The One Inside: An Internal Family Systems (IFS) podcast

Which Part Is Parenting with Susan Stiffelman

Apr 24, 2025
Susan Stiffelman, a licensed marriage and family therapist and parenting coach, shares her insights on the complexities of parenting. She discusses the importance of staying connected to oneself, especially when faced with a child's distress. Stiffelman emphasizes that parenting should come from a calm center rather than reactive ‘hijacked’ parts. With anecdotes from her own life, she highlights the need for self-compassion and understanding one's emotions to foster healthier family dynamics. Tune in for practical wisdom and empowering strategies!
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ANECDOTE

Susan's Shift from Teaching to Parenting

  • Susan started as a teacher noticing emotional struggles under academic issues in kids.
  • She shifted to working primarily with parents to address these deeper emotional issues.
INSIGHT

Parenting as Managing Inner Parts

  • Parenting involves managing parts: the calm Captain, the compassionate Lawyer, and the reactive Dictator.
  • Recognizing these parts helps parents understand their reactions and choose more self-led responses.
ADVICE

Show Compassion to Protector Parts

  • Parents should cultivate compassion and curiosity toward their frustrated parts.
  • Explore what those parts are protecting rather than getting angry at them.
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