The Baffling Behavior Show {Parenting after Trauma}

Ep. 222: Lying, Stealing, Regression & Baby Talk

Robyn Gobbel


Why do kids sometimes - or a lot of the time! - suddenly act much younger…or sneakier?! In this episode, we use Dr. Bruce Perry’s concept of state-dependent functioning to reframe some of the baffling behaviors as signs of stress, not signs of defiance.

If you want to dive deeper into this topic, join us over in The Club. In June 2025, we’re having a masterclass all about behaviors and state dependent functioning- complete with a brand-new illustrated resource. If you’re hearing this episode in the future, the masterclass is stored in our on-demand video library and can still be accessed!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why regression and baby talk are symptoms of a nervous system in distress 
  • How lying and stealing are driven by survival states
  • What it means when your child’s sense of time collapses and they can’t think about future consequences


Resources mentioned in this podcast:



Read the full transcript at: 
RobynGobbel.com/babytalk

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The Club is a monthly membership- there is no commitment, quit anytime, AND explore oodles and oodles of resources and support. 

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