The PDA parent raising the PDA child

As parents, we all have limits, because we're human. As a PDA parent myself, I find that on some days my limits are a lot more constrained and I have far less capacity, depending on what's being asked or expected of me, or what I'm asking and expecting of myself.

Sometimes my children and I can be getting along fine, even having a really good laugh, and then they'll say something or do something that registers in my system as a demand, or pressure, or criticism. It isn't their fault. But as a PDAer, I still have an internal response to it.

For years I understood that as a personal failing that turned up precisely in the moments my children needed me. I understand it differently now.

In this 2 hour masterclass, we'll:

• Explore why our children's needs may register as demands, even when we deeply want to meet them
• Look at what parental demand avoidance feels like from the inside, rather than from the outside looking in
• Unpack why obligation, urgency and emotional importance may intensify avoidance rather than overcome it
• Consider what happens when both parent and child are waiting for the other person to act
• Examine approaches that may reduce pressure without abandoning either person
• Share language that may help when speaking with partners, relatives and professionals

Rather than locating the problem within either the parent or the child, we'll look into what may be happening between two people whose nervous systems approach pressure, stress and autonomy in similar ways.

Our children's needs do not necessarily stop registering as demands because we love them. Sometimes love, responsibility and the fear of letting them down can increase the pressure.

I'll also share what has changed within my own family as I've learned to work with, rather than against, my PDA.

This session may resonate with PDA parents who have wondered why fierce love and commitment can exist alongside avoidance, resistance or an inability to act. It may also be useful for partners, family members and professionals supporting a household where more than one person is demand avoidant.

What You'll Get:

• Certificate of completion following the masterclass
• Lifetime access to the recording, slides and resources from the session
• Captioned and transcribed content, with a recording sent out afterwards