Investing the time (and the money) to learn the skills you need for parenting your teen without all the conflict and disconnection is one of THE best investments you'll make in your life. Making the time now to learn how to change the dynamic between you and your teen, improve their behavior (and calm your nerves about it all) will save you so much more time and money in the future. Listen and learn what I mean. Show Notes and Transcript Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let ...
Aug 16, 2024•14 min
This is a very special episode of Speaking of Teens. I'm joined by a mom who's going to tell you about her journey in Parent Camp and where her family is today thanks to the knowledge and skills they've gained. Show Notes and Transcript Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener ^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know ...
Aug 13, 2024•27 min
Today I want to tell you a little bit about why I want to help you strengthen the connection with your teenager and stop arguing so much (while also changing their behavior). I'll explain how I know what I know and how I teach you what I know! I'm taking you into my brain a bit and giving you a taste of Parent Camp. Show Notes and Transcript Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teen...
Aug 09, 2024•14 min
There's nothing like parenting a teenager to bring out the parenting differences (that haven't been that difficult to navigate up until now). If you and your spouse are not on the same page about how to deal with teenage risk-taking behaviors, giving consequences, schoolwork, chores, dating, etc., it can make for a very contentious atmosphere at home. Listen to today's episode where I a) walk you through several negotiation tactics to help your spouse come around to your kinder way of parenting,...
Aug 06, 2024•20 min
Maybe you don't insist your teens or tweens get all As or take the harder classes. But do you check Google Classroom daily or weekly? Do you ask them about all that unfinished work? Do you remind them of each test, quiz and project? Do you scold them when they seem unmotivated, lazy, or forgetful? Well, today I'm going to give you some really good reasons to back off a bit, stop worrying so much, and give your teenager a break. Grades, GPA, and "getting into the right college" is making both you...
Aug 02, 2024•28 min
Today I'm talking about how changing your parenting style or the strategies you use when parenting your teens or tweens can feel insurmountable or even impractical...but you can do it. If the current situation isn't working for you and your family, you're constantly arguing or stressed out or your teen is not living up to your behavioral expectations, what do you have to lose by trying something different? Nothing is harder than being stuck and not taking the steps to move forward. Show Notes an...
Jul 30, 2024•16 min
We must change our own behavior if we hope to change our teens'. In this episode I talk about how we let our emotions or our controlling parenting style take over and just blow things out of the water. It's a good one so have a listen. Show Notes and Transcript Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener ^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show...
Jul 26, 2024•19 min
As the parent of a teen or tween we often feel frustrated (or even worried) about our kid's behavior. If they would just do what they're supposed to do - if they'd just listen - we wouldn't have any issues. It's hard to imagine any of their behavior is actually due to the way we engage with them...the way we respond to their behavior. In fact, so many of the arguments and struggles we have with our teenagers could be remedied by modifying our own behavior. Join me to learn some of the things we ...
Jul 23, 2024•24 min
Have you ever thought about how often you vent your anger or frustration? And when you do, who do you go to? What do you expect of them? Now, what if your teen or tween needs to vents a little bit? What do you think they expect of you? How is it any different when a parent expresses their negative feelings and when a teenager expresses theirs? Should parents expect more from their teens than they expect of themselves? Listen today and make up your own mind. Show Notes Find our FREE Parenting Gui...
Jul 19, 2024•11 min
As the parent of a teen or tween we often feel frustrated (or even worried) about our kid's behavior. If they would just do what they're supposed to do - if they'd just listen - we wouldn't have any issues. It's hard to imagine any of their behavior is actually due to the way we engage with them...the way we respond to their behavior. In fact, so many of the arguments and struggles we have with our teenagers could be remedied by modifying our own behavior. Join me to learn some of the things we ...
Jul 16, 2024•26 min
Dealing with a teenager who has explosive emotional reactions isn’t easy but it’s totally doable. Listen to this short bonus episode from last summer to understand how to manage better. Show Notes Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener ^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. ...
