EP280 SODA: The Four Ways Parents Get Reactive (And How to Recognize Them)

Ever feel like you're spiraling? If it seems like nothing you try is working and you're somehow driving your kid further away, you're not alone—and it's not just about your kid. In this episode, Elaine and Diane dig into the parent experience—the overwhelm, frustration, guilt, and worry that show up when we're raising complex kids, and why noticing our own reactivity (hello, SODA: shut down, offense, defense, avoid) is the first step to showing up differently. If you've ever wondered why you react the way you do, this one's for you. Hit play. What to expect in this episode:Why the parent experience—not the kid's—is often the missing piecAn introduction to SODA: the four common reactive patterns (Shut down, Offense, Defense, Avoid) and how to spot yoursThe difference between being "aware," "alert," and "alarmed,” and why many parents live in alert without realizing itWhy uncertainty, even more than the actual problem, is often what makes parents feel unsafeA reminder that feeling alone in this struggle is a signal worth paying attention to, not a truth about your situation Download free guide: Top 12 Tips To Help Your Complex Kids Connect with ImpactParents: InstagramFacebookLinkedInSubstack