Have you ever found yourself taking your child’s behavior personally, getting defensive, or reacting in a way you wish you could take back? Today, we’re talking about how the Gottman Institute’s Four Horsemen of criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling can show up in our parenting, why our kids’ emotional development means we have to take the lead when it comes to navigating conflict, and how much they learn from the way we handle hard moments. We’re not going to get it right every time, but becoming more aware of our patterns can help us model healthier communication, repair, and relationships for our kids.

Key Topics Covered

• Why criticism can feel like an attack or humiliation to a child
• How to tell the difference between taking a break and stonewalling
• Why self-regulation has to come before trying to coach your child through a conflict
• How to soften the start-up and communicate your feelings more clearly
• The importance of taking responsibility and modeling a genuine apology

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