Want a Teen Who Listens? Build Relationship First

Are you tired of parenting by force, only to watch results fade?Did you know that long-term influence usually starts with emotional deposits—not immediate obedience?

In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning sit down with friends to unpack the parenting strategy that transformed their home: choosing strategic empathy, trust-building, and persuasion over force and control.

We dive into:

• Why influence matters more than obedience

• How to make daily emotional deposits that pay off later

• Tactful, creative strategies instead of reactionary discipline

• The subtle power of modeling—not manipulating

   

Whether you're in the parenting trenches or preparing for the teenage years ahead, this episode gives you tools to do the hard work once, so trust — not threats — becomes your default.

Tune in if you’re ready to raise thinking, self-directed children who WANT to do what's right—without prompting or power struggles.

Key Takeaways

✅ Influence beats force in the long run

✅ Emotional deposits build trust and cooperation

✅ Persuasion creates self-directed children

✅ Strategic reflection prevents repetitive discipline

✅ High standards don’t need harshness to stand firm

Chapters:

01:34 Unpacking Parenting Layers and Strategies

02:38 The Importance of Long-Term Vision in Parenting

03:37 Balancing Immediate Results with Long-Term Relationships

04:26 Navigating Parenting Challenges with Creativity

05:57 Building Emotional Bank Accounts with Children

07:44 Proactive Parenting: Making Emotional Deposits

09:13 The Impact of Travel on Family Relationships

10:34 Finding Balance in Parenting Intensity

12:00 Transformational vs. Transactional Interactions

13:59 The Reward of Long-Term Parenting Investments

16:00 Understanding Manipulation in Parenting

16:37 Transitioning from Transactional to Relational Parenting

18:06 Addressing Behavioral Issues with Connection

18:51 Creating a Culture of Connection and Deposits

19:46 The Importance of Individualized Strategies

21:18 Long-Term Solutions Over Short-Term Fixes

24:51 The Power of Influence and Persuasion in Parenting

Memorable Quotes:

🗣"What do you want the outcome to be?"

🗣"Every family has that one kid."

🗣"Family life is amazing and rewarding."

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RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.

• How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)

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• Greg's ⁠⁠Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth⁠⁠

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