As I navigate through a deeply personal and challenging time, today's episode signifies a monumental shift in my life, one that I know will leave a lasting impact. In the midst of this, I've made the decision to take a break from recording to focus on being present with my family. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Have you ever found yourself trying to do all the right things with your child, pouring all your love and so, so much energy into parenting, only to start to question if you are even on the right path? Sometimes, even our best intentions can steer us off course. In this episode, we cover: An audiobook revelation that challenged my perspective on parenting. The comparison trap we often fall into as parents. Reevaluation of societal norms Parental pressure and guilt Three things to think about if ...
Are you exhausted, barely keeping your head above water, wondering if the next wave of fear will be the wave that finally takes you out? Well, friend, reframing is one powerful way you can start to protect your peace. In this episode, we cover: How discomfort is a part of every decision we make as parents. How trying a new parenting approach involves confronting pain and discomfort, questioning ourselves, and pushing through doubt. How each fear we experience presents an opportunity to overcome ...
In today's episode, we are going to take a look at some common fear triggers. How many of them resonate with you? We'll discuss the vicious cycle of fear, and what I've learned about the role of mirror neurons in my relationship with my teen. I'll also share some ways that I've been trying to break the cycle of fear in my own life & improve communication with my teens and adult children. ___________________________________________________________________________ About Through The Hard: "Thro...
As we step into a new year, there's NO BETTER TIME to kickstart healthy habits and cultivate self-compassion. In this special rerun of Episode 32, we revisit an insightful discussion with Megan Dahlman, a Certified Trainer, Nutrition Coach, and mom of boys. Megan shares invaluable insights for moms navigating challenging seasons of chaos and uncertainty, emphasizing the crucial first steps on their self-compassion journey. Key Takeaways: Initiating Self-Care : Megan guides us through the initial...
Welcome to the final episode of 2023, where we take a reflective journey through some of my favorite clips of Through the Hard and Unyielding. Join us as we revisit the memorable moments and lessons learned..... Segment 1: Episode 10 Moving Through the Unknown with Purpose Segment 2: Episode 27 Embracing Imperfection: Why You Need to Let Go of the Need to Fix Your Teen Segment 3: Episode 12 What No One Tells You About Youth Probation Segment 4: Episode 37 React Less, Respond More: Parenting Tips...
In this episode of Through the Hard, we dive into the topic of control and over-functioning in parenting. It's something many of us struggle with, and it can have negative effects on our teens. I often find myself in that same place, trying to control every aspect of my teen's life, thinking it is the best way to protect them. But I'm learning that it's so important to find a balance. Our teens need some freedom to make their own choices and learn from their mistakes. That's where the concept of...
In this episode of Through the Hard, we dive into the topic of control and over-functioning in parenting. It's something many of us struggle with, and it can have negative effects on our teens. I often find myself in that same place, trying to control every aspect of my teen's life, thinking it is the best way to protect them. But I'm learning that it's so important to find a balance. Our teens need some freedom to make their own choices and learn from their mistakes. That's where the concept of...
Today's Parenting Teens Through the Hard episode is a heartfelt throwback from last year. We're diving into the challenges we all face during the holiday season while caring for a teen in crisis. Your experiences and emotions are valid, and we're here to explore them with compassion and understanding. Join us as we discuss the many conflicting emotions we experience and offer a few suggestions on how to approach setting boundaries, avoiding problematic gifts, planning how to handle difficult con...
Friend, today, we're going to delve into a topic that might tug at the heartstrings a bit – the profound importance of vulnerability in parenting, particularly during these challenging teenage years. Together, we'll dive a little deeper into this concept I like to call "heart talk." A gentle, intimate dialogue rooted in trust and authenticity, a space where we can really connect with our teens. Because, you see, parenting during these years can be quite a tender journey. You and I are going to e...
