In today’s episode, Cindy jumps into the beautiful mess that is friendship during our seniors' pivotal moments. She touches on the bittersweet truth that as we gear up for new life chapters, friendships often morph and, sometimes, drift away. And yep, it's a tough cookie to swallow, figuring out who'll be by our side in the next act. Science chimes in with a little nugget of wisdom: the happiest teens are those with a close-knit circle of one or two pals despite being surrounded by a sea of group activities.

But wait, moms aren’t immune to the friendship shuffle either! Cindy sheds light on how recognizing those connections, sparked by our kids’ shared interests, can soften the blow of fading friendships. Her kind reminder that not all friendships are meant for the long haul but are meaningful is like a warm hug for the heart. Adopting an attitude of gratitude for the friendships that have colored our lives makes navigating the upcoming changes a tad easier.

RESOURCES FOR YOU, MOM:

The Journal Project: My Senior Year Through Mom's Eyes by Cindy Manko

https://a.co/d/2YguEiH

Receive the weekly #SAVVYSENIORMOM tips:

www.cindymanko.com/savvy-senior-mom-newsletter

CONNECT WITH CINDY:

Instagram: @MankoCindy

Facebook Group just for moms of high school seniors:

www.facebook.com/groups/savvyseniormoms/

Email: [email protected]

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

• Leave a review

Share this episode. Tag #savvyseniormom

Marching bands and senior year might seem worlds apart, but as the school year draws to a close, Cindy has found a symphony in the chaos. Her own family's musical backdrop, complete with drummers and saxophonists, plays the perfect metaphor for the discipline and harmony required as her children step out into their own independence. In today's episode, we wade through the whirlwind of spring break, prom, and graduation, offering parents like us a heartfelt guide to navigating these bittersweet milestones with grace.

As we watch our kids don their caps and gowns, ready to march to the beat of their own drums, we're reminded of the life skills they've honed and the unique talents they're about to take center stage. Join Cindy as we reflect on the importance of giving our children the space to create those final high school memories while preparing them to excel in life's next big performance. 

From fostering proficiency in their passions to teaching the art of teamwork, this episode is a standing ovation to our kids' senior year crescendo and the parental support that becomes their most enduring fanfare.

RESOURCES FOR YOU, MOM:

The Journal Project: My Senior Year Through Mom's Eyes by Cindy Manko

https://a.co/d/2YguEiH

Receive the weekly #SAVVYSENIORMOM tips:

www.cindymanko.com/savvy-senior-mom-newsletter

CONNECT WITH CINDY:

Instagram: @MankoCindy

Facebook Group just for moms of high school seniors:

www.facebook.com/groups/savvyseniormoms/

Email: [email protected]

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

• Leave a review

Share this episode. Tag #savvyseniormom

March Madness is taking over, and it's inescapable! Whether you're a basketball fan or not, you can only turn on the TV, walk into a store, or pass by a car dealership if you get a dose of it. But here's the twist: Cindy's spinning this basketball frenzy into something that hits closer to home—how it all links to your high school senior's leap toward independence. Diving into her own hoop dreams and experiences, Cindy parallels the game's fundamentals and the skills your teen needs for independence. 

RESOURCES FOR YOU, MOM:

The Journal Project: My Senior Year Through Mom's Eyes by Cindy Manko

https://a.co/d/2YguEiH

Receive the weekly #SAVVYSENIORMOM tips:

www.cindymanko.com/savvy-senior-mom-newsletter

CONNECT WITH CINDY:

Instagram: @MankoCindy

Facebook Group just for moms of high school seniors:

www.facebook.com/groups/savvyseniormoms/

Email: [email protected]

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

• Leave a review

• Share this episode. Tag #savvyseniormom

As the school year hits its final stretch, are you starting to freak out a little? Totally normal!

But guess what? Cindy's here to throw a cool splash of calm your way, reminding you that you're as essential as ever—even if your teen is strutting around like they've got this whole "independence" thing down pat.

Cindy's dishing out six super easy, effective ways to keep your mom game strong. These tips aren't just about hanging in there; they're about thriving and spreading those good vibes. Ready to ride the wave of the last bit of their childhood with grace, laughter, and maybe a few proud tears? Cindy's got you covered.

