Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally!

If you have a child strong-willed or neurodivergent child with ADHD, Autism, ODD, PDA you are in the right place! Mama, have you ever felt like you’re carrying emotional weight that never seems to go away? Like no matter how much you pray or think positive thoughts, it still sits heavy in your chest? In this episode, we’ll talk about how to process your emotions all the way through, so they stop living rent-free in your body—and you can finally breathe again.

Over the last few episodes, we’ve talked about becoming aware of what you’re feeling and allowing emotions without judgment. Today, we take the next step—learning how to process those emotions so they stop living rent-free in your body and start making space for peace, healing, and deeper connection with your child.

You’ll learn:

• Why emotions are simply energy in motion—and how to let them pass through.

• What it practically looks like to sit with an emotion instead of resisting it.

• How trapped emotions can keep us feeling heavy and stagnant.

• Practical ways to process emotions through movement, writing, and connection.

• How releasing your emotions brings more peace to your home and your heart.

The Bible shows again and again that feelings aren’t something to hide or be ashamed of—they are part of how God designed us to connect with Him and others.

Verses Showing It’s Okay to Have Feelings & Emotions

• John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.” → Even Jesus, the Son of God, expressed deep sorrow and grief.

• Psalm 42:11 (NIV) – “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” → David honestly shared his sadness while still turning toward hope.

• Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NIV) – “A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” → The Word affirms that all emotions—joy and sorrow alike—have their place.

• Mark 14:33–34 (NIV) – “He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch.’” → Jesus openly expressed anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane.

• Psalm 34:18 (NIV) – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” → The Father draws near to us in our most painful emotions.

• Romans 12:15 (NIV) – “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” → Emotions are part of our shared human experience, and the Father calls us to honor them together.

When we process our emotions with the Father instead of pushing them away, He transforms what once felt heavy into something holy. The same emotions that once buried us can become the soil where healing grows.

Emotions aren’t meant to stay trapped inside. They’re like clouds passing over the sun or waves rolling through the ocean—they move when we let them. When we process emotions instead of carrying them like a backpack full of rocks, we create space for more peace, connection, and joy.

When you notice an emotion this week:

1. Pause and describe it—what does it feel like in your body?

2. If it had a color, shape, or texture, what would it be?

3. Choose one physical action to help release it: a walk, a cry, dancing, or a hug.

4. Invite the Father into that moment—ask Him what He’s teaching you and thank Him for helping you release it.

Want more encouragement like this? Join my Insiders List for faith-filled reminders, emotional regulation tips, and practical tools to help you stay anchored in who God says you are.

Insiders List:

https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/

Email:

amandacalfeecoaching@gmail.com

Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas

Ever feel like your emotions take over the moment your child melts down? You try to push them away, but they only come back stronger.

In this episode, Amanda Calfee, Christian life coach and creator of The Anchored Mama Approach, teaches you how to allow emotions without being ruled by them so you can stay calm, connected, and confident—even when chaos hits.

You’ll learn how: ✨ Your thoughts create your feelings (and how to recognize repeating thought patterns) ✨ Resisting emotions can actually make them stronger ✨ Allowing emotions opens the door to peace, connection, and freedom ✨ Jesus modeled the full range of human emotion—and invites you to do the same

If you’ve ever felt hijacked by your feelings or disconnected from your strong-willed or neurodivergent child, this conversation will show you how to invite God into your emotional life and stop letting guilt or shame run the show.

1. John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.” → Used to show that even Jesus experienced and expressed emotion.

2. Mark 14:33–34 – “He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them.” → Used to illustrate that Jesus felt deep anguish and didn’t hide it.

3. Psalm 62:8 – “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” → Emphasizes that God invites us to bring our emotions to Him rather than suppress them.

This week, when you feel a strong emotion rise up, practice allowing it instead of reacting or suppressing it.

Steps to practice: 1️⃣ Pause and name what you’re feeling. 2️⃣ Take a deep breath and say, “It’s safe for me to feel this.” 3️⃣ Notice what happens when you stop fighting the emotion and simply let it exist.

📝 Bonus Tip: Write a quick note each time you try this — you’ll start seeing how much lighter it feels when you stop resisting your emotions.

Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/

Email:

amandacalfeecoaching@gmail.com

Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally!

Does it ever feel like your child’s meltdowns hijack your whole mood? One moment you’re calm, the next you’re snapping, and then comes the guilt. You’re not alone, mama — and you’re not broken.

In this first part of our two-episode series, we’re unpacking the first step to emotional resilience as a Christian mom: awareness. You’ll learn how to recognize the repetitive thoughts you carry and the emotions they create, so you can stop feeling overwhelmed and start walking in peace.

This episode will help you:

• Understand the link between your thoughts and emotions.
• Learn why emotions aren’t the enemy but powerful messengers.
• Begin noticing your inner dialogue without judgment.
• Take on a simple 3-minute daily challenge to grow awareness.

If you’re parenting a strong-willed or neurodivergent child — whether that’s ADHD, PDA, ODD, Autism, or ASD — this first step is crucial. Emotional regulation doesn’t begin with fixing your child’s behavior. It begins with understanding your own thought life and emotions.

Challenge of the Week: Each day this week, set a timer for 3 minutes and ask yourself two questions:

1. What am I thinking right now?
2. What emotion is that thought creating?

No judgment, just awareness. This is your first step toward peace, connection, and resilience in parenting.

Links & Resources:

Join Insiders List: https://amandacalfee.com/page/insider-list

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amandacalfee/

Email:

amandacalfeecoaching@gmail.com

Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/anchoredmamas