The Follow-Up: Parenting Triggers

Dr. Mona revisits a conversation with licensed clinical social worker and childhood trauma educator Patrick Teahan. Together, they unpack how parenthood acts as a mirror, exposing hidden triggers and unhealed wounds from our own upbringing.

Key Takeaways

• The Inner Child in Parenting: Unresolved feelings from your family of origin often resurface during everyday interactions with your children, such as playing on the floor or managing toddlers' independence.

• Pattern vs. Bad Day: Distinguishing between normal parenting exhaustion and a recurring emotional pattern that signals a need for self-reflection.

• Breaking Generational Cycles: Recognizing when your gut reaction comes from an old survival habit or how you were parented, rather than your actual core parenting values.

• The Healing Journey: Embracing the continuous work of self-improvement and celebrating the step to actively break toxic or authoritarian family patterns.

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠.

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices