Throw Out the Manual: Rewriting Fatherhood for a PDA Kid
In this episode, I sit down with my friend and neighbor Jeff Parrott to talk about parenting a PDA, pressure-sensitive child while letting go of the “typical” parenting manual. Jeff shares their family’s pivot from high academic expectations to unschooling, how discovering PDA reframed everything, and why consent became the key non-negotiable in their parenting. He walks me through his family’s practical, proactive demand-drops (like rethinking laundry and mealtimes), handling criticism as a father, and the affirmation that anchors him: “connection over correction.” If you’ve ever wondered how to live out your low demand beliefs when your identity is tied to achievement, this conversation is a powerful roadmap.
About Jeff:
Jeff Parrott is a proud father and husband in a neurodiverse family and is committed to learning from his lived experience practicing Low Demand. With a focus on personal growth, he is committed to the appreciation, understanding, and support of neurodiversity, sensory sensitivities, Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA), and Low Demand. Jeff has B.E. degrees in engineering (Biomedical and Electrical) and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Women’s Health and Reproductive Endocrinology) and has much experience in academic and pharmaceutical development laboratories. A persistent problem solver, he strives to find everyday solutions that work for his beautiful, developing, gifted family. In this space, he identifies with the username @JeffAugmen. “Augmen” is a Latin for “growth.
Mentions in this episode:
- Occupational therapist Jenna Meehan, of Be Me OT in Durham, NC: https://www.bemeot.com/
- PDA framing; “pressure-sensitive kids” (Dr. Naomi Fisher, reference by Jeff)
Additional Resources:
- Low Demand Parenting book: a love letter to exhausted, overwhelmed parents everywhere. Get the first chapter free!
- Why is everything with my kid so hard?: Take the quiz to find your first step forward!
- Low Demand Parenting Blog: a treasure trove of low demand wisdom
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The Low Demand Parenting Podcast is your space to let go of the pressure and embrace a more joyful, authentic approach to parenting. We hope you enjoyed this episode and would be honored if you left us a review which helps us reach more parents just like you!
