Are therapists’ kids really more "messed up"? In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline explore the myths and realities surrounding parenting as a mental health professional. From bringing work home, to pathologizing kids, to the fine line between validation and over-parenting, they explore what’s myth, what’s truth, and where parenting is just parenting. With humour, honesty, and real-life examples (including pranks gone wrong), this episode offers perspective for parents navigating their own parenting style, whether or not they work in the helping professions.
Homework Idea
Let Kids Feel Without Fixing
- Next time your child is distressed, resist the urge to immediately jump in with strategies.
- Instead, sit with them, acknowledge the feeling, and give them space to calm on their own.
- Journal afterwards: How hard was it for you to pause? Did your child surprise you?
Practice Emotion Coaching
Emotion Coaching helps children understand and manage their emotions. It encourages emotional intelligence, strengthens parent-child relationships, and boosts resilience in kids. Try practicing:
- See emotions as opportunities for connection. Emotions aren’t good or bad, they’re opportunities to teach and connect. Validate without judgment: “I get why that made you upset.”
- Listen and validate. Show empathy by reflecting feelings tentatively: “That must have been disappointing.” Listen actively, avoid immediately solving problems.
- Help your child label their feelings clearly. Guide them gently to name their feelings. Use a feelings chart or wheel to help.
- Collaboratively problem-solve or set limits if needed, without taking over:
“What do you think might help?” Set clear limits on behavior, not emotion:
“It’s okay to be angry, but we don’t yell at people.. What would be a better way to show how you're feeling?”
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