Child's hand holding little finger of adult's hand

Boundaries Without Abandonment — Staying Kind and Firm as a Parent

Your Needs Are Not the Enemy
September 14, 2025•1 min read

Holding boundaries with children can feel heartbreaking — not because we’re “too soft,” but because we feel their distress as if it’s our own.

In this episode, I explore how to set limits without disconnecting, why it’s so hard to hold steady when they protest, and how to stay kind and firm at the same time — especially when the boundary exists to protect your own needs.

Because boundaries aren’t the opposite of love.
They’re love in action — warm and clear.

👉 Find more resources and The Calm Mum Reset guide at https://dyfparents.com/


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Understanding people has always been a passion of mine, and becoming a parent made that understanding even more real. My counselling training helped me explore the emotional challenges of parenting — not perfectly, but with more presence, compassion, and clarity. Now I run a social enterprise supporting families through group work, counselling, and digital learning.

Emma Reed

Understanding people has always been a passion of mine, and becoming a parent made that understanding even more real. My counselling training helped me explore the emotional challenges of parenting — not perfectly, but with more presence, compassion, and clarity. Now I run a social enterprise supporting families through group work, counselling, and digital learning.

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