Support for NPR and the following message come from the Walton Family Foundation, working to create access to opportunity for people and communities by tackling tough social and environmental problems.

More information is at waltonfamilyfoundation.org. You're listening to LifeKit from NPR.

Hey everybody, it's Mariel.

Today's episode is about parenting, and I'll start by saying this.

We know in general parents want to do right by their kids to help them develop and grow into

resilient, confident adults, but that can be easier said than done.

Clinical psychologist Becky Kennedy, or Dr. Becky, to her fans, knows a thing or two about this.

Like a lot of people, she's heard all the parenting guidance that includes consequences and timeouts,

where kids are sent away when they do something wrong.

And when she herself was giving that kind of advice to her patients and private practice,

she realized that this idea of disconnecting with kids when they're struggling, it felt off to her.

I actually don't think timeouts are effective for anyone, right? I think leading with connection

isn't soft, okay? It's simply effective. Connection. Connecting with your kids first, nurturing that connection

and repairing connection when needed. On this episode of Life Kit, journalist Elise Hugh is going to

chat with Becky Kennedy about her parenting philosophy and how it can lead to real change.

Support for NPR and the following message come from the Walton Family Foundation,

working to create access to opportunity for people and communities

by tackling tough social and environmental problems.

More information is at waltonfamilyfoundation.org.

All right, let's start with what this idea of good inside means to you.

So good inside to me is in some ways like a very simple idea and it's really the idea that

people are inherently good inside.

...