
A science-based tool that helps you shift your perspective (and build your resilience)
About this episode
In this episode, we explore the idea of “shifting your lens” — a powerful metaphor grounded in science that helps parents understand how their interpretation of a situation shapes their emotional response. Drawing on the work of psychologist James Gross and his research on cognitive reappraisal, we break down how the lens you’re wearing (like blame, control, or shame) can fuel conflict and dysregulation, especially in moments of parenting stress.
You’ll learn how to identify the lens you’re in, how to shift your lens to something more helpful (like curiosity or compassion), and how this shift not only supports your own regulation but also helps you model emotional intelligence for your child. Real-life parenting examples, practical tips, and reflection prompts will help you bring this tool into everyday moments even when things get messy.
Read our blog post here:
https://curiousneuron.com/2025/08/03/how-to-shift-your-lens-and-stay-calm-in-parenting-conflicts/
Read a science article:
For Whom and What Does Cognitive Reappraisal Help? A Prospective
Study
Watch it on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/TOURlBqtmIc
- Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club
- Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s
- Get your FREE emotional awareness training (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
- Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
- Or email me to join the next 6-week training, to schedule a discovery call for a 1:1 consult for your and your family or to book some leadership training for your workplace [email protected]
Get every episode summarized
Each time Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron

Reflecting About the New School Year: Expectations, Slowing Down & Sparking Curi...
Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron

Reflecting on how mental heath care is failing us all
Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron

Reflections on what we need to teach our kids about conflict (which also applies...
Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron

Reflections on Conflict: What If Conflict Is Actually Healthy?
Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron