Why is saying “I was wrong” so difficult — even when we know it matters?
In this episode of Emotionally Intelligent Parenting, we unpack the science behind why apologies are emotionally challenging for adults and children alike. Drawing on research in psychology and child development, we explore how cognitive dissonance, ego protection, and shame can block accountability — and how parents can break that cycle at home.
You’ll learn:✨Why apologizing feels threatening to the brain (and why that’s normal)
✨How owning your mistakes actually builds trust and authority with your child
✨What research says makes an apology meaningful and effective
✨Why forcing kids to say “sorry” often backfires
✨Practical scripts and strategies to help children apologize with empathy, responsibility, and repair
✨How to model accountability in age-appropriate, emotionally intelligent ways

This episode is for parents who want to raise emotionally intelligent kids — not by being perfect, but by showing how to repair, reconnect, and grow after mistakes.

Because strong families aren’t built on getting it right every time — they’re built on knowing how to make it right when things go wrong.

Research Links:
Why an apology is psychologically hard (cognitive dissonance & ego defense):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance

Child apologies are often prompted — research observation:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5386507/

Apology + restitution reduce negative emotion and build empathy:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7082420/

Framework on elements of an effective apology:
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/minds-business/effective-apologies-include-six-elements.html

✨A Grounding Practice to Support You✨
When the world feels heavyPause.
Put one hand on your chest or belly.Breathe in slowly through your nose.
Longer out than in.Remind yourself:This is hard.
And I am here.Feel your body being supported
by the floor, the chair, the ground.Say silently:My child does not need me to be perfect.
They need me to be present.Soften your jaw.
Drop your shoulders.Remember:I can hold my feelings.
My child does not need to hold them for me.Bring your child to mind.
Offer steadiness, not answers.Finish with this truth:I am the adult.
I am the safe place.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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When the world feels frightening—or something hard happens inside your family—parents often feel pressure to say the right thing. But emotional intelligence isn’t built through perfect explanations. It’s built through presence, boundaries, and regulation.

In this episode, we share research-backed, simple tools that parents can use to help children feel safe during scary or uncertain times—without overwhelming them or asking them to manage adult emotions. You’ll learn how to regulate yourself first, model healthy emotional processing, prevent emotional role reversal, and create the kind of steady presence that helps kids build lifelong resilience.

This episode is for parents who want to raise emotionally strong children while staying grounded themselves—especially when life feels heavy.

✨A Grounding Practice to Support You✨
When the world feels heavyPause.
Put one hand on your chest or belly.Breathe in slowly through your nose.
Longer out than in.Remind yourself:This is hard.
And I am here.Feel your body being supported
by the floor, the chair, the ground.Say silently:My child does not need me to be perfect.
They need me to be present.Soften your jaw.
Drop your shoulders.Remember:I can hold my feelings.
My child does not need to hold them for me.Bring your child to mind.
Offer steadiness, not answers.Finish with this truth:I am the adult.
I am the safe place.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

Instagram @raising_eq

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As artificial intelligence reshapes education, work, and everyday life, many parents are asking the same question: What skills will my child truly need to thrive in the future?

In this episode, we explore what AI can’t teach your kids—emotional intelligence. While machines can process information, they can’t replace empathy, self-awareness, emotional regulation, or meaningful human connection. These are the skills that help children adapt to change, build healthy relationships, make ethical decisions, and navigate an increasingly complex world.

You’ll learn:✨Why emotional intelligence is becoming more valuable than IQ in the age of AI
✨What research shows about EQ, success, mental health, and future-ready skills
✨How parenting styles shape a child’s emotional development
✨Practical, everyday ways parents can raise emotionally intelligent kids
✨How to balance technology use while strengthening emotional awareness and resilience

This episode is a reminder that as technology grows smarter, our role as parents becomes even more important. By nurturing emotional intelligence at home, we’re not just preparing our kids to succeed—we’re helping them stay human in a machine-driven world.

This episode is perfect for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone raising children in the digital age.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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Research referenced in this episode reflects current findings in psychology, education, and workforce development. Sources are listed below for further exploration.