In episode 48, we're diving into a topic that's pretty important on this parenting journey through the hard: talking openly and genuinely with our teenagers. You know, as parents, it's crucial to get a handle on our own emotions and fears before we embark on those deep heart-to-heart chats. Think of it like learning a new dance – it takes time, understanding, and a solid connection. In this episode, I've got some down-to-earth strategies to share to help you get closer to having deeper conversat...
In Episode 47, I give you an inside glimpse of the content for Day 1 of our recent workshop on The Four Principles for Fighting Fear, specifically in the context of parenting teenagers. As a parent, I understand how fear can sometimes hinder our ability to parent our teens effectively. That's why I want to share a personal "cheat code" for managing fear and becoming a more confident parent. You see, parental fear is often rooted in love. We want the best for our teenagers, and we worry about the...
In this episode of our podcast "Parenting Teens Through the Hard," we are talking about the importance of understanding the changing dynamics of communication with our teens and how crucial it is for us to adapt. We all know that our teens are heavily influenced by their peers, technology, and social media. However, it's essential for us to remember that our voices still hold immense value in their lives. We need to find ways to connect and communicate effectively with them. A key aspect we focu...
" What will you pursue in the middle of this mess that might somehow justify all your suffering?" In this episode, we are opening our eyes to one of the biggest struggles we experience as parents of teenagers or young adults in crisis. Whether we are dealing with teen behavior issues, addiction, failing grades in high school, manipulation, or isolation, there is a heaviness that creeps in around us with no intention of leaving anytime soon. Join us as we discuss how we go from hurt parents to he...
Hey Sis! Ever think about parenting teens like you're tending a garden? Well, that's what we're getting into in this episode – 'cause, let's face it, our kids are a bit like flowers. They bloom when they're ready, in their own sweet time. We're just here to play the gardener, you know? Nurturing, observing, and maybe doing a bit of waiting. This summer, as I strolled around my yard, checking out how each plant was doing, it hit me how much parenting teens can feel like tending a garden. And gues...
" As we heal the parts of us that, even in the midst of chaos, need to grieve over the loss of the family we dreamed would be ours, we get better at parenting. We learn to be ok with holding the reins a little looser because holding them tight never seems to bring our child closer. And through this beautiful process of losing and finding, we stumble upon our sweet spot." In today’s episode, we discuss the 4th and final stage of learning. At this stage, our skills are developing and becoming ingr...
“Parenting is not your purpose. It’s preparing you for your purpose.” We often make the learning process more complicated than necessary because of the negative feelings we experience when as parents, we make mistakes. Ironically, not doing it right and making mistakes are actually vital steps in the learning process. In today’s episode, we are moving on to explore conscious competence parenting, which is stage 3 of any learning process. Join us to learn more about…. Stage 3: Conscious Competenc...
Show-notes Episode 41 Title: The Learning Curve: Stage 2 of Learning to Parent a Teen in Crisis “Awareness is the first step in healing.” Dean Ornish Today’s episode is another bite sized episode, perfect for a quick walk around the neighborhood. The second of our mini series on the four stages we go through as we learn to parent a teen in crisis. These stages take us through the learning curve we face as we develop the skills needed in order to feel more confident in our parenting abilities. In...
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” Hey….You made it! I wondered if you would find the time this week, friend. I know that right now, you are juggling all the things, and finding a little time to shut off the chatter in your brain is challenging. Today’s episode is bite-sized. Just about 20 mins from beginning to end to kick off a little mini-series we are doing on the four stages we go through as we learn to parent a teen in crisis. These stages t...
“Everyone we meet is both our student and our teacher.” Today’s episode is a countdown of the four factors that guide our parenting decisions. Together we talk about the benefits & challenges that we experience with each one of these factors. Join us to learn more about…. Family dynamics in parenting. Peer Influence The Benefits of Book and Media On-the-job training and more. In this podcast episode, we discuss the anxieties and insecurities we face in our parenting journey and introduce the...
