Your Parenting Long Game

Latest Episodes:

Episode 381: When You Are Exhausted... and Your Child Wants to Connect May 14, 2026

Show notes

When you're exhausted and your child suddenly wants to connect, it can create a painful internal tug-of-war: part of you desperately needs rest, while another part worries that saying "not right now" could damage the relationship or shut your child down emotionally. The good news is that it is possible to consider both your child's needs and your own when making decisions in these situations.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why emotionally attuned parents often feel torn between connection and their own needs • How to stop fighting yourself internally during hard moments • Practical examples of how to respond, regardless of how you decide to handle the situation

FREE WORKSHOP: When Your Child Focuses on the Negative: How to respond without feeding the negativity or making things worse

FREE RESOURCE: Does your child have a narrow zone of tolerance?

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Episode 380: When You Walk on Eggshells Because You Dread Your Child's Reaction May 07, 2026

Show notes

When you've gone through the same hard moments with your child over and over — bedtime battles, pushback around limits, meltdowns when it's time to leave something fun — it's easy to start bracing before anything has even happened. You may find yourself already tense, already exhausted, already expecting the reaction before you even say a word.The reaction you're having makes more sense than you may realize… and it is possible to make a shift that takes less energy and increases your influence with your child.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why we naturally start dreading certain situations before they even happen • Why bracing for your child's reaction can unintentionally reduce your influence • A simple but powerful shift that helps you stay steadier, reduce escalation, and lead through hard moments with more confidence

FREE: Does your child have a narrow zone of tolerance?

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FREE WORKSHOP: When Your Child Focuses on the Negative: How to respond without feeding the negativity or making things worse *Registration link to come

Episode 379: When Your Child Complains About the Same Things Over & Over Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

When your child pushes back on something they've already done many times (like a simple routine or going to the same place every week), it can be confusing... and draining. When the same resistance shows up again, it's easy to wonder why nothing is sticking…or why it feels like you're back at the beginning every single time. But what's driving that reaction isn't what most parents assume, and until you see what's actually going on underneath, these patterns tend to repeat.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• What's actually happening in those moments when your child resists something they've already done before • Why getting through an experience once doesn't mean your child can handle it the next time • The key shift that changes how you approach these moments so they don't keep repeating in the same way

FREE: Does your child have a narrow zone of tolerance?

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Episode 378: When You Say No and Your Child Keeps Pushing Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

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 hold your boundary • How these moments are really opportunities to build your child's ability to tolerate discomfort so the arguing decreases over time

FREE: Does your child have a narrow zone of tolerance?

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Episode 377: Should There Be a Consequence for Big Reactions? Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

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 sense, but often backfires • What's really happening for your child in those intense moments • A more effective way to respond that helps your child take responsibility and build the skills they need to handle these moments differently next time

FREE: Does your child have a narrow zone of tolerance?

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Episode 376: When Your Child Says "Stop Yelling at Me!" When You're Not Even Yelling Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

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 respond differently in the moment so that things defuse more quickly (and you build long-term resilience)

FREE: Does your child have a narrow zone of tolerance?

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Episode 375: When You Try to Do Something Fun With Your Child... and It Goes Downhill Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

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

FREE: Does your child have a narrow zone of tolerance?

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Episode 374: When Multiple Family Members Get Triggered Easily Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

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

FREE: Does your child have a narrow zone of tolerance?

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Episode 373: When a Child Blames Others (Even When They Were Wrong) Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

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 to take responsibility more naturally

FREE: Does your child have a low zone of tolerance?

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Episode 372: What Morning Battles Might Be Teaching Your Child About Themselves Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

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 hold firm limits while communicating respect, so boundaries strengthen rather than shame
How protecting your own nervous system protects your child's confidence

FREE: Does your child struggle with the skill of task initiation?

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