parenting teens Archives - www.thebrainymoms.com

Shame-Free Money Management for the Whole Family | Lindsey Konchar

Does money management make you want to cry? Or do you get frustrated when it’s a constant source of conflict? Want to help your whole family make financial decisions and manage their money in a shame-free way? On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, discover how to transform your relationship with money as financial therapist Lindsey Konchar joins Sandy for a compelling discussion into the world of money management for the whole family. Lindsey skillfully combines her training and expertise in behavioral therapy with financial education, reshaping how individuals and families handle finances. From her personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and postpartum anxiety, Lindsey found her true calling in financial therapy, helping others understand and change their deeply ingrained “money personalities” and scripts formed in childhood. This enlightening episode promises to offer you insights into developing healthier financial habits and understanding your “money story.”

Lindsey sheds light on the common patterns of financial avoidance and miscommunication in families, particularly prevalent among couples. We explore how societal expectations and personal money scripts can lead to tensions, and how finding common ground can facilitate more effective financial discussions. Lindsey provides actionable advice on aligning your spending with personal priorities and engaging in financial self-care practices. Her unique perspective highlights the power of approaching money matters with respect and vulnerability, paving the way for financial harmony.

Empowering the next generation with financial literacy is crucial, and Lindsey offers innovative strategies to involve children and teens in money management. Learn about her “four labeled buckets” method for young kids and how she encourages teens to take charge of their financial futures through practices like opening custodial Roth IRAs. By fostering open and honest financial conversations within families, Lindsey emphasizes the importance of building a foundation for financial independence and well-being. Tune in to gain practical tips and inspiration from financial therapist Lindsey Konchar, aiming to reshape your family’s financial future and enrich your financial mindset.

Podcast

Teaching Teens Healthy Food Habits | Claire Ketchum

Amy Moore, PhD

Does your teen have an unhealthy relationship with food? Want to learn some tips for nurturing and teaching your teen some heathy eating habits? Join Dr. Amy and Sandy on this episode of the Brainy Moms podcasts as they interview Claire Ketchum, the innovator of the Peaceful Eating Method. Drawing from her own challenges with yo-yo dieting, Claire joins us to illuminate pathways for teens to develop positive body images and sustainable eating patterns. Together, we delve into the reasons why teens fall into unhealthy eating cycles and how parents can intervene with compassion and insight, fostering self-confidence and well-being without triggering defensiveness.

Dive into practical parenting strategies as we address teen stress and its impact on eating habits. We unpack the importance of identifying stressors, whether they stem from school, home, or social encounters, and how these can affect eating behaviors. Learn about effective techniques like the emotional freedom technique that can help manage stress and promote healthier habits. This discussion also touches on the delicate issue of self-esteem, especially for female teens, and how parents can model a healthy relationship with food to guide their children subtly.

Through empowering tools like positive self-talk, Claire offers strategies to help teens cultivate a resilient self-image. We explore how parents can encourage this growth by fostering open communication and collaborative decision-making about food choices. Uncover the challenges of immediate gratification and its influence on teens, as well as how structured habit shifts can lead to lasting lifestyle changes. Together, we provide a roadmap for parents and teens to break free from the dieting cycle and embrace healthier, more balanced lives.

Podcast

Teen Mental Health and Eating Disorders: Tips for Parents | Bryn Miller

Amy Moore, PhD

Feeling overwhelmed over the tumultuous teen years? Confused about your teen’s eating habits? Join us for a conversation with Bryn Miller, an experienced adolescent eating disorder therapist turned parent coach, about the profound impact of parental support on adolescent mental health and eating disorders. On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Bryn joins Dr. Amy and Sandy to help parents to bridge the gap with their teens. Discover how she utilizes whole family healing to tackle the often-stigmatized experience of parenting teenagers, turning it into a dynamic period of growth and development.

