119 From Meltdowns to Connection with Megan Hamm

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Kids with Big Emotions Podcast

Andi Clark

123 episodes

2 days ago

If your child has big emotions that affect your daily life, you are not alone. Since my son was born he has experienced intense anxiety and emotional outbursts that have been challenging. This led me to become a sleep, stress, and resilience coach helping me understand and learn how to regulate my son's nervous system so he was not living in a stressed fight or flight state all of the time. The school environment heightened his anxiety as they focused on managing his outbursts rather than understanding their root causes. While navigating these complexities, I’ve faced numerous challenges and setbacks. However, each phase of my son's development has brought new opportunities for growth and learning for both of us. It’s a continuous process, but it is possible to support and understand children with big emotions more effectively. Through this podcast, I aim to reassure and inspire you. Many children experience intense emotions, and together, we can discover better ways to support not only them but also your entire family. Join me on this journey, and let’s learn from each other. Visit my website at www.andiclark.com to learn more about my experiences and access valuable resources. With over 30 years in the health world, I'm here to share my knowledge and support you every step of the way.

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119 From Meltdowns to Connection with Megan Hamm

Kids with Big Emotions Podcast

50 minutes 42 seconds

5 months ago

119 From Meltdowns to Connection with Megan Hamm

Website: 🌐 www.andiclark.com

Support Circle Membership: https://andiclark.thrivecart.com/support-circle/

Self Assessment form: https://subscribepage.io/big-emotions-self-assessment

Book a 30-Minute Call with Andi – Get your questions answered and explore next steps: Book here: https://tidycal.com/andi1/bookacall

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist Megan Hamm, who has spent 17+ years supporting children and families through trauma, crisis, and complex emotional needs.

Together, we unpack why traditional views of “bad behavior” miss the mark—and what parents can do instead to truly support their children in moments of big emotion.

Whether you’re navigating daily meltdowns, feeling stuck in reaction mode, or simply want to build a deeper connection with your child, Megan offers a compassionate, grounded framework to help you shift from managing behavior to understanding it.

Key Takeaways

Behavior is communication: Every outburst or meltdown is a signal, not a problem to be fixed.
Connection comes before correction: Real change begins with relationship, not control.
In-the-moment responses aren’t the time for teaching: Kids in crisis need safety, not consequences.
You can’t teach what you haven’t practiced: Parents must build their own regulation tools first.
Modeling matters more than managing: Your calm presence teaches more than any strategy.
Changing the environment matters: Preventing crisis often starts with how we set up the home and routine.

Episode Highlights

[00:00] - Introduction to Megan and her background in trauma-informed care

[04:00] - The shift from changing behavior to understanding behavior

[07:00] - What to do when your child is in meltdown: A crisis-response lens

[09:00] - Why calm connection beats consequence every time

[12:00] - How to prepare your home and your nervous system for high-emotion moments

[16:00] - Practicing regulation when things are not chaotic—why timing matters

[20:00] - Why Megan does more parent coaching than direct child therapy

[25:00] - What children really need during a meltdown—and why “fixing” doesn’t work

[30:00] - Letting kids learn through experience and mistakes, without shaming

[36:00] - What to say when others don’t understand your parenting approach

[41:00] - Modeling, natural consequences, and what actually builds lifelong skills

[48:00] - Megan’s book and how to work with her

Resources Mentioned

🔗 Megan Hamm’s Website: www.meganmhamm.com

📖 Book – The Heart of the Matter: Buy here https://buy.stripe.com/5kA4hxcDc2zd0GkbIJ

🔗 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meganhamm-lpc

📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganhammlpc/

👥 Facebook: facebook.com/megan.hamm.554041

🎧 Want to reflect more deeply on your parenting journey?

If this episode stirred something in you or helped you see your child’s behavior in a new light, I invite you to take a quiet moment to explore what support might look like for your family. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.