Ep 152: From Timeouts to Teaching Skills: What Works for Kids

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What if your teen can name every mental health term on TikTok but still freezes when big feelings hit? We dig into that gap between awareness and coping, sharing how parents can move from fear or frustration to calm, right‑sized responses that keep communication open. You’ll hear practical language for starting hard conversations about anxiety, depression, and suicide without causing panic, plus a simple framework for spotting when your reaction comes from your child’s behavior versus your own history or comparison.

We also shift to the preschool years to rethink timeouts. Yes, they can stop behavior in the moment, but interruption isn’t education. We break down how regulation comes first—ours and theirs—and why teaching works best after the storm has passed. Expect concrete alternatives you can try today: time‑in for co‑regulation, choices with limits that preserve safety and autonomy, and do‑overs that build replacement skills like asking, pausing, and repairing. These tools help little kids feel seen and capable while reducing the daily tug‑of‑war.

Along the way, we preview new episodes featuring conversations on chronic illness, the concept of overfunctioning, and the shifts reshaping the therapy field. If you want the full workshop audio, email Beth@ MakeWordsMatterforgood.com with “audio for teen session number one,” and check the site’s upcoming events for the next free sessions on screens, motivation, school, and big feelings. If this conversation helps, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs support today, and leave a quick review to help others find us.

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