I can’t, my stomach hurts
It’s not always the most wonderful time of the year. School has either started or will in a few days depending on where you live and I can feel the collective stress, teeth clenching and shoulders tensing. Even a summer free of school doesn’t slow the looming countdown or stress that lies just below the […]
Why doing ‘all the things’ isn’t helping your teen
“My teen gets counseling, teachers support, assignment extensions, and they’re still NOT doing the work!” Few things are more frustrating or heartbreaking as a parent when you go so far out of your way to support your teen when they’re struggling only to see no change. You’re literally doing all the things, being an AMAZING […]
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 […]
My teenager hates me
If your teen is annoyed no matter how hard you try, read this! It’s hard to take. Your teen’s words don’t just hurt, they cut you to your core. You’re willing to give them a little leeway but it also pulls at your parenting instincts to know they’re hurting, especially when there’s likely something you […]
The secret to taming your teen’s rude, back talk
Has puberty stolen your sweet child and exchanged them for a rude, back talking and defiant stranger? I mean, since when is that ok?! You’re not alone. Caring parents share this concern with me every day. I know you just want some easy, open conversations like your friendly child used to have with you. The […]
When your teen isn’t living up to their potential
Your teen needs you to read this… every word. I was fortunate to be the ‘smart kid’ in school and in Grade 1 I was asked to skip ahead. My parents decided against that to keep me with peers my own age (my dad skipped 3 grades and it has pros and cons). Instead, I […]
6 Things your teen wants (and needs) from you
You know the teen years are fraught with insecurity and uncertainty so you’re consciously giving your teen space while staying positive and kind. Maybe you’re even bending over backwards to love on them without coddling, but it’s like you’re on two different wave lengths and they don’t see or feel your efforts, or they don’t […]
The #1 belief ruining your relationship with your teen
Remember the days when your child asked what you thought and valued your input in their life? Remember when they would do what you asked, even begrudgingly, but they did it almost when and how you wanted? Remember when you felt safe with a sense of control and influence over another human that validated your […]
What if parenting wasn’t so isolating and lonely?
How many times have you held back the truth of your parenting struggles because of fear of judgement or criticism? Do you have a selective few who know ‘the truth’ and the rest just get lip service so they don’t ask more questions? I was afraid too. I was the only one of my girlfriends […]