The Year I Never Wanted For My Daughter
“As a child of the system, including adoption where I was worse off than where I started, I endured physical abuse, emotional manipulation, and sexual molestation. I worked hard to heal and grow, providing my own children with the emotional health and stability I never had. Somewhere along the line I got off track with […]
Its Just Easier To Do It Myself
However, continuing to enable your teen by overcompensating sets them and their future relationships up to fail. Whoa! That’s a little harsh! Hear me out. Everything you do for your teen now is showing them what’s normal and what to expect in future relationships whether that’s a roommate at college or a future partner. The […]
When your teen doesn’t care about consequences
Your teen doesn’t care no matter what you do. You’ve watched the videos, read the posts, followed the steps, and it’s NOT WORKING! Nothing fazes them and they’re not changing. You’ve tried conversations, sharing your beliefs, and discussing why your teen’s behaviour isn’t working. Still nothing. You’re at your wits end, feeling defeated and frustrated. […]
The #1 Question Parents Ask Me
2021 was filled with false hope, moving targets and more unknowns that created unprecedented mental health struggles, pushing both adults and teens to the brink. From online schooling to lack of athletic pursuits and social connection, teens felt isolated, lost, and anxious. “How can I motivate my teenager? They don’t care about anything.” That’s the […]
You Don’t Understand
This seems simple, but it’s not. Sure, you were a teen so it’s not unfamiliar territory – the relationship drama of who said what to whom, the mean teacher who gives too much homework and doesn’t care if you had a rough day and having to be ‘social media perfect’ every moment to avoid judgement […]
Your Teen Won’t Try If It’s Not Safe To Fail
There’s no reward in normal. The years of pristine, unstained report cards before had gone almost unnoticed with a glance and barely a smile from my parents. No ‘great job’, ‘well done’ or ‘we’re so proud of you’. Just the nonchalance of every day normal that didn’t warrant a comment, hug or special meal. That […]
Tips to Un-Spoil your Teen this Christmas
Not to mention your resentment because no matter what you buy them, they don’t seem to care anyway. Your teen isn’t ungrateful or entitled and you haven’t failed as a parent. Experience creates perspective. Your teen has never worked a full-time job to pay a mortgage, keep the place warm with lights on, kept a […]
It’s not what you see, it’s what you don’t
On November 17th I lost a friend. A man who seemed larger than life with a heart for serving others, spontaneous adventure and childlike play through sports and outdoor activities. He desperately wanted to be a reliable employee and team member, the perfect husband to his loving wife and a safe, kind and caring father […]
Setting Boundaries with Family Around the Holidays
Let’s not forget the family circus trying to create the perfect photo wearing matching pajamas while drinking eggnog in front of the fireplace where moments before, there were impatient commands and crying kids. Then, just as you got everyone posed and the camera timer went off, the dog jumped up and knocked the tripod over […]
Having ‘The Talk” With Your Teen
God and sex. We went to church on Sundays, we just didn’t talk about God any other day. Based on results, there was sex at least twice (Exhibit A and B – my sister and I) but we didn’t talk about the birds and the bees either. To my parent’s credit, studies show these are […]