To your kids you say: “You can’t do that today.” Their reaction: “You’re so mean!” And off they storm. Your instinct may be to follow them. “I’m not being mean. I’m saying, no, because…” You explain. They argue. You explain again. They have another comeback. Suddenly, the conversation is no longer about what you said no to. It’s about whether you’re mean. And now you’re arguing about the argument. What if you just let them have the last word? Not because they’re right. Not because you’re...

I had the pleasure of joining Rebecca Greene on The Whinypaluza Podcast for an honest conversation about parenting, communication, boundaries, conflict, and guilt. We discussed why children may tune out repeated explanations, how parents can recognize their emotional buttons, and why children do not always need to agree with a boundary. They simply need to understand and follow it. I also shared practical ways parents can help children manage big emotions, repair relationships after difficult...

You explain. You say, “I’m not discussing this anymore.” You say “No” five times. And still, your child argues with your decision. So you explain some more. You remind them why you said no. You tell them again that you’re not discussing it. You answer another “But why?” ou think you are taking charge and being decisive. But your children may be hearing something very different: They hear, “This is still up for decision.” Why does this keep happening? It’s a question I hear a lot. The answer...