Disrespect Or Distress | CP251

Disrespect Or Distress | CP251

From Connected Parenting by Jennifer Kolari

May 1, 2026 · 14 min

About this episode

This episode explores the distinction between disrespect and distress in children's behavior and offers strategies for parents to respond with understanding and connection.

“Why is my child so disrespectful?” It’s a question many parents ask out of frustration and confusion. In this episode, we take a closer look at what’s really behind that word, because often what looks like disrespect is actually distress. When a child talks back, shuts down, or lashes out, they may not be trying to challenge authority, they may be overwhelmed and struggling to manage emotions they don’t yet have the skills for. When we see it as intentional, we tend to respond with correction or control, which can escalate things. But when we pause and recognize the distress underneath, we shift from reacting to understanding, and from correcting to connecting. This doesn’t mean removing boundaries, it means approaching behavior with awareness so children feel supported, regulate more easily, and learn more effectively. Jennifer's Takeaways: Understanding Disrespect vs. Distress in Children (00:00) The Role of Emotional Regulation and Perspective Taking (02:09) Parental Reactions to Children's Behaviors (02:58) Strategies for Managing Children's Behaviors (06:10) Building Connection and Cooperation (07:56) The Impact of Parental Behavior on Siblings (11:43) Meet Jennifer Kolari…

People in this episode

Host: Jennifer Kolari

Topics covered

  • disrespect in children
  • emotional regulation
  • parental reactions
  • behavior management
  • connection and cooperation
  • sibling dynamics

Keywords

  • disrespect
  • distress
  • emotional skills
  • parenting strategies
  • behavior management
  • connection
  • cooperation

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