RESOURCES FOR YOU, MOM:

The Journal Project: My Senior Year Through Mom's Eyes by Cindy Manko

https://a.co/d/2YguEiH

Receive the weekly #SAVVYSENIORMOM tips:

www.cindymanko.com/savvy-senior-mom-newsletter

CONNECT WITH CINDY:

Instagram: @MankoCindy

Facebook Group just for moms of high school seniors:

www.facebook.com/groups/savvyseniormoms/

Email: [email protected]

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

• Leave a review

Share this episode. Tag #savvyseniormom

Feeling a bit out of sync with your loved ones? No worries –Cindy's got the magic key to unlock a deeper, more meaningful connection, and it's all about cracking the code to love languages!

Today, she's diving headfirst into Dr. Gary Chapman's groundbreaking concept of the 5 Love Languages. With Cindy's help, you'll explore what these love languages are and see real-life examples that'll make you go, "Aha!"

We're all wonderfully unique, with our quirks and ways of expressing and receiving love. Cindy believes by understanding and embracing these differences, we can supercharge any relationship, filling up each other's "love tank" to the brim with the exact kind of love that lights us up inside.

And don't let a little scientific skepticism hold you back. Go to the  5 love languages quiz and discover your love language, pronto! It's more than just a fun exercise; it's a journey of self-discovery and stepping up your caring game in ways you never imagined.

Learn about The Five Love Languages and take the quiz to find yours : 

5lovelanguages.com/learn

RESOURCES FOR YOU, MOM:

The Journal Project: My Senior Year Through Mom's Eyes by Cindy Manko

https://a.co/d/2YguEiH

Receive the weekly #SAVVYSENIORMOM tips:

www.cindymanko.com/savvy-senior-mom-newsletter

CONNECT WITH CINDY:

Instagram: @MankoCindy

Facebook Group just for moms of high school seniors:

www.facebook.com/groups/savvyseniormoms/

Email: [email protected]

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

• Leave a review

• Share this episode. Tag #savvyseniormom

Hey, fellow mamas! Are you ready to dive into the rollercoaster world of our teens' love lives—without the dread? Trust me, we're all in this together, and I've got some golden nuggets on how to navigate these choppy waters of their self-discovery journey.

The teenage years are a prime time for intense self-exploration, often through the highs and lows of romance. And yes, our mom role gets a bit, well, complicated when those love interests pop up. But fear not! I'm breaking it down into a simple three-step survival guide: Listen, Love, and Launch. 

RESOURCES FOR YOU, MOM:

The Journal Project: My Senior Year Through Mom's Eyes by Cindy Manko

https://a.co/d/2YguEiH

Receive the weekly #SAVVYSENIORMOM tips:

www.cindymanko.com/savvy-senior-mom-newsletter

CONNECT WITH CINDY:

Instagram: @MankoCindy

Facebook Group just for moms of high school seniors:

www.facebook.com/groups/savvyseniormoms/

Email: [email protected]

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

• Leave a review

• Share this episode. Tag #savvyseniormom

Hey there, fellow nostalgia enthusiasts and romantics at heart! Cindy Manko here, inviting you to dive into the delightful world of love letters with me on today's episode.

 Let's stroll down memory lane, back to the days of choosing the perfect Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle or Disney princess to adorn our classroom Valentine's Day cards, and fast-forward to the hormone-fueled hallways of middle school, where every note passed was a high-stakes emotional gamble. 

Cindy even spills the beans on her own fifth-grade love debacle—a necklace that was too much, too soon. Whether you're a hopeless romantic or a skeptic who thinks love letters are relics of the past, this episode has something for everyone. We're unpacking the magic of pouring your heart out on paper and how those early expressions of love shape the way we show care to ourselves and others. 

So grab your favorite stationery, and let's get ready to celebrate the art of affectionate correspondence and the joy it brings both sender and receiver. Tune in, share the love, and remember—sometimes the best things in life really are written in ink.

RESOURCES FOR YOU, MOM:

The Journal Project: My Senior Year Through Mom's Eyes by Cindy Manko

https://a.co/d/2YguEiH

Receive the weekly #SAVVYSENIORMOM tips:

www.cindymanko.com/savvy-senior-mom-newsletter

CONNECT WITH CINDY:

Instagram: @MankoCindy

Facebook Group just for moms of high school seniors:

www.facebook.com/groups/savvyseniormoms/

Email: [email protected]

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

• Leave a review

• Share this episode. Tag #savvyseniormom

Buckle up, folks, because Cindy has officially given January the cold shoulder and is kicking off her resolutions in February with a bang! In this episode, she's chatting up a storm with Cristina Slabic, the guru of getting things done, about crafting those perfect routines and systems that scream, 'this is me!'

