Ep 66: How to mediate a child’s aggressive behavior with Dr. Vanessa Lapointe

Host: Dr. Cindy Hovington, Ph.D.

Guest: Dr. VAnessa Lapointe

Dr. Vanessa Lapointe is a mom, registered psychologist, parenting educator, best-selling author, international speaker, and a regularly invited media guest. Founder and director of The Wishing Star Lapointe Developmental Clinic, she has been supporting families and children for almost 20 years, and has previous experience in community mental health and the school system. Dr. Vanessa is known for bringing a sense of nurturing understanding and humanity to all of her work. Her passion is in walking alongside parents, teachers, care providers, and other big people to really see the world through the child’s eyes. She believes that if we can do this, we are beautifully positioned to grow up our children in the best possible way.

In today’s episode Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, joins us to discuss aggressive behavior in children and how to mediate it. We discuss how to be curious about your child’s behavior – zooming out can be informative about why your child is being aggressive. Dr. Lapointe answers important questions like: How do parents play a part in their child’s aggressive behavior? Should you feel guilty when your child acts out? How can aggressive play be beneficial to your child’s development?

Dr. Lapointe explains that how we were parented as children influences how we parent our own children. She talks about how parenting couples need to embody both firmness and kindness to maintain balance within the home. We also touch on the idea of the “good enough parent” and what that could look like.

Lastly, we chat about how screentime and friend groups can play into aggressiveness and how to draw your children back to you while still letting them experience life.