visual and mathematical learning style. Stay tuned for more resources on potty training and picky eating, and connect with Jessica on Instagram at rooted in routine for more valuable parenting insights.

Connect with Jessica Irwin:
*Website: www.rootedinroutine.com
*Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedinroutine/

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Connect with Carrie:
*Website: https://hearttoheartlife.com/
*LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/hearttoheartparentspodcast
*Email: info@hearttoheartlife.com

Ever wondered how a flexible mindset can transform your chaotic home into a sanctuary of peace and efficiency? Join us on Heart to Heart Parents as we sit down with Juliana Strickland, CEO of Space Camp, who reveals her secrets to achieving a harmonious living space. You'll discover how letting go of perfectionism and embracing adaptable organizational systems can significantly reduce stress and improve your family's daily routines.

We tackle the ever-changing nature of family life, discussing the importance of broad categories and boundaries to manage the constant influx of toys, clothes, and more. Juliana offers practical advice for busy parents, from using designated bins and labeled drawers to setting clear boundaries for children’s items. She also shares strategies for reclaiming adult spaces and dealing with the emotional aspects of letting go of sentimental objects, ensuring a balanced and healthy home environment.

Finally, we explore specific areas of the home, such as shared bathroom spaces for kids, and provide effective tips to minimize clutter and streamline tidiness. Listen in as Juliana shares her intuitive approach to organizing challenging spaces and talks about her business, Space Camp. Learn how her methods can be applied to your own home, making organization accessible and achievable for everyone. Tune in to transform your home into a more peaceful and efficient living space for the whole family.

To find Julianna Strickland, you can visit her website at https://spacecamporganizing.com or on Instagram at @julianna_strickland or @makebetterspace. You can also find her on YouTube at: @spacecamporganizing

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Connect with Carrie:
*Website: https://hearttoheartlife.com/
*LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/hearttoheartparentspodcast
*Email: info@hearttoheartlife.com

Could family meals be the key to unlocking healthier lifestyles and improved school performance for your kids? Join us on Heart to Heart Parents as we unpack the profound benefits of gathering around the dinner table with your family. With insights from Jennifer House, a registered dietitian and renowned author, we explore the developmental phase of picky eating in children. Jennifer sheds light on surprising underlying physical reasons such as nutrient deficiencies, allergies, and sensory issues that contribute to finicky eating habits. With her expertise, we discuss practical solutions, including lab tests to check iron levels, aiming to make mealtime a positive experience for everyone.

Managing mealtime with multiple kids can be a challenge, but we've got you covered with effective strategies to encourage your children to try new foods. From food chaining to the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) model, we emphasize techniques that promote gradual exposure and playful interactions with new foods to reduce stress and anxiety at the table. Discover why serving dessert alongside the main meal can neutralize food desirability and help in creating a balanced mealtime environment. Lastly, we highlight the importance of connecting heart to heart with your children, making family dinners not just about nutrition but also about fostering relationships and creating lasting memories. Don't forget to review, rate, and share our podcast to help us grow the Heart to Heart Parents community!

To find Jennifer House, you can visit her website at https://firststepnutrition.com/ or on Instagram at @firststepnut

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Connect with Carrie:
*Website: https://hearttoheartlife.com/
*LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/hearttoheartparentspodcast
*Email: info@hearttoheartlife.com

What if maintaining passion in your relationship wasn't a mystery but a skill you could master? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Melanie Bonk, a VITA certified somatic love, relationship, and sexuality coach, as she shares the secrets from her 25-year passionate partnership. Melanie delves into the world of somatic coaching and how our bodies store emotions like fear and nervousness. Discover how addressing these can elevate your intimacy and emotional intelligence, creating a loving partnership that positively impacts your entire family.

Balancing masculine and feminine energies during the early, task-driven years of parenting can be a challenge. Melanie offers practical self-care tips to help reconnect with your feminine flow and intuitive strength as children grow more independent. From body awareness rituals to conscious shower routines, these nurturing practices are designed to rejuvenate parents, enhance sacred sexuality, and promote overall well-being. Learn how caring for yourself can transform the way you care for your family.

