DAY 2 (REPRISE!!)

Rejecting Martyrdom

AMBREIA MEADOWS-FERNANDEZ

Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez, of “Free Black Motherhood,” found herself suffocating under societal expectations of motherhood, leading her to seek a more authentic path, rejecting the idea of martyr-based motherhood to create a more authentic, liberated motherhood.

She discusses the pressure to be everything for our children and the need to reject achievement culture in parenting. Ambreia advocates for a more mindful approach to parenting, embracing the present moment and being transparent with our children about our imperfections, which allows them to see the humanity in themselves and others. 

Key points:

• Ambreia's journey to Free Black Motherhood, driven by the suffocating experience of societal expectations in motherhood.
• Discovery of the concept at a conference, leading to a desire for a more expansive view of motherhood.
• Rejecting martyr-based motherhood and advocating for authentic, liberated motherhood.
• Emphasis on deconstructing societal ideals of motherhood and separating motherhood as a practice from an institution.
• Challenge to the notion that a good mother is a martyr and encouragement to reject unrealistic expectations.
• Vision of raising children deeply in touch with themselves, capable of seeing themselves in others, and committed to justice and community building without sacrificing their well-being.

MEET AMBREIA

Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez is a storyteller, public speaker, facilitator, and motherhood scholar who processes the world through her award-winning writing. Sometimes, these efforts are birthed as reported journalistic-style pieces. Other times, they manifest as essays where she tries to use her personal experiences as a window into larger societal trends. She found her writing voice in the aftermath of birth trauma. The experience compelled her to share her story and create Freeblackmotherhood – a way of mothering that asks 'Black mothers and others' to prioritize self-love and authentic expression in all things while asking them to imagine a world where Black women are free to feel. Her mediums change, but her passion for health, especially reproductive matters, remains the same.

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What To Do When Our Kids Are In Crisis 

DAYNA ABRAHAM

Dayna Abraham's talk at the Low Demand Parenting Summit focuses on navigating crisis situations and chaos in parenting. Drawing from her personal journey, Dayna discusses the importance of understanding the difference between "can't" and "won't" behaviors in children, and how this distinction can shape our parenting approach. She explores the concept of creating safety and connection with our children, emphasizing the need for emotional and psychological safety in our interactions.

Dayna also delves into the balance between structure and flexibility, highlighting the importance of finding ways to support our children without overwhelming them with demands. Through inspiring stories and practical strategies, Dayna's talk provides parents with insights and tools to navigate crisis moments with resilience and compassion.

Key Points:

• Understanding the difference between "can't" and "won't" behaviors in children
• Emphasizing the importance of creating safety and connection with children in crisis
• Balancing structure and flexibility in parenting to support children's needs
• Recognizing the impact of emotional and psychological safety on children's behavior
• Sharing practical strategies and insights from personal experiences
• Encouraging self-reflection and growth in parenting practices

MEET DAYNA

Dayna Abraham, bestselling author of Calm the Chaos: A Fail-Proof Roadmap for Parenting Even the Most Challenging Kids. As a National Board Certified educator, parent of three neurodivergent children, and an ADHD adult herself, Dayna brings a unique and out-of-the-box perspective to parents raising kids in the modern world. Through her compassionate framework, Calm the Chaos, she has helped millions of desperate parents around the world, find peace and meet their children where they're at when conventional parenting tools have failed them.

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A Low Demand Parenting Journey

JEFF AUGMEN

Join Amanda Diekman and Jeff Augmen in a heartfelt conversation about the journey of parenting a neurodivergent child. Jeff shares his personal story of raising his daughter, highlighting the challenges and joys they've experienced together. Gain insights into building a supportive environment, fostering resilience, and embracing the uniqueness of neurodivergent children.

Key Points:

• Embrace your child's uniqueness and celebrate their strengths.
• Create a supportive environment at home that values neurodiversity.
• Prioritize self-care as a parent to better support your child's needs.
• Educate yourself and others about neurodivergence to foster understanding and acceptance.
• Seek out support networks and resources to help navigate the challenges of parenting a neurodivergent child.

MEET JEFF

Jeff Augmen is a proud father and husband in a neurodiverse family and is committed to learning from his lived experience practicing Low Demand. With a focus on personal growth, he is committed to the appreciation, understanding, and support of neurodiversity, sensory sensitivities, Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA), and Low Demand. Jeff has B.E. degrees in engineering (Biomedical and Electrical) and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Women’s Health and Reproductive Endocrinology) and has much experience in academic and pharmaceutical development laboratories. A persistent problem solver, he strives to find everyday solutions that work for his beautiful, developing, gifted family. In this space, he identifies with the username, Jeff Augmen. “Augmen” is a Latin for “growth.”