We dive into eating disorders, examining the roles of genetics, culture, and environment. Bryn sheds light on the vital part parents play in supporting adolescents through these challenges, guiding them to find information amidst a sea of misconceptions. Through enhancing emotional self-efficacy and fostering a nurturing family environment, parents can significantly improve outcomes for their children. Bryn’s insights underscore the importance of finding true belonging within oneself and the power of emotional resilience in battling societal pressures on body image and values.

The conversation doesn’t stop there. Bryn also provides practical strategies for parents navigating the emotional landscape of their teenagers seeking independence. Learn the art of “scaffolding” rather than “fixing,” offering support while allowing teens to tackle their own challenges. She emphasizes emotional granularity, effective caregiving strategies, and the significance of self-care while showcasing how parental love can transform the family dynamic. With insights from Emotionally Focused Family Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Bryn equips parents with the tools to remain calm and connected, fostering stronger, more resilient family bonds.

Podcast

ENCORE EPISODE: The Parent-Teen Partnership: 5 Steps to Create Calm and Reduce Conflict | Jeanine Mouchawar

Amy Moore, PhD

Want more calm and less conflict with your teen? What if transforming your family’s communication dynamic could be as simple as a shift in mindset? Join Dr. Amy and Sandy for an engaging episode with guest Jeanine Mouchawar, a seasoned life coach for parents, as she shares her journey from conflict to connection with teenagers. Jeanine’s personal parenting experiences with academic stress, social media pressures, and ADHD challenges led her to embrace new strategies for parenting teens. In this conversation, you’ll gain insights into how these techniques can restore harmony and foster open communication within your own family.

Discover new tips for effective communication in parenting teens, rooted in the principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral concepts. We discuss the pivotal role of understanding the teenage transition to adulthood and adapting communication styles to support them rather than solving their problems for them. Jeanine shares how maintaining core values while fostering curiosity and encouraging teens to discover their own insights can lead to healthier relationships. By learning to manage emotions and use non-judgmental language, parents can create a supportive environment that empowers their teens.

Explore practical strategies for setting boundaries that respect and engage teenagers without resorting to control or punishment. Jeanine emphasizes the importance of validating emotions to strengthen connection and communication, helping teens process feelings like stress and embarrassment. By involving them in boundary-setting conversations, parents can guide them towards better decision-making and independence. This episode promises valuable insights for nurturing confidence and self-assurance in your teens, ultimately leading to a more harmonious home life.

Podcast

Stop Helicopter Parenting: Balancing Empathy & Boundaries with Your Teens | Ann Coleman

Amy Moore, PhD

At your wits end with trying to find effective consequences for your teen’s behavior? Maybe loosening the reins rather than tightening them might work better! (Hint: Stop helicopter parenting your teen!) On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy interview Ann Coleman, an attorney, parent educator, and host of the podcast, Speaking of Teens. Ann shares a deeply personal journey that many parents might find all too relatable. Imagine discovering that your child, already grappling with anxiety and ADHD, has turned to marijuana. Anne’s initial reaction was to tighten the reins through control and punishment, only to watch her relationship with her son deteriorate. However, a transformative encounter with a family counselor led her to embrace empathy and understanding, an approach she now champions through her podcast and Parent Camp program.

Ann’s story prompts us to question the long-held belief in helicopter parenting and its impact on teen autonomy. As we talk about societal pressures that push teenagers to behave beyond their developmental capabilities, there’s a stark reminder of the importance of mutual respect. The conversation veers into the pitfalls of projecting perfect family lives on social media and the real harm it can cause by stigmatizing parenting struggles. We emphasize the need for balance—between stepping in to guide teens and allowing teens to face natural consequences—a critical factor that can significantly influence adolescent development.

Through personal anecdotes and expert advice, we explore the pressures surrounding academic success and the value of redefining what it means to “succeed.” From managing the distractions of college life to understanding the significance of setting and negotiating boundaries, this episode offers a comprehensive look at fostering resilience and independence in teenagers. Ann’s insights, enriched by her own family experiences, serve as a guide for parents eager to connect with their teens in more authentic and supportive ways. Listen in to discover strategies that respect and nurture your teenager’s emerging identity while maintaining a safe and supportive environment.

