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

When You and Your Child Want Different Things (and it gets tense)

Mum Life In Spring
April 28, 2026•1 min read

There are moments with your child that don’t go the way you expected.

You’re trying to make something work.
They really want something.
And instead of it coming together easily, it turns into tension.

Voices get raised.
It feels more intense than you expected.


It’s easy to think in those moments:
“This isn’t going well.”

But often, something else is happening.


In this episode, we explore what’s really going on
when what you want and what your child wants don’t quite fit.

You’ll hear:

  • why tension and conflict are often part of the process

  • how boundaries, repair, and conversation work together over time

  • and why things don’t need to be perfectly calm to move forward

This isn’t about getting it right in one moment.

It’s about how things get worked out —
between you and your child — over time.

And if you notice yourself questioning your reactions or decisions along the way,
that can be part of this too.

The Sigh-to-Snap Spotter shows you how you’re most likely to respond in those moments,
so you can recognise your part as things unfold:
https://go.dyfparents.com/sigh-to-snap-spotter

About Emma

Emma Reed is a psychotherapeutic counsellor and parenting educator who helps thoughtful, caring parents understand the emotional dynamics behind everyday parenting challenges so they can respond with calm authority and connection.

Connect:
Instagram / Facebook / YouTube → @dreamyourfuturefamilies
Start here for free → go.dyfparents.com/sigh-to-snap-spotter


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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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