References & ResearchGoleman, Daniel. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.
https://www.danielgoleman.info/topics/emotional-intelligence/
Frontiers in Psychology (2025).
Emotional Intelligence and Life Outcomes: Global Evidence.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology
World Economic Forum (2023).
The Future of Jobs Report.
https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/
Harvard University – Center on the Developing Child
Executive Function & Self-Regulation Skills.
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/executive-function/
CASEL – Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning
What Is SEL?
https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/
American Psychological Association (APA)
Emotional Intelligence and Leadership.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/nov01/emotional
OECD (2021).
Social and Emotional Skills for Life.
https://www.oecd.org/education/global-competence/social-emotional-skills/
National Scientific Council on the Developing Child
Children’s Emotional Development.
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/children%E2%80%99s-emotional-development-is-built-into-the-architecture-of-their-brains/
McKinsey & Company (2023).
Defining the Skills Citizens Will Need in the Future of Work.
https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/defining-the-skills-citizens-will-need-in-the-future-world-of-work
Pew Research Center (2022).
Parenting Children in the Digital Age.
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/

Setting and achieving goals sounds simple—but for kids (and parents), big emotions often get in the way of success.

In this episode of Raising EQ, we explore why traditional goal-setting strategies don’t work unless emotional intelligence is part of the picture. Drawing from neuroscience and psychology, you’ll learn how emotions like frustration, fear, boredom, and shame can derail even the best intentions—and what parents can do instead.

We break down how emotional regulation supports motivation, persistence, and follow-through, and share simple, science-backed tools you can start using right away with your kids. From emotion-based goal setting to helping kids name and manage feelings when things get hard, this episode offers practical strategies that build both confidence and resilience.

You’ll also learn why modeling your own emotional intelligence matters more than any reward system—and how focusing on process over outcomes helps kids stick with goals without pressure or power struggles.

If you want to raise kids who don’t give up when it feels hard, this episode will help you build the emotional foundation that makes goal-setting and goal-achieving stick.

If you want to read more about the areas spoke about check out the following links.

 🧠 Research & Further Reading James Gross – Emotion Regulation Research (Stanford):
 https://spl.stanford.edu/people/james-gross

Dan Siegel – Name It to Tame It & Interpersonal Neurobiology:
https://drdansiegel.com

Angela Duckworth – Grit & Perseverance:
https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-book/

Carol Dweck – Growth Mindset Research:
https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/

American Psychological Association – Emotional Regulation & Child Development:
https://www.apa.org/topics/emotion-regulation

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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As parents, the end of the year often feels like a sprint — school events, holidays, deadlines, and emotional exhaustion all competing for our attention. In this episode of Raising EQ, we shift gears and focus on something that often gets overlooked: reflection and self-awareness.
Research shows that self-awareness is a foundational component of emotional intelligence and plays a critical role in emotional regulation, stress management, and healthy relationships — including our relationships with our children. In this episode, we break down what self-awareness really means for parents, why reflection is backed by science, and how even small moments of intentional reflection can create meaningful change.
You’ll learn:✨Why self-awareness is essential for emotionally intelligent parenting
✨How reflection improves emotional regulation and reduces stress
✨Simple, realistic reflection practices for busy parents
✨How modeling reflection helps children build their own emotional intelligence

Whether you have five minutes at the end of the day or a quiet moment with your morning coffee, this episode offers practical tools to help you pause, reflect, and grow — without adding more to your to-do list.As the year closes, this episode invites you to reflect, not to judge yourself, but to better understand yourself — and to carry that awareness into the year ahead.

🔗 “The Value of Emotional Intelligence: Self-Awareness…” — Review on self-awareness and EI components (Technium Education & Humanities, 2024) ResearchGate
 🔗 Measuring the Effects of Self-Awareness — Research demonstrating outcomes of self-awareness (NIH/PMC) PMC
 🔗 Why Self-Awareness Matters in Parenting — Practical insights on parent-child relationship benefits childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk
 🔗 Benefits of Self-Awareness for Well-Being — Summary of research linking self-awareness to emotional balance blogs.reading.ac.uk
 🔗 Reflective Practice Enhances Emotional Skills — Study linking reflection to improved EI skills ResearchGate

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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The holidays are intense—for parents and kids alike. Disrupted routines, heightened emotions, family dynamics, and sensory overload can leave everyone feeling dysregulated.