PARTNERING & PARENTING WITH PDA

DARYL & LINDSAY FLANAGAN

Lindsay and Daryl Flanagan, parents of two boys, share their journey of discovering and embracing low demand parenting. Initially struggling with traditional parenting approaches, they found relief and alignment through intuitive, low demand methods after their older son was diagnosed with autism and PDA. Their partnership and parenting are intertwined, emphasizing the importance of dropping demands for each other and their children, leading to a more harmonious family life.

Key Points:

• Transitioning to more intuitive, low demand parenting, can change our lives.
• Recognize positive intent in relationships, even (especially) when things get tough.
• Communication comes in many forms, and it can help to use texting and humor to lighten stressful situations.
• Verbalize needs and strive for open, honest communication to prevent escalation.
• Create a healthy relationship to conflict by understanding different closure styles and triggers, especially related to PDA's threat response.

MEET DARYL & LINDSAY

Lindsay is a licensed clinical social worker of over ten years and a parent coach and educator for caregivers of children with a PDA  (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile of autism. Her husband, Daryl, left corporate America during the pandemic to start an online business and support their unique family.  Lindsay and Daryl struggled for years to figure out how to parent their oldest son.  He was often explosive and inflexible and never responded to traditional parenting approaches like rewards and consequences. It wasn’t until he was diagnosed with autism and Lindsay stumbled across PDA that the pieces of the puzzle finally clicked together.  This also led Daryl to discover that he was PDA autistic himself.  Lindsay now devotes her time to helping other parents explore better ways to support their children and bring connection and joy back into their homes. She truly believes that there are no bad kids. Lindsay and Daryl live in Colorado with their two sons.

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Neuroplasticity & Neurodiversity

MELISSA NEFF 

Join Amanda Diekman and Dr. Melissa Neff in an insightful discussion about neuroplasticity and its impact on parenting. Discover how understanding neuroplasticity can provide hope and long-term benefits for your child's development. Dr. Neff, a licensed clinical psychologist, shares her journey and expertise, offering practical strategies and heartfelt advice for parents navigating the challenges of raising neurodivergent children.

Key Points:

• Foster a safe and supportive environment for your child to promote neuroplasticity.
• Consider neurofeedback, especially infralow frequency neurofeedback, to help regulate your child's brain.
• Encourage play, movement, and laughter to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and promote calmness.
• Explore resources like TRE (Trauma Release Exercises) for natural stress relief and relaxation.

MEET MELISSA

Melissa Neff, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, educator, speaker, and author. She runs a neurofeedback clinic in Montana and is an Othmer-method certified (OMC) neurofeedback provider. She has 15 years of experience conducting diagnostic assessments with children and adults. She is an expert in the assessment of ADHD, anxiety, trauma, complex trauma, nonverbal learning disorder, and Autism (including PDA). Dr. Neff received her BA from The University Professors Program at Boston University and her MA and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The University of Montana, where she is a faculty affiliate.

How Do We Talk To Kids About Their Brains

ROBYN GOBBEL

In this insightful conversation, Robyn Gobbell provides practical strategies for parents to talk to their kids about their brains. She discusses the importance of using age-appropriate language and fostering a positive attitude towards mistakes and challenges. Robyn shares tips on how to encourage children to be curious about their brains and how to normalize discussions about mental health. If you're a parent looking for ways to engage children and teens in conversations about their brain and mental health, this talk is for you. Robyn's approach is informative, compassionate, and offers actionable advice for fostering a healthy mindset.

Key Points:

• Big behaviors in children can be baffling to parents, but they often stem from sensitized stress response systems or complex trauma.
• Understanding the owl, watchdog, and possum pathways in the autonomic nervous system can help make sense of behavior and promote compassion.
• Talking to kids about their brains and helping them understand their behaviors can empower them and promote long-term well-being.
• Incorporating the knowledge of the brain into family systems can help create a supportive and understanding environment for children.

MEET ROBYN

Robyn Gobbel, MSW, loves coffee, P!NK, and everything about the brain. Once (recently!) her teenager went ballistic on her for getting ANOTHER (glitter!) coffee mug in the mail. Robyn loves cultivating deep, resonant connections with anyone who is up for it, and is especially fond of all the grown-ups in the world who love and care for kids impacted by trauma- helpers, healers, educators, and parents. You can get your hands on all sorts of free resources at www.RobynGobbel.com, including her podcast, The Baffling Behavior Show. Robyn is the author of Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors: Brain-Body-Sensory Strategies that Really Work (September 2023).

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