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The Gentle Middle

The Gentle Middle

Written by: Arbara Rogers
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About this listen

The Gentle Middle is a calm, parent-facing podcast about navigating life with young children without extremes or perfection. Hosted by Arbara, a licensed mental health counselor, registered play therapist, and first-time parent, this podcast blends professional insight with lived experience. Episodes explore emotional regulation, connection, routines, play, and early childhood development, alongside reflections from real life as it unfolds. This space is for parents learning as they go — finding steadiness, support, and clarity in the middle.Arbara Rogers Parenting Relationships
Episodes
  • Why Young Children Struggle With Transitions (And How to Support Them)
    Jan 22 2026

    Transitions are one of the most challenging parts of a young child’s day.

    In this episode, we explore why transitions are so hard for young children from a developmental and nervous system perspective. We talk about what’s happening beneath the behavior, why moving from one activity to another can feel overwhelming, and how adults can support transitions in ways that help regulation develop over time.

    This conversation reframes transitions as moments of vulnerability rather than defiance and offers calm, practical guidance for supporting children through change with connection and predictability.

    This episode is for parents of young children who want transitions to feel less stressful and more supportive — for both themselves and their child.

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    2 mins
  • Why Connection Is the Foundation of Discipline
    Jan 20 2026

    Why Connection Is the Foundation of Discipline

    Discipline is often misunderstood as control, correction, or consequences.

    In this episode, we explore why connection is the foundation of effective discipline and how relational safety supports learning and regulation over time. We talk about what discipline means developmentally, why children need connection before correction, and how relationship-based responses help children internalize guidance rather than comply out of fear.

    This conversation reframes discipline as teaching rather than punishment and offers a calm, developmentally informed perspective for parents who want to guide behavior while preserving connection.

    This episode is for parents of young children who want discipline to feel supportive, respectful, and rooted in relationship.

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    2 mins
  • Why Children Need Us Calm Before They Can Calm Themselves
    Jan 18 2026

    Many parents are told that children need to learn how to calm themselves — but for young children, regulation isn’t something they can do on demand.

    In this episode, we explore why children need adults to stay calm with them before they can learn to regulate their own emotions. We talk about what’s happening in the nervous system during moments of distress, why “calm down” often doesn’t work the way we hope, and how adult regulation supports long-term emotional development.

    This conversation introduces the concept of co-regulation and explains how repeated experiences of calm, supportive presence help children gradually build their own capacity for regulation.

    This episode is for parents who want to understand big emotions through a developmental lens and support their children with steadiness rather than pressure.

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    3 mins
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