Parenting Without Power Struggles

In this episode, Susan talks with Dr. Gabor Maté about attachment instincts, peer orientation, and the importance of parental presence in building a strong parent-child relationship. Dr. Maté explains how children's attachment to peers can affect their behavior and relationships, emphasizing the need for parents to maintain primary attachment with their children. https://pages.susanstiffelman.com/...

In this episode, Susan talks with her friend and colleague, Robyn Posin, PhD. They discuss Robyn's book, "Go Only as Fast as Your Slowest Part Feels Safe to Go: Tales to Kindle Gentleness and Compassion for Our Exhausted Selves." They explore the importance of slowing down in today's fast-paced world, the need for rest as a sacred act, and the significance of mental and emotional well-being. Robyn...

In this episode, Susan talks with Dr. Dan Siegel on breaking dysfunctional patterns we've inherited from our own parents and grandparents. They discuss how early interactions with caregivers shape individuals and how tendencies and behaviors can be inherited through epigenetics. Dan also explains the concept of neuroplasticity, offering hope that parents can reshape their brains to become more int...

In this episode, Susan coaches a new parent struggling to adjust to life with their 11-month-old baby. The parent expresses challenges in maintaining balance in their life after the baby's arrival. Susan emphasizes the importance of honest, open conversation in addressing these struggles and the need for  vulnerable discussions with partners. http://pages.susanstiffelman.com/podcast-new-baby

In this episode, Susan coaches a parent whose kids have a hard time adjusting to the different rules and boundaries in their parents' two homes. Susan reassures this parent that boundaries help kids feel safe and secure in their attachment and role-plays a scenario to help this parent communicate for effectively with their kids. http://pages.susanstiffelman.com/boundaries-two-houses-podcast

In this episode, Susan helps a parent with an unusual dilemma: their family will be traveling for a year, and their young daughter is resistant to the idea. Susan discusses the importance of making it safe for the child to express fears while remaining clear and relaxed. http://pages.susanstiffelman.com/helping-child-travel-podcast

In this episode, you'll hear Susan talking with the parent of a forgetful, somewhat disorganized teen with ADHD without micromanaging. This conversation goes deep, looking at how our anxiety can muddy the waters of effective parenting. http://pages.susanstiffelman.com/podcast-teen-adhd

In this episode, Susan talks with a parent who struggles with what she calls "ancestral anger" toward her preschooler -- a feeling of rage that stems from an unhealed part of her own childhood. Susan coaches this parent on handling the build up of rage when it makes its next appearance with her child. http://pages.susanstiffelman.com/podcast-ancestral-anger

In this episode, Susan talks with a parent who wants help supporting her middle child. Her 7-year-old daughter is struggling with the disappointment and frustration of being a middle child, so Susan uses a role-play to coach this parent on helping her child grieve the reality of her unchanging position in the family. http://pages.susanstiffelman.com/podcast-middle-child

In this episode, Susan talks with Kelsey, who shares her experience with her assertive, expressive 7- and 9-year-old daughters. The conversation emphasizes the balance between respecting children's autonomy and fulfilling the responsibilities of a parent. They talk about how the daughters resist taking medicine and how Kelsey can acknowledge her daughters' autonomy while also ensuring they get the...

In this episode, Susan coaches a parent, "Marie," who discusses her large family, including two children on the autism spectrum. She's looking for advice on encouraging more friendly, positive interactions between her five children. Susan coaches Marie on managing children with high functioning autism, focusing on executive functioning, and emphasizing the unique strengths and challenges of each c...

In this episode, Susan shares her thoughts on navigating the holiday season, reflecting on the relentless pace of modern life, the challenges posed by technology, and the importance of taking time to recharge. Susan also talks about her personal practice of unplugging for several weeks and the positive impact it has on her well-being. https://pages.susanstiffelman.com/catching-your-breath-podcast

In this episode, Susan coaches a parent whose son is reluctant to go to school because his feelings have been getting hurt at recess. Susan offers a kid-friendly way to help her child take things less personally by looking at the Bad B's (negative beliefs) that fuel his insecurities. https://susanstiffelman.com/reluctant-school-child-podcast/

Susan responds to a parent's question about how to become the Captain of the ship if you grew up with permissive parents who gave you whatever you wanted, sharing important insights into making the shift to setting loving limits with kids. https://susanstiffelman.com/captain-podcast/

In this episode, Susan answers a parent's question about a child's difficulty with disappointment. She emphasizes the importance of  grounding oneself before setting limits to support children and shares tips to better help children cope with frustrating experiences. https://susanstiffelman.com/frustration-podcast/

In this episode, Susan talks about why setting screen-time limits can be so difficult, and why there's so much push back from our kids when it's time to unplug, sharing strategies for implementing healthy rules and routines. https://susanstiffelman.com/screen-time-limits-podcast/

In this preview from the Tech-Wise Parenting Summit , Jack and Trudy remind listeners that being present and aware can help us engage with technology in healthy ways, rather than feeling drained and depleted, or turning to screens to hide from uncomfortable feelings. In the full summit interview, Trudy also walks us through a 7 minute Appreciation Body Scan, providing a calming, restful experience...

In this preview clip from the Tech-Wise Parenting Summit, Dr. Tina Payne Bryson talks about the impression a child is left with when we react with anger to their angere over screen time limits, and how it influences their future willingness to come to us when they're upset.

Susan shares a preview clip from a conversation with author and filmmaker Tiffany Shlain from the Tech-Wise Parenting Summit, discussing the benefits of a 24 hour weekly ritual of unplugging from technology.

In this preview clip from the Tech-Wise Parenting Summit, Dr. Anna Lembke (author of Dopamine Nation) suggesting that rather than turning to screens and social media to lessen feelings of depression, online activities may actually generate depression in some instances when long-term tech use fuels reduced natural dopamine production in the brain.

Susan shares a preview clip from an interview with Dr. Dan Siegel from the Tech-Wise Parenting Summit. Dan and Susan engage in a short role play to demonstrate how conversations lacking in the many aspects of communication missing in online exchanges can lead to disconnection and misunderstanding.

In this conversation, Susan and Dayna talk about how important it is to understand that even if our child has behavioral struggles, they aren't broken and we aren't failing. They go on to discuss creating a plan for parenting storms, not taking things personally, and shifting our perspective. https://susanstiffelman.com/dayna-abraham-podcast/

One of the biggest power struggles parents have with their kids is around technology. In this episode, Susan talks about the importance of clarity as we set realistic routines around screen time, emphasizing the importance of being the "Captain of the ship" for our kids, to offer guidance and support. https://susanstiffelman.com/kids-and-tech-podcast/

A parent whose son complains about her singing asks for advice about helping him be more comfortable with self-expression and using his voice. Susan shares some interesting ideas for how to approach the situation. https://susanstiffelman.com/ nurturing-expressiveness-podcast /

In this excerpt of a class about homework with Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson, authors of The Self-Driven Child , Susan explores the anxiety parents often feel around their kids' unwillingness to take their school work seriously. https://susanstiffelman.com/stixrud-johnson-podcast-2/