Topics covered: Conscious parenting, raising daughters and sons, childhood conditioning, patriarchy, people-pleasing, strong-willed girls, self-worth, body image, modelling, boundaries, boys' emotional regulation, movement, masculinity, sexuality, pornography, online safety, social media, algorithms, the wellness industry, the psychology of more, connection and presence.
My guest this week is (pinch me!) Dr. Shefali, a clinical psychologist, internationally recognised parenting expert and bestselling author whose work I've admired for many years. I was absolutely delighted to meet her in Ireland when she was here last week.
Originally from Mumbai, India, she moved to the US at 21 and is now based in New York. She is mother to 23-year-old Maia and author of nine books, including The Conscious Parent (2010).
Her latest books, Raising Conscious Daughters and Raising Conscious Sons, explore childhood in a world shaped by technology and social media.
And as a mother of a son and daughter, this conversation resonated deeply with me.
We begin talking about conscious parenting: understanding our own conditioning and triggers rather than trying to control who our children become.
With daughters, we explore the pressure to be "good girls", to please others and to silence their authentic voices. Dr. Shefali talks about raising our "dragons" - strong-willed girls who know their own minds - and why nurturing that independence is so valuable. We discuss self-worth, boundaries, body image and positive modelling.
Then we turn to raising sons. Dr. Shefali discusses boys' need for movement and physical outlets, what happens when their feelings and energy are shamed, and how we help them develop into emotionally healthy men. We talk about sexuality, consent and pornography, and why parents must begin age-appropriate conversations before the internet does it for them.
We also discuss the "psychology of more", the business of wellness and the pressure to keep improving ourselves.
Above all, this conversation is a reminder that it's never too late to change, show up and reconnect with our kids.
DR. SHEFALI - BOOKS AND COURSES
Website and books: https://www.drshefali.com
Courses: https://courses.drshefali.com
Instagram: @doctorshefali
The Talk 3.0 - masterclasses on consent, pornography and digital culture (29-30 October; replays included): https://courses.drshefali.com/thetalk
Conscious Parenting & Life Coach certification: https://coaching.drshefali.com
Conscious Coaching Institute discount code: $500OFF
SPECIAL THANKS
To Jacqueline Kyne and the Kyne Foundation for helping to bring Dr. Shefali to Ireland and making this conversation possible.
https://www.kynefoundation.org
Other episodes worth listening to on Ready to be Real :
Richard Hogan - Adolescence: Preteen and Teenager
Mick Moran - Protecting Our Children Online
USEFUL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
CyberSafeKids - Irish online safety education and advice: https://www.cybersafekids.ie
Smartphone Free Childhood Ireland - helping families delay smartphones and social media: https://smartphonefree.ie
If this resonates, please share it with another parent.
And thanks, as always, for supporting Ready to Be Real.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh!
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