Episode 357: Can Kids CHOOSE To Act Differently When They're in Yuck?
Release Date: 08/28/2025
Episode 378: When You Say No and Your Child Keeps Pushing
Your Parenting Long Game
When your child keeps arguing after you’ve already said no, it can feel exhausting and personal. You’ve explained your reasoning, you’ve made a thoughtful decision… and yet they keep pushing. It’s easy to interpret that as disrespect or manipulation. But what’s actually happening in those moments is less about defiance than you think. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why kids continue to argue even when they already know the answer (and why it’s not just about trying to change your mind) • A steadier, more effective approach that allows your child to regulate while you...
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Episode 377: Should There Be a Consequence for Big Reactions?
Your Parenting Long Game
When kids say or do things that feel rude or disrespectful in the middle of a big reaction, it can leave you feeling stuck: Part of you knows they’re overwhelmed, but another part is thinking, “I can’t just let this go.” That tension is real. And it makes sense, especially if you were raised to believe that every negative behavior needs a consequence. But what looks like “bad behavior” in these moments is often something deeper....and responding only to the behavior can miss the actual problem. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why your instinct to give a consequence makes...
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Episode 376: When Your Child Says "Stop Yelling at Me!" When You're Not Even Yelling
Your Parenting Long Game
Sometimes our kids react as if we're being harsh, saying things like “stop yelling at me”... even when you’re not yelling at all! When that happens, it can feel confusing, frustrating, and even discouraging. But what looks like an illogical reaction is often not even about what you're saying (or how you're saying it). Instead, it's about what's going on for the child. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why kids with big emotions are likely to interpret neutral or helpful input as criticism or pressure • Why our automatic reactions make sense, but don't work • The simple way to...
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Episode 375: When You Try to Do Something Fun With Your Child... and It Goes Downhill
Your Parenting Long Game
When a fun moment unexpectedly turns into a child's unhappiness or even rude behavior, it can leave us feeling confused, frustrated, and even a little defeated. But what looks like an "overreaction" is often the result of a child’s nervous system quietly working overtime... and we weren't aware of it! In this episode, you’ll hear: • What’s really happening beneath the surface when kids go from excited to unhappy so quickly • How repeated moments like this can shape the way children see themselves (as “too much” or incapable) • Simple ways to reduce these reactions -- ...
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Episode 374: When Multiple Family Members Get Triggered Easily
Your Parenting Long Game
When a household feels like it’s constantly one reaction setting off another, it can seem like everyone is triggering everyone else. But what looks like chaos on the surface is often a chain reaction happening inside each person’s nervous system. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why emotional escalations in families happen • How these interactions can slowly erode both a child’s confidence and a parent’s belief in themselves • What actually helps break the cycle --
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Episode 373: When a Child Blames Others (Even When They Were Wrong)
Your Parenting Long Game
Many of our kids, when they do something wrong, will immediately point the finger: “He started it” or “It wasn’t my fault." In those moments, it can easily look like they’re being selfish or refusing to own their behavior. But what appears to be deflection is often driven by something different happening underneath the surface. In this episode, you’ll hear: • What blaming is actually a sign of • How trying to correct this behavior can unintentionally chip away at a child’s belief in themselves • Why helping children build tolerance for uncomfortable feelings allows them...
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Episode 372: What Morning Battles Might Be Teaching Your Child About Themselves
Your Parenting Long Game
When a child won’t get dressed in the morning and moves slowly, ignores you, or seems resistant, of course you’ll feel frustrated and pressured, especially when you’re already running late! But what looks like defiance or laziness is often something different. In this episode, you’ll learn what’s actually happening underneath this pattern and how your response impacts both your child’s self-esteem and your own confidence as a parent. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why repeated assumptions around “simple” tasks can chip away at a child’s belief in their capability How to...
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Episode 371: When You Need Space, But Your Child Won't Play On Their Own
Your Parenting Long Game
When a child won’t go play on their own and whines, complains, or refuses to leave you alone, of course you'll get frustrated with their resistance! But what looks like refusal is often something different. In this episode, you’ll learn what's going on beneath this behavior and what you can do about it. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why difficulty starting play, homework, or chores is not a motivation issue What starting new tasks requires cognitively, and why many kids get stuck before they even begin Why clarity about the missing skill leads to faster progress than guessing or...
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Episode 370: Notes from a Client Session: What's Making It Hard for You to Defuse Situations
Your Parenting Long Game
When our kids melt down, snap back, or seem resistant, it’s easy to think, "This is bad. I need to make this stop." But when we see our child’s behavior as a threat, our nervous system gets pulled into the struggle too, and everyone stays stuck longer. The real shift that shortens hard moments doesn’t come from controlling behavior. It comes from changing the meaning we give it. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why your child’s negativity or resistance is a sign of discomfort, not defiance How the story you tell yourself about your child’s behavior determines whether situations...
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Episode 369: Notes from a Client Session: Why We TALK TOO MUCH
Your Parenting Long Game
When our kids aren't listening, we often default to talking more in an attempt to be more clear...more firm...more persuasive. But as we know, our EXTRA words often don't lead to better results. Fortunately, the solution to motivating more responsibility in our kids takes less energy, not more. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why a child's "not listening" may not be a listening problem What to say and do so that your child is more likely to do things they don't feel like doing What YOU likely need in order to implement this strategy --
info_outlineMany kids with big emotions have big reactions when things don’t go their way. They may yell, slam doors, roll their eyes, or even say disrespectful things when they are upset. And while it’s natural for parents to think that our children are choosing to be rude or defiant, something else is actually happening instead.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
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What's going on in the brain that explains why Yuck behaviors are not a conscious choice
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Why this is NOT an excuse for negative behavior
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How kids can learn to handle their “Yuck Urge”… and how this builds their confidence rather than eroding it
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FREE RESOURCE: Understanding the Yuck Curve
Other free resources