In this episode of Surviving Parenthood, Vida Carey is joined by Suzanne Sophos for a powerful conversation about redefining traditional parenting approaches. Suzanne shares her transformative journey as a parent and the moment she realized that traditional parenting methods simply didn’t work for her child.

Together, they explore what it looks like to shift from control and compliance to support, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. Suzanne reframes parenting as a partnership—seeing children not as adversaries, but as teammates navigating life together. This episode offers deep insight into child development, emotional regulation, and how understanding a child’s struggles can completely change the parent-child dynamic.

This conversation is especially meaningful for parents raising neurodivergent or emotionally sensitive children and anyone questioning whether “conventional” parenting advice truly fits their family.

Key Takeaways

• Traditional parenting methods don’t work for every child—and that’s okay.
• Understanding a child’s struggles can shift how parents respond and connect.
• Parenting is more effective when it’s a team effort, not a power struggle.
• Emotional intelligence plays a critical role in healthy parenting.
• Children often act out because they are overwhelmed or struggling internally.
• Supporting children through challenges builds trust and long-term resilience.
• Rethinking the parent-child relationship can lead to better emotional outcomes.
• Collaboration fosters safety, growth, and mutual respect.
• Parenting requires adaptability, curiosity, and compassion.

Keywords: parenting support, child development, parenting styles, emotional intelligence, supportive parenting, neurodivergent children, parent-child relationship, collaborative parenting