A different twist on parenting podcasts. A Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, a mom of 5 kids, and her teenage son discuss topics relating and affecting teenagers today. Our mission is to bridge the communication gap between parents and their teenage children, to help teenagers find their voice, and for parents to understand how to use theirs.
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Our resident teens wanted to discuss a hot topic: curfews. What is a fair curfew? Why do our parents sometimes ask us to come home earlier? Have you sat down to have a conversation with your parents about your curfew or have you always assumed your curfew is a certain time What is the science and connection between staying up late and the decisions we make? Jeremy explains some of the reasons that go into a parents decision making process when determining a curfew. Including how our brain works ...
This episode Caden McKnight joins our resident teen guests, Luke, Clara and Audrey to discuss teen mental health and how distance learning is affecting them a year after their schools were closed. Caden recently had the opportunity to stand before his school board to express how distance learning is affecting him and his classmates. He wanted to represent the voice of all the teens who are not being heard. We love his bravery and leadership to call for change in his education. Listen as we discu...
This week we had teens Luke, Clara, and Audrey take the love language quiz for teens. Listen as we discuss the importance of knowing our own love languages, as well as those in our family and our circle of friends. This show is all about how to show love for your teen by using their own love language and what makes them feel loved. If you want to know how to really connect with your teen and help them feel loved you can have them fill out the love language for teens quiz here: https://www.5lovel...
This week we discuss the topic of rejection with teens Luke and Audrey. How do we teach our kids to handle the uncomfortable emotions surrounding not getting picked for a team or a job, losing the Student Council election, loss of friends, or being rejected asking someone out. On the flip side we also address how to have uncomfortable conversations if we need to end a friendship, or say no to a request for a date.
The Mind the Gap hosts, joined by teens Luke and Audrey, differentiate between peer pressure and peer influence, discussing how teenagers navigate social situations, FOMO, and varying value systems. They provide strategies for teens to uphold their boundaries and resist negative influences, emphasizing the importance of self-esteem and supportive friendships. Parents learn how to communicate effectively by focusing on behaviors, not judging friends, and how to create a safe space for teens to ask for help without fear of anger.
We talk a lot on the show about minding the gap in communication between you and your teen, but the truth is that our time with our teenagers will be easier if we start when they are younger. On this episode we have our pre-teens Alyssa (12), Remi (10) and Deacon (10) talk to us about communication, expressing their emotions and sharing hard things. Listen to find out more about asking open ended questions, naming feelings, and using play time to receive insight on what's going on deeper....
Consequences can be hard to navigate as a parent of teens, whether you are deciding what is an appropriate consequence for your teen or you're worried how they will react. Sometimes setting a consequence feels like a punishment to us as the parent as we then have to deal with the outcome, but overtime setting boundaries and consequences will teach your teen valuable lessons to be successful in life. If you are looking for additional resources how to discipline to match the behavior, we love the ...
During this pandemic it may have seemed more obvious than ever that you have different things in common with your teens/kids. How can you find ways to connect with them when they are just not interested in the things you love? How can you find a way to be interested in things that you have no interest in order to connect with them? Listen as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Jeremy Leavitt, Sherry Anderson, her son Luke and niece Clara discuss this topic in this hilarious episode....
Round table discussion with 4 teens, Austin, Callin, Clara, and Viv with host Sherry Anderson and Marriage and Family Therapist Jeremy Leavitt. Listen as they discuss what they learned from watching The Social Dilemma and how Social Media is affecting and even controlling how we use our phones. We share practices and habits we can implement to not feel like our phones and checking social media is having a strong hold on our lives. You can view the documentary The Social Dilemma on Netflix - "Thi...
As Austin gets ready to head off to college this week we discuss how we are feeling with him leaving home. When kids head off to college for the first time you may worry if you prepared them enough, how the family dynamic will change, filling the new void at home and how to keep your relationship strong with this new physical distance between you. Austin leaves his brother Luke and all teens listening with his words of wisdom in how to get through the teenage years. If you have a topic you would...
Back to school this year looks very different for many kids. Some may be going back to a physical building with masks while others are logging in on a computer. How do we safeguard our kids while online? What to do if they see pornography? How to handle all the extra screen time? Listen as we discuss these questions with Jeremy Leavitt LMFT, Sherry, Austin, and Luke Anderson.
Today we discuss the topic of modesty. In our culture modesty is something that is talked about heavily, mainly with our young and teenage girls. How do we talk about modesty in a way that helps girls feel confident in who they are? What is modesty, exactly? Can it be determined with a ruler? Or is it something much more? Jeremy Leavitt LMFT along with his wife Vanessa discuss this topic with Sherry. We would love to hear your perspective. What is modesty to you? How do you discuss modesty with ...
