All Parenting Topics

When Respect Feels Out of Reach

Expert insights provided by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson

You might be questioning your parenting abilities when your child rolls their eyes or talks back. These behaviors can leave you feeling exasperated and even guilty, wondering where things went wrong.
Tina Payne Bryson

Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., LCSW

HumanUp Founding Expert

  • Author of NYT Bestsellers The Whole-Brain Child & No-Drama Discipline
  • Founder & Executive Director, The Center for Connection
  • Pediatric Psychotherapist & Mom of 3

The Developmental Drivers of Disrespect

Children often exhibit disrespectful behavior as part of their normal development as they learn to assert independence. Understanding the brain science behind this can help you respond effectively.

  • Emotional Regulation: A child's brain is still learning how to manage emotions, and disrespect can be an outward sign of this struggle.
  • Boundary Testing: As children grow, they naturally test limits to understand societal norms, which can manifest as disrespect.
  • Communication Skills: Children are still developing the language needed to express complex feelings, and disrespect can be an expression of this limitation.

Why Generic Advice Fails

Advice from social media hacks often fails because it overlooks your child's unique developmental stage and their emotional environment. Real solutions need to be tailored to your child's specific needs and family dynamics.

A 24/7 Digital Partnership

Parenting isn't fixed by a one-off hack. It requires understanding the unique dynamics of your family ecosystem. HumanUp gives you a direct line to the authorized digital version of Tina Payne Bryson. Get trusted, ethical guidance tailored to your unique child—without the endless scrolling, conflicting advice, or judgment.

Available 24/7 right in your pocket, you can work together to:

  • Pinpoint the triggers for your child's disrespect and develop tailored strategies to address them.
  • Work on enhancing communication skills, turning frustrating exchanges into teachable moments.
  • Learn to set boundaries that respect your child's growing independence while maintaining family harmony.

🔒 100% Private & Judgment-Free • Available 24/7

Start your 7-day free trial today. Cancel anytime.