logo
episode-header-image
Sep 9
35m 13s

Should I Praise My Kid?

DR. BECKY KENNEDY
About this episode

Praise always feels good in the moment. But does it build confidence that lasts? In today’s episode, Dr. Becky shares some surprising research on praise - and what it tells us about how to affirm our kids in more effective ways. You’ll learn exactly what to do to build your kid’s self-esteem in both high and low moments.

Get the Good Inside App by Dr. Becky: https://bit.ly/4fSxbzk

Your Good Inside membership might be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement! To learn more about how to get your membership reimbursed, check out the link here: https://www.goodinside.com/fsa-hsa-eligibility/

Follow Dr. Becky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbeckyatgoodinside

Sign up for our weekly email, Good Insider: https://www.goodinside.com/newsletter

For a full transcript of the episode, go to goodinside.com/podcast.

As soon as one of my kids sneezes, I know it’s only a matter of days before the whole house is feeling under the weather. With kids at school, they seem to bring home every sniffle and sneeze imaginable—and I’ve accepted that’s just part of parenting.

What I don’t accept anymore? The frantic 11 p.m pharmacy runs - when everyone’s already miserable and all we have is a half-used bottle of who-knows-what from who-knows-when in the pantry. Now, I make sure to stock up **ahead of time. And I always look for Mommy’s Bliss: They’ve been making safe, gentle wellness solutions, like their Organic Baby and Kids' cough syrups, for more than 25 years. That means an ingredient list you can actually understand: no high fructose corn syrup, no dyes, no artificial sweeteners, and free from the top nine allergens. Their Pain & Fever medicine is also a staple—it’s the first-ever Clean Label Project certified acetaminophen - and safe for infants.

Find Mommy’s Bliss in-store and online at major retailers. Your future self will thank you.

There’s always a moment - maybe two weeks into the school year - where I stop and think: “Wait, wasn’t summer just five minutes ago?”

Suddenly, we’re back in the rush of packing lunches, signing permission slips, and struggling to find a pair of matching socks every morning. That’s why I’ve started looking ahead to fall breaks now.

My go-to for quick getaways? Booking an Airbnb. It’s a reset that still feels like home: games and toys for the kids, a big living room for family movie nights, and even bunk beds that kids claim are “way better than our beds at home.”

Plus, do you ever think about how you can host your own home on Airbnb for another family to enjoy while you’re away? It’s a great way to earn a little extra income to put towards your own trip, school supplies, or next season’s cleats. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com/host

You know that feeling when you're in the car, on your way to drop-off, and you're just trying to get your kid to eat one bite of their breakfast? Or when you’re on the way home from school, wishing there was a volume dial to turn down the meltdown happening in the backseat?

The back-to-school season is a lot, and moments like this are tough. That’s why I'm so excited to share that I teamed up with Chomps for a "Carpool Q&A," where I answered common questions from parents, like: What do I do when my kids fight constantly in the car? How can I help ease separation anxiety at drop off? And, what's the one song that's guaranteed to brighten the mood in my car? (I shared a personal favorite, and trust me, it's a good one....)

Because let’s be honest - car chaos is real. And when you add a hungry kid to the mix? Forget it. Chomps has got you covered on the snacks: Their meat sticks are easy to stash in backpacks or glove compartments and are a good source of protein, so you’ve got one less thing to stress about mid-commute. And Good Inside has you covered on everything else.

To watch the full video, go to goodinside.com/chomps.

We’re coming up on the third anniversary of my book, Good Inside - and to celebrate, I’m doing something I’ve never done before.

If you sign up for a Good Inside Membership between September 11th and September 13th, I’ll mail you a free copy of the book as a little gift from me to you.

Think of it as a Sturdy Leader Starter Pack: the book gives you the core ideas of my approach, and the membership helps you bring those ideas to life every day. You’ll get tools specific to your kid and your family, access to parenting coaches, and even a chatbot trained on my method - so you always have somewhere to turn when questions or big feelings hit.

If you’re a parent who wants to feel more confident, less alone, and is ready to break old cycles, this is the perfect moment to dive in. Go to goodinside.com starting on September 11th through September 13th to sign up for a membership and get your free book, and look out for an email from us to confirm your shipping details. I can't wait to hear what you think!


