Is my child selfish?

What do you want to be when you grow up? With Dr Jo Winchester

In this episode of Let's Reconnect, psychologist and host Breanna Jayne Sada sits down with educator, researcher and career mentor Dr Jo Winchester to explore how parents can support their children to discover their strengths, interests and future pathways without adding pressure or anxiety. Together they unpack common myths about ATARs, university pathways, subject selection and the future of work in a rapidly changing world shaped by artificial intelligence. If you've ever worried that your child doesn't know what they want to do with their life, this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS * Why career conversations can become a source of anxiety for families * The pressure teenagers feel when choosing subjects and future pathways * Why ATAR scores are not the predictor of success many people think they are * Alternative pathways into university and higher education * Common myths about subject selection and career planning * How parents can unintentionally project their own fears and expectations onto their children * Why joy, interests and strengths matter more than choosing the "perfect" career * The future of work and what artificial intelligence means for young people entering the workforce * Why part-time work may be one of the best investments in a teenager's future * The importance of communication, collaboration and real-world social skills * Helping children build resilience when they experience setbacks and rejection * How parents can support exploration without taking over decision-making * The value of community, connection and "third spaces" for young people * What employers are really looking for in the next generation of workers KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR PARENTS ✔ Your child's ATAR does not define their future. ✔ Most career paths today are flexible, with multiple entry points and alternative routes. ✔ The best career conversations start with curiosity, not pressure. ✔ Part-time work teaches valuable life and employability skills. ✔ Following interests and strengths often leads to greater success than chasing prestige. ✔ Young people need opportunities to fail, learn and build resilience. ✔ Parents don't need all the answers. They simply need to be a safe place for their child to explore possibilities. RESOURCES MENTIONED Dr Jo Winchester Website: https://www.drjowinchester.com.au/ [https://www.drjowinchester.com.au/] Podcast: What's Next? with Dr Jo Winchester WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE NEWS? Breanna also discusses concerns around increasing exposure to gambling advertising during major sporting events and why parents should be having conversations with young people about sports betting, gambling risks and help-seeking. Youth gambling rates continue to rise, making early conversations and healthy role modelling more important than ever. ABOUT LET'S RECONNECT Let's Reconnect is the podcast for parents wanting to reconnect with their children and teens. Hosted by psychologist Breanna Jayne Sada, each episode combines practical parenting strategies, psychological insights and expert guests to help strengthen family relationships and support children's wellbeing. KEYWORDS: parenting teenagers, helping teens choose a career, subject selection advice, ATAR stress, university pathways Australia, future of work, AI and careers, career advice for parents, supporting teenagers after school, helping children find their passion, part-time work for teenagers, career planning for high school students, parenting teens Australia, Dr Jo Winchester, future jobs Australia, youth wellbeing, school subject selection, university alternatives, apprenticeships and careers, raising resilient teenagers. Let's Reconnect next episode. In the meantime, subscribe and follow our podcast and socials @breanna.jayne_psych @letsreconnect_pod. If you or your child would like to write in with a question or story, or you’d like to be a guest advocating for the needs of children and young people, please reach out. Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is general and not a substitute for individual clinical advice or treatment. While I am a registered psychologist, I am not providing personalised guidance here. Every child and family is different, and what’s discussed may not suit your situation. If you have concerns, please seek support from a qualified mental health professional. For immediate help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or call 000 in an emergency. Views expressed are my own and not those of any organisations I am associated with. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Listener Q and A

Parenting rarely comes with a manual, which is why listener questions are such valuable conversations. In this special Q&A episode of Let’s Reconnect, psychologist Breanna Jayne Sada [www.breannajayne.com] answers three common parenting concerns: staying connected with a tween daughter, navigating a teenager accessing mental health support, and preparing young children for the arrival of a new baby. Drawing on psychological theory, child development and years of experience working with families, Breanna offers practical, compassionate advice to help parents strengthen connection, build trust and support their children through life's transitions. HOW DO I STAY CONNECTED TO MY TWEEN DAUGHTER? A father worries that he is losing connection with his tween daughter as she spends more time with friends and seems closer to her mother. Breanna explains why this shift is a normal part of development and shares practical ways fathers can strengthen their relationship without forcing conversations or competing for attention. Topics include: * Why eye rolls don't mean rejection * Understanding tween and adolescent development * The importance of quality over quantity when spending time together * How dads can immerse themselves in their