214. Does Permissive Parenting Help or Hurt? Discover How to Know and Grow
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In this episode, we're getting real about something that so many blended family parents struggle with: permissive parenting driven by guilt, fear, or insecurity.
Kim opens up about her personal journey as a single mom, how her guilt and fear led her to parent from a place of pity, and how that impacted her daughter, Annika.
We’re also diving into the difference between pity and empathy and how embracing authoritative parenting—rooted in love and limits—can shift everything for your family.
Whether you're a parent stuck in emotional reactivity or a stepparent struggling to support your spouse, this episode is packed with encouragement, practical insight, and next steps to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
You'll Discover:
The surprising ways guilt, fear, and insecurity can lead to permissive parenting and the negative impact on kids
How pity and empathy differ and why it matters for your child’s development
What authoritative parenting looks like and why it's the most healthy and effective style
Real-life examples of how blended family dynamics impact parenting decisions and often create stress
How to begin shifting your mindset and reclaiming your parental authority so that you can be the kind of leader your kids really need
Resources from this Episode:
CLICK HERE to continue learning and growing in your parenting journey
Episode 99. 3 Tips to Help You Move Beyond Painful Guilt and Regret
Episode 179. Conquer Fear and Embrace Your Blend with Confidence and Clarity
Episode 180. Break Free from Guilt and Blend with Authenticity and Security
Episode 209. Breaking Free from Self-Doubt: 5 Habits to Build Confidence and Trust in Yourself
Episode 189. Bring Hope to the Realities of Grief: A Path to Understanding and Healing [with Krista St-Germain]
Building Love Together in Blended Families by Ron Deal & Gary Chapman
Ready for personalized support? Schedule your free coaching call
We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession
Feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start?
With so many episodes available here on the show, it might feel a bit overwhelming to find the topics that matter most to you. That's why we've created the Blended Family Breakthrough Quiz, which will direct you to the most impactful episodes that pertain to you personally.
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