Welcome back, connected parents! In this heartfelt episode of Connected Parenting, we’re diving into one of the most emotionally challenging moments many parents face; the shift that happens when your child starts to pull away and step into the world of adolescence.

I take a close look at this transition, especially between mothers and daughters, when the once chatty, affectionate little girl becomes more withdrawn, independent, and focused on her peers. For many parents, this change feels like a form of grief—there’s a sadness, a sense of being left behind, and a deep questioning of where they now fit in their child’s life.

Full of empathy and grounded in practical advice, this episode offers strategies to stay close, even as the relationship begins to change. Whether you're in the thick of it or seeing the early signs, today's episode will help you navigate this season of change with compassion and clarity.

Remember just because it feels different doesn’t mean you’re losing your child. You’re simply being invited to show up for them in a new way.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

• Understanding the Transition to Teenagehood (00:00)
• Biological and Cultural Context of Adolescence (02:21)
• Emotional Impact on Parents and Teenagers (06:23)
• Navigating Social Interactions and Connections (07:20)
• Effective Communication and Connection Techniques (15:40)
• Managing Expectations and Emotional Resilience (15:56)

Meet Jennifer Kolari



Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in th US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).