Creating a Balanced Parenting Approach: Structure, Empathy, and Child Development

Dave talks with Carol Kim, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in play therapy, about finding balance in parenting by discussing the four key domains of nurturing, engaging, structure, and challenge. They explore the polarizing tendencies in parenting styles, sharing their personal experiences—Carol identifies as conflict avoidant, and Dave as more rigid and structured—highlighting the impact of self-awareness on parenting. Carol discusses the importance of handling emotional regulation in both parents and children, the role of authenticity in therapeutic settings, and the significance of addressing both emotional and practical problems in parenting. With insights into different therapy models and the concept of the "window of tolerance," the conversation underscores the need for parents to model real emotions and coping strategies to build secure attachments and promote resilience in their children.