child's world * Building connection through curiosity and shared interests * Why fathers shouldn't shy away from difficult conversations MY TEEN IS SEEING THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST. SHOULD I BE WORRIED? A parent discovers their 16-year-old son has been seeing the school psychologist and feels hurt, confused and concerned. Breanna explains how confidentiality works for teenagers in Australia and why seeking support is actually a positive sign. Topics include: * Teen confidentiality and privacy rights in Australia * Understanding Gillick Competence * When psychologists must inform parents * Why teenagers sometimes talk more openly to trusted adults outside the family * Creating emotional safety so teenagers feel comfortable opening up * How parents can respond without pushing their child away PREPARING CHILDREN FOR THE ARRIVAL OF A NEW BABY A listener asks how to help their five-year-old and two-year-old adjust to a new sibling. Breanna discusses sibling jealousy, emotional adjustment and practical strategies to help children feel secure, loved and included. Topics include: * Why jealousy is normal when a new baby arrives * Understanding egocentrism in young children * Helping children feel safe through predictability and routine * Validating difficult emotions rather than dismissing them * Preparing siblings before the baby's arrival * Maintaining strong individual connections with each child KEY TAKEAWAYS * Connection with tweens and teens often changes, but it doesn't disappear. * Children need parents who are curious about their interests rather than expecting children to enter the parent's world. * A teenager seeking support from a psychologist is often a sign of strength, not crisis. * Confidentiality helps young people access support safely while still maintaining safeguards around risk. * Young children need reassurance, predictability and validation when adjusting to a new sibling. * Quality moments of connection are often more powerful than quantity. MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE "Eye rolling is not an indicator that they don't need you in their life." "Connection doesn't come from lots and lots of interactions. It comes from quality interactions." "Your teenager talking to another trusted adult is not a competition." "Children cope better with change when their environment and caregivers are predictable." RESOURCES & SUPPORT If you are concerned about your child's mental health or wellbeing, support is available: * Lifeline Australia [https://www.lifeline.org.au?utm_source=chatgpt.com] — 13 11 14 * Kids Helpline [https://kidshelpline.com.au?utm_source=chatgpt.com] — 1800 55 1800 * Speak with your GP or a registered mental health professional * www.breannajayne.com [www.breannajayne.com ]- to book in with Breanna Let’s Reconnect with Breanna Jayne Sada is a parenting and mental health podcast helping parents better understand their children, strengthen relationships and navigate the challenges of raising young people in a rapidly changing world. Let's Reconnect next episode. In the meantime, subscribe and follow our podcast and socials @breanna.jayne_psych @letsreconnect_pod. If you or your child would like to write in with a question or story, or you’d like to be a guest advocating for the needs of children and young people, please reach out. Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is general and not a substitute for individual clinical advice or treatment. While I am a registered psychologist, I am not providing personalised guidance here. Every child and family is different, and what’s discussed may not suit your situation. If you have concerns, please seek support from a qualified mental health professional. For immediate help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or call 000 in an emergency. Views expressed are my own and not those of any organisations I am associated with. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Should we be posting our kids online?

In this thought-provoking episode of Let’s Reconnect, psychologist and parent Breanna Jayne Sada explores one of the biggest modern parenting dilemmas: should we be posting photos and videos of our children online? From birth announcements and first-day-of-school photos to viral family content and AI-generated risks, this episode dives into the hidden impact of growing up online. Breanna unpacks how social media, technology and rapidly advancing artificial intelligence are changing childhood, privacy and parenting forever. This episode is not about shaming parents. It’s about helping families, schools, sporting organisations and communities become more intentional and informed about what we share online and why. IN THIS EPISODE * Why parents naturally want to share photos and milestones online * The psychological need for connection and validation through social media * How children are developing digital footprints before they can consent * The impact of AI and facial recognition technology on children’s privacy * Why posting online in 2026 is different to even five years ago * The rise of family influencers and children being monetised online * Concerns around consent, dignity and children’s autonomy * The psychological impact of growing up constantly photographed and observed * Why schools, sporting clubs and organisations also need to rethink online posting * Practical reflective questions every parent should ask before posting a child online KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED CHILDREN & DIGITAL FOOTPRINTS Today’s children are the first generation growing up with an online identity created before they can fully understand privacy, consent or long-term consequences. AI & ONLINE SAFETY RISKS Breanna discusses how AI technology can now manipulate images, use facial recognition and even extract personal information from online photos, significantly changing the risks of sharing children’s images online. CONSENT & RESPECTING PRIVACY This episode explores how parents can begin age-appropriate conversations about consent, privacy and social media with children and teens. