It was such a joy and an honor to join “Toddler Whisperer,” Gabriele Nicolet, on her fabulous Complicated Kids Podcast!
In this heartfelt conversation with Gabrielle, Dr. Gila dives deep into why perfection in parenting is not only unrealistic but actually counterproductive—and how connection is the foundation of raising resilient, self-aware children. This episode is a must-listen for any parent navigating the messy, meaningful journey of raising beautifully complex kids.
Gabriele has such a warm and insightful interview style, and we got to go deep despite the short amount of time. We talked about letting go of perfection in parenting, small communication tweaks that have a BIG impact, lessons from our “strong-willed” kids…and more.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why perfectionism in parenting does more harm than good
- How to model imperfection and repair for your child
- The true meaning of respectful, connection-based parenting
- Why strong-willed kids are actually showing powerful self-advocacy skills
- How to manage your emotional “sink” and stay regulated
- Ways to reframe “have to” tasks to feel more empowered
- A simple Tree Model to visualize your parenting journey
- Why community support is essential—especially for single parents
Final Thoughts
Parenting doesn’t require perfection—it calls for presence, reflection, and a genuine connection with your child. By letting go of unrealistic expectations and embracing imperfection, we create space to model resilience, repair, and emotional growth. You’re allowed to do things differently, in a way that honors your values and your child’s needs. And you don’t have to do it alone—finding a supportive community can make all the difference on this beautifully complex journey.
Don’t miss it!
Listen to the episode on popular podcast platforms:
And if you love podcasts, check out some of my other guest appearances here.
Find out more about the amazing work that Gabriele is doing by visiting
www.raisingorchidkids.com
