Episode 18:

Does your child cry every morning at daycare drop-off? Do they cling to you, refuse to let go, or seem completely overwhelmed as soon as you walk through the door?

If you've ever driven away feeling guilty or wondering if you're doing something wrong, this episode is for you.

The truth is, difficult daycare drop-offs aren't always just about separation anxiety. For many toddlers and preschoolers, transitions challenge both their sensory system and their nervous system. A busy classroom, new sounds, unfamiliar expectations, and saying goodbye to a trusted caregiver can all feel overwhelming, even when they love their daycare and settle in shortly after you leave.

In this episode, we'll explore:

• Why some children struggle more with daycare drop-offs than others
• How sensory processing and secure attachment work together during separation
• Why crying at drop-off doesn't mean your child isn't okay at daycare
• Three simple, practical strategies you can start using tomorrow morning to help your child feel more regulated and confident during transitions

Remember, your child's behavior is communication. When we understand what their nervous system is telling us, we can respond with connection instead of frustration.

• Episode 6: Got a toddler who bites others? Why kids bite and what to do about it.
• Episode 10: Struggling with Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment
• Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!)
• Episode 11: Curious About Why Your Child Plays the Way They Do? Understanding Their Sensory Needs Through Play

Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens.

Step 2: This week, spend a few moments looking for one small sign of growth in your child. Growth is often happening even when progress feels slow.

Step 3: The next time parenting feels overwhelming, pause and invite God into the moment before trying to solve the problem. Sometimes the most powerful prayer is simply: "Lord, help me."

Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community

Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents

Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Do you ever feel completely worn down by your child's meltdowns?

Have you found yourself praying, "God, I don't know what else to do"?

Do you feel like you've tried every strategy, read every book, and still find yourself facing the same challenges day after day?

Sometimes we all need a reminder that we’re not walking this journey alone, and if so, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we're taking a step away from parenting strategies and having a conversation about faith.

Parenting young children can be beautiful, joyful, and deeply meaningful. But it can also feel incredibly heavy—especially when your child struggles with intense emotions, sensory challenges, developmental differences, anxiety, feeding concerns, sleep difficulties, or challenging behaviors.

We'll talk about what it means to lean into faith during difficult parenting seasons, how God sees the things that no one else sees, and why your child's struggles do not define their worth.

You'll also learn four practical ways to lean into your faith when parenting feels overwhelming, including how prayer, perspective, community, and recognizing small signs of growth can help you navigate the hardest days.

Most importantly, I hope you'll leave this episode feeling encouraged and reminded that God is present in the middle of the struggle, not just in the good times!

God sees your child.

He sees every strength, every challenge, every victory, and every struggle.

And He sees you too.

Nothing about this season is wasted.

Even when progress feels slow.

Even when the road feels long.

God is present in the middle of it all.

And while He may not remove every challenge, He promises that you do not walk through them alone.

Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens.

Step 2: This week, spend a few moments looking for one small sign of growth in your child. Growth is often happening even when progress feels slow.

Step 3: The next time parenting feels overwhelming, pause and invite God into the moment before trying to solve the problem. Sometimes the most powerful prayer is simply:

"Lord, help me."

💛 Related Episodes:

Episode 10: Struggling with Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment

Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!)

Episode 14: Does Everything Turn into a Battle with Your Child? Why Power Struggles Happen (and What to Do Instead)

Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community

Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents

Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 16:

Do Constant Power Struggles Leave Your Child (and You!) in a Meltdown? Why This Happens and 4 Things to Do Instead!

💛 Does it feel like everything turns into a battle with your child?

Do simple daily routines like getting dressed, brushing teeth, getting into the car, or leaving the playground end in tears or meltdowns?

Do you find yourself asking, "Why won't my child just listen?"

Are you exhausted from feeling like you're constantly negotiating, reminding, and repeating yourself throughout the day?

In this episode, we're taking a closer look at what's really happening underneath daily power struggles. You'll learn why many of these challenging moments have less to do with defiance and more to do with your child's developing brain, nervous system, sensory processing, and growing need for autonomy.

We'll discuss how an immature prefrontal cortex impacts your child's ability to regulate emotions and cooperate, why traditional approaches sometimes increase resistance, and how sensory overload, hunger, fatigue, and stress can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming.

Most importantly, you'll walk away with 4 practical, evidence-based strategies you can start using today to reduce daily battles, support regulation, and strengthen your connection with your child!

Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens.

Step 2: This week, try one of the four strategies from today's episode:

• Connect before you correct
• Give your child a roadmap of what's coming next
• Offer controlled choices
• Focus on regulation before compliance

Step 3: The next time a power struggle begins, pause and ask yourself:

"What is my child's behavior telling me about what he/she needs right now?"

That simple question can help shift your focus from stopping the behavior to understanding what's driving it.

Remember: Behavior is communication. When we understand what's happening beneath the behavior, we can respond with greater confidence, compassion, and connection.

💛 Related Episodes:

Episode 10: Struggling with Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment

Episode 11: Curious About Why Your Child Plays the Way They Do? Understanding Their Sensory Needs Through Play

Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!)

Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community

Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents

Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.