Kids arguing, not cutting each other slack, or ignoring each other can really push parents’ buttons. This isn’t the dream we had when we brought home that second little bundle of joy. We imagined our kids growing up together and having strong sibling relationships. We imagined them playing together and supporting each other throughout life. But sibling relationships aren’t always like that.[...]
When we’re waiting for our little bundles of joy to show up in our lives we dream; we dream about holding them, spending time with them, and enjoying a great relationship when they’re all grown up. We don’t dream about teens lying to parents, manipulating, arguing, or teens talking back. These are some of the more challenging behavior problems we encounter with our teenagers and they’re [...]
Is your teenager intense? Handling challenging behavior in teenagers can leave parents floundering. We wonder how to help them, how to motivate them, and maybe contemplate whether any discipline will have an impact. Christine Abrahams understands this and helps parents learn how to develop a deep and loving relationship with the most intense child. She talks to Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy [...]
Are you using the New Year to get more of what you want from life? Do you wish both you and your teenager would be more successful with your resolutions? Sandy Fowler talks about New Year resolutions for moms and teens in this episode of the Mighty Parenting podcast. She shares a common problem her clients have faced when making resolutions and her solution to this problem. She talks about why we [...]
Do you ever feel compelled to snoop on your kids, spouse or partner? Does it make you crazy when your child spends tons of time with friends or in activities and doesn't have time for you? Are you ever worried about losing the connection you have with someone? These feelings are normal. They stem from jealousy and they can harm our relationships. Listen in as Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy [...]
Are you living with a surly teenager? An unmotivated teenager? Feeling guilty because you don’t want to spend more time with your family? Months of living with the stress of a Covid lifestyle has taken a toll on families. Parents are frustrated, simply d-o-n-e and facing parental burnout. Even when we take the time to use our stress-relief strategies, it's often not enough. And the beginning of [...]
When there’s conflict in the home, parents tend to say it’s because they have a difficult teenager. Arguments, eye rolling, tears, and the statements like, “You just don’t understand” or “You never listen” are frustrating. Parents feel like they’re walking on egg shells or always living with tension. They don’t know how to resolve the conflict. But what if you didn’t have to [...]
A universal truth is parents want to be close to their kids. But when our kids become teenagers it can be tricky to find ways to strengthen family bonds. One way to do it is to spend meaningful time together, and a great way to do that is to volunteer as a family. On today’s episode of the Mighty Parenting podcast, Sandy Fowler chats with Jenny Friedman from Doing Good Together. They explore the[...]
Parenting teenagers is challenging. Pushback, arguments, silence and distancing are some of the hallmarks of this stage. One of the more challenging situations for parents comes from your teen pushing your buttons. It's like we're wearing a shirt with big pictures of buttons saying, "Push here!" They are masters at knowing what to say or do that sends our emotions into overdrive. Hunter [...]
As our boys grow up life can get strange. That little boy who loved being with you can suddenly disappear behind closed doors. We lose communication and our relationship with them suffers. Understanding boys and the changes they go through as they approach and live through puberty can help. Parents can keep a better line of communication and foster a stronger relationship with their sons. They can[...]