Leanne Tran  42 subscribers
In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, I sit down with Dr Larry Waldman — psychologist, author, and parenting expert — to unpack one of the most powerful ideas in child behaviour: children repeat the behaviours that earn our attention. Dr Waldman has spent decades working with families, children, and teens in private practice in the United States. Today, he breaks down the behavioural science behind why kids do what they do — and how parents can shape behaviour using simple, practical strategies.
We explore:
✔️ Why parenting isn’t instinctive — and what parents actually copy from their own childhood
✔️ How behavioural psychology explains everyday challenges
✔️ Why attention is the biggest reward you give your child (and how it shapes behaviour)
✔️ The “negative attention cycle” many families fall into without realising
✔️ How to flip this cycle using positive, proactive attention
✔️ What “catch them being good” looks like in real life
✔️ Why ignoring certain behaviours can work… and when it doesn’t
✔️ How this applies not just to kids, but also to workplaces, marriages, and all relationships
If you’ve ever wondered: “Why does my child keep doing this even when I’ve told them to stop?” or “Am I making things worse by reacting?” — this conversation will make the science behind behaviour feel clear and doable.
Topics in this episode:
behavioural parenting strategies
positive reinforcement
how attention shapes child behaviour
reducing power struggles
parenting with consistency
child development and psychology
using praise effectively
preventing negative behaviour
how to build a calmer home
why kids “push buttons” and what to do about it
Dr Waldman also explains the surprising ways your reactions train your child — often without you realising — and how small, intentional changes can shift the whole family dynamic.