EPS 368: Growing through what we’re going through with Chris Willard

My guest today is Dr. Chris Willard.  

Dr. Willard explains how trying to teach mindfulness to teens ended up being a learning opportunity for himself and why he wrote his new book, “How we Grow Through What We Go Through.” He explains the three types of trauma, then Casey & Chris connect on how much self-work needs to be done to parent teens. Casey asks what the first steps are for moving through triggers, and Dr. Willard shares how children & teens can be the catalyst for us to do that work. They dig into why we don’t punish adolescents and what tools to use when things do go sideways with your teen like pausing, responding vs. reacting, mindfulness, anticipating, co-regulating, building trust, & asking “what are both learning?” Dr. Willard and Casey wrap-up today by sharing some specific breathing strategies for all ages.

Key takeaways from the show

• Post-traumatic growth 
• The three types of trauma  
• Doing the self-work to parent our teens
• First steps for moving through triggers 
• The benefits of making amends & repair with children 
• Why we don’t punish adolescents
• “Draw out their best, don’t punish out their worst” 
• Tools for a dysregulated parent to stay connected & supportive 
• Asking “what are both learning?” 
• Starting early to build co-regulation strategies 
• Breathing strategies for all-ages

For full show notes including transcripts, visit our website here. 

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