In this powerful episode of the Connection Codes podcast, Tera and Phyllis sit down with trauma-informed coach Echo Hill Vetter to break open what happens when we let go of punishment and choose connection over consequence. Together, they unpack why punishing our kids “into good behavior” often fails — and how to replace control with curiosity, repair, and true partnership. Echo shares how dance and movement are medicine for kids’ big feelings and how parenting leadership really means supporting our kids from beneath, not controlling them from above. If you’ve ever wondered, “If I don’t punish, what do I do instead?” — this honest conversation shows the way forward.

Links and Resources:

Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@connectioncodes?si=phORYBsGMOOrj9mA⁠⁠⁠
Find out how to become a Certified Coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Find a coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/coaches#find-a-coach-menu⁠⁠⁠

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Welcome + Why This Conversation Matters
00:00:38 - Echo’s Raw and Real Parenting Story
00:01:10 - When Parenting Feels Like Constant Friction
00:01:24 - What It Means to Parent Through Trauma
00:03:21 - Why Culture Taught Us to Punish
00:05:04 - Dance, Movement & Emotional Survival
00:08:28 - The Truth About Traditional Parenting Struggles
00:09:22 - Choosing Connection Over Consequence
00:18:13 - Leadership Reimagined: Parenting from Beneath
00:21:40 - How Our Kids Mirror Us (Literally)
00:22:10 - What to Do When Kids “Act Out”
00:23:01 - Regulating Ourselves Before Reacting
00:23:25 - Is Talking Back Actually a Good Sign?
00:24:20 - Seeing the Need Behind the Behavior
00:27:27 - Real-Life Tools for Collaborative Parenting
00:28:57 - When Your Kid Is Wild (And Wonderful)
00:34:51 - Curiosity and Compassion: The Game Changers
00:36:13 - Echo’s Parting Encouragement to All Parents

Are We Traumatizing Our Kids to Sit Still? (173)