Your kid arguing with you can feel like disrespect, but it can also be the training ground for confidence, boundaries, and real-world self-advocacy. We sit down with Dr. Elise Murray, licensed psychologist, certified life coach, author, and podcaster, to get practical about how parents can communicate in ways that help kids speak up without turning the home into a battleground. We dig into a key distinction that changes everything: a peaceful household is not always a connected household. When “keeping the peace” becomes the top priority, kids can learn to stay quiet, hide worries, or avoid disagreement. Dr. Elise explains how respectful pushback, negotiation, and honest conversations help kids build the skills they will need with friends, teachers, and eventually bosses and partners. We also talk attunement, the mindset that your child is not you, and how curiosity about their inner world builds trust. You’ll learn concrete strategies you can use today: why car rides can unlock harder conversations, how device-free family meals create open doors, what to say when your teen drops a shocking confession, and how to support the child who never wants to talk on your timeline. We cover cooling-off breaks, the agenda check-in for tense moments, and the difference between authoritarian communication and assertive communication, so you can hold boundaries while still showing respect. If you want calmer conflict, deeper connection, and kids who know their voice matters, this one will help. Subscribe, share with a parent friend, and leave a review so more families can find these tools. Connect with Dr. Alise Murray Visit her website for a free assessment, grab her ebook "From Resentful to Respected: 6 No-Nonsense Scripts for Authentically Communicating," and check out her Pinterest. Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green. I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you. Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow. Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families. Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+. Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!
