Letting Go of Control, How to Foster Trust and Independence

Robyn sits down with therapist Bridget KerMorris to talk about parenting through the middle school years with connection, curiosity, and communication.

In this episode, therapist and mom Robyn Isman is joined by fellow therapist Bridget KerMorris, a Stanford-trained lawyer and a mom of seven, for a thoughtful conversation about parenting during the middle school years—a season full of change, emotion, and opportunity for growth. Bridget shares her parenting framework that centers on curiosity rather than control, inviting parents to stay connected while allowing children the space to learn and repair.

Together, Robyn and Bridget discuss the realities of friendships, technology, and family communication in today’s world. They explore how parents can shift from monitoring to understanding, and how teaching empathy, repair, and self-awareness helps kids build the relationship skills they need for life. Bridget also reflects on her own transition from law to mental health work, emphasizing how self-care and emotional regulation shape the way parents show up.

By the end of this episode, you’ll feel encouraged to approach parenting with less pressure and more connection. You’ll learn how curiosity builds trust, how repair strengthens relationships, and how focusing on your own well-being creates space for your child’s independence to grow.

Shared Resources:

• Bridget KerMorris’s Website
• Follow Bridget on Instagram @bridget.parentcoach
• Middle School Safety ToolKit
• 50 ways I’m staying close to my middle schooler
• Free Social Script ToolKit
• Steady + Connected Parenting Group Program Waitlist
• Follow Robyn on Instagram @parentingtheanxiouschild
• Parenting the Anxious Child Membership
• Sign up for Robyn’s Newsletter and find additional resources