EP 177: When Possums Become Watchdogs

When I work with parents whose child spends a lot of time on the possum pathway, I warn them that sometimes possum kids become watchdog kids before the finally have a nice, strong owl brain.

Because watchdog behaviors are often more intense and scarier than possum behaviors, this can feel like your child is ‘getting worse.’

It’s actually a sign of healing, and here’s why!

In this episode, you’ll learn

• Why kids who have a lot of possum behavior can sometimes become kids who have a lot of watchdog behavior
• Why this phenomenon usually means there is progress and healing happening
• Why sometimes kids move from possum behaviors to owl behaviors without having watchdog behaviors

Read the full transcript at: RobynGobbel.com/possumsbecomewatchdogs

If you work with the parents of OTHER people's kids, register for Reframing Resistance: Supporting Parents through the Lens of Relational Neuroscience on July 14 @ 10-1:15pm eastern.

----> RobynGobbel.com/ReframingResistance

We have a few spots remaining at the Presence in Practice retreat-style training in Michigan July 15-17!

RobynGobbel.com/MIPIP2026

:::

Grab a copy of USA Today Best Selling book Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors robyngobbel.com/book

Join us in The Club for more support! robyngobbel.com/TheClub

Sign up on the waiting list for the 2027 Cohorts of the Baffling Behavior Training Institute's Immersion Program for Professionals robyngobbel.com/Immersion

Follow Me On:
Facebook
Instagram

Over on my website you can find:
Webinar and eBook on Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior (FREE)
eBook on The Brilliance of Attachment (FREE)
LOTS & LOTS of FREE Resources
Ongoing support, connection, and co-regulation for struggling parents: The Club
Year-Long Immersive & Holistic Training Program for Parenting Professionals: The Baffling Behavior Training Institute’s (BBTI) Professional Immersion Program (formerly Being With)