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

Raising children is a unique journey for every family, but when siblings have different neurotypes, the path can feel particularly complex. This insightful episode dives deep into the realities of nurturing neurodivergent children within the same household. Learn practical, actionable strategies to bridge communication gaps, understand and accommodate diverse sensory needs, and navigate the varied ways anxiety can manifest. Discover how to cultivate an environment of open communication, create a truly supportive home sanctuary, and recognize the vital importance of individual decompression time. For parents seeking to move beyond daily challenges and foster profound connection and growth with each of their neurodivergent children, this episode offers essential guidance and heartfelt understanding.

Key Takeaways:

• Reframing Neurodiversity: Understand the fundamental concept of neurodiversity as natural human variation, shifting the focus from "problems" to unique strengths and needs.
• Beyond "Fair": Individualized Approaches: Explore why treating all children the same isn't always equitable and learn how to implement truly individualized strategies that honor each child's unique profile.
• Bridging the Divide: Gain practical techniques for effectively addressing communication breakdowns and navigating the often-significant differences in sensory processing.
• Understanding Anxiety's Many Faces: Learn to recognize and respond to the diverse ways anxiety can present itself in neurodivergent children, moving beyond traditional presentations.
• Building a Supportive Ecosystem: Discover concrete tips for fostering open dialogue, creating a home environment optimized for diverse needs, and establishing predictable and supportive routines.

Audio Program:

https://www.huddlewisdom.com/empathicdiscipline

In this episode of The Huddle Wisdom Podcast, Dr. Davin Tan explores the neuroscience behind teenage meltdowns, their common triggers, and provides evidence-based strategies for parents and caregivers. Learn practical insights into the adolescent brain's development, effective mindfulness techniques, and empathic communication methods to navigate the challenges of raising teenagers.

• The Neuroscience of the Teenage Brain: Understanding the ongoing development of the prefrontal cortex and its impact on teenage behavior.
• Common Emotional Triggers: Identifying factors that lead to emotional dysregulation in adolescents, such as academic pressure, social dynamics, and sleep deprivation.
• Mindfulness as a Neurological Tool: Using mindfulness exercises to strengthen neural connections in the prefrontal cortex and improve self-regulation.
• The Neuroscience of Empathy: How empathy and active listening facilitate co-regulation and create safe spaces for self-expression.
• The SAVE Protocol: A structured approach to empathic response: See, Attune, Validate, Empathise.

AUDIO COURSE: Empathic Discipline for Anxious KIds - CLICK HERE

Discover how Stoicism, an ancient philosophy, can empower parents raising anxious children. Dr. Davin Tan unpacks stoic principles and offers practical tools to build emotional resilience—for both kids and parents. From relatable metaphors to stress-busting strategies, this episode provides actionable insights to navigate the challenges of parenting with calm and wisdom. Plus, learn about Dr. Tan's audio course, Making Sense of Anxious Kids (www.huddlewisdom.com/makingsenseofanxiouskids for deeper learning. Tune in and transform your parenting journey!

Childhood friendships aren't always sunshine and rainbows. We're uncovering the hidden manipulation and emotional turmoil kids face in their social circles. Learn about concepts to help your child build resilience and identify genuine connections, before their self-esteem takes a hit.

Sign up to FREE email series : Confusion to Connection (for folk wanting to really help their anxious children)

www.huddlewisdom.com/14days

Is your child struggling with symptoms that might be ADHD, anxiety, or perhaps both? It can be difficult to tell the difference, as these two conditions often share similar characteristics.

This episode clarifies the complex relationship between ADHD and anxiety, providing practical tools to help you understand your child's experience.

Discover how to distinguish between ADHD and anxiety, understand the phenomenon of masking, and learn actionable steps you can implement today.

For further support, sign up for our FREE email series, "From Confusion to Confidence," and discover how you can best help anxious children: www.huddlewisdom.com/14days