Jul 12, 2024•10 min
As the parent of a teen or tween we often feel frustrated (or even worried) about our kid's behavior. If they would just do what they're supposed to do - if they'd just listen - we wouldn't have any issues. It's hard to imagine any of their behavior is actually due to the way we engage with them...the way we respond to their behavior. In fact, so many of the arguments and struggles we have with our teenagers could be remedied by modifying our own behavior. Join me to learn some of the things we ...
Jul 09, 2024•24 min
As the parent of a teen or tween we often feel frustrated (or even worried) about our kid's behavior. If they would just do what they're supposed to do - if they'd just listen - we wouldn't have any issues. It's hard to imagine any of their behavior is actually due to the way we engage with them...the way we respond to their behavior. In fact, so many of the arguments and struggles we have with our teenagers could be remedied by modifying our own behavior. Join me to learn some of the things we ...
Jul 05, 2024•16 min
As the parent of a teen or tween we often feel frustrated (or even worried) about our kid's behavior. If they would just do what they're supposed to do - if they'd just listen - we wouldn't have any issues. It's hard to imagine any of their behavior is actually due to the way we engage with them...the way we respond to their behavior. In fact, so many of the arguments and struggles we have with our teenagers could be remedied by modifying our own behavior. Join me to learn some of the things we ...
Jul 02, 2024•25 min
Are you mortified by your teen or tween's behavior these days? Are you worried that this behavior may be directed at other adults or worried that it might "stick"? Come on in and let me explain what's going on and what you do about it. Show Notes Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener ^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps pe...
Jun 28, 2024•10 min
ADHD is frustrating for parents, teachers, and teens and tweens themselves. But the issues with school and homework often pale in comparison to the social and emotional fallout related to this disorder. Not understanding all of the symptoms related to ADHD (and especially those that overlap with common mental health disorders) can lead to confusion and lots of conflict and disconnection with your teenager and cause issues with a proper diagnosis. In this episode I'll address some of these lesser...
Jun 25, 2024•19 min
You do not want to tangle with a teen or tween over their devices (if you haven't noticed that yet). You also don't want to reach for the phone or game console every time your teen does something wrong or makes a mistake. One issue a lot of us parents misunderstand is DISCIPLINE. It's so much easier when they're little. But by the time you have a teen or tween, you'd better understand how to teach them skills for adulthood, without punishing them. If you don't, there's going to be a lot of drama...
Jun 21, 2024•24 min
There’s no struggle during adolescence quite like friendships and navigating social groups. It’s all encompassing. But this is simply the way it has to be - their brain is wired to seek acceptance. Because of this, to be shut out of the group feels like the end of the world. In this episode I explain what your teen or tween goes through in their fight for survival among friend groups, how girls and boys differ in the aggressive behaviors they display in their quest for “popularity”, and how to h...
Jun 18, 2024•44 min
When our teens are not doing well (maybe they've made some poor choices or are experiencing mental health issues), we usually don't run out and seek support from friends with kids the same age. Although most of us struggle with parenting at some point, we somehow feel we're more at fault when our teens or tweens mess up. Why do we feel such shame? Is there a different way of looking at this? The Guardian article that prompted this episode Show Notes and Transcript Find our FREE Parenting Guides ...
Jun 14, 2024•12 min
If your teen has ADHD, a learning difference or a mental health disorder and they are planning on going to college, you need to listen up! Today I talk to Dan Jordan of Accessing College , who gives some excellent advice about supporting your teens as they enter college and need to obtain accommodations. Dan is a licensed therapist and former college accessibility professional (I didn’t even know there was such a thing!) He worked in the college/university setting for over 10 years making sure s...
Jun 11, 2024•50 min
Screentime is the subject of so much parental anxiety and so many arguments for families around the globe. And in this episode we tackle it head-on with Emily Cherkin, MEd (aka: The Screentime Consultant ) and author of the fabulous book (and Amazon best seller), " The Screentime Solution: A Judgment-Free Guide to Becoming a Tech-Intentional Family ". Emily is a former middle school English teacher and mom of two who consults with parents, offers school presentations and professional development...
