My Child Refuses to Listen: A Compassionate Approach to PDA
Connected Families Podcast
How demands trigger the nervous system
Lydia describes how even small demands or perceived loss of autonomy can trigger fight-or-flight responses in children.
Happy New Year! Welcome back to another year of exciting content that we pray will leave you equipped and ready for the unique calling of parenthood you’ve been gifted with this year.
You may be wondering, “What is pathological demand avoidance (PDA)?” When your child refuses to listen, it may not be defiance but rather a dysregulated nervous system. In this most-downloaded episode of 2025, hear from Connected Families Content Manager, Laura Way, and Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and homeschooling mom, Lydia Rex, as they unpack PDA. Learn how to partner with your child through these challenging moments, using a graceful approach and practical tools from the Connected Families Framework.
Key Takeaways:
- How the Connected Families Framework applies to parenting a sensitive or intense child
- Simple things you can do now to support your child
- Discover ways to shift your perspective and view your experience as a gift
Mentioned in this Podcast:
- Connected Families Sensitive & Intense online course
- Connected Families Power of Questions online course
- Hebrews 4:15
Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!
This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!
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Guest Bio:
Lydia Rex is a registered nurse turned Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) practitioner and parent coach to families with young kids, especially those who have sensory needs or developmental trauma. No stranger to the challenges of parenting, Lydia offers empathy, encouragement, and a deep commitment to walking alongside parents through the Connected Families Framework. It’s her joy to see God’s grace healing the hearts of parents and children. Lydia, her husband Kyle, and their two kids live in Iowa, where they enjoy homeschooling, outdoor activities, and reading lots of books.
Laura Way felt like she was drowning as a young mom overseas. She thinks that God provided Connected Families for her when she needed it most. She’s thrilled to be on the team, offering hope & help to others! Laura and her husband live in Florida with their two elementary-aged daughters. In her free time, Laura loves to read in her hammock or have coffee with friends.
© 2025 Connected Families
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