Dear Old Dads DOD242: When Kid-Friends are Fighting and Your Child Might Be the Issue
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Nov 29, 2025 The hosts dive into the complex world of parenting, sharing their own struggles with their child's social behavior. They discuss the challenges of confronting other parents and the defensiveness that surfaces when faced with potential issues. Highlighting the heartache of social rejection, they explore strategies for fostering better self-control and working with schools for support. The conversation touches on the natural ebb and flow of childhood friendships and the need for understanding and resilience as kids navigate social dynamics.
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Blunt Parental Call-Out Text
- Thomas Smith recounts receiving a blunt text from two other moms accusing his daughter Phoebe of aggressive behavior at school.
- He describes the message as immediately upsetting because it presented conclusions and solutions without first establishing context or offering support.
Open With Teamwork To Reduce Defensiveness
- Thomas emphasizes that starting a difficult conversation by assuring the other parent they're on the same team reduces defensiveness.
- He notes that upfront empathy can make unpleasant discussions feel far less fraught and more collaborative.
Home Behavior Complicated Belief
- Thomas and Lydia compared the text to their own home experience where Phoebe had been physically aggressive that night.
- They wrestled with believing the parents' report versus their child's denial while acknowledging Phoebe's pattern of controlling behavior with her brother Arlo.