Climbing Fish Parenting
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Your Kid Isn’t Broken. Your Parenting Isn’t Broken
Sometimes, we’re just asking our fish to climb trees.
I’m Dr. Kristi Clarke, psychologist and behavior analyst. If you’re an exhausted parent whose child doesn’t respond to typical strategies—this is where that finally changes.
You’ve Tried Everything. Nothing Works.
And You’re Carrying All the Guilt.
Your child never listens the first time (or the tenth time)
Bedtime is a two-hour battle every single night
Typical discipline strategies backfire with your kid
You’re hearing “difficult,” “strong-willed,” or “needs more consequences”
You dread social situations because of meltdowns
You’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering where you went wrong
Here’s what I need you to know: The strategies that work for other kids won’t work for yours—because your child is wired differently. And that’s not a problem. That’s the solution.
Stop Asking Your Fish to Climb Trees
Imagine a fish flopping on the ground at the base of an oak tree. You’re watching it struggle, thinking, “Why can’t you just climb? The squirrel climbed it. The cat climbed it. What’s wrong with you?” That sounds absurd, right? Of course the fish can’t climb. Fish aren’t designed to climb trees—they’re designed to swim. But put that fish in water? Suddenly it’s graceful, powerful, thriving. The fish didn’t change. The environment did. This is what’s happening with your child. They’re not defiant or difficult. We’re just asking them to climb a tree when they’re built to swim.
Whether your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, or anxiety, or you just know deep down that something about standard parenting advice isn’t clicking—your instinct is right. They need a different approach.
Get practical, brain-based strategies delivered weekly
I’m Dr. Kristi,
I Help Parents Stop Fighting Their Child’s Wiring
As a psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), I’ve spent years working with children who are wired differently. Whether your child has ADHD, autism, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities—whether they have a formal diagnosis or you just know something about standard parenting advice isn’t working—I help you understand their unique wiring and work WITH it instead of against it.
I combine behavioral science with real-world parenting to give you strategies that actually work.
What Changes When You Stop Asking Your Fish to Climb Trees
The Chaos Settles.
Morning routines happen. Bedtime becomes peaceful. Your house feels calm.
Your child feels successful
Instead of like a failure. Their confidence grows. Connection replaces conflict.
The guilt lifts.
You finally have the tools to be the parent you’ve always wanted to be.
You have energy again
For yourself, your marriage, your friendships. You’re not just surviving—you’re thriving.
This isn’t about lowering expectations or settling for less. It’s about understanding your child’s unique wiring and working with it instead of against it.
Climbing Fish Community
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Weekly Newsletter
Practical Strategies Delivered to Your Inbox
Brain-based parenting strategies that work WITH your child’s wiring
Real scenarios from exhausted parents (and exactly how to handle them)
Quick wins you can use this week
Delivered every Wednesday morning
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Parenting Podcast
Your Weekly Dose of Sanity
Deep-dive episodes on the biggest parenting challenges
Behavioral science made simple and actionable
For parents who’ve tried everything—and need something different
New episodes every Monday
Morning Routine Board Game (end the chaos)
Frustration Tolerance Scripts and Guide (build resilience)
Designed for kids who struggle with executive functioning and emotion regulation
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