In this important episode, Jess and Scott dive deep into the root cause of challenging behaviours in both children and adults: separation. Jess explains how our core need for closeness drives many of our reactions, from clingy children to angry adults.

Jess shares some eye-opening insights on:

• Why behaviours like clinging, whining, and crying happen
• Why kids are so angry all the time
• Why common parenting strategies make behaviour worse
• How separation emotions manifest as frantic pursuit, anger, and eventually apathy
• Why "attention-seeking" behaviours are actually attempts to reconnect
• The importance of allowing children (and ourselves) to feel sadness and shed tears
• Real-life examples of helping children through separation struggles

Listeners will gain a new perspective on behaviours they may have labelled as "defiance" or "acting out" and learn practical strategies for rebuilding closeness and connection.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Do you have a question you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email to podcast@robotunicorn.net and let us know. We’d love to hear from you!

Learn more about The Body Safety Toolkit here!

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First