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As a new mum, it can be both heartbreaking and overwhelming when your little one has a infant tantrum. You might find yourself wondering, “Why are they reacting like this?” or “What am I doing wrong?” If you’re just beginning your parenting journey, trying to make sense of your child’s emotions while adjusting to motherhood, you’re not alone—and this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat is here to support you.
In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Joss Goulden, a Level 2 Aware Parenting Instructor with over 30 years of experience working with families. Joss brings a compassionate and insightful perspective to understanding what’s really going on during a infant tantrum—and her advice might just change the way you view these moments forever.
If you’ve ever felt stressed, embarrassed, or helpless in the face of your child’s infant tantrum, you’ll love what Joss shares. Rather than viewing tantrums as “bad behavior,” she explains that they are actually a form of emotional release—a natural way for infants to process stress, fear, or overwhelm. When a child is crying, kicking, or melting down, they’re not trying to manipulate you—they’re trying to feel safe and connected.
Joss and I explore the idea that infant tantrums are a healthy part of a child’s development, and that when we respond with empathy rather than punishment, we build deeper trust and connection. You’ll hear how strategies like “loving limits” and “attachment play” can help your child feel seen, heard, and safe—even in the middle of a full-blown meltdown.
What I loved about this conversation is how empowering it is for new mums. If you’ve recently given birth and are navigating those early months, it’s so important to know that emotional outbursts aren’t something to fix—they’re something to listen to. This episode offers a new lens through which to view your infant’s big feelings, helping you stay grounded even when things feel chaotic.
So if you’re feeling anxious about your child’s infant tantrums, or if you simply want tools to feel more confident and connected, I highly encourage you to click play and listen. You’ll walk away with a renewed sense of calm and a better understanding of how to support your child’s emotional growth from day one.
Click play to listen now.
What You Will Learn From This Episode
- Why infant tantrums and meltdowns are a powerful form of emotional release—and what to do in the moment.
- How to set gentle yet firm boundaries using “loving limits” that support both your child and you.
- How attachment play can turn challenging behaviours into deeper connection through laughter and trust.
And much more…
Links Mentioned in the Episode
Please email Joss for her free Attachment Play eBook and free meditations for parents at support@awareparenting.com.au.
About Joss Goulden
Joss is a Level 2 Aware Parenting Instructor, certified with the Aware Parenting institute. She is the mother of 2 adult children now 21 and 19 years old and has been supporting families on their healing journey for over 30 years.
Joss offers individual sessions, circles, online communities, workshops and courses to support parents to understand their children’s needs, feelings and behaviour.
Parenting is hard and many parents don’t have the support and care that they need. She offers guidance and support for parents to bring more connection, compassion and play to their children and to nurture respectful and connected relationships in their families.
Joss guides parents on their own re-parenting journey and to bring more self-compassion and acceptance to themselves, so they have more capacity to raise their children with more awareness, connection and joy. She is also passionate about homeschooling and natural learning having supported her children’s learning at home throughout their “school” years and love supporting other families for whom this is a beautiful choice. She hosts 2 podcasts, The Aware Parenting Stories Podcast and co-host with Dr Marion Rose of the Aware Parenting and Natural Learning Podcast. Joss lives in the forest in the Great Southern in Western Australia.