First things first: It's all about you. Yes, you heard it right. Before we can be super parents, we've got to be super at taking care of ourselves. Cristina spills the beans on the top parenting mistakes most folks make while trying to stay on their A-game: forgetting themselves in the process.

Then, dive into the heart of motherhood, where letting go isn't just a phase; it's an art. And guess what? Shifting to a "me first" approach in self-care isn't just good; it's golden. Cristina doesn't just talk the talk; she walks the walk, dishing out zesty tips to keep the mom-ship sailing smoothly and intentionally. This episode isn't just packed; it's bursting at the seams with juicy, actionable insights! 🚀🌟

Connect with Cristina https://www.cristinaslabic.com/

RESOURCES FOR YOU, MOM:

The Journal Project: My Senior Year Through Mom's Eyes by Cindy Manko

https://a.co/d/2YguEiH

Receive the weekly #SAVVYSENIORMOM tips:

www.cindymanko.com/savvy-senior-mom-newsletter

CONNECT WITH CINDY:

Instagram: @MankoCindy

Facebook Group just for moms of high school seniors:

www.facebook.com/groups/savvyseniormoms/

Email: [email protected]

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

• Leave a review

Share this episode. Tag #savvyseniormom

In today’s episode, Cindy Manko and self-care specialist Stephanie Richardson discuss the positive impact of partnering with high school seniors in self-care routines. They emphasize the importance of self-love and adopting healthy habits. Stephanie introduces a holistic approach, focusing on mind, body, and spirit.

Cindy, who is declaring February 1st as January 1st, invites listeners to a no-pressure journey of self-awareness and well-being. The episode highlights the benefits of involving teens in health discussions and activities, strengthening the parent-child bond, and supporting the teen's journey toward independence, all within a framework of mutual care and understanding.

Connect with Stephanie Richardson

 Instagram:  @funfitmom 

www.funfitmom.com

RESOURCES FOR YOU, MOM:

The Journal Project: My Senior Year Through Mom's Eyes by Cindy Manko

https://a.co/d/2YguEiH

Receive the weekly #SAVVYSENIORMOM tips:

www.cindymanko.com/savvy-senior-mom-newsletter

CONNECT WITH CINDY:

Instagram: @MankoCindy

Facebook Group just for moms of high school seniors:

www.facebook.com/groups/savvyseniormoms/

Email: [email protected]

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

• Leave a review

• Share this episode. Tag #savvyseniormom

Subscribe to the podcast to stay SAVVY!

This week, Cindy checks in on your heart as you are on the downward slope of your child’s senior year.  

Cindy shares two examples of worry that her clients are talking about.  

• Will my son pick the college that best fits him?  

• Now that she knows I am in her corner, there is not much time left! 

The closer we draw near to the end of this era, the more panic buttons are being hit.  These two moms learn to wrestle with the fear of their situations.  One mom realized her son would make the best of any situation and debunked her fear.  The other melted into the fact that her daughter finally sees her as an ally and understood, in hindsight, that it wasn’t personal when her daughter fought back the past couple of years.  

We sometimes feel like the punching bag taking all the emotions our kids throw our way…but, really, we just absorb the frustrations, the anger, and the confusion so they can breathe, and then they pick it up again.   It is not personal; it is a way to help them process.  

Cindy’s solution to these tough, heartstring-pulling ordeals is to write in the prompted journal she has written.  The Journal Project: My Senior Year Through Mom’s Eyes has room for all the different conversations.  And the more you write, the more you have to talk about.  It draws you closer as the time to let go grows closer, too.  

RESOURCES FOR YOU, MOM:

The Journal Project: My Senior Year Through Mom's Eyes by Cindy Manko

https://a.co/d/2YguEiH

Receive the weekly #SAVVYSENIORMOM tips:

www.cindymanko.com/savvy-senior-mom-newsletter

CONNECT WITH CINDY:

Instagram: @MankoCindy

Facebook Group just for moms of high school seniors:

www.facebook.com/groups/savvyseniormoms/

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

• Leave a review

• Share this episode. Tag #savvyseniormom

• Subscribe to the podcast to stay SAVVY!