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 […]
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 […]
My teen avoids ALL responsibility!
ARGH!! Not only are you annoyed and angry at your teen’s lack of motivation, effort and constantly avoiding basic responsibility, you’re worried you’re going to be supporting them their whole life because they’re failing to launch. Your feelings are real and normal!! I thought them too while raising my sons and it was hard to […]
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 […]
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 […]
Motivation was never the problem
I’m getting on my soapbox… I was the student that went from award winning and seemingly having it all together with straight A’s, to F’S and almost failing out. I stopped doing homework, I stopped showing up to class, I just plain quit. Although it appeared to be defiance, there was so much more below […]