About this episode

In this episode, Ann Kaplan discusses the balance between understanding children's behavior and the necessity of holding boundaries without resorting to punishment.

You don't want to discipline them. Because you get it. They're tired. They're overwhelmed. They're hormonal. They're transitioning between homes. They're dysregulated. It's not their fault. And yet… you also can't live like this. This is the quiet tension so many thoughtful parents carry: If I understand why they're acting this way… do I still get to hold a boundary? In this episode, I unpack the difference between discipline and punishment — and why confusing the two keeps empathetic parents stuck. I share a personal story about being called out on something that "wasn't my fault" and what it reminded me about our kids (and ourselves). Because here's the truth: Just because a behavior is understandable doesn't mean it's excusable. And holding loving guardrails is not the same thing as being harsh. We'll talk about: Why compassion is for regulation — not for excusing behavior The common mistake emotionally attuned parents make Why removing consequences actually creates more dysregulation What authoritative discipline really looks like in real life How to hold boundaries without shame, fear, or punishment This is about becoming the steady one. The one who can say, "I understand……

People in this episode

Host: Ann Kaplan

Topics covered

• discipline
• parenting
• boundaries
• empathy
• child behavior
• emotional regulation

Keywords

• discipline

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