Dr. Becky Kennedy on the Top Parenting Mistake That Undermines Children's Confidence

Today, Jay sits down with Dr. Becky Kennedy, clinical psychologist, best-selling author, and founder of Good Inside, a global parenting and mental health platform. Named the “Millennial Parent Whisperer” by Time, Dr. Becky is known for her compassionate, practical approach to raising emotionally healthy children while maintaining strong, sturdy leadership as a parent.

In this eye-opening conversation, Jay and Dr. Becky explore why modern parenting often swings between dismissing children’s emotions and letting them call the shots, sharing practical ways to find the balance in between. Dr. Becky shares why parenting is a skill you can actually learn, the surprising power of repairing after conflict, and how boundaries and validation work together to help kids feel safe, understood, and supported.

Dr. Becky shares how to shift your mindset from “my kid is giving me a hard time” to “my kid is having a hard time,” creating a more compassionate approach to conflict and connection. She explains why constantly optimizing for happiness for your kids can actually create anxiety later in life, why letting kids struggle is key to building resilience, and how to release the heavy burden of “mom guilt” by recognizing which emotions are yours to carry and which belong to your child.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

How to Repair After Rupture and Strengthen Connection
How to Set Boundaries Without Power Struggles
How to Validate Feelings Without Over-Coddling
How to Build Capable and Resilient Kids
Why Not All “Mom Guilt” is Actually Guilt
How to Balance Empathy with Leadership as a Parent

Parenting isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about showing up, repairing when things go wrong, and modeling the emotional skills you want your children to have. As Dr. Becky reminds us, the most powerful thing you can give your kids is the confidence to face life’s challenges knowing they are both safe and valid.

With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty

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What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
02:49 Should Kids Dictate Parenting Styles?
06:03 Building Tolerance As A Skill
10:43 How To Overcome Mom Guilt
18:27 Becoming a Mom Shouldn't Be Endured Alone
21:50 What is the Best Parenting Strategy?
29:30 The First Step Of Repair
34:18 How to Reconcile with Your Kid
36:54 How to Reconcile with Your Kid
39:17 Your Kid is Just Having a Hard Time
42:04 The Myth Of Always Being Available
44:30 How Do You Set a True Boundary?
48:36 The Communication Skills Every Parent Needs
52:34 What is Your Job As A Parent?
56:48 Your Kid’s Feelings Are Valid
59:12 How Boundaries & Validation Make for Resilient Adults
01:00:40 Should you be Optimizing for Happiness In Childhood?
01:09:45 The Power of Patience & Time
01:12:56 Teaching Kids How To Build Tolerance
01:19:44 Fostering Independence
01:24:36 Teaching Children Self-Reliance
01:30:33 The Value Of Discipline
01:37:56 The Pressure Parents Experience
01:41:52 Independence Vs Dependence
01:50:46 The Fear Of Patterns Repeating

Episode Resources:
https://www.goodinside.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drbeckyatgoodinside/
https://www.facebook.com/drbeckyatgoodinside
https://www.youtube.com/@goodinside
https://www.linkedin.com/company/goodinside/
https://x.com/goodinside
https://x.com/goodinside

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