The Daily Dad Mel Robbins on Why Trying to Control Your Kids Backfires
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Jan 24, 2026 
Mel Robbins, bestselling author and practical-psychology speaker, shares The Let Them Theory and how it applies to parenting. She tells personal stories about resisting the urge to step in and explains balancing protection with stepping alongside kids. They discuss when parental opinions create conflict and how worry leads to over-controlling.
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Start With The Free Parenting Appendix
- Download the free parenting appendix at melrobins.com/parenting for practical guidance.
- Use the With Them framework to move from fixing to partnering with your child.
Behavior Signals Missing Skills
- People do well when they can; poor behavior often signals missing skills, not bad intent.
- Framing problems as skill gaps reveals what to teach instead of punish.
Ask Questions, Don't Fix Problems
- Stop assuming and stop solving problems for your child; ask them questions instead.
- Try asking, 'Have you thought about what you might want to do?' to invite their own solutions.
