The Parenting Mistake Creating Anxious Kids (Psychotherapist Explains)
The Parenting Mistake Creating Anxious Kids (Psychotherapist Explains)  
Podcast: Cake For Dinner
Published On: Mon Mar 30 2026
Description: Are you helping your kids… or accidentally holding them back? Psychotherapist, parent coach, and author Nicole Runyon breaks down one of the biggest parenting mistakes today — over-helping our kids to avoid discomfort. We dive into why so many children today struggle with confidence, anxiety, and independence… and how it often starts at home. Nicole shares practical strategies to help parents raise resilient, self-sufficient kids — without damaging connection or trust. If you’ve ever stepped in to “make things easier” for your child, this conversation might completely change how you parent. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: -Why over-parenting creates anxious, dependent kids -The real reason kids lack confidence today -How to let your kids struggle (in a healthy way) -Age-appropriate independence for toddlers, kids, and teens -How your own fear and past experiences affect your parenting -Practical ways to build resilience and self-trust in your child Learn More About Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Follow Nicole: https://www.instagram.com/igenerationmentalhealth/ 00:00 Introduction to Nicole Runyon 03:57 Why Parenting Discomfort Is the Real Challenge 06:07 Is Technology Really the Problem? 06:37 The Premise of Free to Fly 08:34 Are We Robbing Kids of Growth? 09:14 Doing Too Much for Your Kids 11:22 How Overhelping Hurts Confidence 13:03 Parenting Against Independence 18:24 Why Parents Resist Letting Go 19:07 Parenting From Fear, Trauma, and Guilt 21:06 The Most Common Ways Parents Overhelp 25:24 What to Do When Kids Won’t Step Up 28:24 The “Super Mom” Identity Trap 29:29 What Parents Should Stop Doing for Teens 31:30 What Parents Should Stop Doing at Every Age 35:09 When Kids Should Wake Themselves Up 35:42 Nicole Runyon on Phones, Tech, and Video Games 39:01 Handling Phones and Peer Pressure 41:36 How to Get Back on Track as a Parent 43:29 Why Letting Kids Struggle Matters 44:33 Where to Find Nicole Runyon