Back to Basics for Parenting Teens

When you project into the future, you end up making decisions based on fear. Your power is in the present moment, today. Here’s how to bring yourself back to this moment, and be the parent your child needs. Foundations: Communication, Relationship-Building Disclaimer: Life coaching is not a substitute for physical, mental or addiction treatment.

Teens have a way of distracting us so they can avoid the issue we want to talk about. Your best tactic is to stick to the facts.

Letting go doesn't mean giving up or giving in. It doesn't mean cutting your child out of your life. What it does mean is giving your teen the opportunities and dignity of experiencing and learning from life. There will be mistakes along the way. It's supposed to be that way. Letting go means being there to support them trough it, not to fix it for them. There's an anonymous poem called "Letting Go". It says it all. To get your copy, email me at fern@fernweis.com and I'll send it over.

We hear over and over that it's what you say and how you say it. Let's flip that around and look at specific words and phrases to avoid. What you omit can be just as important as what you say. When you try them out, let me know how it goes. Fern@FernWeis.com ** The opinions of the presenters are not a substitute for medical and mental health treatment.

There are simple social and career skills your teen or young adult should have to land and keep a job. Kirt Manecke shares tips and scripts developed from his experience as a retail business owner, and his time as a teen who didn't receive training in his first job. Kirt had already successfully published "Smile: Sell More with Amazing Customer Service" when he was approached by parents and schools to create a program for teens. That led to the popular book and online program, "Smile & Succeed for Teens". There's gold in this interview for you and your teen. Website: www.smilethebook.com (also an audio book) Contact: kirt@smilethebook.com LinkedIn: @Kirt Manecke ============== ** The opinions of the presenters are not a substitute for medical or mental health treatment. https://www.fernweis.com

Just as there isn't much preparation for parenting your 'own' children, nothing can prepare you for parenting your step-children... until now. Parenting in a stepfamily is a whole new world. My guest, Step-Family Coach Judy Graybill, shares her personal experiences and professional learning to help you better understand the blended family dynamic. Her biggest takeaway for you is that a healthy relationship with your partner is the foundation for parenting and connecting with your step-children. I hear that loud and clear; parenting is about the parents. Learn more about Judy, her resources and programs at https://www.judygraybill.com. You'll also find her on Instagram @judy.m.graybill. ========== ** The opinions of the presenters are not a substitute for medical or mental health treatment.

Our praise often falls flat because we are the parents and 1. we offer it to make our child feel better OR 2. our child is a black and white thinker. They think something is 100% true or not true at all. This episode goes into more depth about this this and what kind of praise works best. Listen to the end for a free tool that makes effective praise easier to do. fern@fernweis.com Thanks for listening. ============== ** The opinions of the presenter are not a substitute for medical or mental health treatment.

There's often one person in the family who's the center of attention. This person may be out of control and the source of chaos, the one everyone's dancing around. This episode explores how this impacts everyone in the family and how you can cope more productively with it. Foundations: Relationships, Boundaries, Communication Skills *Disclaimer* - This content reflects the opinions of Fern Weis. It does not represent, nor is it a substitute for, mental health or medical advice.

Are you an on-call parent and feeling resentful? Do you have trouble saying 'no'? Finding the right words is challenging, so I'm providing a script that you can modify to fit your situation. Take notes and let me know how it goes. Foundations: Boundaries, Communication, Self-Care

Are you familiar with "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein? Most parents love this book. I read it to my children only once because I found the message disturbing. This mother (the tree) gives and gives until she has nothing left, and her son takes and takes, with no regard for her. Is that how you want to show up for your children and them for you? If not, you'll appreciate this perspective on doing less for everyone else and doing more for you. You have a life and hopefully dreams. You matter. Foundations: Self-Care, Boundaries, Potential *Disclaimer* - This content reflects the opinions of Fern Weis. It does not represent, nor is it a substitute for mental health or medical advice.

The Boiled Frog is a short story with a big lesson. It illustrates what it takes for us to see what's really going on in our family, and tips to avoid reaching a crisis point. Preparation is key. I've also included a mini-script you can adapt for your individual situation. Foundations: Communication, Prevention, Awareness

Do you hear your child? Really hear them? Or are you caught up in the business of living and don't have the patience or time to be still and listen? Our children are desperate to be heard. They are human beings, just like you. In this episode we'll go deeper into what it really means to hear your child, and how you can become the one they turn to. Foundations: Communication, Relationships, Mental Health

It's too easy to stay in a bad mood and wallow. Know that it's okay to feel sorry for yourself, and that it's not healthy or helpful to stay there for too long. Here's my #1 tip to get out of your funk faster, and to teach this to your kids. Foundations: Mental Health, Boundaries, Role Model DISCLAIMER: These are coaching strategies, and are NOT a substitute for mental health care. If you struggle with anxiety, depression or other mental health issues, please consult with medical/mental health professionals.

This is a reminder that our kids can be uncomfortable, or even distressed, about our sharing the difficult details of their life with others. Here's my firsthand experience with my daughter and what I learned. Foundations: Relationships, Boundaries

People pleasing was my M.O. It meant avoiding conflict at all costs, and impacted all my relationships. Being a people pleaser also affects how you parent, and not in a good way. Enjoy some personal insights into the world of being a PP. You're not alone, and you can change. Foundations: Relationships, Self-Care

When I was a kid, only serious risk-takers would use that word with their parents. It's a different story today, because our kids use it in a completely different way. Learn how to turn the 'F-bomb' into a conversation that brings you and your teen together. Thanks for listening. Foundations: Relationship-building, Communication Questions? Write to me at fern@fernweis.com.

Parent Coach, Rhonda Moskowitz, shares that every family she works with is concerned about their kids and screen time. Remote learning has intensified the concern. Today we're discussing the impact on the whole family. Listen for actionable tips to reduce screen time and rebuild loving parent-child relationships. www.practicalsolutionsparentcoaching.com Foundations: Communication, Relationships, Boundaries

Gayle shares her top strategies for parents and kids to begin the process of paring down and organizing. In addition to her training and many qualifications, Gayle's super powers are compassion and acceptance of each individual. This allows her clients to release any guilt or shame they may be carrying around clutter, and to create a more peaceful environment. More information at www.lgorganized.com.

At some point we launch our children into their future and their life is no longer in our hands. The poet-philosopher Kahlil Gibran speaks for all parents in "On Children" (commonly known by the first line, Your Children Are not Your Children). I encourage you to find it online and read along with me. I was introduced to this poem at a difficult time in our family's life, and it spoke deeply and profoundly to me. Stay with me as I share its meaning to me. Foundations: Relationship Building, Self-Care

Parents usually go from recognizing there is a problem to deciding on consequences. Having a conversation with your teen first is essential. Learn 4 tips to craft your message in a way that your teen will hear it without getting defensive and shutting you down. Foundations: Communication, Relationship Building