He’s HOME!!
Sending my son hundreds of miles away to university was HARD! Like leaving part of my heart there as I snot cried on the way home. So of course, when he came home for the summer, I cried tears of joy while hugging and kissing him at the airport (thankfully he doesn’t mind and just […]
When Teens Push Back: How to Set Boundaries Your Teen Will Actually Follow
This is one of the most frustrating things for parents who are truly trying to use healthy relationship tools to guide and direct their teenager yet end up feeling more frustrating and seeing little to no change. It’s okay to feel at a loss about this! I admire and respect your courage for wanting to […]
How do I set boundaries when my teen starts dating?
When you were your child’s world it was exhausting, but so much simpler. Then they made friends and it was scary, but easier to protect them. Now your teen is ready for dating and you are most DEFINITELY NOT! *imagination turns to panic*…. No, no, no, no! How do you keep them safe?! As a […]
My teen doesn’t respect my boundaries or care about consequences
One of the biggest frustrations I hear from parents is, “my teen doesn’t respect my boundaries”, or “I tried setting boundaries, but it didn’t work”. That frustration leads to the next one – “I tried setting consequences, but my teen keeps (fill in the blank)”, “my teen doesn’t care about consequences so now what do […]
My teenager is giving me the silent treatment
The dreaded silent treatment… It’s frustrating, even infuriating, when your teen refuses to talk to you. Whether it’s a temporary power move or your teen choosing to go no-contact, disconnection from your child can feel like cutting your heart out and putting it through a blender. Your feelings are real and valid. You’re allowed to […]
My Teenager Won’t Stop Lying
Your teenager keeps lying, and no matter what discipline or consequences you try, they refuse to fess up. After everything you’ve done for your teen—everything you’ve sacrificed—this is how they treat you? Here’s some insight and strategies to help you approach this very hurtful and difficult situation in a way that strengthens your relationship rather […]
Teenagers and Free Time
You watch them laying in their rooms, playing video games, or watching TV, yet when it comes to chores and homework, they swear they didn’t have time. As a parent coach, I regularly hear from parents who are frustrated with how their teenager spends (or doesn’t), their free time. Your blood starts to boil and […]
How To Motivate Your Teen
Learning how to motivate a teenager requires understanding how motivation develops and how the teen brain operates… Motivation Is An Inside Job One of the most important lessons a parent can learn is you cannot externally motivate your teenager. Not only will your efforts create more resentment and disappointment, it’ll leave your teen ill-equipped for […]
4 Tips to Lower Anxiety
Your teen is trying yet they’re already feeling anxious, and your stress level is rising remembering how hard last year was, and maybe the year before too. The arguing, yelling, nagging, reminding – trying to understand why your teen isn’t completing their homework, handing in assignments, or refusing to attend classes. Is it really that […]
My Teen is Out of Control
You’ve tried everything, yet it feels like your teenager is spiraling out of control. You have no idea what your next move is, and you’re scared. In my decades as a parent coach and relationship expert, I’ve heard this countless times from mental health to substance use, school refusal and more. Below are three stories […]