Your kid’s “weird” behaviour might be communication, not defiance and the same might be true of your younger self. We sit down with Sam to trace how a culturally diverse childhood, undetected neurodivergence, and unmet emotional needs shaped her school life, her relationships, and the parent she is becoming. Along the way, we talk about the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of our families, and what changes when we finally name what was really going on.
Sam shares candid reflections on sensory sensitivities, including how discomfort with clothing and touch can lead to shame and misunderstandings. We unpack why parents should pause before assuming sexualised behaviour, how to look for sensory triggers, and how calm, respectful responses can protect a child’s dignity. We also explore school experiences like fear, shutdown, selective mutism and private “quirks” that can be forms of self-regulation for autistic and ADHD kids, especially when the world feels too loud or unpredictable.
The conversation turns to family violence, dysregulation and intergenerational trauma, including what it’s like when a family system has limited emotional regulation and poor impulse control. Sam talks about the decision to end the cycle, the reality of setting boundaries with a parent who can’t meet you emotionally, and how to hold compassion without abandoning yourself. If you’re parenting a neurodivergent child or healing your own past while raising kids, you’ll leave with language, perspective and practical boundary ideas you can use straight away.
If this resonates, share it with a parent who needs it, subscribe so you don’t miss next week, and leave a review to help more families find the show. What part of your childhood are you rethinking now?
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