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF GROWING UP ONLINE What happens when children realise their vulnerable or embarrassing moments have been shared publicly online? Breanna reflects on how social media may influence identity formation, self-worth and validation. FAMILY INFLUENCERS & MONETISING CHILDHOOD Breanna discusses themes explored in Like, Follow, Subscribe by Fortesa Latifi, including concerns raised by children who grew up in family vlogging and influencer environments. QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS TO REFLECT ON * Would my child be comfortable with this photo being online as an adult? * Am I sharing this for connection or external validation? * Have I considered my child’s dignity and privacy? * Could this moment stay within family or close friends instead? * Have I asked for my child’s consent where appropriate? * Am I teaching my child that every moment needs to be documented? RESOURCES & SUPPORT If this episode brought up concerns for you or someone you care about, support is available: * Lifeline Australia [https://www.lifeline.org.au?utm_source=chatgpt.com] — 13 11 14 * Kids Helpline [https://kidshelpline.com.au?utm_source=chatgpt.com] — 1800 55 1800 * In an emergency, call 000 ABOUT THE PODCAST Let’s Reconnect with Breanna Jayne Sada is a parenting and mental health podcast helping adults better understand children, teenagers and family relationships through practical, evidence-based conversations. Hosted by Breanna Jayne Sada, episodes explore youth mental health, parenting, technology, relationships, emotional wellbeing and modern family life. Let's Reconnect next episode. In the meantime, subscribe and follow our podcast and socials @breanna.jayne_psych @letsreconnect_pod. If you or your child would like to write in with a question or story, or you’d like to be a guest advocating for the needs of children and young people, please reach out. Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is general and not a substitute for individual clinical advice or treatment. While I am a registered psychologist, I am not providing personalised guidance here. Every child and family is different, and what’s discussed may not suit your situation. If you have concerns, please seek support from a qualified mental health professional. For immediate help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or call 000 in an emergency. Views expressed are my own and not those of any organisations I am associated with. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Is my child selfish?

In this episode of Let's Reconnect with Breanna Jayne Sada, we explore one of the most common worries parents have about their children and teenagers: “Is my child selfish?” If you’ve ever felt frustrated that your child only talks about themselves, struggles to consider other people’s feelings, or seems unaware of the emotional needs of those around them, this episode will reassure you that what you’re seeing is often not selfishness at all, it’s a normal developmental stage called egocentrism. Drawing on developmental psychology and the work of Jean Piaget, Breanna explains why children and adolescents naturally see the world through their own perspective and how parents can stop fighting against this stage and instead use it to build stronger connection, trust and emotional understanding. This episode explores: * What egocentrism in child development actually means * Why egocentrism is not the same as narcissism or selfishness * Why children and teens struggle with perspective-taking * The adolescent brain and emotional development * Why teens often feel like “everyone is watching them” * How unrealistic parental expectations can create conflict * The impact of repeatedly calling children “selfish” * How empathy develops over time * Why connection is more effective than lecturing * Practical ways parents can encourage empathy naturally * How reminiscing, curiosity and conversation build emotional connection * Why modelling empathy matters more than demanding it Breanna also shares practical parenting strategies to help parents respond differently to behaviours that can otherwise become major sources of conflict in families. Rather than seeing egocentrism as a flaw, this episode encourages parents to view it as an opportunity for connection and emotional growth. If you’re parenting a primary school-aged child, pre-teen or teenager and have ever wondered: * “Why does my child only think about themselves?” * “Does my teen care about anyone else?” * “How do I teach empathy?” * “Is this normal child development?” …this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: * Child development and emotional maturity * Teen brain development * Parenting strategies for connection * Emotional intelligence in children * Perspective-taking skills * Empathy development * Conflict between parents and children * Healthy parent-child relationships * Psychology of adolescence * Developmentally appropriate behaviour For more conversations about parenting, child development, youth mental health and strengthening family relationships, follow Let's Reconnect with Breanna Jayne Sada and share this episode with another parent who may need the reminder: Your child is not selfish. They are still developing. Let's Reconnect next episode. In the meantime, subscribe and follow our podcast and socials @breanna.jayne_psych @letsreconnect_pod. If you or your child would like to write in with a question or story, or you’d like to be a guest advocating for the needs of children and young people, please reach out. Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is general and not a substitute for individual clinical advice or treatment. While I am a registered psychologist, I am not providing personalised guidance here. Every child and family is different, and what’s discussed may not suit your situation. If you have concerns, please seek support from a qualified mental health professional. For immediate help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or call 000 in an emergency. Views expressed are my own and not those of any organisations I am associated with. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Homeschooling is on the rise in Australia- a deep dive with Alecia Hancock

