Episode 86

Talking to Your Kids: The Communication Skills That Raise Confident Adults

Actually Talking Series

Summer is almost here, and so are two and a half months of conversations that are a little less "screaming with joy off the school bus" and a little more navigating. In this first episode of the Actually Talking series, Dr. Alise gets into the communication skills that don't just get you through to bedtime, they build the relationship you actually want with your kids.

In this episode:

• Why a peaceful household and a connected household aren't the same thing, and which one to aim for

• Authoritative vs. authoritarian parenting: what the research actually says, and the counterintuitive finding about peer pressure

• The "agenda check": a simple in-the-moment tool for defusing tension without losing your authority

• What attunement means in practice, and why it matters more than much of the parenting advice you've heard

• Child-centered time: the research-backed practice that changes how kids communicate with you

• Why the car is one of the best venues for hard conversations with teenagers (and what to do about the earbuds)

• The through-line: relationship time doesn't protect itself

Whether your kids are in preschool or high school, this episode is about communicating in a way that says you matter to me, and I'm paying attention.

Next week: Talking to your partner — the relationship that, for a lot of us, gets the leftovers.

The examples and stories shared on this podcast are drawn from clinical and coaching experience. All identifying details have been changed or composited to protect client confidentiality. Any resemblance to a specific individual is coincidental. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute psychological advice, therapy, or a therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please consult a licensed mental health professional.