Your child isn’t misbehaving. They’re missing a skill. When a child throws a bowl, refuses breakfast, or lashes out, it’s easy to focus only on the behavior. But as Dr. Becky explains, behavior is communication. It tells us which skills our child hasn’t mastered yet. A missing skill might be: - tolerating frustration - using words instead of actions - accepting “no” or “not right now” - managing disappointment without collapsing When we name the feeling and offer clear choices, we’re not “giving in.” We’re teaching the skill they actually need. A child who learns to say, “I feel upset about the blue bowl,” is the same child who later says, “I want the fire truck,” without hitting. Understanding the need under the behavior is how kids learn to regulate, express themselves, and handle real-world feelings. It makes us wonder: What if every tough moment is actually a chance to teach the skill they’re missing? Speaker: Dr. Becky Kennedy Source: Dr. Becky Kennedy: The 5 Parenting Mistakes You Never Want To Make | Mighty Pursuit Podcast