Explore the journey of a family who spent two years on the road, embracing an unschooled lifestyle filled with mindfulness and self-love. We discuss the importance of conscious parenting, teaching children the value of gratitude, and maintaining strong family bonds through shared activities like no-screen Sundays and gratitude celebrations. Thank you for being part of our journey!

To find Melanie Bonk, you can visit her website at www.melaniebonk.com or on Instagram at @bonkbetter

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Connect with Carrie:
*Website: https://hearttoheartlife.com/
*LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/hearttoheartparentspodcast
*Email: info@hearttoheartlife.com

Ever wondered how to seamlessly juggle motherhood and entrepreneurship? Today, we're joined by the inspiring Jen Morris, an actor and the founder of Renegade Motherhood. Discover how Jen's journey through various business ventures evolved after she became a mother, emphasizing the role of creativity and self-awareness. Our conversation underscores the power of making slight yet impactful adjustments to stay aligned with one's passions. Jen's empowering slogan, "We do business like a mother," perfectly encapsulates the multitasking prowess and strength of entrepreneurial moms.

Through personal anecdotes, Jen shares her path in the wellness and nutrition space, highlighting how motherhood and health challenges influenced her entrepreneurial direction. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of the subtle but significant shifts that come from reconnecting with our feminine energy and evolving identities. We delve into the importance of community, support, and laughter, stressing the creation of authentic connections and nurturing safe spaces where entrepreneurial moms can thrive without guilt or competition.

Balancing a business with personal well-being is no small feat, and that's why outsourcing tasks that don't bring joy is crucial. Jen and I discuss the practicalities of maintaining this balance, debunking the myth of complete freedom in entrepreneurship and setting realistic expectations. From the transformative power of theater to the influence of successful business figures with creative backgrounds, this episode is packed with valuable insights and lessons. Plus, get a sneak peek into Jen's local and upcoming digital community, Renegade Motherhood Life, aimed at supporting moms in business. Tune in and be inspired to find joy and magic in your entrepreneurial journey.

To find Jen Morris, you can visit her website at https://www.renegademotherhoodlife.com/collective or on Instagram at @Renegade.Motherhood

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Connect with Carrie:
*Website: https://hearttoheartlife.com/
*LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/hearttoheartparentspodcast
*Email: info@hearttoheartlife.com

What if you could shift from an idealized vision of parenting to fully embracing its raw and authentic journey? Join us as Carrie, a former teacher and speech therapist, recounts her transformative experience of parenting two gifted and sensitive children. We explore the metaphor of a key with its unique teeth to symbolize the individual paths to mindfulness and self-connection. Alongside Paul, we dive into the importance of heart-centered listening and various methods to quiet the mind, whether through traditional or walking meditation. Our conversation underscores the necessity of shielding our children from our internal struggles and enhancing our awareness in parent-child interactions.

Imagine a world where children can grow and explore mindfully without being overly sheltered. We discuss this balance, emphasizing the significant role of self-awareness in both parents and children. Delving into trauma's impact and the mindful use of language, we share how these concepts empower young minds. This episode also examines the influence of consumerism and societal pressures on self-awareness and resilience, providing insights into fostering a healthier environment for our children to thrive.

Parenting doesn't come with a manual, but understanding the balance between logic and intuition can be a game changer. Inspired by Daniel Siegel's "The Whole-Brain Child," we delve into nurturing this balance in children while overcoming personal and school-related traumas. This journey also involves embracing spiritual and creative growth, moving away from rigid educational structures, and the joy of watching children connect with their inner selves. Additionally, we share tips on staying connected with us through social media and upcoming content, ensuring you never miss a moment of this enlightening journey. Happy listening!

Find Paul Nelhart on Instagram at @intrinsicmindset

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Connect with Carrie:
*Website: https://hearttoheartlife.com/
*LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/hearttoheartparentspodcast
*Email: info@hearttoheartlife.com