Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: Parenting Through the Ages 5–12 Shift with Alyssa Campbell

Listen to this episode from Dear Dr. Tracy on Spotify. Dr. Tracy sits down with Alyssa Blask Campbell, author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions and the new Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, to explore the challenges of parenting kids ages 5–12. They discuss why age seven often feels like a turning point, how identity and independence begin to emerge, and what parents can do to stay connected while giving their kids space to grow. Together they unpack sibling conflict, defiance, lying, and bedtime battles—and why attunement and curiosity are more effective than punishment or control. Alyssa also introduces the Collaborative Emotion Processing method, a framework for building emotional intelligence in both kids and parents. What you’ll learn Why age seven brings bigger emotions and pushback How to support independence while staying connected Practical tools for handling lying and sibling conflict How to tune into your child’s unique nervous system This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/TRACY and get on your way to being your best self. Explore more with Alyssa: Snag the books: ⁠Tiny Humans, Big Emotions⁠ and ⁠Big Kids, Bigger Feelings ⁠ ⁠Visit Seed and Sew on the web⁠ Follow ⁠@seed.and.sew ⁠on Instagram RESOURCES: Preorder my new book! You, Your Husband, and His Mother Want your questions answered on the show? ⁠⁠Submit them here!⁠⁠     Discover your relationship negative cycle with my free quiz: ⁠⁠Take it here⁠⁠ Ready to deepen your connection? ⁠⁠Download my 100 Questions⁠⁠ Build better connection and feel close starting today. Join the ⁠⁠30 Days to Us Challenge⁠⁠ LINKS: Better Help: Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/TRACY K12 Powered Schools: Learn more at k12.com/TRACY Quince Bedding: Free Shipping at quince.com/TRACY Branch Basics:⁠ Use code TRACY15 to save 15% off your Premium Starter Kit ⁠Vionic Shoes⁠: Use code TRACY for 15% off at https://www.vionicshoes.com Mint Mobile: Just $15 a month with mintmobile.com/TRACY AirDoctorPro: Save $300 with code TRACY at https://airdoctorpro.com GoPure Beauty: Save 25% at ⁠https://gopurebeauty.com/tracy⁠ code TRACY ⁠Lumen⁠: Save 15% at ⁠https://lumen.me/DEARTRACY⁠⁠⁠AquaTru⁠⁠ - water filter: Use promo code for TRACY for 20% off at https://aquatru.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices