Episode 18 - Why Your Child Pulls Away and How to Stay Connected

Episode 18 - Why Your Child Pulls Away and How to Stay Connected

From Raise Strong by Alex Anderson-Kahl

March 30, 2026 · 23 min · Episode 18

About this episode

This episode explores why children push their parents away and how to maintain emotional connection during these challenging moments.

If your child has ever said, “Leave me alone.” “Stop talking to me.” Or completely shut you out… …this episode is for you. Because what looks like rejection on the outside is often something very different on the inside. In Episode 18 of Raise Strong, we explore one of the most confusing and painful parenting experiences: When your child pushes you away at the exact moment they need you most. What You’ll Learn in This Episode In this episode, you’ll discover: Why avoidant behavior is often a stress response, not defiance What’s happening in your child’s brain and nervous system in these moments How attachment shifts during middle childhood and preteen years Why pushing harder often creates more distance What to say (and what not to say) when your child shuts down How to stay emotionally available without overwhelming your child The difference between giving space and creating disconnection The Core Shift When children push us away, our instinct is to move closer… louder, faster, and with more urgency. We ask more questions. We try to fix it. We take it personally. But here’s the shift: Distance is often a protective strategy, not a rejection. Your child is not saying, “I don’t…

People in this episode

Host: Alex Anderson-Kahl

Topics covered

  • parenting
  • child behavior
  • emotional connection
  • attachment theory
  • stress response

Keywords

  • avoidant behavior
  • middle childhood
  • preteen
  • emotional availability
  • parenting strategies

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