#19 Divorced But Not Damaged: What NOT to Do If You Don’t Want to Mess Up Your Kids with Dr. Larry Waldman
Divorce doesn’t just split couples—it can shatter a child’s entire sense of security.
In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Dr. Larry Waldman, a seasoned forensic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in high-conflict custody cases. He pulls back the curtain on what really happens to children caught in the middle of messy divorces, revealing the emotional, behavioral, and developmental toll it takes when parents put their pain above their parenting.
Dr. Waldman introduces the concept of the “loyalty squeeze”—a heartbreaking dynamic where kids feel trapped between two parents, unsure who to love, who to trust, or how to keep the peace.
💔 What We Cover:
The real damage of parental alienation and its long-term consequences
Why kids “take sides” (and how it backfires later in life)
Signs your child may be internalizing your conflict
Divorce “sins” parents don’t realize they’re committing—like oversharing, using kids as emotional supports, or rushing into new relationships
How second marriages impact children (and why the divorce rate is higher the second time around)
What judges really look for in custody cases
Practical ways to protect your kids’ mental health during separation
Whether you're going through a divorce, co-parenting, or healing from your own childhood experience, this episode offers compassionate, expert-backed advice to help you break the cycle and put kids' wellbeing first.
💡 As Dr. Waldman says:
“Children don’t get a say in divorce. But they suffer the consequences.”
🎧 Tune in now and learn how to protect what matters most.
About Dr. Larry Waldman
Larry’s website https://topphoenixpsychologist.com/about_me/
Check Larry out on his favorite platform, LinkedIn
Connect with Kayla:
Instagram: @NotYourTherapist.Kayla
Podcast: Subscribe to Not Your Therapist on Spotify , Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.
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