Is It True? If I Don’t Punish, I’m Permissive (with Myleik Teele)

Your kid is melting down in public… and you feel it:

“If I don’t shut this down, I'm a pushover. My kid will walk all over me."

In this first episode of our new Is It True? series, Dr. Becky and Myleik Teele take a closer look at a belief so many parents carry, though rarely question:

If I don’t punish, I'm being permissive.

Together, they unpack what’s underneath that fear, why punishment can feel so satisfying (and why it often doesn’t work), and what it actually looks like to hold boundaries without being harsh or permissive.

They also explore how this question lands differently for Black parents, where the stakes of “not listening” can feel much higher.

This is the first in a recurring format we’ll revisit, slowing down common parenting beliefs and expanding them into something sturdier, more usable, and more true.

And once you've listened, visit the Good Inside blog where Dr. Becky shares some examples of "same team leadership."

Good Inside is growing up! Listen to The In-Between Years with Dr. Sheryl, for parents of teens and tweens!

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