In this episode, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison delve deep into the intricate world of parental perception and its impact on our roles as caregivers. They shine a light on the common tendency to jump to conclusions about our teens' intentions, whether positive or negative, and how this perception can sometimes lead us astray. It becomes evident that our perception can be a confining prison if left unchecked. To break free, the hosts stress the importance of challenging our mindset from a fixed to a growth perspective. They emphasize the value of validating and verifying our perception through third-party perspectives, including those of fellow parents, therapists, and our own children. Join Sarah and Quinn as they navigate the complex terrain of perception versus reality, offering insights and strategies to foster a healthier and more connected parent-child dynamic.

This Week’s Practice: Checking Your Perception

For week's practice, Sarah and Quinn invite you to embark on a journey of self-awareness and mindfulness. The central theme revolves around the importance of evaluating our perceptions with a critical eye. Question whether your initial judgments and assumptions about your teens' actions could potentially be different when viewed from a different perspective. It's an exercise in considering the evidence and staying open to alternative viewpoints. Moreover, they stress the significance of being conscious of our reactions to these perceptions, as our responses can significantly impact the parent-child relationship. By cultivating a habit of checking and questioning our perceptions, we can foster a more empathetic and understanding connection with our teens.

Books Mentioned in this Episode: 

• And Then They Stopped Talking to Me: Making Sense of Middle School by Judith Warner

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