Emotional Regulation in Parenting: The Floodgate Theory

Why does parenting unlock emotions you didn’t even know you had?
In this first episode, Dr. Kat introduces her powerful Floodgate Theory — explaining how becoming a parent opens up a deep well of love, fear, and vulnerability.

From newborns to college goodbyes, Dr. Kat explores how our emotional wiring changes — and how to stay grounded through it all.

You’ll learn:

• Why your emotions feel so raw after becoming a parent
• How to deal with judgment, guilt, and self-doubt
• What to say when your teen pulls away — and it breaks your heart
• How to parent without losing yourself

🎧 No fluff. No judgment. Just real talk that leads to real change.

00:00 – Welcome to Chat with Dr. Kat
Dr. Kat introduces the podcast, her background in online therapy, and what listeners can expect from future episodes.

01:00 – Why So Many Emotions Around Parenting?
A look at how parenting opens emotional floodgates — with stories from Dr. Kat’s early clinical career.

01:48 – Therapist vs Parent Brain: A Movie Moment
How Dr. Kat’s emotional reactions shifted after becoming a parent herself — and what that revealed.

03:04 – The Session That Changed Everything
A powerful session with a grieving client helped Dr. Kat reshape her understanding of emotional vulnerability.

03:44 – Introduction to Floodgate Theory
What “Floodgate Theory” really means — and why our emotional lives change so dramatically once we have kids. 

05:21 – Floodgates in School and Social Settings
Why simple interactions with other parents or kids can become emotionally charged after becoming a parent.

06:33 – The Teen Years and Closing the Floodgates
As kids grow into teens, new emotional patterns emerge — and parents must learn to adapt.

07:36 – The College Sendoff: A Parent’s Dilemma
Letting go is never easy. Dr. Kat unpacks the grief and confusion that can hit when kids leave home.

10:52 – You’ve Taught Them. Now Trust Them
How to shift from parenting to trusting — and how to deal with the fear that follows.

12:27 – Parenting Mistakes and Moving Forward
Making mistakes is part of the job. Here’s how to grow from them with grace and resilience.

12:47 – You Don’t Need to Apologize for Your Parenting Style
Pushback happens. But your parenting style matters — and it’s okay to own it.

14:09 – Screen Time, Choices, and Judgments
How to make conscious parenting decisions while tuning out unhelpful noise from others.

16:25 – Birthing Plans and Early Pressure
Why guilt starts so early — and how to rewrite your story from the very beginning.

22:43 – Teaching Through Action: Kindness and Compliments
Dr. Kat shares how her values around empathy and kindness shape her parenting and her work.

25:10 – You’re Not Alone – Final Thoughts
A message of validation, hope, and what’s next for Chat with Dr. Kat.

I want to hear from you! To submit show ideas or be considered as a guest, visit https://chatwithdrkat.com/contact/

Follow Chat with Dr. Kat:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chatwithdrkat

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatwithdrkat

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatwithdrkat

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatwithdrkat

X: https://x.com/ChatwithDrKat

Health & Wellness Programs:

https://mindbodyseries.com/