Are you caught in a cycle of parental guilt, frustration, and overwhelm? In this important conversation, Dr. Jennifer Reid interviews clinical psychologist Dr. Alissa Jerud about her groundbreaking book Emotion Savvy Parenting. If you've ever found yourself yelling when you promised you wouldn't, or felt exhausted from constantly entertaining your children, this episode offers genuine relief.
Dr. Jerud shares science-backed strategies for navigating the intense emotions of parenthood without letting them control your actions. Rather than offering unrealistic "perfect parent" advice, she provides practical tools that acknowledge the messy reality of raising children while honoring your own emotional needs. This conversation is essential listening for any parent who wants to break free from emotional reactivity and build more connected relationships with their children.
Key Points
What is Emotion-Savvy Parenting?
Learning to feel strong emotions without letting them dictate your actions
Navigating the "roller coaster" of parenting emotions effectively
Practical Strategies
Stop Entertaining
Parents don't need to provide constant entertainment
Allow children to develop independent play skills
Benefits both parents (saves energy) and children (builds independence)
The CARE Skills for Emotional Regulation
Cool with ice - Use cold to rapidly reduce heart rate
Activate your body - Brief exercise to discharge energy
Relax your muscles - Tense then release for effective relaxation
Exhale slowly - Focus on long exhales rather than deep breaths
Mindful Presence
Be fully present during calm moments with children
Simply observe children without judgment or intervention
Use routine moments (bath time, bedtime, car rides) for connection
Expert Insights
Exposure therapy breaks the habit of anxiety avoidance
DBT skills help with mindfulness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance
Control attempts typically backfire; acceptance is more effective
Quote to Remember
"Emotion savvy doesn't mean not ever feeling strong, unwanted emotions... But I want to help parents learn they can feel those feelings and not need to let those feelings dictate what they do or don't do."
About Dr. Alissa Jerud
Dr. Alissa Jerud, PhD is a mother of two, a licensed clinical psychologist, a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and the author of the forthcoming book, Emotion-Savvy Parenting, a compassionate, science-informed guide for relating more skillfully to painful, unwanted emotions.
In her private practice, Dr. Jerud specializes in highly effective, exposure-based treatments for anxiety-related disorders, as well as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills. She also trains other clinicians in exposure-based treatments and gives workshops on anxiety, stress, mental health, parenting, and social support to companies large and small.
Dr. Reid on Instagram: @jenreidmd and LinkedIn
Also check out Dr. Reid's regular contributions to Psychology Today: Think Like a Shrink.
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