Podcast

Your Teen’s Anxiety: How Chores, Community, and Connection Could Help | Dr. Jodi Aman

Amy Moore, PhD

Worried about your teen’s anxiety? Dr. Jodi Aman, renowned psychotherapist and TEDx speaker, joins Dr. Amy and Sandy on this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast to uncover the root causes behind the escalating anxiety epidemic among teenagers. It’s a bold statement, but modern conveniences might be making things worse. Dr. Aman suggests that the reduction in problem-solving opportunities due to cultural shifts has led to increased negativity and entitlement among teens. She argues that chores, often seen as mundane, are vital in alleviating teen anxiety, instilling resilience, and combating negative thought patterns. By categorizing chores into tedious, challenging, and generous, we examine how each type plays a crucial role in developing essential life skills and when tying chores to allowances might be appropriate.

Teen anxiety, often misunderstood as mere fear, is redefined in our conversation as a spectrum of discomfort triggered by stress hormones. Dr. Aman challenges the misconception of anxiety as a chemical imbalance and talks about the stigma that idea creates. Our discussion also touches on the historical context of anxiety, examining how our biological instincts have evolved to manage stress.

In the final segment, we explore the power of community, activities, and genuine human connections in fostering social engagement and mental well-being. Whether through family involvement in communal activities or even community theater, these experiences are pivotal in building a sense of belonging. We also offer actionable tips to guide teenagers towards a path of self-acceptance and agency. To enhance your understanding further, we present a concise guide, accessible on the author’s website, filled with practical advice for supporting the teens in your life.

Podcast

Surviving the Teen Years: Insights from Amy Betters-Midtvedt

Amy Moore, PhD

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, we dive into the emotional and practical aspects of parenting teens, focusing on the importance of flexibility, trust, and communication. Dr. Amy and Dr. Jody interview educator, author, and mom of 5 Amy Betters-Midtvedt who highlights the challenges faced by parents as their kids grow, the necessity of establishing boundaries with technology, and the value of teaching effective friendship skills to create healthy social connections.

We discuss being flexible in parenting teenagers, navigating social media and privacy for teens, understanding and coaching friendships among teens, managing household responsibilities collaboratively, creating a bank of trust based on individual needs, and managing the emotions around the transition to an empty nest.

Podcast

5 Pillars of ADHD with Dr. Amy Moore

Amy Moore, PhD

Today Dr. Amy Moore takes off her hostess hat at The Brainy Moms podcast and takes on the role of guest expert. Co-host Sandy Zamalis interviews Dr. Amy about her 5 Pillars of ADHD and her own experience being diagnosed at age 18 with attention deficits. Join us for this in-depth conversation from a leading expert on attention and cognitive deficits!

Podcast

Mini-Episode: Should We Let Our Kids Quit? Making Decisions Through The Lens of Your Family’s Values

Amy Moore, PhD

On this mini-episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy Moore and Dr. Jody Jedlicka discuss their feelings on whether it’s ok to let your kid quit an activity (such as sports or music lessons). Weighing the pros and cons of things like keeping your commitments vs. supporting your child or teen if they feel overwhelming anxiety or dread related to the activity, our co-hosts engage in an honest discussion about the tough choices parents need to make, and how these decisions can be supported by viewing them through the lens of your family’s pre-established values. This was a reflection discussion following their interview with Dr. Melanie McNally. Be sure to tune in to Dr. Melanie’s interview next week!

Podcast

The Mother Load: Finding Balance When Your Life Feels Off-Kilter with guest Leah Remillet

Amy Moore, PhD

On this episode of “The Brainy Moms” Dr. Amy and Sandy talk with Leah Remillet, a balance strategist who helps women do less, but better. Join us to hear Leah’s suggestions around everything from scheduling joy and learning to say “no” to setting up systems in every part of your life. This high-energy and entertaining episode opens with Leah sharing her own story of how burnout led her to restructuring everything to prioritize her physical and mental health and how she came out the other side much, much happier!

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