Show Notes
Do you feel like your child only seems to "act out" the second you pick up your phone, start a conversation with another adult, or try to focus on a sibling? If it feels like you are constantly being pulled away from what you’re doing by disruptive behavior, this episode is for you.
In this episode, Mandy explores one of the most common functions of behavior...attention. Find out why children often prefer "bad" attention (like a lecture or a reprimand) over no attention at all and why your reactions might accidentally be aiding the very behaviors you’re trying to stop. Whether you are dealing with a toddler who throws toys or a school-aged child who interrupts constantly, Mandy provides a blueprint to help you shift these behaviors towards a positive connection and independent play!
Tools & Resources Website: thefamilybehaviorist.com Social Media: Follow @TheFamilyBehaviorist on Instagram and TikTok.
Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review! Your feedback helps other parents find the show and lets Mandy know what topics are landing for you.
Go to Care.com and use code BEHAVIOR for 20% off your initial Care.com subscription or a Senior Care Advisor Plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from The Behavior Blueprint with Mandy Grass
Are you stuck in a cycle of defending yourself against accusations like, "you never let me do anything" or "you love my sister more than me?" On this episode, Mandy explains why simply ignoring these behaviors is a recipe for disaster. Get the blueprint on why negative attention is so predictable, why endless reassurance can accidentally reinforce bad behavior, and how to stop engaging in those extended debates with your child.
Have you ever wondered why your child is an absolute angel for their teacher, coach, and grandparents, but turns into a monster the second they get home with you? On this episode, Mandy validates the frustration of being the "chosen" parent and flips the script to show why this dynamic is actually fantastic behavioral information.
On this episode, Mandy dives into the psychology behind the ultimate parenting trap: power struggles. Learn why it takes two to play tug-of-war and why simply telling your child "because I said so" often makes the argument worse. This blueprint reveals that even when a fight starts over access to a toy or escaping a chore, it almost always morphs into an attention seeking behavior. So tune in and find out how to recognize your own role in the reinforcement loop, why your kid follows you when you walk away, and how to finally "put down the rope" without being a permissive parent!
Did you know that by age twelve, a child with ADHD may receive roughly 20,000 more negative or corrective comments than their neurotypical peers? On this episode, Mandy gets brutally honest about how easily parents fall into the trap of overcorrecting kids with ADHD. It is time to get correct about correcting, as Mandy dissects the exact moments where her own anxiety led to unnecessary nagging. So tune in and get the blueprint on how to identify when you are overcorrecting, how to separate an ADHD trait from intentional rudeness, and finally, how to replace constant verbal nagging with visual prompts and positive reinforcement.
On this episode, Mandy welcomes Elizabeth, a mom of three, for a live coaching session to troubleshoot her blended family's chaotic mornings and sibling dynamics. Elizabeth shares the struggles of raising a 5-year-old who is constantly distracted during his morning routine, along with managing the intense conflicts of her husband's 14-year-old twin boys. Get a detailed look at what a parenting coaching session looks like in real time, as Mandy gives Elizabeth a personlized blueprint on this very special edition of the show!