Jenny Brown: How Focusing on Yourself Can Help Your Children Thrive at Every Age

In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss welcomes Australian family systems expert and author Jenny Brown to discuss her new book, The Parenting Paradox. Steve and Jenny weave together family systems theory, faith, and practical parenting wisdom. They explore how parents can reduce anxiety by focusing on their own growth rather than trying to fix their children. Key topics include managing reactivity, setting healthy boundaries, navigating social media challenges, and parenting adult children and grandchildren. Jenny emphasizes that parental success shouldn't be measured by a child's behavior, but by a parent's own principles and self-awareness. 

Episode Resources:

Jenny Brown’s The Parenting Paradox: Loving Our Children by Giving Them Space to Grow

Bowen Family Systems Theory’s Eight Concepts

Understanding Differentiation of Self

Tim Keller’s Counterfeit Gods

Australia bans social media for children under 16

Read Matthew 7:3–5 ESV

More From Jenny Brown:

Jenny Brown’s Website

Family Systems Institute

Jenny Brown’s Growing Yourself Up: How to bring your best to all of life's relationships

Parent Hope Project

Parent Hope Podcast

Jenny Brown’s Author Page Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices