385. The Evolving Dad: Parenting Is Easy Said No One Ever: Chananya Abraham

"Parenting is one of those things that takes time." "Our job as parents is to be there as much as we can for our kids." "The opposite of trauma in general is connection." "We want to create an environment for our kids where instead of it being I can’t tell my parents about that to the world of I can’t wait to tell my parents." “Parenting is easy,” said no one ever. Today’s guest, Chananya Abraham, is a parent of five, a podcaster, and a therapist specializing in working with teens, young adults, and parents. This episode feels a bit like a therapy session as Chananya dives deep into the intricacies of parenting. From the seemingly simple questions like how to get kids to pick up their stuff, to the more profound aspects of parenting, Chananya provides thoughtful insights and actionable advice. Chananya discusses the importance of understanding that each child is different and how to communicate effectively with them. He emphasizes the significance of not taking things personally and the value of the “pause” in parenting. Chananya also shares personal stories about his own parenting journey, including the challenges and rewards of raising teenagers and how he’s evolved as a dad over the years. Join us as Chananya talks about the importance of self-care for parents, the power of saying “I’m sorry,” and the complexities of blended families. He also touches on how unconscious parenting patterns can stem from how we were raised and offers advice on handling estranged relationships with parents. This episode is packed with wisdom and practical tips for parents at any stage of their journey. Whether you’re a new parent or have been in the trenches for years, you’ll find valuable takeaways to help you navigate the challenging yet rewarding path of parenthood. Key Takeaways - Effective communication with children requires understanding their unique needs. - Don’t take it personally when kids don’t follow your expectations. - The “pause” technique can help manage intense emotions and reactions. - Self-care is crucial for parents to maintain their energy and well-being. - Apologizing to your children can be a powerful tool in building trust and connection. - Blended families require extra sensitivity and effort to ensure all children feel equally loved and valued. Connect with Chananya Abraham - Podcast: Parenting is Easy, Said No One Ever - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parentingiseasysaidno1ever - Email: chananya@cyuahtherapy.com Connect with Reena - Website: bettercalldaddy.com - LinkedIn: Reena Friedman Watts - Twitter: @reenareena - Instagram: @reenafriedmanwatts - Instagram Podcast: @bettercalldaddypodcast We love hearing your feedback. Leave us a review , share your thoughts , and spread the word about this enriching episode. Share it with someone who appreciates the wisdom of navigating the complexities of parenting. Book mentioned The Mindfulness Solution for Intense Emotions: Take Control of Borderline Personality Disorder with DBT https://a.co/d/evCfwAq - (00:00) Reena Friedman Watts: Better call daddy intro - (01:56) Chananya Abraham: Every single child is different, so communication is important - (05:25) Do you feel like you've evolved as a dad - (05:54) Do you think being a dad is easier now with kid five versus the beginning - (11:34) Dean Kunsta talks about the concept of the pause. So how does it work by a regular Tuesday dinner - (14:43) Let's talk about when parents are going to mess up in everyday life - (18:09) Can we talk a little bit about how unconscious parenting happens from how you were parented - (24:24) What would you tell somebody who has estranged relationship with a parent - (27:49) Were you intentional in wanting to have kids? Yes, 100% - (33:08) If opportunity came for a book about parenting, would you write it - (40:05) We want to create an environment for our kids where instead of it being I cant tell - (41:15) Self care is the importance of taking care of yourself. I say those words, self care, and I cringe about them - (42:39) A parent should also realize that things are going to look different right now - (47:39) Is there anything that you would like to ask my dad about parenting - (48:07) Chananya's podcast is called parenting is easy said no one ever. You can find it everywhere - (48:57) Being a parent turns out to be a much tougher job than anybody anticipated - (53:16) Some of the most sensitive things in children's lives could be caused by parents Show notes created by https://headliner.app