In this eye-opening episode, Ce shares what’s really happening when a trauma-impacted child’s behavior looks calculated, controlling, or manipulative. It’s not evil genius (or other automatic fears)—it’s learned survival logic.
Using clear neuroscience, Ce explains how negative reinforcement wires the brain to seek relief from shame, fear, and powerlessness. You’ll learn why your child’s brain sometimes picks control over connection—and exactly how to teach it to choose love instead.
“Control is safety for the child who’s never been safely controlled.”
“When you stop allowing lying work, the brain stops investing in it.”
“Relief rewires faster than reward.” --Ce Eshelman, LMFT
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→ Read this week's companion blog -- https://www.lovemattersparenting.com/blog/when-it-looks-calculated-but-isnt