42. The Third Way: Why Being Too Soft or Too Tough Breaks Connection (and What to Do Instead)
The Parenting Connection | build connection, parenting styles, depression in teens, anxiety in teens, Christian parentingShow Notes
Have you ever noticed that no matter what you try, your child either pushes back or shuts down?
One moment you’re trying to be gentle so you don’t damage the relationship… and the next you’re firm because nothing else seems to work.
And somehow, both approaches leave you feeling disconnected, frustrated, and wondering why your child resists you even when you’re doing your best.
In this episode, I’m sharing why being too soft and too tough actually create the same problem—and the overlooked third way that changes everything.
You’ll learn why your child’s resistance isn’t defiance, but a natural response to disconnection, what “Counter Will” is and how it’s working against you, and how to lead with calm, confident authority that keeps your child’s heart open.
If you’re longing to guide your child without fear, force, or guilt… this conversation will meet you right where you are.
You don’t need to fix everything. You just need a better place to start. The Connected Mom Reset shows you how—for $22.
Interested in getting help from me? Book a 45 minute consult here.
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Most moms don’t talk about this out loud… but it’s one of the most painful parts of parenting a struggling child—being blamed for everything. The outbursts. The distance. The disrespect. And somewhere in the middle of it, you start wondering… is this actually my fault? But what if your child isn’t blaming you because they don’t care… what if they’re doing it because they don’t know how to handle what they feel inside? In this episode, I’m going to show you what’s really going on underneath the behavior—and why trying to fix it on the surface keeps leaving you stuck. More importantly, I’ll walk you through a different way to see your child… one that puts you back in a position of influence and gives you a path forward that actually works. Because when you understand what your child is feeling at their core—and how to help them from that place—everything starts to change.
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Sometimes the hardest part of parenting isn’t the behavior—it’s watching a child you know is amazing start to question their worth. You see them hold back, doubt themselves, compare themselves to others, or say things like “I’m just not good at anything.” And no matter how much you encourage them, it doesn’t seem to stick. If you’ve ever wondered how to help your child truly believe in themselves, this episode will help you see what’s really going on beneath the surface.
What if the most powerful tool for protecting your child’s mental health —is the emotional attachment they feel with you?
If you were raised to “toughen up,” keep emotions in check, and push through no matter what—but now you’re parenting a child who seems emotionally overwhelmed, sensitive, shut down, or reactive—this episode is for you.