With kids home 24/7 during Covid-19 you may be feeling the mental fatigue of listening to your kids complain. The truth is, even before this time kids complained. When they come home from school or from practice and start spilling their frustrations is there a line between venting their frustrations and just purely complaining and playing a victim? Do they sometimes need to vent and let out their frustrations in a safe space with someone they know they can be vulnerable? Listen as Sherry, Jeremy...
Jeremy, Sherry, and our teens Austin and Logan, discuss the concept of moral fatigue and why we are so exhausted making everyday decisions during the pandemic. Have you felt overly exhausted and worn-out lately? Weighing the consequences of trying to figure out online school class times, making the decision to go to the store, wearing a mask or not, finding ways to connect with others while being socially responsible and following all the "rules" is the culprit.
While maintaining social distancing Sherry, Jeremy and Austin discuss empathy and compassion. What is empathy? How do we cultivate empathy in teens? How is what we are experiencing now with Covid-19 a good opportunity to help teens learn empathy and compassion for others? Thank you for listening every week! We are so grateful for you and the feedback we have received. If you have any questions you would like us to address on the show you can email us at mindthegap.welisten@gmail.com. We would lo...
We are doing a short series of interviews with teens around the world and how they are doing during COVID-19 pandemic. Listen as Sherry talks with Sharese and her teen daughter Emma, a senior from Ohio, as they give us their tips on staying connected with others and being creative with the extra time. You can follow us on Instagram for more content and inspiration on closing the gap with your teen @mindthegap.welisten and Facebook: Mind the Gap. Teens Talk We Listen.
We are doing a short series of interviews with teens around the world and how they are doing during COVID-19 pandemic. Listen as Sherry talks with Naima and her teen daughter May from France as they give us insight on how things are for families in France. You can follow us on instagram for more content and inspiration on closing the gap with your teen @mindthegap.welisten and facebook: Mind the Gap. Teens Talk We Listen.
We are doing a short series of interviews with teens around the world and how they are doing during COVID-19 pandemic. Listen as Sherry talks with Nicole and her teen son Cooper from Millcreek, UT as they give us their tips on staying connected with others and being creative with the extra time. You can follow us on instagram for more content and inspiration on closing the gap with your teen @mindthegap.welisten and facebook: Mind the Gap. Teens Talk We Listen.
This episode was recorded remotely to honor the CDC requests to distance ourselves. We apologize for the sound quality as we work to find the best recording option while following social distancing protocols. During the Covid-19 pandemic we wanted to give parents and teens help to strengthen their mental health. For those that struggle with anxiety and depression as well as those who don't, isolation and social distancing can increase feelings of depression and anxiety. Jeremy discusses tips fro...
Two weeks ago we posted on our social media pages a question: Do you think teens should be forced to say yes when asked to dance in relation to a recent article about a school in Utah. We were surprised by the responses we received and wanted to discuss on the podcast why we believe it's important to allow teens to make a choice that will help them feel safe. If you would like to see that post and some of the discussions are followers had regarding the topic you can follow us on facebook and ins...
This week Sherry and Jeremy talk with Austin about how the Corona virus is affecting us globally, locally and right in Austin's own world. Listen for tips on how to help your teens, as well as younger kids, how to handle these world events that seem very surreal, scary and can disrupt the regular routines that they are accustom to. We discuss and explain the concept "who knows what is good and what is bad" and how to stay positive and understand that through all things, life is teaching us lesso...
Clara and Austin are back talking about dating, but this time addressing boundaries in relationships. Jeremy discusses what a healthy relationship looks like and signs that a relationship could be problematic. Follow us on instagram @mindthegap.welisten and facebook: Mind The Gap-Teens Talk, We Listen If you have questions for us you would like us to answer, you may email us at: mindthegap.welisten@gmail.com
In this episode we talk about ways to bridge the gap when it comes to teenage depression and suicide. Teen Brayton shares his experience of wanting to end his life and the path that led him to receiving help and how we can help other teens in similar situations.
In this short bonus episode, Jeremy gives 6 tools to parents to identify toxic relationships their teens may have, and how to set boundaries with friends. If you have been enjoying our show please leave us a review to help more listeners find us! For more content and inspiring messages follow us on instagram @mindthegap.welisten or on facebook: Mind The Gap-Teens Talk, We Listen
In this episode we tackle the tough topic of bullying. What does it look like from one who has been the victim of bullying and what effect does it have short term and long term. We get to talk to a teenager who was on the receiving end of buying. Join us as we break down what we can do to help our youth set boundaries and how to overcome the effects of being bullied.
This tool box bonus episode is a follow up episode 4: The Problem with porn and drugs in teens. Jeremy lays out how porn affects the brain and relationships. Great conversation to share with your teens to let them know the "why".
A frank and honest discussion about the dangers of porn and drugs in teens. What are the signs that there could be a possible problem? How do we help them not make cell phones and pornography become a problem in their life?
How to get your parents to say "yes!" You've heard of "parenting hacks" well this one is a hack for teens. How to get the "yes" when you want to hang out with friends.