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Carl Jung “And every day, the world will drag you by the hand, yelling, “This is important! And this is important! And this is important! You need to worry about this! And this! And this!” And each day, it’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart, and say, “No. This is what’s important.” Iain Thomas In today's episode, we talk about the important roles that connection and control play ...
Sometimes it can feel like we are full-time firefighters. We rush from one crisis to the next, never really fixing problems, just trying to slow down the spread. Today we talk about the difference between reacting and responding and give you some practical advice on how you can begin the process of being more mindful of the things that are important to you in your relationship with your teen. Learn more about … How urgency has a tendency to overthrow the things that are really important to us. H...
"Friendship is a key coping mechanism for life’s tougher moments 💙" In this final episode of our series on self-compassion, we're delving into one of the most cherished ways to practice self-care when you have a teen in crisis—spending time with friends. Fact: The importance of self-care and the support of friends cannot be overstated. Joining me in this conversation is my very best friend, Tonya. Together, we unwind and share insights on why friendship becomes our lifeline in the challenging j...
"Journaling is simply thinking through your fingers 💙" Join us for the second part of my enlightening interview with Leif Holmes as we delve deeper into the profound connection between journaling and self-compassion. In this episode, we candidly explore the personal benefits we've experienced through journaling, the obstacles that sometimes hinder this practice, and the crucial steps to take when life's storms begin to roll in. Key Insights: Gain a fresh perspective: We often see only 10% of th...
“I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I wrote” Flannery O’Connor Join us in this week's episode as we continue to sow the seeds of self-compassion, accompanied by our insightful guest, Leif Holmes. Leif, a pastor with over 30 years of shared life experience with his wife, Laura, and raising three kids together, brings a unique perspective to our conversation. Discover the beauty of journaling through Leif's lens—how it intertwines seamlessly with our self-care goals and th...
In our recent survey, we asked parents navigating the tumultuous journey of raising teens in crisis about their self-care practices. Here's a glimpse into their go-to strategies: Exercise/Physical Movement Spending Time with Friends Counseling/Support Groups/12 Steps Prayer/Meditation/Journaling Massage Today, we're delving into result number 3—Counseling, Support Groups, or 12-step Programs and how these practices relate to parenting a teen in crisis. Key Insights: Holistic Support: Therapy, in...
Note: This episode was originally published under our former podcast title. While the name has changed to “Parenting Through the Hard,” the heart of this conversation remains the same. Thanks for being part of the journey. Show-notes Episode 32 Self-Compassion 101: Your Body "If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete." Jack Kornfield In today's episode, Megan Dahlman, Certified Trainer, Nutrition Coach, and mom of boys, shares what she believes moms navigating a season of ch...
Note: This episode was originally published under our former podcast title. While the name has changed to “Parenting Through the Hard,” the heart of this conversation remains the same. Thanks for being part of the journey. Pause for a moment; there's something crucial here. In the world of parenting a teen facing challenges, self-care isn't just a luxury—it's a lifeline. It's about showing up as the kind of mama you can be proud of, even in the midst of tough times. When we take charge of our we...
Note: This episode was originally published under our former podcast title. While the name has changed to “Parenting Through the Hard,” the heart of this conversation remains the same. Thanks for being part of the journey. Show-notes Episode 30 Title: A Look at Teen Behaviors: Conflict Today's episode is part 3 of our 3-part series looking at some common teen behaviors that you may be witnessing in your child and diving a little into why it happens, what about it creates challenges for us, and w...
Note: This episode was originally published under our former podcast title. While the name has changed to “Parenting Through the Hard,” the heart of this conversation remains the same. Thanks for being part of the journey. Show-notes Episode 29 Title: A Look at Teen Behaviors: Manipulation Today's episode is part 2 of a 3-part series where we will look into some common teen behaviors that you might be witnessing in your child and dive a little into why it happens, what about it creates challenge...
