When Connection Feels Impossible: Parenting Through the Disconnection Feeling disconnected from your child? This Huddle Wisdom podcast episode with Dr. Davin Tan explores why kids withdraw and offers practical parenting strategies for staying grounded and fostering connection, even when it feels impossible. Learn the power of presence and how to navigate those challenging moments of silence and emotional distance.

Key Discussion Points:

• Understanding the frustration and pain of feeling disconnected from your child.
• Recognising that disconnection isn't always personal rejection but can be a sign of a child's internal struggles.
• The counterintuitive power of "being there" without demanding a response.
• Why pushing for conversation or resorting to control can backfire.
• The importance of creating a safe, non-judgmental space for children to open up when they are ready.
• The concept of "containment" – offering a steady and emotionally regulated presence.
• Acknowledging the difficulty of remaining present and patient during disconnection.
• Reframing connection as an ongoing process built through consistent, small acts of support.
• The enduring impact of a parent's unwavering love and availability, even in silence.

Resources Mentioned:

• Courses: Parenting for Anxious Children, Making Sense of Anxious Children

Actionable Advice:

• Focus on consistent presence rather than forcing interaction.
• Offer a calm and reassuring energy in shared spaces.
• Resist the urge to ask accusatory questions or demand explanations.
• Practice patience and create a safe space for future communication.
• Be a steady anchor point, allowing your child to process their emotions.
• Remember that your consistent support is making a difference, even if it's not immediately visible.

About Dr. Davin Tan:

Dr. Davin Tan is a youth forensic psychiatrist and the host of the Huddle Wisdom podcast, dedicated to providing insightful guidance and support for parents navigating the complexities of raising children and teenagers.

In this episode, Dr. Davin Tan explores a powerful shift in how we respond to anxiety in our children—not by rushing to fix, but by staying present.

When your child is overwhelmed, your calm presence—not your solutions—can be the most healing thing you offer. Through quiet reflection, grounded insight, and relatable examples, Dr. Tan helps parents understand why emotional safety matters more than strategies, and how doing less can actually help our children feel more seen, safe, and supported.

• Why “fixing” your child’s anxiety often backfires

• The deeper message we send when we try to calm emotions quickly

• What it means to stay present instead of reactive

• Practical language and mindset shifts that help anxious children feel safe

• How presence—not perfection—builds emotional resilience

• 🎧 Audio Course: Parenting for Anxious Children – Go deeper with Dr. Tan’s step-by-step guide for staying connected and calm through anxious moments.

• 🌐 Learn More: Visit www.huddlewisdom.com for more tools and support

• Website: www.huddlewisdom.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_wisdom_parenting/

• Newsletter: https://www.huddlewisdom.com/14days for insights, and resources

If this episode resonated with you, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review. It helps more parents find the support they need. And don’t forget to share this episode with someone who might need to hear: You don’t need to fix it. Just stay.

• Empathy develops gradually and unevenly throughout childhood.
• Many behaviors that seem callous are actually developmental or related to anxiety.
• Authoritative parenting (clear boundaries with high warmth) is most conducive to empathy development.
• Children learn empathy by experiencing empathy and having their emotions validated.
• Practical strategies like emotional coaching, perspective-taking, and repair after conflict can nurture empathy.
• Professional help is beneficial when behavioral concerns persist or significantly change.

RESOURCES:

www.huddlewisdom.com/courses