Get on Their Turf with Dr. Suzanne Simpson Why Your Kid Needs Discipline (But Not the Way You Think) with Dr. Allie Donaldson
What if discipline isn't about punishment at all? Dr. Allie Donaldson, a 28-year-old surgeon, explains how her parents taught emotional regulation through connection, not control.
Is your teen shutting down? Are you afraid to set boundaries because you don't want to damage them? But here's the truth: not teaching emotional regulation is teaching emotional dysregulation.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Allie Donaldson, a former student who's now a general surgery resident. Allie breaks down how her upbringing gave her the emotional regulation she needs in high-stakes surgical situations where missteps have dire consequences.
We talk about:
• Why connection must come before discipline
• How her parents modelled emotional regulation without punishment
• What actually worked when she got in trouble (spoiler: it wasn't grounding)
• The difference between consequences that build trust vs. ones that break it
• Why kids actually want discipline (even if adults hate the word)
This isn't about being perfect. It's about being present. When you get on their turf first, discipline becomes something your child wants, not something they fear.
If you're a parent struggling with how to discipline your teen without damaging your relationship, this conversation offers practical mental health tips for parents navigating anxiety, communication breakdowns, and the teen years.
👉 Get my free guide: "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com
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Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW
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👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com
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Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.