Why are more Australian families choosing homeschooling and alternative education pathways? In this episode of Let’s Reconnect, psychologist Breanna Jayne Sada explores the rise in homeschooling, [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-24/homeschooling-numbers-reflect-changing-attitudes-of-parents/104845314] school refusal, and “school can’t” among children and teenagers across Australia. Joined by Alecia Hancock, owner of ND Perspectives in Perth, [https://www.ndperspective.com.au/] this conversation dives into the emotional and practical realities families face when mainstream school no longer feels safe, sustainable, or appropriate for their child. Together, they discuss neurodiversity, anxiety, school disengagement, sensory overwhelm, and the difficult decisions parents are increasingly making in order to protect their child’s wellbeing. This episode is not about whether mainstream school is “good” or “bad.” It’s about understanding why more families are reconsidering traditional education and what support children may need when school becomes overwhelming. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS * The rise in homeschooling registrations across Australia * Why more children and teens are disengaging from mainstream school * The difference between “school refusal” and “school can’t” * How autism, ADHD, anxiety, and sensory overwhelm can impact schooling * The hidden challenges neurodivergent children face in classrooms * Autism burnout and its impact on mental health and attendance * Transitioning from primary school to high school * The emotional impact on parents navigating these decisions * What homeschooling can actually look like in Australia * Socialisation myths around homeschooling * The role of allied health professionals in supporting families KEY TAKEAWAYS * Many families do not feel they are “choosing” homeschooling, but responding to a child in distress * School environments are often designed for neurotypical learners, which can create ongoing overwhelm for some children * Burnout in autistic children and teens is real and can significantly affect functioning and wellbeing * Homeschooling and alternative education pathways are becoming increasingly common in Australia * There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to education and wellbeing * Protecting a child’s mental health and sense of self may require flexibility and individualised approaches TOPICS COVERED WHAT IS “SCHOOL CAN’T”? A growing term used to describe children who are not simply refusing school, but who genuinely cannot cope with the demands of the environment due to overwhelm, burnout, anxiety, or neurodivergent needs. NEURODIVERSITY AND MAINSTREAM SCHOOL This episode explores how sensory sensitivities, transitions, social expectations, classroom environments, uniforms, noise, and lack of flexibility can impact autistic and ADHD children. AUTISM BURNOUT Alecia shares how burnout gradually built over time for her son and how stepping away from mainstream schooling helped him reconnect with his personality, humour, and wellbeing. The conversation covers: * Registration processes * Curriculum requirements * Flexible learning approaches * Interest-based learning * Social opportunities for homeschooled children * The realities of balancing work and homeschooling HELPFUL RESOURCES * ND Perspectives – https://www.ndperspective.com.au/ [https://www.ndperspective.com.au/] * Let’s Reconnect Podcast Instagram – @letsreconnect_pod [https://www.instagram.com/letsreconnect_pod/] * Breanna Jayne Sada – @breanna.jayne_psychologist [https://www.instagram.com/breanna.jayne_psychologist/] * Raising Children's Network - School Refusal Guide [https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/school-learning/school-refusal/school-refusal] * Understanding School Can't - Headspace [https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/supporting-a-young-person/school-cant/] This episode may be helpful for: * Parents concerned about school refusal or school can’t * Families navigating neurodiversity and education * Teachers and school wellbeing staff * Allied health professionals * Parents considering homeschooling or alternative schooling pathways * Anyone wanting to better understand the emotional realities behind school disengagement If this conversation resonated with you, share this episode with another parent, teacher, or professional who may benefit from hearing it. And if your family has experienced homeschooling, school refusal, alternative education, or transitioning back into mainstream school, Breanna would love to hear your story. Let's Reconnect next episode. In the meantime, subscribe and follow our podcast and socials @breanna.jayne_psych @letsreconnect_pod. If you or your child would like to write in with a question or story, or you’d like to be a guest advocating for the needs of children and young people, please reach out. Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is general and not a substitute for individual clinical advice or treatment. While I am a registered psychologist, I am not providing personalised guidance here. Every child and family is different, and what’s discussed may not suit your situation. If you have concerns, please seek support from a qualified mental health professional. For immediate help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or call 000 in an emergency. Views expressed are my own and not those of any organisations I am associated with. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.