Should You Keep Pushing Your Child to Succeed or Back Off? with Kristin Mervich, LCSW

Ever wonder how to strike the right balance between pushing your child to succeed and respecting autonomy in children? Today’s episode tackles just that - because knowing whether to step in or take a step back can feel like a balancing act.On this episode, I chat with therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Kristin Mervich about the tricky dilemma high-achieving parents face: when to keep pushing your child to succeed, when to trust autonomy in children, and how guiding a child sometimes means knowing when to back off. We dig into the effects of parental pressure on a child to succeed - for better or worse - and share a clear framework to help you make thoughtful choices that empower both you and your child.What you’ll learn:How to honor autonomy in children without dropping the ball on motivation by pushing your child to succeed - and when that’s okay.What the effects of parental pressure on a child to succeed really look like - mental health, confidence, and that inner spark. Tune in to hear Kristin’s real-life examples.Why guiding a child starts with understanding the “why” behind their resistance - and how that insight changes everything.A simple 4-question formula to decide: Should you push? Pause? Or pivot? It’s like having a parenting GPS.If you’ve ever asked: “Am I overdoing it by pushing my kid? Or am I selling them short?” - this episode is for you.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Episode 10: Is Anxiety Good for You? 3 Steps for Building Confidence in Kids When They’re Trying New Things with Ivy Ruths, PhDLET'S CONNECT:Thriving Child CenterPCIT ExpertsInstagramLove having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways - delivered straight to your inbox every week.Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources!CONNECT WITH KRISTIN MERVICH, LCSW:WebsiteOutsmarting OCD InstagramKristin’s Instagram