Mailbag: Back to Basics with Low Demand

In this episode, I’m answering a listener question I hear all the time: What does low demand actually look like?

I walk through the foundations of low demand parenting by breaking it down into a clear, practical process—using real-life examples to show how we identify what’s too hard, drop demands that aren’t doable, and increase accommodations in ways that actually bring relief. I explain how low demand isn’t about “giving up” or being permissive, but about attuning to capacity—our kids’ and our own—and responding with intention instead of force.

I also introduce the six-step low demand process, unpack how demands work like a layer cake (surface demand → expectation → adult need), and share how learning to truly listen to our kids’ communication changes everything.

If you’ve ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or unsure whether you’re “doing low demand right,” this episode is meant to give you clarity, structure, and reassurance that there is a path through this.