Not Using Your Kids as Counselors

Today’s episode is about NOT using your child as your counselor. This topic has come up frequently with friends and family, so we’re excited to share some bits of advice. It’s easy to forget that your child cannot process or relate to the things you’re going through, and it puts them in a tough position to even try. 

Your children aren’t your counselor or your friend, listeners. They’re not equipped to be on the receiving end of your vent and they don’t want to be in the middle. Sharing your problems or venting about their other parent isn’t helping anything, in fact, it’s damaging their relationship with you and others they love.

Today, Mike and I will talk about a teenager who was in the middle of something devastating between her parents – and she knew because her mother was narrating every painful detail. Listen in to hear the lasting impact that venting too many details has on children and what every parent can do to avoid using their child to justify their feelings. 

04:30 – 06:30 - Introducing today’s topic: Using your child as a counselor

06:30 – 08:00 - Your child is not your friend; they need your stability

08:00 – 13:00 - An example of a child being given too many details

13:00 – 15:30 - The long-term impact of putting your child in the middle

15:30 – 17:30 - Some tips for parents

17:30 – 21:00 - Protecting your child’s experience and setting your ego aside

21:00 – 25:00 – Final thoughts: Your child isn’t there to justify your feelings