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Parents of the Year
We were never given a manual on how to parent. It is easy to get overwhelmed to know the right thing to do. There is so much contradictory information out there and everyone has their own advice. Parenting is a rewarding but messy, confusing, infuriating, guilt-inducing, and overwhelming journey. While it's easy to get lost, Andrew Stewart, a real dad, and Dr. Caroline Buzanko, a real mom, child psychologist, and parenting expert (who also happens to be married to Andrew) will help you get back on track. In each episode, Andrew and Caroline have open and honest chats about everything parenting. Join them in honesty, laughter, and tears (Caroline is a bit of a cry baby) as they help you navigate this journey of parenting. And, every so often, you may get some gems of expert advice. Our goal is to make your parenting journey less stressful, more forgiving, and more awesome. Please join us every Wednesday for new episodes of Parenting of the Year.
Parents of the Year
221. Can You Build Respect Without Yelling or Punishment?
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You feel like every simple request turns into a debate. Picking up a backpack, putting away a phone, getting ready for bed, or helping around the house somehow becomes another power struggle. After enough of those moments, it's easy to wonder whether your child respects you at all.
In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Dr. Caroline explain why respect isn't something children automatically have for adults. It's something they learn through consistent leadership, clear boundaries, connection, and practice.
They discuss the habits that quietly weaken parental authority, including negotiating every rule, repeating instructions without following through, avoiding conflict, allowing screens to replace family connection, and expecting counsellors or diagnoses to solve parenting challenges.
You'll also learn practical ways to strengthen your relationship through family rituals, shared fun, predictable boundaries, calm communication, and leading with confidence instead of control.
If you're tired of constant arguments and want your child to listen because they trust your leadership rather than fear your reactions, this episode offers practical strategies you can start using today.
Homework Ideas
This episode is highly practical. Andrew and Caroline encourage parents to focus less on getting immediate obedience and more on building leadership over time.
Choose one family rule that regularly turns into an argument.
Rewrite it so it's:
- clear
- predictable
- enforceable
Avoid creating new rules in the heat of frustration.
Establish a boundary
Instead of repeating yourself, state the expectation once and state the consequence once. A consequence is something you can enforce, something YOU are going to do. For example, if you tell your child the expectation is that they turn off their screen at dinner, the consequence of not following through is that you will take their screen away until the next day.
To be most successful, remain emotionally neutral.
Follow through calmly and consistently. Notice how much less talking is required.
Protect one family ritual this week.
Ideas include:
- family dinner
- Sunday brunch
- breakfast together
- evening walk
- dessert together
- cleaning up dinner together
The activity matters less than being consistently present together.
Add one moment of fun every day.
It doesn't need to be elaborate.
Try:
- sending a funny meme
- cooking together
- taking a walk
- sharing music
- playing cards
- telling funny stories
Small shared moments build connection.
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