In this episode of The 90-Minute School Day podcast, we sit down with Casey Ehrlich, founder of At Peace Parents, to explore the transformative power of peaceful parenting, especially for those raising PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidant) children and teens. Casey is a social scientist with a Ph.D. in political science and a parent coach who brings over 15 years of experience to her work with families. She specializes in helping parents lead their children and teens out of burnout and into a space of peace and clarity.

Join us as we delve into what it means to be an ‘At Peace Parent’ and how accommodation as a lifestyle can bring profound peace to your home. We explore how traditional schooling often fails to meet the needs of PDA children and teens and how homeschooling can offer a more flexible and accommodating approach. Casey shares her journey, insights, and practical advice for parents who are struggling to find structure and connection with their PDA children and teens.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding PDA: Learn what PDA is, how it presents behaviorally, and why traditional parenting methods often fail to serve PDA children.


• Grief in Parenting: Casey and Kelly discuss the emotional challenges of parenting, including the grief that often accompanies raising a neurodivergent child, and how to navigate these feelings.


• Peace in Parenting: Discover Casey’s definition of peace in parenting and how parents can become the catalyst for positive change in their homes.


• Radical Acceptance: Explore the concept of radical acceptance and how it can be a powerful tool for creating a peaceful environment for both parents and children.


• The Paradigm Shift: Casey introduces her 5 A framework and shares insights from her Paradigm Shift Program, designed to help parents shift their perspective and approach.


• Research and Future Directions: Learn about the latest research on PDA and what the future holds for bringing more resources to parents, clinicians, and educators.

Chapter Markers:

• 00:00:00 - Welcome


• 00:13:30 - Grief in Parenting


• 00:19:40 - Understanding PDA


• 00:30:42 - Behavioral Expressions of PDA


• 00:42:03 - Connection to School Struggles


• 00:50:12 - Defining Peace in Parenting


• 00:53:55 - The Paradigm Shift Program


• 00:54:58 – 5-A Framework


• 01:01:12 – 4-Framework and Structure for Unschooling


• 01:05:57 –  Cost-Benefit Decision Making


• 01:20:01 – Research and Future Directions

Resources Mentioned:

• Visit At Peace Parents to learn more about Casey Ehrlich’s work and access resources on PDA and peaceful parenting.


• For homeschooling support and community, explore the programs offered by The 90-Minute School Day.


• At Peace Parents™ Podcast to learn more about all things related to PDA and Casey's work with parents.


• PDA Parents Podcast is the season of episodes Casey mentioned that she recorded with her friend during the pandemic.


• 7 Steps to Help You in the New School Year is an Instagram Live Casey mentioned in the episode for parents of PDAers in the school system (Flipping Advocacy On Its Head)

Connect with Us:

• 90-Minute School Day in the Life community


• Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, to begin or deepen your deschooling, offered twice a year.  Join the waitlist here.


• One-on-one coaching


• Self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day™ method.


• Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™.


• Follow us on Instagram for updates and more insights.

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