aParently! A Conversation With Brad Sparks
Mon Feb 02 2026
What do you do when your child seems older than their age?
In this episode of aParently! A Podcast for Parents, Shawn talks with dad Brad Sparks about raising a daughter who is emotionally mature, independent, and eager to take on the world, sometimes faster than childhood naturally moves. Together they explore the tension between respecting a child's capability and protecting their right to still be a kid.
They also dive into:
Parenting a child who feels 'ahead' of peers
How maturity can sometimes lead to loneliness
Anger in kids - what's underneath it
Letting siblings work through conflict
Teaching emotional skills without overloading a child
The fear parents carry when they see their own childhood patterns in their kids
This conversation is honest, thoughtful, and deeply relatable for parents raising strong-willed, big-feeling kids.
If you've ever wondered whether your child is growing up too fast
or how to support a kid who thinks like an adult
This might be helpful
You don't have to figure this out alone.
Shawn offers free coaching for parents at www.shawnhop.com
a place to talk through whatever you're facing.
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What do you do when your child seems older than their age? In this episode of aParently! A Podcast for Parents, Shawn talks with dad Brad Sparks about raising a daughter who is emotionally mature, independent, and eager to take on the world, sometimes faster than childhood naturally moves. Together they explore the tension between respecting a child's capability and protecting their right to still be a kid. They also dive into: Parenting a child who feels 'ahead' of peers How maturity can sometimes lead to loneliness Anger in kids - what's underneath it Letting siblings work through conflict Teaching emotional skills without overloading a child The fear parents carry when they see their own childhood patterns in their kids This conversation is honest, thoughtful, and deeply relatable for parents raising strong-willed, big-feeling kids. If you've ever wondered whether your child is growing up too fast or how to support a kid who thinks like an adult This might be helpful You don't have to figure this out alone. Shawn offers free coaching for parents at www.shawnhop.com a place to talk through whatever you're facing.