Could you use a short refresher about what I mean when I say your child’s "owl brain flew away"? Or do yoRu know someone who is willing to listen to a short explanation of how you’re approaching your child’s baffling behaviors?

In this episode, I revisit - briefly- what behavior really is and the owl, watchdog, and possum brain metaphor. I explain why it's such a helpful way to understand your child's baffling behaviors. I also talk about what actually helps those protective brains calm down so the owl can return.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the owl, watchdog, and possum brains really represent in your child’s behavior.
• How to recognize which brain state is in charge.
• Why our goal isn’t to fix the behavior but to offer regulation, connection, and safety.

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

• Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior {EP 84}
  • Webinar and eBook - Focus on the Nervous System
• START HERE podcast
• Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors
• All Behavior Makes Sense infographic
• Owl, Watchdog, Possum fridge sheet packet

Read the full transcript at: RobynGobbel.com/brainbasedunderstanding

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HUGE announcement! The Baffling Behavior Training Institute's {NEW!} is now accepting applications for the 2026 cohorts of the Professional Training Program (formerly Being With).

In 2026 we will have a second cohort that meets in the evening, eastern time- which is the morning in Asia and Australia!

You must be on the waiting list to apply! RobynGobbel.com/Immersion

Join me for Presence in Practice- an experiential retreat style workshop for professionals into the neurobiology of how change happens. July 14-16 in Rockford, MI (just north of Grand Rapids) RobynGobbel.com/PresenceinPractice

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Grab a copy of my book Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors robyngobbel.com/book

Join us in The Club for more support! robyngobbel.com/TheClub

Apply for the Baffling Behavior Training Institute's Professional Immersion Program (formerly Being With) robyngobbel.com/Immersion

Follow Me On:
Facebook
Instagram

Over on my website you can find:
Webinar and eBook on Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior (FREE)
eBook on The Brilliance of Attachment (FREE)
LOTS & LOTS of FREE Resources
Ongoing support, connection, and co-regulation for struggling parents: The Club
Year-Long Immersive & Holistic Training Program for Parenting Professionals: The Baffling Behavior Training Institute’s (BBTI) Professional Immersion Program (formerly Being With)

If you’ve clicked on this episode because you’re feeling like you're failing—at parenting, at keeping it together, at helping your child—I'm really glad you’re here.

Because first, I want you to know this: you’re not failing. You’re doing something incredibly hard. Parenting a child with a vulnerable nervous system, whether your child has been impacted by trauma, or has sensory differences, or just has a brain wired a little differently, is extremely intensive parenting.

I created this episode so you can:

• Easily return to it when you need a ‘mini pep talk’
• Listen in a short period of time- I know I’m usually a little long-winded
• Be reminded as often as you need: this isn’t your fault. You’re not failing

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

• All Behavior Makes Sense infographic
• Episodes to listen to if you are in burnout

Read the full transcript at: RobynGobbel.com/peptalk

Follow Me On:

Facebook

Instagram

Over on my website you can find:

Webinar and eBook on Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior (FREE)

eBook on The Brilliance of Attachment (FREE)

LOTS & LOTS of FREE Resources

Ongoing support, connection, and co-regulation for struggling parents: The Club

Year-Long Immersive & Holistic Training Program for Parenting Professionals: Being With

Making Sense of Baffling Behaviors: A FREE audio-only training for professionals who work with the families of kids with big, baffling behaviors!

Yes! FREE! You'll listen on your own time, right in your podcast app.

RobynGobbel.com/BafflingBehaviors for all the details and to sign up!

It starts May 5 and will be available to listen to until May 12. But don't wait to sign up!

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Buy Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors at RobynGobbel.com/BafflingBook

Join The Club (or get on the waiting list!) over at RobynGobbel.com/TheClub

Hop on the waiting list for Being With- an immersive professional training program exploring the neurobiology of big, baffling behaviors at RobynGobbel.com/BeingWith

If your kid refuses therapy, what other options are there?

Or maybe they don’t refuse therapy, but you’d still like to increase the therapeutic support for your child and family.

Here are 20 different non-therapy therapeutic supports based on Dr. Perry’s work of ‘moments of healing’ and experiences that are rhythmic, repetitive, relational, and somatosensory

Over on my website, you can download a handout that lists them all out (and was generated with the help of AI) so you don’t have to take notes!

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

• Moments of Healing Podcast
• How the Brainstem Heals {EP 49}
• Equine-Assisted Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy {EP 51}

Read the full transcript at: URL goes here

Follow Me On:

Facebook

Instagram

Over on my website you can find:

Webinar and eBook on Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior (FREE)

eBook on The Brilliance of Attachment (FREE)

LOTS & LOTS of FREE Resources

Ongoing support, connection, and co-regulation for struggling parents: The Club

Year-Long Immersive & Holistic Training Program for Parenting Professionals: Being With

Making Sense of Baffling Behaviors: A FREE audio-only training for professionals who work with the families of kids with big, baffling behaviors!

Yes! FREE! You'll listen on your own time, right in your podcast app.

RobynGobbel.com/BafflingBehaviors for all the details and to sign up!

It starts May 5 and will be available to listen to until May 12. But don't wait to sign up!

Check Out All Robyn's Free Resources!
You can download all sorts of free resources, including webinars, eBook, and infographics about topics such as lying, boundaries, and co-regulation!

RobynGobbel.com/FreeResources

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The All-About-Me workbook will help your child grow their owl brain and develop ways to calm their watchdog and possum brain. 24 page, full-color, instant download at RobynGobbel.com/store

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Buy Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors at RobynGobbel.com/BafflingBook

Join The Club (or get on the waiting list!) over at RobynGobbel.com/TheClub

Hop on the waiting list for Being With- an immersive professional training program exploring the neurobiology of big, baffling behaviors at RobynGobbel.com/BeingWith