Have you ever had a small, uncomfortable feeling that something isn’t quite right for your child – and then immediately talked yourself out of it?

In this episode, I talk about that quiet gut feeling many parents have and why it matters. The one that whispers “something’s off” even when others say, “They’ll grow out of it” or *“You’re overthinking it.”

Drawing on my work as a psychologist, I unpack why parental intuition is information, not overreaction. We explore why it’s so easy to dismiss our concerns, how this can delay support, and why listening earlier can actually reduce stress for both you and your child.

This episode is especially helpful if you’re wondering:

• Whether your child’s struggles are “normal” or need support

• If you’re overreacting or actually picking up on something important

• When the right time is to ask for help

• Why that uneasy feeling keeps coming back

You’ll also be guided through gentle reflection questions to help you tune into what your gut may be trying to tell you – about your child and about what you need as a parent.

If you’ve been thinking, “Do I need help?”, that question alone might already be your answer.

🎧 Listen now and give yourself permission to trust what you already know.
If this episode stirs something for you, explore support early. Small, gentle steps can make a big difference.

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Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
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When your child seems to be “acting out just for attention,” it can feel frustrating, personal, and endless. In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, I’m joined by US psychologist Dr Larry Waldman to unpack what’s really going on underneath “attention-seeking” behaviour – and how parents can respond in a calmer, more effective way.

Drawing on decades of work with children, teens, and families, Dr Waldman explains the behavioural approach to parenting in simple, practical terms. We talk about why kids quickly learn that certain behaviours get a big reaction, how a negative attention cycle develops at home, and why parental time and attention are the most powerful “currency” children have.

Instead of focusing on punishment or “making kids learn a lesson,” we explore how to:

• Use your attention as a positive reward for the behaviour you want to see

• Break the pattern where kids only get noticed when things go wrong

• “Catch them while they’re good” and build more cooperation over time

• Balance ignoring minor misbehaviour with noticing and praising positive choices

• Apply these ideas not just with kids, but also at work and in relationships

If you’ve ever heard yourself say, “They’re doing it just for attention,” this episode will help you see that attention differently – and use it in a way that strengthens behaviour and your relationship with your child.

Follow me on:

Instagram:@leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
Visit my website: learn.leannetran.com.au

What does it really take for a girl to grow up liking herself in a world that constantly tells her she’s not enough?

In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, I sit down with bestselling author and researcher Kasey Edwards to unpack the key ideas behind her book Raising Girls Who Like Themselves. Kasey and her husband, Dr Christopher Scanlon, spent 10 years investigating what helps girls develop genuine confidence, strong self-worth, and a clear sense of who they are.

Together, we explore the seven foundations that help girls feel strong and secure:

• Body ownership & body safety

How everyday rules about clothing, affection, and appearance shape a girl’s belief about who her body belongs to, and how body autonomy protects her throughout her life.

• Confidence built on mastery

Why stepping back, letting kids try hard things, and allowing them to fail is essential for resilience and true self-esteem.

• Moving beyond beauty-focused praise

Girls hear more appearance-based comments than anything else. Kasey explains the hidden harm behind this, and what to focus on instead to build inner strength.

• The “power perspective”

A simple shift that teaches girls to value their own opinions over external approval, including Kasey’s brilliant “flipping praise” strategy.

• Teaching girls to ask, not hint

How socialisation teaches girls to wish, hint, and wait, and how to help them ask directly for what they want.

• Independence, responsibility & speaking for themselves

The small daily interactions that shape a girl’s confidence at school, socially, and with adults.

• Raising a girl who is truly herself

Kasey shares the idea of “seed parenting vs stone parenting,” and how nurturing who our kids naturally are helps them thrive.

This is a warm, honest, and deeply practical conversation for any parent raising daughters in today’s world.

If you’re raising a girl, or you simply want to better understand how to support the girls in your life, this episode is a must-listen.

If you’re looking for practical tools to feel calmer and more confident in your parenting, explore my parent programs here:

👉 Parent Courses Available Now, start anytime, no waitlist
(Link Here)

Follow me on:

Instagram:@leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
Visit my website: learn.leannetran.com.au