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Up next
Oct 7
When Our Nervous Systems Hijack Our Parenting
If you’ve yelled at your kid, you’re not a bad parent. You’re a good parent with an overwhelmed nervous system. Today, Dr. Becky breaks down the science behind yelling, snapping, and shutting down. She explains why our bodies react before our brains can catch up - and how underst ... Show More
21m 18s
Sep 30
Can’t They Just Get Along?! Let’s Talk Siblings
Your kids are arguing again, and you’re exhausted: “Can’t you just get along?!” As a mom of three, Dr. Becky gets it. And in today’s episode, she shares a powerful reframe: Sibling rivalry isn’t a problem to fix - it’s an opportunity to build relationship skills for life. Here’s ... Show More
25m 23s
Sep 23
Jersey Shore’s Mike “The Situation” and Lauren Sorrentino on Sobriety and Parenthood
You might know Mike “The Situation” and Lauren Sorrentino from Jersey Shore. Today, they’re parents of three, navigating recovery and raising resilient kids. In this candid conversation with Dr. Becky, they share how sobriety shapes their parenting, how they plan to talk with the ... Show More
50m 36s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2025
What to Do When Your Kid Says “I Hate Myself” and How to Build Self-Compassion With Renowned Harvard Psychiatrist Dr. Blaise Aguirre
In today’s episode I sit down with Dr. Blaise Aguirre, renowned Harvard psychiatrist to explore the roots of self-hatred and how it differs from everyday self-criticism. We unpack how early experiences—often subtle and unintentional—can shape a child’s sense of worth, and what it ... Show More
1 h
Sep 29
How do we build resilience in our kids without being harsh or overprotective
Send us a textDo you ever hear your child say things like, “I’m such a bad kid” or “I’ll never be good at this” and your heart sinks because you don’t know what to say?You’re not alone. And this episode is about to change the way you respond.Today, I’m sitting down with award-win ... Show More
50m 41s
Feb 2024
Are You Raising A Nice Kid?
In this episode, we delve into fostering kindness within our families, prompted by a study showing kids often think their parents value success over empathy. As a pediatrician and mom, I share actionable steps for embedding kindness in our daily lives, from acknowledging the groc ... Show More
10m 31s
Apr 2025
“I’m A Bad Kid. I’m Stupid.” Kid Who Works Slowly, Daydreams, Doesn’t Participate. #473
Many of our kids begin to internalize, “I’m a bad kid, I’m slow so I’m not smart, there’s something wrong with me. I’m always in trouble, no one is ever happy with me.” That internal dialogue will sabotage your child’s success and relationships for a lifetime (many of us still st ... Show More
26m 3s
Sep 17
3 Ways to Change Your Child’s Irritating Behavior (And Yourself!) #519
Your kids are going to do things that are annoying, irritating, and sometimes just wrong. You will be justified in getting angry and correcting them. But I want you to turn what usually separates you from your child…into a bonding opportunity to draw you closer. I want you to dea ... Show More
21m 32s
Sep 2021
Help Your Kid With Middle School - Judith Warner [308]
Why do so few of us look back at our middle school years with fond memories? Has this period of adolescence always been so difficult? What can we do to help our children positively navigate this time in their lives? In this episode, Hunter talks with Judith Warner, author of And ... Show More
1h 10m
Dec 2022
067 - Raising Great Eaters Without Pressure or Guilt with Courtney Bliss, MS RDN
Real talk – I’m the parent of a picky eater, and it can be so frustrating. If any of you have faced mealtime meltdowns, picky-eating battles, non-stop snackers, or kids who refuse to touch anything green, this episode is for you!   Courtney Bliss, Pediatric Dietician and founder ... Show More
1h 6m
Sep 15
How to connect with a child that shuts you down (without losing your cool)
Send us a textThis episode will change how you see your child’s moods and how you respond to them.If you’ve ever tiptoed around your child in the morning, worried the “wrong” cereal bowl or shirt will set off a meltdown, this conversation is for you.Joining me is Dr. Alex Reed, p ... Show More
1h 8m
Sep 16
Is Daycare Really Helping Your Child? What Parents Need To Know Ep 121
Send us a textShould you homeschool through kindergarten or send your child to preschool? You’ll discover the truth about “socialization,” what’s actually happening in many early childhood programs, and how to confidently decide what’s right for your family — without guilt, press ... Show More
33m 51s