340. Collaboration over control: Using Collaborative Problem Solving to navigate power struggles, tantrums, and challenging behaviors with Dr. Stuart Ablon
Description
Joining me is Dr. Stuart Ablon, a psychologist, Harvard Medical School professor, founder and director of Think:Kids at Massachusetts General Hospital, and author of several books, including Changeable: How Collaborative Problem Solving Changes Lives at Home, at School, and at Work.
Together we explore:
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Why kids’ struggles are more about lagging skills than lack of motivation.
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The importance of empathy, co-regulation, and relationship-building in reducing conflict.
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The 3 “plans” parents can choose from when kids aren’t meeting expectations—and how to use them effectively.
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How Collaborative Problem Solving offers a structured yet compassionate alternative to “tough love” or “gentle parenting.”
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Practical ways to use this approach proactively and in the heat of the moment.
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How practicing this method not only improves behavior, but also fosters resilience, flexibility, and stronger parent–child bonds.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or clinician, this conversation offers practical tools and a fresh perspective to help you support kids with understanding, structure, and collaboration
LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:
🔗 https://www.stuartablon.com/
📚 Changeable: How Collaborative Problem Solving Changes Lives at Home, at School, and at Work
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:
👉 Dr. Ablon has generously shared an amazing parenting resource with us. Visit https://thinkkids.org/Self-Paced-Courses/Parent-Caregiver-Course/ and use Code: SecurelyAttached to get access to this course for ✨FREE✨ Available in both English and Spanish.
💥 Tired of constant battles with your child? Watch my ✨FREE✨ workshop, Overcoming Power Struggles, where I’ll teach you the exact strategies I use in my clinical practice to help parents break free from the cycle of yelling, threats, and negotiations—and instead foster cooperation, connection, and calm. Just visit drsarahbren.com/powerstruggles to get instant access to this workshop.
CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:
🎧24. The psychology behind dysregulation with founder of Parenting Translator Cara Goodwin
🎧06. Teaching children emotion regulation skills through coregulation with Dana Rosenbloom
United States