Jun 07, 2024•52 min
If you need help now, call the National Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 or go to loveisrespect.org to receive immediate confidential assistance. If you've not been in this situation yet, you've been lucky so far. It's a terrible position for the parent of a teenager to find themselves. It's hard to imagine but your teen may just have different tastes in romantic partners than you'd expected (and you may not like this person one bit.) Maybe you can't even put your finger on it...there's j...
Jun 04, 2024•15 min
Who would your teen talk to if they were having issues with their mental health? Their friends? A trusted adult? You? If they're hesitant to reach out for help, why? Does stigma play a role? The Jed Foundation (JED) recently published a report called Exploring Barriers to Mental Health Support Among U.S. Teens (see a summary here if you want a shorter read). The report outlines what young people say stands in the way of reaching out for help when they are struggling. Today, I'm talking to Dr. Ka...
May 31, 2024•40 min
Today I'm talking to Beth Syverson , an adoptive mom, host of the podcast Unraveling Adoption and mother to a son who struggles with his mental health and substances. Beth discovered that her son's issues stem from trauma (which is quite common). His trauma however, is one many people don't think about; adoption relinquishment . What Beth and I discuss is relevant to you whether your child is adopted or not. But if you're like me, and adopted your child, it will be eye-opening indeed. You can fi...
May 28, 2024•43 min
As it turns out, teens and tweens across the globe feel there’s a lot that parents just don’t understand. Today I’m bringing you the most common and often repeated of these issues that I’ve gathered from therapists, teachers, and various adults who've worked with teens for decades. Plus I’ve found much written by teens themselves including some very colorful comments from Quora and Reddit. Show Notes for other resources and sources Transcript Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to...
May 24, 2024•32 min
Today, I'm talking to you about your teens and alcohol. I'll answer LOTS of questions for you, including: Does allowing your teen or tween to have a sip of wine or beer with you, prevent them from being problem drinkers? Does providing a place for your teens to drink with friends, keep them safer than they would be out partying elsewhere? Should you expect that your teens are going to drink alcohol and try to teach them "responsible drinking"? Should you drink in front of your teens or keep alco...
May 21, 2024•33 min
Did you know that 98% of teens lie about at least one issue or another? And guess what? The general consensus among researchers and mental health professionals is that this is not only normal, but it would be a little worrisome if they didn’t lie a bit. The good news is, this is not a character flaw or a sign that they’re going to grow up to be a liar. By the time people reach adulthood, about three-quarters are consistently honest. The big spike in the chart during adolescence is normal, but wh...
May 17, 2024•26 min
Today is the final day - Day 8 - of my series explaining the foundational principles you need to understand about parenting teens (so you can spend less time arguing and more time enjoying them!) I’ve talked about the importance of maintaining the connection with your teen throughout this this series. And today, I’ll explain why that connection is critical to keeping your teen safe and mentally healthy. Plus, I’ll tell you how to accomplish this “connection” (especially if your teen won’t give y...
May 14, 2024•19 min
There are some very clear mistakes that we make when it comes to disciplining our teenagers – not the least of which is understanding the general goal of discipline. If you’ve “consequnced” yourself into a corner with your teenager, tune in and listen to this episode to figure out how to get back to where you need to be. Managing behavior issues with teens is definitely an exercise is self-restraint and mindfulness. But you can do it! Listen in and I’ll tell you how. Episodes in this series 130 ...
May 10, 2024•24 min
What do you do when your teen or tween is acting like a toddler - when they're spewing their unpleasant emotions all over the place? Do you ignore them? Tell them to calm down? Get upset yourself? Well, today I want to talk to you about how you can use this opportunity to help your teenager develop their emotional intelligence - specifically, their emotional awareness and emotional regulation. This technique is called emotion coaching and it not only helps your teen calm down in that moment, but...
May 07, 2024•30 min
