Ep 79: Power Struggles? Fight For What’s Right, Not Who’s Right

For our children to be liberation smart, they need to trust the power within themselves so that they can share power and build power with their coalitions and chosen families.

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Episode Summary

In this episode, you and I are going to understand power struggle as a tension between what we want our kids to know to survive and what they need to thrive. Then, we’ll explore a question from the Social Justice Parenting Playbook you can use when you feel a power struggle starting. This question is there to help you decide your next parenting steps. We’ll revisit concepts like adult supremacy and reciprocity in child development science too.

Full episode transcript here.

Episode Outline

  • Power struggles aren’t just misbehavior—they’re moments where adult authority and a child’s autonomy collide.

  • At the core is a tension between teaching respect (survival) and practicing reciprocity (development and connection).

  • Many reactions are shaped by “adult supremacy,” where obedience is expected instead of collaboration.

  • A simple in-the-moment question—“What do I want my child to learn right now?”—can help you choose a power-with approach.

  • This episode reframes power struggles as opportunities to move from control to connection and teach with intention.

Resources Mentioned:

Ep 78: Why Rest (When the World’s On Fire) Feels Restless

Ep 73: Preparing Our Kids to Meet this Moment

Ep 61: Unlearn Adult Supremacy & Power-With with Your Child

Reciprocity’s research: Serve & Return

Raising a Secure Child by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, and Bert Powell With Christine M. Benton

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