What Every Co-Parent Should Know About Gaslighting and Emotional Safety with Dr. Karalynn Royster

In this conversation, Dr. Karalynn Royster discusses her journey into the field of co-parenting and high-conflict divorce, emphasizing the importance of supporting both parents and children through these challenging dynamics. She delves into the concept of gaslighting, its implications in co-parenting, and how parents can recognize and address it. Dr. Royster highlights the significance of emotional validation, self-regulation, and the impact of parental behavior on children's well-being. The discussion also touches on the pressures of perfection in parenting and the importance of seeking support during difficult times.

Learn more about Dr. Karalynn Royster at: https://learnwithlittlehouse.com/
Listen to Dr. Royster's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kids-first-co-parenting-with-dr-royster/id1828016840

Books mentioned in the episode:
Don’t Alienate the Kids! by Bill Eddy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QRMGVVT
Been There Got Out by Lisa Johnson and Chris Barry:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY39L1W7

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Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/skPkMzKqM18

Keywords

co-parenting, gaslighting, high-conflict divorce, child psychology, emotional validation, parenting strategies, mental health, family dynamics, child development, communication

Takeaways

• Dr. Royster's journey into co-parenting support was influenced by her own childhood experiences.
• Gaslighting undermines a child's reality and can occur even unintentionally by well-meaning parents.
• Validation of a child's feelings is crucial in helping them navigate their emotions.
• Co-parents should focus on what they can control, especially their own behavior and responses.
• Children often need help understanding their emotions and cues from their bodies.
• Modeling self-regulation as a parent can significantly impact a child's emotional development.
• It's important for parents to avoid putting children in the middle of conflicts between co-parents.
• The pressure to be a perfect parent can be overwhelming and is unrealistic.
• Children may show signs of struggle through changes in behavior, intensity, or frequency of emotional outbursts.
• Seeking support and not feeling isolated is vital for parents in high-conflict situations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Co-Parenting Challenges

01:26 The Journey into Supporting Co-Parents

04:56 Understanding Gaslighting in Parenting

09:31 Gaslighting Dynamics in Co-Parenting

12:03 Recognizing Alienation in Children

16:09 Navigating Loyalty Binds in Co-Parenting

20:11 Navigating Co-Parenting Dynamics

21:08 Emotional Development in Children

23:18 The Gifts of Co-Parenting

25:45 The Myth of Perfection in Parenting

26:56 Recognizing Signs of Struggle in Children

28:57 Self-Regulation Strategies for Children

30:43 Responding to Children's Concerns

32:51 Emp

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