Ep. 290: 7 Parenting Mistakes That Are Hurting Your Child (And How to Fix Them)

In this special Ask Dr. Meg live Q&A session, Dr. Meg Meeker dives into the 7 most common parenting mistakes—but this time, with a powerful twist: she shares how each of these actions actually makes your child feel. From yelling and criticism to withdrawing affection or missing connection, Dr. Meg walks listeners through not only what to avoid—but how to repair and rebuild trust, connection, and emotional security.

You’ll hear real questions from real parents, answered in real time. Whether you’ve been struggling with guilt, disconnection, or uncertainty in your parenting, this episode will give you the clarity, compassion, and confidence to parent better—starting today.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why yelling often has nothing to do with your kids—and what it’s really saying
• How repeated criticism affects your child’s self-worth
• The power of saying "I'm sorry"—even when you're the parent
• Why kids feel abandoned when affection is withdrawn
• How distraction can make your child feel invisible
• The subtle but deep effects of not fully accepting your child
• Why time together matters more than any "parenting hack"

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Ask Dr. Meg Live

01:20 – The 7 Most Common Parenting Mistakes

03:15 – Mistake #1: Yelling (and What It Does to Kids Inside)

06:52 – Mistake #2: Constant Criticism and Its Emotional Impact

10:45 – Mistake #3: Not Apologizing—Why It Breeds Resentment

14:11 – Mistake #4: Using Affection as a Punishment

17:05 – Mistake #5: Distraction and the “Invisible Child” Syndrome

19:38 – Mistake #6: Projecting Your Expectations

22:50 – Mistake #7: Failing to Prioritize Time with Your Kids

25:34 – Live Questions From the Audience

29:41 – Final Thoughts: Grace, Growth, and Being a Work in Progress

31:08 – Join the Ask Dr. Meg Community & Newsletter

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