What I said to my son after he hit a kid at the playground

💌 Get TMP Times in your inbox every Monday. Start your free trial https://www.themompsychologist.com/tmptimes I'll never forget watching my toddler son slap another child at a play gym and feeling that wave of embarrassment and shame wash over me. In that moment, I asked myself one question that completely changed how I parent: What is he trying to say? In this episode, I'm making the case that your child is not defiant; they're undercoached. Once you see it that way, everything about how you show up in the hard moments changes. I'm breaking down the invisible social and emotional curriculum that nobody talks about, the exact phrases every child needs starting in toddler years, how to use play to teach these skills without a single lecture, and why the mess and chaos are actually where the most important learning happens. If you want exact scripts for the hard moments, grab my free Script Pack at the link below. It's free and I use these phrases with my own three kids. 💌 Free Parenting Script Pack: https://themompsychologist.com/script-pack Chapters 00:24 Mortifying Moment 01:21 Misperceiving Behavior 04:16 Importance of Direct Scripts 06:56 Power of Play 08:58 Repetition 12:22 Misconception That We're Failing 14:02 Reflection 14:26 Conclusion and Mantra LET'S BE FRIENDS! ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themompsychologist ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themompsychologist BUSINESS INQUIRIES ONLY ►hello@themompsychologist.com DISCLAIMER: All content I create, including this video is for educational purposes ONLY. This is not meant to diagnosis or treat any mental health conditions or substitute mental health treatment in any way. Please consult with your child's pediatrician or a local mental health provider when considering trying new interventions.