Hello, and welcome back to The Parent Doctor Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Marissa Caudill. Please rate and follow this podcast to help spread this resource, and be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theparentdoctor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or join the monthly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, I share the personal story behind "The Parent Doctor" and my mission to help parents become more than just "good enough." As a double board-certified adult and child psychiatrist, and a mom of two, I reflect on my own upbringing, the challenges my parents faced, and the generational patterns I’ve seen in over 17 years of clinical practice.

I open up about how my family history — including my father’s struggle with alcoholism and my grandparents’ experiences growing up during the Great Depression — has shaped my understanding of the cycles that can impact families for generations. Through my work as "The Parent Doctor," I aim to empower parents to break these cycles and build stronger, healthier relationships with their children.

I also talk about the research of psychologist Diana Baumrind, explaining how a parenting style that’s both firm and loving leads to the best outcomes for kids. I believe that by setting boundaries and providing structure, while also showing warmth and support, we can help our children develop emotional regulation, social skills, and resilience — and reduce the risk of problems like substance abuse later in life.

I’m deeply committed to supporting families in crisis, which is why 20% of "The Parent Doctor" profits go to organizations helping single mothers and families living in poverty. I want to help parents reflect on their own parenting, break harmful generational patterns, and strive for better-than-good-enough parenting.

If you're ready to be a cycle breaker and build deeper connections with your kids, this episode is for you! Tune in for insights, inspiration, and my own personal journey.