I am so thrilled to welcome child and adolescent therapist Sissy Goff to the show today! This one is special because Sissy and I were joined by my teen daughter, Caroline. 

And before you react to the title (“How To Connect With Your Moody Teenage Daughter”), Caroline came up with it! She’s here to share what she wants every parent of teenagers to know.  

I’ve been sooo expectant for this conversation because, honestly, I’ve felt helpless at times on how to connect with my daughter. Connection came easy to us when she was younger, but it feels like it’s harder to know how to do that as she grows up, starting in the tween years (ages 8-12). 

Our goal as parents is to raise our kids to spread their wings and fly. I know that, and I’m also sad because I feel like I’m losing her. Both are true.

So, how do we connect? How do we get them to put their phones down or leave their rooms? How can we, as parents, do better in supporting our teens? 

That’s why I invited Sissy! She has counseled hundreds of girls and their families through all ages and stages, and she’s here to give us some hope, some guidance, and the assurance that we are not alone. 

We dig into what Sissy calls “the narcissistic years,” the anxiety our girls are carrying, the mother-daughter relationship dynamic, and practical advice and ideas for connecting and supporting our daughters. 

Parents, I encourage you to LISTEN (or watch) with your daughters! 

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more:

(00:00 - 00:28) Finding Confidence and Identity in Adolescence 

(03:06 - 04:18) Understanding and Supporting Teenage Girls

(07:32 - 08:46) Growing Confidence and Autonomy in Adolescence 

(11:52 - 12:34) Parenting and Growth 

(17:13 - 18:30) Shared Activities for Parent-Child Bonding 

(33:12 - 34:06) Enneagram Personality Test and Q&A Session 

In this episode, we are diving into the good news and bad news of what Sissy calls “the narcissistic years” for girls, the difference between being needed by our kids and being loved by them, two recommendations for understanding and parenting our teens, and why being your daughter’s safest place means she may take things out on you. 

LINKS

Paula’s Personal Newsletter:

http://www.paulafarisofficial.com/newsletter

The Enneagram Test

https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test-paged

Sissy’s Books

https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/shop

https://www.daystarcounseling.com/books

Sissy’s Website

https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/

Sissy’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/sissygoff

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