In this episode of Raising EQ Parents, we explore why the holidays trigger the nervous system and share research-backed, practical tools you can use in real time to support regulation—for yourself and your child. You’ll learn how to calm your body in moments of stress, co-regulate with a dysregulated child, and repair after things don’t go as planned.This episode is a reminder that emotional intelligence isn’t about staying calm all the time—it’s about knowing how to return to connection.
✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

🌱Why holiday stress triggers the nervous system
🌱How to regulate yourself in the moment using neuroscience-backed tools
🌱What children actually need when they’re overwhelmed
🌱How co-regulation builds emotional intelligence
🌱Why repair matters more than perfection

Perfect for parents who want calmer holidays, stronger connections, and emotionally resilient kids—without unrealistic expectations.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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In today’s episode of Raising EQ, we dive into one of the most powerful yet overlooked skills in parenting: owning our part. Even when we truly try our best, it doesn’t always land the way our children experience it—and that gap between intention and impact can shape how safe, seen, and understood they feel in our presence.

We explore what research shows about the impact of parental repair, including how acknowledging our missteps and validating our children’s perspectives can support healthier emotional development, strengthen attachment, and increase trust. 

You’ll hear why humility is a parenting superpower, how to set your own feelings aside in moments that matter, and how simple, honest ownership can turn conflict into connection.

If you’re ready to raise emotionally intelligent kids—and grow right alongside them—this episode gives you the tools, language, and mindset to start today.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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Raising EQ is a science-backed, heart-centered podcast designed to help parents and kids build emotional intelligence, resilience, and deeper connection — one practical tool at a time. Each episode blends research, psychology, child development, and real-life stories to bring you strategies you can use immediately at home, in the car, or during those big feeling moments.

Hosted by Dr. Holly Symons, Raising EQ helps families navigate stress, communication, grounding, and self-regulation through accessible, compassionate guidance. Whether you’re a parent, educator, caregiver, or simply someone curious about emotional growth, this show brings you actionable insights to strengthen your inner calm and your family’s emotional well-being.

Tune in weekly for conversations, guided practices, and evidence-based tools to help you feel more grounded, present, and connected — especially in the seasons when emotions run high.

If you are looking for emotionally intelligent toys this season for all ages, including teens, download your FREE TOY Resource here.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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Play isn’t just fun — it’s emotional learning.

In this episode of Raising EQ, we explore how everyday toys and board games help kids build emotional intelligence, develop social skills, and strengthen self-regulation.

Discover research-backed insights on the power of play, plus practical ways to use LEGO, dolls, cooperative board games, and pretend play to support listening, leadership, empathy, and emotional vocabulary at home.

Simple, joyful strategies you can start using today for kids 5-18.

✨Share with a friend and don't forget to subscribe and never miss an episode!

Download your FREE TOY Resource here.

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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Boundaries aren’t punishments — they’re love in action.

 In this episode of Raising EQ, we explore how healthy boundaries in parenting actually strengthen your connection with your child and support the development of emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-regulation.

We break down the difference between punishments and boundaries, why boundaries feel so hard for many modern parents, and how to set limits with empathy instead of shame. 

You’ll hear research-backed insights — from Dr. Daniel Siegel and recent studies on child development — that show why consistent, compassionate boundaries are one of the strongest predictors of a child’s long-term success and wellbeing.

If you’ve ever struggled with setting limits, feared being “too hard,” or felt guilty enforcing rules, this episode will help you reframe boundaries as an act of deep love and emotional leadership.

✨Parenting is hard, but you don't have to do it alone! Join the Raising EQ Community and subscribe so you never miss an episode.✨

You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.

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