Parents Are Leaders: Build a Home Kids Don’t Quit From

Don’t Screw Up Your Kids isn’t about telling parents what to do — it’s about helping parents think through options.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tawana L. Wiggins, a parent, educator, and systems strategist who helps individuals, families, and organizations build environments people don’t quit from. Together, we explore what it means to lead as a parent — not just manage behavior — and how the way we respond to conflict shapes the long-term relationships we have with our children.

We talk about quiet quitting in parenting, why many parents give up emotionally even when they don’t walk away, and how rebuilding relationships requires intention, communication, and repair. Dr. Wiggins breaks down the difference between reacting and responding, why children ask “why,” and how answering that question builds problem-solving skills instead of obedience rooted in fear.

This conversation also challenges common misunderstandings about gentle parenting, explaining why empathy and firmness are not opposites — and why discipline is about teaching, not punishment. We discuss apologizing to children, repairing after hard moments, and why humility from parents builds trust rather than undermines authority.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Wiggins frames the home as an organization — one with a mission, vision, values, and a product: relationship. When parents understand their role as leaders, they can create homes their children want to return to — even when they no longer have to.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or unsure how to reconnect with your child after conflict, this episode offers language, perspective, and practical ways to think differently about parenting and leadership.