What to Do When You Find Sketchy Stuff on Your Teen’s Phone: A Guide for Concerned Parents
If you’ve ever picked up your teen’s phone and found something that made your heart skip a beat, or your blood boil, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a questionable text, Snap, or photo that crosses the line, it’s a visual that can send you into a tailspin. But before you go confiscating phones and grounding […]
Begging is NOT a boundary
I had a conversation yesterday with a caring mom who’s feeling at her wits end trying to get her son to give a crap about her boundaries. She wants connection over control with her son (while still being the parent) and has done her internal work to know why this boundary is important to her […]
I’ll never be enough
If you think being a perfect parent feels hard, try being a teen. There’s a huge weight of measuring up that’s weighing them down even if you don’t see it on the outside. So many teens feel like they’re climbing an impossible mountain that’s imposed upon them and even if they try they never get […]
6 Essential Tips for Surviving Summer Vacation with Your Moody Teen
You’ve been eagerly awaiting your summer vacation as a much-needed escape from the daily grind and exhausting routine of school, homework, sports, driving, cleaning, etc., … …hold on a second! Your teenager seems less than thrilled about the family getaway, preferring to laze around, hang out with friends, and bury their face in their phone […]
I’m bored
Here we go again… “No, no no! Not the free for all of summer again!! That boredom leads to nothing but more internet time or bad choices while hanging out with friends.” Your teen sees unlimited gaming/phone time, hanging out with friends, late nights, sleeping until the early afternoon and eating like crap as a […]
Creating a Safe Haven: Empowering Parents to Support Bullied Teens at School
YOU: “My teen is being bullied and I don’t know what to do” There’s more to supporting your teen through this awful experience than going after someone else’s child, even if that feels better in the short term. Advocating for your teen and being their safe ally to share and process their experience, feelings, and […]
Getting your teen to follow through with basic chores and tasks
Why is getting your teen to do what you asked so hard?? You’re asking nicely and being clear, yet your teen isn’t doing the chore/task. What’s even more frustrating? They said/texted YES and agreed!! Few things are more frustrating as a parent when you’re trying to have your teen contribute and learn new skills. Over […]
“You could focus if you wanted to”
Imagine you have a choice to: 1) act out in class, refuse to try or complete specific schoolwork, get in trouble all the time, be labeled the bad or stupid kid and struggle with social interactions, being clumsy and forgetful, feel shamed and criticized as your self-esteem takes a hit because your brain won’t seem […]
“Where are your manners?!”
Since when does your teen think it’s ok to speak to you so disrespectfully, be demanding, rude or even mean? Oh, hell no, not in your house! The spicy back talk years are one of the hardest stages of raising a teen. This human you’ve sacrificed so much for is intentionally trying to hurt you. […]
I lost my shi*t on my teenager… Again
If you’re constantly trying to maintain your cool and ‘ask nicely’ yet you end up losing your shit and beating yourself up or crying in your room because you think you’re a monster, this is for you (or a friend 😉 ). You’re normal, not broken, or bad. If you’re a yeller, I see you […]