Robot Unicorn

Robot Unicorn Trailer Bonus Episode 21 Season 1

The #1 Reason Kids (And Adults) Cling, Whine and Act Out

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In this important episode, Jess and Scott dive deep into the root cause of challenging behaviours in both children and adults: separation. Jess explains how our core need for closeness drives many of our reactions, from clingy children to angry adults.

Jess shares some eye-opening insights on:

* Why behaviours like clinging, whining, and crying happen
* Why kids are so angry all the time
* Why common parenting strategies make behaviour worse
* How separation emotions manifest as frantic pursuit, anger, and eventually apathy
* Why "attention-seeking" behaviours are actually attempts to reconnect
* The importance of allowing children (and ourselves) to feel sadness and shed tears
* Real-life examples of helping children through separation struggles

Listeners will gain a new perspective on behaviours they may have labelled as "defiance" or "acting out" and learn practical strategies for rebuilding closeness and connection.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First [https://nurturedfirst.com/courses/] using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Do you have a question you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email to podcast@robotunicorn.net and let us know. We'd love to hear from you!

Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here [https://nurturedfirst.com/courses/solving-bedtime-battles/].

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin [https://thepodcabin.com/]

Artwork by Wallflower Studio [https://www.wallflowerstudio.co/]

Production by Nurtured First [https://nurturedfirst.com/]

Show Notes

In this important episode, Jess and Scott dive deep into the root cause of challenging behaviours in both children and adults: separation. Jess explains how our core need for closeness drives many of our reactions, from clingy children to angry adults.

Jess shares some eye-opening insights on:

  • Why behaviours like clinging, whining, and crying happen
  • Why kids are so angry all the time
  • Why common parenting strategies make behaviour worse
  • How separation emotions manifest as frantic pursuit, anger, and eventually apathy
  • Why "attention-seeking" behaviours are actually attempts to reconnect
  • The importance of allowing children (and ourselves) to feel sadness and shed tears
  • Real-life examples of helping children through separation struggles

Listeners will gain a new perspective on behaviours they may have labelled as "defiance" or "acting out" and learn practical strategies for rebuilding closeness and connection.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Do you have a question you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email to podcast@robotunicorn.net and let us know. We’d love to hear from you!

Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First


Learn more about Parenting Little Kids and get 15% off this week.

What is Robot Unicorn?

Join me, Jess VanderWier, a registered psychotherapist, mom of three, and founder of Nurtured First, along with my husband Scott, as we dive deep into the stories of our friends, favourite celebrities, and influential figures.

In each episode, we skip the small talk and dive into vulnerable and honest conversations about topics like cycle breaking, trauma, race, mental health, parenting, sex, religion, postpartum, healing, and loss.

We are glad you are here.

PS: The name Robot Unicorn comes from our daughter. When we asked her what we should name the podcast, she confidently came up with this name because she loves robots, and she loves unicorns, so why not? There was something about the playfulness of the name, the confidence in her voice, and the fact that it represents that you can love two things at once that just felt right.