The Science Behind Why Your Nervous System Is Destroying Your Kids (Without Knowing It)

The Science Behind Why Your Nervous System Is Destroying Your Kids (Without Knowing It)

From I Wish You Knew by Adam Lane Smith & Andrey Korikov

March 18, 2026 · 1h 18m · Episode 123

About this episode

The episode discusses how parents' nervous systems affect their children and explores the concept of 'good enough' parenting.

Most parents aren't struggling because they don't care enough. They're struggling because they care too much and their nervous system is running on empty. In this episode, Adam sits down with Hunter Clark-Fields, mindful parenting expert and host of the Mindful Mama Podcast, to talk about what "good enough" parenting actually looks like and why perfection would be the worst thing for your kids. ➡️ Why mom guilt is a sign of love and how it quietly damages your kids➡️ What attachment research actually says about "good enough" (hint: it's shockingly low)➡️ How your nervous system sets the temperature for the whole house➡️ The real difference between teenage rebellion and healthy differentiation➡️ Why "do as I say, not as I do" is a relationship-ender with your teenager➡️ The 3-part communication tool from Plum Village that opens even the hardest conversations➡️ Why self-care isn't selfish it's literally child care➡️ How to ask your co-parent for help when no one taught you how 📚 WORK WITH ME 🫂 RELATIONSHIP MASTERY INTENSIVE April 23–27, 2026 | San Diego, California 3 days of real skill-building with people who understand exactly what you're going through. Apply here…

People in this episode

Hosts: Adam Lane Smith, Andrey Korikov

Guest: Hunter Clark-Fields

Topics covered

  • parenting
  • nervous system
  • attachment research
  • communication
  • self-care
  • teenage rebellion

Keywords

  • nervous system
  • parenting
  • mom guilt
  • attachment research
  • communication tool
  • self-care
  • teenage rebellion

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mindful Mama Podcast

More episodes of I Wish You Knew

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the I Wish You Knew podcast page.