Fearne Cotton meets child psychotherapist Philippa Perry to discuss the latest thinking and advice on how to talk to children and help them find their own happy places. Topics include understanding the parent-child relationship, breaking patterns, experiencing pain for personal growth, flexibility and problem-solving, and parenting challenges such as phones and eye contact.
Building a strong parent-child relationship involves self-awareness, examining our own assumptions, and understanding the impact of our upbringing.
Setting boundaries in parenting requires effective communication, problem-solving skills, and collaboration with children.
Deep dives
The Importance of Building a Relationship with Your Child
The podcast episode emphasizes that raising a child is not about getting it right or ruining them, but about building a relationship with them. It encourages parents to look at the child's behavior as a reflection of the relationship and to examine their own assumptions and upbringing. The episode highlights the importance of self-awareness and provides tools for understanding what we bring to the parent-child relationship.
Breaking Negative Patterns and Developing Emotional Awareness
The podcast discusses the role of patterns in parenting and how we can break negative ones. It emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and finding the root of our habitual responses. The episode suggests that understanding our own emotions and tracing them back to previous experiences can help us develop emotional awareness and make positive changes. It also highlights the significance of empathy and validating children's feelings to create moments of connection and foster healthy emotional development.
Setting Boundaries and Developing Problem-Solving Skills
The podcast explores the importance of setting boundaries in parenting. It suggests that parents should define themselves rather than the child in order to communicate boundaries effectively. The episode emphasizes the need for flexibility, problem-solving skills, and tolerance for frustration. It encourages collaboration with children and finding solutions together, teaching them skills that go beyond just following rules. The episode emphasizes that parenting is a long-term relationship and that it is never too late to establish open communication and work together with children.
The Role of Validation, Acceptance, and Authenticity
The podcast highlights the significance of validation and acceptance in parenting. It emphasizes the power of acknowledging and validating children's feelings, even if we may not agree with them. The episode encourages honest and authentic communication, allowing children to express themselves and providing them with empathy and understanding. It emphasizes that parents should share their own experiences and limitations, creating an environment that fosters emotional growth and mutual respect. The episode suggests that this approach is not only applicable to parenting, but also important in all relationships and interactions with others.
How should we talk to children, so that they can find their own happy places? Fearne meets child psychotherapist Philippa Perry to discover the latest thinking and advice we can take to help the next generation be their best selves.
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