logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
22m 3s

Can We Raise Good Kids Without Punishing...

DR. BECKY KENNEDY
About this episode

If you've lost your cool with your kids and fallen into yelling, threats, timeouts, or other punishments, you’re not alone. This week, Dr. Becky explores the complex topic of punishment in parenting, and addresses the skepticism surrounding the idea of raising well-behaved children without resorting to taking their dessert or iPad away.

Get the Good Inside App by Dr. Becky: https://bit.ly/3XcKIus
Follow Dr. Becky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbeckyatgoodinside
Sign up for our weekly email, Good Insider: https://www.goodinside.com/newsletter
Order Dr. Becky's book, Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be, at goodinside.com/book or wherever you order your books.
For a full transcript of the episode, go to goodinside.com/podcast
To listen to Dr. Becky's TED Talk on repair visit https://www.ted.com/talks/becky_kennedy_the_single_most_important_parenting_strategy

Today’s episode is brought to you by Airbnb: 
Let's be honest: parenting is expensive, especially around the holidays. And Dr. Becky hears all the time from parents that there are so many things they want to do that just don't fit into their budget, and it can feel kind of powerless. And then, once the holidays are over, they still end up having spent more than they usually do and feel stressed and behind. So now that the holidays are behind us, she wants to share an idea for a way to make some extra income in 2025…Hosting on Airbnb. Being an Airbnb host means that you are providing another family with an amazing experience— because I know you've created your home with a family in mind—and it's a great way to earn some extra money for all the different things you want to do this year. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb dot com slash host.

Today’s episode is brought to you by AG1: 
As parents, we all wonder: “How can I take care of myself while also caring for my kid?” It’s so easy to lose ourselves—and then we get resentful and reactive. AG1 is a daily supplement powder with minerals, probiotics, antioxidants—all that good stuff that supports your overall health and well-being. For Dr. Becky, a Good inside mom working on being a sturdy leader, AG1 is something else as well; it’s how she ensures she starts her day by remembering herself. To learn more, go to drinkAG1.com/drbecky to check it out. For Good Inside listeners, we added in—with no extra charge—a bottle of Vitamin D3K2 and 5 free AG1 travel packs with your first purchase.

Learn more about the upcoming Effective Alternatives to Punishments workshop: https://bit.ly/4g2tKGD

Up next
Yesterday
Why Mess Feels So Triggering
Why does a messy house feel so overwhelming? In this episode, Dr. Becky unpacks the deeper emotional roots behind why physical clutter—like the laundry pile or the half-unpacked suitcase—can feel like a personal failure instead of just “stuff.” She explores how mess stirs feeling ... Show More
26m 33s
Jul 1
The New Puberty with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler
Puberty is starting earlier—and for many parents, it’s arriving before they or their kids feel ready. In this episode, Dr. Becky sits down with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, author of The Crucial Years: Early Interventions in Education and Childcare, to unpack why puberty today looks so di ... Show More
36m 50s
Jun 24
More Happier with Gretchen Rubin and Samantha Bee
In this special episode, we’re sharing a recent conversation from More Happier with Gretchen Rubin, where Dr. Becky joined Gretchen Rubin and comedian Samantha Bee for a heartfelt Parenting Roundtable.Together, they explore the most helpful lessons they’ve learned as parents, the ... Show More
40m 28s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
Conscious Parenting with Dr. Shefali
This episode was truly a pinch-me moment as I had the incredible opportunity to interview Dr. Shefali. Dr. Shefali is an international speaker, clinical psychologist, and author of seven books. She is the mind behind her two landmark books The Conscious Parent and The Awakened Fa ... Show More
37m 41s
Sep 2024
The #1 Parenting Strategy with Dr. Becky Kennedy
In this episode, Dr. Becky Kennedy shares how we can connect better with our kids. Discover: 1. How to embody your authority while also validating your kid’s experience.2. The #1 strategy for building resilience.3. Why consequences and punishments backfire and don’t work.4. How t ... Show More
1 h
Aug 2024
Is Holding Your Child Accountable Truly Necessary?
Imagine this: Your child has just knocked over their sibling's Lego creation, and you’re torn between wanting to gently correct their behavior and wondering if there’s a better way. Is it really about making them say, "I'm sorry," or is there a deeper lesson to be learned ... Show More
20m 46s
Aug 2024
Does my Child have ADHD? When & Why to Intervene
This week, Dr. Dave Anderson- the lead psychologist at the Child Mind Institute and expert on ADHD sits down with us to help parents understand ADHD. We dive into key strategies for supporting children with ADHD, such as nurturing their strengths, managing parental expectations, ... Show More
45m 30s
May 2024
213: How to stop using power over your child (and still get things done)
Ditch Punishments and Rewards for Respectful ParentingDo you hate punishing (with Time Outs, withdrawing privileges, or even yelling at) your child?  Do you feel guilty after you punish them, wishing there was a way to just get them to listen?   And do bribes ("If you brush your ... Show More
1h 2m
Sep 2024
Punishments Won’t Help Your Kid Prepare for the “Real World”
Today, I tackle one of the most common concerns I hear from parents: Am I doing my kids a disservice by not using punishments and consequences? Many argue that without experiencing the "real world" of control and manipulation, children won’t be able to cope when they face it as a ... Show More
14m 14s
Apr 2024
How To Stop Losing It On Your Kids
Join Dr. Cathryn as she shares three science-backed tips to help parents maintain their composure with their children. Discover the importance of identifying your triggers, recognizing early stress signs, and implementing a power pause. Dr. Cathryn also highlights the crucial rol ... Show More
11m 55s
May 22
The #1 Thing Kids Need From You (Especially When They Mess Up)
Do you want your child to always feel safe enough to come to you, no matter what mistakes they've made? Are you sometimes unsure how to react when your child disappoints you, without resorting to punishment or judgment?Today, we're diving deep into the power of being your child's ... Show More
8m 59s
Nov 2024
3 Tips for Raising Strong-Willed Kids
In today's solo minisode I’m talking all about strong-willed kids. I’ve been talking a lot about this in my emails and on my social media lately because I know it’s a topic that many parents struggle with. Strong-willed kids are the ones that I like to call fair fighters - they’r ... Show More
19m 52s
Oct 2024
How To Raise An Awesome Kid
In this episode, Dr. Cathryn discusses how to avoid raising an entitled child and instead foster resilience. She begins by explaining the characteristics of entitled behavior in children while clarifying that normal toddler self-centeredness is different from entitlement. Dr. Cat ... Show More
15m 16s