Supporting Emotional Growth in Our Children and Ourselves – Podcast Ep 194

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We all know emotions can run high, especially in the toddler years. But what many parents don’t expect is just how big the feelings can still be once our kids hit elementary age. Ages 5 to 12 come with a whole new wave of emotional challenges that often get misunderstood or brushed off as “bad behavior.” We assume emotional outbursts are just a part of the toddler stage, but they don’t disappear . . . they simply shift. That’s why it’s so important for parents to understand emotional intelligence, not just to help our kids calm down during meltdowns, but to teach them how to actually feel, process, and regulate emotions in healthy, connected ways. And here’s the real kicker: the best way to teach that? It’s to practice it ourselves, which, let’s be honest, most of us were never taught how to do.

In this episode of Chick Chat, I’m joined by Alyssa Blask Campbell, a leading expert in childhood emotional development, bestselling author, and the founder of Seed & Sew. Alyssa is passionate about helping parents and caregivers raise emotionally intelligent humans through real-life tools and neuroscience-backed strategies that make a lasting impact.

Together, we’re diving into the emotional world of “big kids,” why their behavior is often misread, and how parents can regulate their own nervous systems so they can connect instead of react to their children. If you’re navigating defiance, meltdowns, or just want to better understand your kid’s emotional world — this one’s for you.

Meet Alyssa Blask Campbell

Alyssa Blask Campbell, M.Ed., is an emotional development expert, early childhood educator, and founder of Seed & Sew, a platform dedicated to supporting emotional wellness in children and adults alike. She’s the bestselling author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions, and now her latest book, Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: Navigating Defiance, Meltdowns, and Anxiety to Raise Confident, Connected Kids.

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Alyssa is also the creator of the Collaborative Emotion Processing (CEP) Method, a five-step framework that equips adults with the tools to support children through big feelings—while also doing the inner work to process their own. Through her books, podcast (Voices of Your Village), and programs, Alyssa has helped thousands of families shift from chaos to connection by understanding the root of emotional behavior and building real-world strategies for regulation and resilience.

What Did We Discuss?

This episode was extremely validating and educational for me. Alyssa and I covered:

• Why the elementary years (ages 5–12) are critical for emotional development
• What’s really going on during those “defiant” or anxious moments
• The importance of adult nervous system regulation, and how to recognize when you are dysregulated
• Alyssa’s F.A.C.T.S. acronym and how it helps parents stay grounded in hard moments
• How to shift from reactive parenting to intentional, connected responses
• What it means to normalize the full emotional spectrum for our kids
• The biggest takeaways from her new book, Big Kids, Bigger Feelings
• One message she wants every overwhelmed parent to hear

Final Thoughts

Raising emotionally intelligent kids isn’t just about teaching them to calm down. While that might feel like that’s what we need to do in the moment, what we need to work on is modeling regulation, building trust, and holding space for all the feelings — big and small, desirable and not-so-desirable. Alyssa’s work reminds us that we don’t have to be perfect to raise connected kids — thank goodness. We just have to continue to show up, be present, stay curious, and be willing to do the work alongside them. In all honesty, we are learning just as much as they are.

Whether your child is navigating anxiety, meltdowns, or just everyday challenges, this episode is a must-listen. It’s packed with supportive insights, actionable tools, and the kind of grace every parent deserves to hear.

Alyssa’s Resources:

Mentioned in the episode:

We hope you found this episode helpful. If you did and enjoyed it, please subscribe to our podcast, Chick Chat, and leave us an honest review. Links below!