EPISODE 23: EARLY YEARS

3 Basic Emotional Hungers Every Parent Must Know To Tame Tantrums

Oct 30, 2025

Wondering how to deal with tantrums — especially the ones that explode in public?
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The Tantrum TRUTH is that your child isn’t misbehaving; they’re signaling a deep emotional hunger they can’t put into words.

Discover the simple parenting shift that turns overwhelming moments into connection instead of chaos.

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Click play to watch on YouTube.

TANTRUM TAMER WORKSHOP

Stop Meltdowns in Their Tracks Without Losing Your Cool

Discover 3 Easy Montessori-Inspired Connection Tools to handle tantrums with ease —no punishments, bribes, or guilt required.

Meet emotional hungers with empathy not punishment.

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Learn how to recognize these emotional hungers so you can turn chaotic moments into calm connection. 

You'll discover three gentle, neuroscience-backed techniques that help you meet those needs — without yelling, bribing, or losing your cool.

5 Key Takeaways

1️⃣ Tantrums aren’t misbehavior — they’re emotional hungers.

Children melt down when their nervous system feels overwhelmed, starved for connection, certainty, or significance.

2️⃣ Public meltdowns aren’t “performance tantrums.”

They’re primal survival signals—your child’s way of saying, “I can’t find you, and I need your calm.”

3️⃣ Negative attention still meets an emotional hunger.

Even yelling gives a child eye contact, intensity, and certainty—reinforcing the tantrum cycle without meaning to.

 4️⃣ The real parenting shift is connection over control.

When you pause, attune, and meet the need beneath the behavior, the storm settles faster and trust grows stronger.

5️⃣ Emotional needs are ancient and hardwired.

Every tantrum reflects a basic human truth: children thrive on connection, presence, and felt safety—not perfection.

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 LISTENER PRAISE

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"Such an easy, inspiring listen—uplifting tips, practical advice, and so relatable that you feel truly connected."

Why Listeners Keep Tuning In

Love this! Thank you for this episode Anya! l appreciate the tips for how to encourage creativity. I love the idea of using hands-on learning and experimentation, imagination, senses, asking open-ended questions, observing, offering freedom in choices, having them practice, problem-solve, and letting them fail!

Kayla Linares

Exactly What Homeschooling
Parents Need! This podcast is a breath of fresh air! Anya's passion is contagious. If you're looking for clarity, confidence, and connection in your homeschooling journey-this is the podcast for you!

Anastasia Larsson

Wow, this is amazing! I loved hearing this — it’s so true. Creativity really does get snuffed out as we grow older unless we actively work to preserve, protect, nourish, and let it flourish.

Melanie Beers-Quinn

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RESEARCH & SOURCES MENTIONED

Robbins, T. (2001). Awaken the Giant Within. Free Press.

Edmeades, E. (2018). The Human Diet: The Foundation of WildFit. WildFit Publishing.

Neufeld, G., & Maté, G. (2006). Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers. Ballantine Books.

Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. W. W. Norton & Company.

Siegel, D. J. (2012). The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind. Random House.

Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2011). Key Concepts: Serve and Return.

Meet Anya

Winner of the 2025 Global Women Changing the World in Education Award and named the #1 Key Early Learning Influencer in North America, Anya Garcia helps you parent with purpose and live with intention.


After walking away from a high-powered legal career, she entered her true calling—shining the light on the early years, a period rich with potential, transformation, and often-overlooked power.

Blending neuroscience, evolutionary insight, and practical strategies, Anya helps children thrive and adults evolve. You will find mindset-shifting tools and science-backed insights to inspire lasting change. 

This Show is where mindset meets motherhood, education meets empowerment, and transformation begins now—one child, one parent at a time.

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