#22 Natural Consequences: Helping Kids Learn from Experience
Update: 2025-11-05
Description
It’s natural to want to protect our kids from mistakes and discomfort, but those moments are often the best teachers. In this episode of What I Want My Kids to Know, Mykayla shares how letting kids experience natural consequences can build real-life skills like responsibility, problem-solving, and self-control.
You’ll learn how to step back with empathy, support reflection without rescuing, and help your kids develop the executive functioning skills they’ll need for independence and confidence later in life.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- What natural consequences are and why they matter for your child’s emotional and cognitive development
- How the brain learns through experience, not just explanation, and why that’s essential for building executive functioning
- Real-world examples of natural consequences for kids of all ages, from forgotten homework to oversleeping for school
- Why it’s so hard to let go as a parentm and how to reframe “stepping back” as an act of trust and love
- How to support without rescuing, using calm, empathetic communication and reflection
- Conversation starters to help kids process mistakes and turn them into growth moments
Resources & Links
- Follow on Instagram: @whatiwantmykidstoknow_pod
- Visit the website: www.whatiwantmykidstoknow.com
Support the Show
If you loved this episode:
- Follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
- Share the episode with a friend or on your social media
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