A podcast that makes dysregulation, expat parenting, and mental health accessible and engaging. Hosted by a pediatric occupational therapist and an educational psychologist, this show is designed for expat parents navigating life far from home while managing the emotional ups and downs that come with parenting abroad.
Each episode blends expert knowledge with real-life experiences, giving you practical, compassionate tools to support your own wellbeing and your child’s regulation. Whether you’re feeling isolated, overstimulated, or just craving connection, this podcast is your Bi-weekly reminder that: You’re not alone. Calmer, more connected parenting is possible - wherever you are in the world.
Get in touch and share your questions and concerns at: meltdownabroad@gmail.com (mailto:meltdownabroad@gmail.com)
Find us on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@meltdownabroad?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/meltdownabroadpodcast/) and YouTube! (https://www.youtube.com/@MeltdownAbroadPodcast)
Your toddler won’t sit still, isn’t interested in learning letters, and potty training still hasn’t clicked… should you be worried?
In this week’s episode, we hear from a frustrated parent wondering what she’s doing wrong. Her three-year-old is constantly moving, struggles to focus on letters and numbers, and isn't potty trained yet. But before we jump into strategies, we ask a much bigger question: are we expecting her to do things her body simply isn't developmentally ready for yet?
At three years old, movement isn't necessarily a distraction from learning...movement is how children learn. They're exploring their environment, developing their sensory systems, strengthening their bodies, and building the gross and fine motor foundations they'll eventually need for skills like writing.
So instead of asking, “Why can't she sit and focus?” we talk about looking at what she can focus on. Can she play with a favourite toy for a few minutes? Engage in pretend play? Scribble with a crayon? Listen to a short story? Those moments may tell us much more about a three-year-old's attention than whether they can sit through a worksheet.
We also unpack why learning letters and numbers at this age doesn't need to look like sitting at a table, tracing A to Z. We talk about why being three and still learning to use the toilet isn't automatically a red flag—and how expecting a highly active child to sit on the potty for long periods may actually make the experience harder.
In this episode, you'll learn: - Why movement is an important part of learning at three years old - What attention and focus may realistically look like for a toddler - The developmental skills children build before they're ready to write - How to turn early learning into movement and sensory play
If you are looking for support, get in touch and share your questions and concerns at: meltdownabroad@gmail.com
Find us on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube!
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29 Jul 2026
Summer Has Completely Thrown Us Off!
Summer has thrown the routine out the window… and now you feel like you're barely keeping your head above water.
In this week’s episode, we hear from a parent juggling multiple children with completely different needs and wondering how to get everyone “back on track” now that school is out.
We unpack why summer can feel so dysregulating for the whole family. During the school year, so much of your day is already structured for you. Wake-up times, school drop-offs, meals, activities, and bedtimes naturally create a rhythm. Then summer arrives and suddenly, it can feel like you're responsible for recreating an entire schedule from scratch… while still working, parenting, and managing everything else.
And when you have multiple children? The pressure to meet everyone's needs at the same time can make it feel even more impossible. One child wants movement. Another needs quiet. One is desperate to get out of the house while another would happily stay home all day. We talk about why “balance” doesn't necessarily mean meeting every child's needs equally in every moment and why it may be more helpful to zoom out and look at the week as a whole. Instead of trying to recreate the school day at home, we talk about building anchors into your family's summer.
In this episode, you'll learn: - How to create simple “anchors” without overscheduling your summer - How to support children with different needs without trying to meet everything at once - Why looking at balance across the week can take pressure off individual days - Why your summer routine should include things you actually enjoy too
If you are looking for support, get in touch and share your questions and concerns at: meltdownabroad@gmail.com
Find us on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube!
Follow Tara!
Follow Shaenelle!
22 Jul 2026
Why Does My Child Save Their Meltdowns for Me?
Your toddler holds it together all day at daycare… so why do they completely fall apart the moment they get home?
In this week’s episode, we hear from a parent who is beginning to dread the evenings. Her toddler is reportedly perfectly fine at daycare, but once they get home, the screaming and meltdowns begin and the whole evening can feel consumed by it.
We unpack why being “fine” at daycare doesn't always mean your child has had an easy day. Sometimes children are having so much fun that they don't notice their hunger, tiredness, or overstimulation until their bodies begin to slow down. Other children may be working incredibly hard to follow routines, manage expectations, and hold themselves together and home becomes the place where they finally release everything they've been carrying.
We also explore why going straight from a long, structured daycare day into the demands of home can be harder than we realize. Shoes need to come off. Dinner needs to be made. Teeth need to be brushed. Pajamas need to go on. Meanwhile, parents are managing their own evening transition and your toddler may still need help getting their body back to a calmer state before they're ready for more demands.
The meltdown may not be proof that the day went badly. It may be a clue that your child has reached the end of what their body can manage and needs your help transitioning into the next part of their day.
In this episode, you'll learn: - The difference between an overstimulating day and holding it together all day - Why the daycare/school-to-home transition may be the missing piece - How snacks, movement, quiet activities, and connection can support regulation - Why predictable after-school routines and visuals can help toddlers feel more in control
If you are looking for support, get in touch and share your questions and concerns at: meltdownabroad@gmail.com
Find us on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube!
Follow Tara!
Follow Shaenelle!
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
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