Download full episode transcript HERE.

Episode Description -

Shoes. Chores. Bedtime. The wrong sandwich cut. Why do the smallest parenting moments sometimes turn into the biggest battles?

Jessica and Venay sit down with mental health professional Lauren Poiroux Harvey and father and community advocate Jay Jones for a candid, often hilarious conversation about power struggles, family expectations, and what's really happening beneath children's resistance. From developmental needs and emotional regulation to knowing when to hold a boundary and when to let go, they explore how parents can navigate conflict without losing sight of connection.

And when everybody loses their cool? There's always room for repair.

Key Takeaways -

• Look beneath the behavior. What looks like defiance may actually reflect frustration, exhaustion, sensory needs, developmental limitations, or a child's desire for independence.

• Choose your battles with intention. Family values and boundaries matter, but it's worth asking whether an expectation serves your child's development or simply reflects your own need for control.

• Every child is different. Even children growing up in the same household may need different approaches to communication, discipline, and emotional support.

• Your regulation matters, too. Recognizing your own triggers and knowing when to step away can help prevent a difficult moment from becoming a full-blown power struggle.

• Repair strengthens relationships. Apologizing, reconnecting, and explaining your intentions after conflict can help children feel secure while reinforcing healthy boundaries.

This Week's UNrattled Challenge: Pause before engaging. -

This week, when a disagreement starts brewing, ask yourself:

“Is this about safety, values, or my need to win?”

Then choose: Hold the boundary, change your approach, or let it go.

And if things don't go well? Make time to reconnect. One difficult moment doesn't define your relationship.