The Reflective Parent: Parenting Strategies to Improve Communication And Build a Strong Relationship With Your Teen and Family - 3. Parenting Strategies For When Your Teen Pushes Back

3. Parenting Strategies For When Your Teen Pushes Back

08/23/24 • 39 min

The Reflective Parent: Parenting Strategies to Improve Communication And Build a Strong Relationship With Your Teen and Family

Ever found yourself in a heated exchange with your teen, feeling the tension build, your voice rising, and your body bracing for battle?

What if I told you that there’s a way to dial back, find your calm, and show up as your best self, even if the conversation starts off on the wrong foot?

In this episode, we’re diving deep into what happens inside us when your teen pushes back or refuses to follow the plan. The first step is recognizing and honoring your reaction.

A lot of us avoid conflict, and just the thought of a difficult conversation can change how we show up before it even begins. I want to help you change that. We’ll explore how to recognize the signs—what’s going on in your mind, what your body is telling you, and how your nervous system is primed to protect you, sometimes in ways that aren’t so helpful in the heat of the moment.

I’ll share with you the power of simple tools like meditation and deep breathing, which can make all the difference when you’re on the edge of overwhelm. Trust me, the breath is more powerful than you might think—it’s a way to step back, take a mental pause, and check in with yourself: What’s really going on here? Is there something else that’s triggering my frustration with my teen?

Remember, here we make small shifts for change that can lead to big changes in your family dynamics. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present, being aware, and being willing to try again when things don’t go as planned.

In this episode on parenting strategies for when your teen pushes back, we discuss:

Identifying what triggers you during conflicts with your teen;
Parenting strategies to dial back your response, find calm, and approach the situation again with a clearer mindset;
Understanding the power of showing up as your best self, even when a conversation starts on the wrong foot;
How the fear of conflict can affect how you approach tough conversations with your teen and family;
How entering a situation with a different mindset can change the outcome and help you build a stronger relationship with your family;
Paying attention to your inner monologue and avoiding being overly attached to a specific outcome;
How meditation can help manage overwhelming emotions;
The impact of screen time on teens and how it may influence your family dynamics;
Approaching conversations with curiosity instead of judgment.

⭐Looking for individualized support? Book your free consultation now. https://awakenedshadow.com/#appointments

👋 Don’t be a stranger! Come and say hi on Instagram @theattachmentcoach

You can support this podcast by:

Leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts
Subscribing to the show on your favorite listening platform

I'd love to hear from you! Whatever it is that comes up for you after listening to today's episode, please share it with me in a text message!

Ever found yourself in a heated exchange with your teen, feeling the tension build, your voice rising, and your body bracing for battle?

What if I told you that there’s a way to dial back, find your calm, and show up as your best self, even if the conversation starts off on the wrong foot?

In this episode, we’re diving deep into what happens inside us when your teen pushes back or refuses to follow the plan. The first step is recognizing and honoring your reaction.

In this episode on parenting strategies for when your teen pushes back, we discuss:

Identifying what triggers you during conflicts with your teen;
Parenting strategies to dial back your response, find calm, and approach the situation again with a clearer mindset;
Understanding the power of showing up as your best self, even when a conversation starts on the wrong foot;
How the fear of conflict can affect how you approach tough conversations with your teen and family;
How entering a situation with a different mindset can change the outcome and help you build a stronger relationship with your family;
Paying attention to your inner monologue and avoiding being overly attached to a specific outcome;
How meditation can help manage overwhelming emotions;
The impact of screen time on teens and how it may influence your family dynamics;
Approaching conversations with curiosity instead of judgment.

⭐Looking for individualized support? Book your free consultation now. https://awakenedshadow.com/#appointments

👋 Don’t be a stranger! Come and say hi on Instagram @theattachmentcoach

You can support this podcast by:

Leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts
Subscribing to the show on your favorite listening platform

I'd love to hear from you! Whatever it is that comes up for you after listening to today's episode, please share it with me in a text message!

Previous Episode

2. How Struggles Shape You and Your Teen, And How They Shaped Me

Struggle can be a powerful catalyst for growth. I’ve witnessed this truth not only in my own life but also in the lives of countless teens while working in wilderness therapy, residential treatment, and transitional and sober living.

However, my time in wilderness therapy was particularly eye-opening. Seeing the immense challenges these teens faced made me realize just how fortunate I’ve been in comparison—how lucky I was not to have struggled as much as they did.

“But through [my struggles], I was able to grow quite a bit. And so can these young humans who are really struggling with a lot of areas of their lives” - Jason Denham

In this episode, I’m diving into some key experiences that shaped my understanding of how you, as a parent, can better support your teen. We’re not just talking about the everyday parenting strategies here - we’re talking about creative problem-solving. We’ll explore how stepping into your teen’s shoes, even when it’s hard to understand where they’re coming from, can make a significant difference.

We’ll also discuss how slowing down to celebrate those tiny victories can make all the difference in your relationship with your teen and your family.

In this episode, we’ll discuss some practical steps to get you started:

Family agreements: Why letting your teen have a say in family decisions can transform your family dynamics.
Understanding the body’s response: What happens inside us when family tension rises, and how we can manage it.
Self-care for parents: The importance of carving out time to restore your nervous system, so you can show up with renewed energy to build a strong relationship with your family.
The power of movement: How physical activity can help your teen open up emotionally.
Letting go: Why it’s crucial to allow your teen to tackle problems on their own, rather than solving everything for them.
Screen Time: The impact of screen usage on our brains, and what that means for our teenagers.

Each of these topics plays its own role in understanding how we can better connect with our teens, helping them grow into resilient, capable adults. Let’s dive in!

⭐Looking for individualized support? Book your free consultation now. https://awakenedshadow.com/#appointments

👋 Don’t be a stranger! Come and say hi on Instagram @theattachmentcoach

You can support this podcast by: