Stop Saying Yes: How People-Pleasing Is Sabotaging Your Co-Parenting with Amy Ballantyne

Are you saying “yes” just to keep the peace—while quietly losing yourself in the process? If you feel trapped between avoiding conflict and honoring your own needs, you’re not alone. Amy Ballantyne, executive coach and host of Power to the People Pleasers, breaks down how people-pleasing patterns show up in co-parenting—and how to start setting boundaries without guilt, escalation, or self-abandonment.Learn more about Amy Ballantyne at: https://www.amyballantyne.com/Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/Other Resources Mentioned:• Celebrate Yourself by Amy Ballantyne• Power to the People Pleasers PodcastSubscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/hV6YuttGURUKeywordspeople pleasing in relationships, co-parenting boundaries, high conflict co-parenting, setting boundaries with ex, self worth and boundaries, people pleaser recovery, communication skills co-parenting, conflict avoidance psychology, parenting after divorce, emotional intelligence parentingTakeawaysThe Approval Trap: How early conditioning drives people-pleasing—and shows up in co-parenting communication.The Boundary Reset: Identify your non-negotiables before the conversation so you don’t default to “yes.”The “No Without Drama” Method: Use simple, respectful language (even just “no”) without over-explaining.The Win-Win Lens: Shift from control to collaboration by finding outcomes that work for both parents and kids.The Self-Worth Link: Why stronger boundaries come from self-love—and how to start building it.The Pattern Breaker: What your child learns from your boundaries—and how to model healthier dynamics.Chapters00:00 The People-Pleasing Trap01:00 From Helper to Coach02:00 The Approval Pattern in Co-Parenting03:00 Where People Pleasing Begins05:00 The Biggest Myth About People Pleasers06:30 Why Saying No Feels So Hard08:30 Boundaries vs. Self-Abandonment10:00 Big Picture vs. Petty Fights12:00 When Co-Parenting Feels Impossible13:30 Setting Boundaries That Stick15:00 How to Say No Without Escalating17:00 What Kids Learn From Your Patterns19:00 Teaching Boundaries to Your Child22:00 The Link Between Self-Worth and Boundaries23:30 A Simple Self-Love Practice24:30 Handling Disrespect Without Losing Yourself27:00 Lightning Round: Boundaries & Self-Respect31:00 One Step to Start Changing TodayWhat if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond