Plan P

Happy New Year! In the first episode of 2024, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison dive deep into the topic of trust, the cornerstone of strong parent-teen relationships. After a refreshing break over the holidays, they return to explore the dynamics of trust between parents and their teens. Trust is a two-way street, and the hosts discuss how it involves not only trusting our teens to make mistakes and learn but also trusting ourselves as parents. They emphasize that as parents, we set the tone for trust through our presence, engagement, and reliability. Join Sarah and Quinn as they unravel the layers of trust and share insights on building a foundation of trust that fosters open and healthy communication between parents and their teenagers.

This Week’s Practice: Daily Self-Reflection

This week, Sarah and Quinn encourage parents to engage in daily self-reflection as a powerful tool for cultivating trustworthiness. The practice involves taking a moment each day to assess our actions and behaviors. Did we uphold our commitments? Were we honest with ourselves and others? Did we handle various situations with integrity? By consistently checking in with ourselves and holding ourselves accountable, we can actively work on building trust not only with our teens but also with ourselves. This practice serves as a valuable step toward becoming the trustworthy parents we aspire to be, setting a positive example for our teens in the process.

Books Mentioned in this Episode: 

• Listening for Well-Being : Conversations with People Not Like Us by Arun Maira

CONNECT WITH US

• Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor

Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

In this special bonus episode, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison bid farewell to 2023 with a heartfelt reflection on the growth and stretching they've experienced throughout the year, marked by new ventures, challenges, and the launch of this very podcast, Plan P!

Sarah and Quinn also unveil exciting plans for 2024, offering listeners a sneak peek into what's to come:

• "Potty Training to Pot Training" eBook Release: A valuable resource for parents navigating the various stages of child development.

Plan P will return on January 17, 2024 for more insightful discussions, practical parenting advice, and shared experiences. We are truly grateful for the incredible support and engagement throughout the year and we wish you and your family Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

This Week’s Practice: Put Care, Compassion & Love First 

As we conclude the year, this week's practice encourages a beautiful act of self-love and care. Amidst the hustle and bustle, take a moment to prioritize yourself. Engage in a thoughtful gesture that brings you joy, whether it's a relaxing hot bath, buying yourself flowers, immersing yourself in a good book, or binging your favorite show.

Recognize and embrace the deserving nature of self-care. This practice serves as a gentle reminder to extend the same care, compassion, and love to yourself that you offer to others. In winding down for the end of the year, gift yourself a moment of kindness, reinforcing the importance of self-nurturing for a healthy and fulfilling start to the new year.

CONNECT WITH US

• Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor

Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

 In this final episode of the year, hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison guide parents through the unique challenges of the holiday season's grand finale: New Year's Eve. While Christmas often leans towards family-focused tranquility, New Year's Eve, particularly with teenage and young adult children, requires a different approach.

Sarah and Quinn emphasize the importance of candid conversations with teens and young adults about the significance of a safe New Year's Eve. As children grow older, their desire for more freedom and participation in celebratory events increases. It becomes crucial for parents to discuss responsible drinking, safety measures, awareness of surroundings, and pre-planned arrangements (such as calling an Uber or staying at a friend's house).

Recognizing that New Year's Eve is one of the most dangerous holidays, the hosts encourage parents not to shy away from this vital conversation of safety. The ultimate goal is to create a safe and open space for children to be honest about their plans. As the year draws to a close, Sarah and Quinn extend warm wishes for Happy Holidays and a joyous New Year. See you in 2024!

This Week’s Practice: What Picture are You Painting? 

This week's practice centers around the crucial theme of trust and safety in conversations about New Year's Eve with your teenage and young adult children. As you engage in these discussions, be mindful of your responses. Making an effort to create an environment where your child feels safe enough to open up is key.

Once your child shares their plans, resist the urge to overreact. Trust that your kids are capable of handling themselves appropriately. It's a delicate balance—nurturing trust through open communication and respecting their growing independence. This practice encourages parents to foster an atmosphere where safety and honesty coexist, ensuring a meaningful and secure start to the new year for everyone involved.

CONNECT WITH US

• Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor

Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

In this heartfelt episode of Plan P, hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison dive into the importance of being truly present, both emotionally and mentally, during the holiday season. Beyond the physical presence, they advocate for intentional mindfulness amidst the hustle and bustle that often engulfs this time of year.

As the rush of holiday preparations can overshadow the true meaning of the season, Sarah and Quinn inspire listeners to ground themselves through mindfulness. The episode explores the significance of bringing consciousness to actions often done unconsciously, fostering a deeper connection with the holiday moments that matter most.

Join them in this reflective journey toward embracing the gift of your presence, recognizing that true joy and fulfillment in the holidays come from being fully engaged and mindful in the present moment.

This Week’s Practice: Presence and Appreciation

This week's practice encourages the simple yet profound act of being present in the moment with genuine appreciation. Begin by taking a moment to appreciate your surroundings, whether it's the warmth of your home, the beauty of holiday decorations, or the company of loved ones.

Take a deep breath to anchor yourself in the present, allowing the sensory details to unfold. This practice invites you to step into the current moment with a heightened sense of awareness and gratitude. Embracing the power of appreciation fosters a deeper connection with the joy and beauty that each moment holds during the holiday season.

CONNECT WITH US

• Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor

Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

In this insightful follow-up to their discussion on holiday pressures, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison explore the essential concept of having a family plan in place for a festive, stress-free season. As families evolve and traditions shift with the passing years, it's crucial to engage in open discussions about how you'll spend the holidays.

Sarah and Quinn delve into the various considerations: will it be a getaway, a visit to the in-laws, a quiet evening at home, or perhaps allowing the kids to spend time with friends? The hosts emphasize the importance of managing expectations, ensuring that every family member, from spouses to kids, can have a meaningful and enjoyable holiday without unnecessary pressure.

As the dynamics of family traditions transform, this episode encourages the creation of new traditions through open communication and collaborative decision-making. Join Sarah and Quinn for valuable insights on crafting a holiday blueprint that fosters joy, connection, and shared meaning for everyone in the family.

This Week’s Practice: Prioritizing Joy in Your Holiday Plans

This week's practice encourages intentional decision-making for the holiday season and beyond. As you navigate choices, ask yourself a crucial question: "Is this truly a priority, or is it just a preference?" Understanding the distinction aids in planning a smoother holiday experience.

By discerning what holds genuine importance to you and your family, you can craft holiday plans around those priority factors. This practice cultivates a mindful and joy-centric approach, ensuring that your festivities align with what truly matters, enhancing the meaningful moments and reducing unnecessary stress.

CONNECT WITH US

• Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor

Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

In this episode of Plan P, hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison kick off the holiday season with a candid conversation about pushing through the pressures that often accompany this time of year. While the holidays bring joy for many, they can also weigh heavily on those experiencing loss, such as Quinn, who has navigated the absence of a parent.

Sarah and Quinn delve into the societal expectations that can burden individuals during the holiday season—feeling the pressure to be relentlessly joyful, managing the expectations of a perfect holiday for everyone, and juggling the demands of cooking and decorating. Drawing an analogy to a car's tire pressure check, the hosts encourage all parents to pause, reflect, and assess their own holiday pressures.

This episode serves as a reminder to prioritize the true meaning of the holidays amidst the chaos. Tune in for valuable insights on navigating the complexities of this season, offering solace and understanding for those experiencing a mix of emotions during what is often perceived as a joyful time. 

This Week’s Practice: Cultivate Contentment

This week's practice encourages a mindful approach to the holiday season. Reflect on what will genuinely bring you contentment, emphasizing the importance of balance in your aspirations. Consider what you want to contribute to the holiday festivities, whether it's a joyful atmosphere, meaningful connections, or simply a delicious meal. 

Acknowledge that the holidays should be a time of joy, not stress. By aligning your expectations with what truly matters to you, you can cultivate a sense of contentment, fostering a holiday season filled with authentic warmth and joy….remember there’s NO PRESSURE here - only reflection! 

CONNECT WITH US

• Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor

Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

In this timely episode of Plan P, hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison delve into a significant and often debated topic: therapeutic wilderness programs and boarding schools for troubled teens. Drawing from their own personal journey, where they made the challenging decision to send their son to a wilderness program over a decade ago, Sarah and Quinn share their insights and experiences.

This episode serves as an informative guide for parents, emphasizing that therapeutic wilderness programs and boarding schools are just one of many options available. The hosts stress the importance of understanding that there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to helping struggling teens. The focus here is on offering an opportunity, not a mandate, for both teens and parents to engage in transformative work separately.

Sarah and Quinn emphasize a crucial point: change requires effort from both sides. They advocate for parents to recognize that their own growth and willingness to change are essential components of nurturing a healthy relationship with their teens. Tune in to gain valuable insights, perspectives, and resources, empowering parents to make informed decisions while fostering understanding and empathy in the journey toward healing and growth.

More About Teen Therapeutic Programs

• Listen to Episode 2: Overcoming Parental Peer Pressure

• "What Now?" by Dr. Paul Case 

This Week’s Practice: Informed Decision-Making

This week's practice urges parents to approach the challenging decision of seeking help for their struggling teen with thoughtfulness and care. Begin by considering all available options—therapeutic wilderness programs, boarding schools, and more. Write down these choices and seek counsel from trusted individuals, valuing their perspectives and insights.

Take time to deeply reflect on the reasons guiding your decision-making process. Ensure that your choices are rooted in genuine concern for your teen's well-being, the overall family dynamics, and the long-term health of your relationship. Resist making decisions out of fear or panic, prioritizing what aligns with the best interests of your teen and your family. This practice encourages mindful consideration, enabling you to make informed choices that pave the way for a healthier, supportive future.

CONNECT WITH US

• Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor

Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

In this episode of Plan P, hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison explore the profound shift in parenting dynamics as teens transition into adults. The discussion centers on the crucial difference between being a caregiver and a caretaker. Caretaking, as they emphasize, involves providing care with an expectation of something in return, often tied to control. Caregiving, on the other hand, is the act of providing support, love, and guidance without expecting reciprocity. It's about fostering an environment of trust and empowerment.

The hosts shed light on the empowering concept of giving care—nurturing independence without strings attached. It's about relinquishing control and allowing young adults the freedom to make their own choices and decisions. By giving care, parents foster self-reliance and confidence in their children, preparing them for the challenges and triumphs of adulthood. Join Sarah and Quinn in this insightful episode, guiding parents on the path toward supportive, empowering care that enables their teens to flourish independently.

This Week’s Practice: The Care in Caregiving

This week's practice encourages a moment of self-reflection amid caregiving responsibilities. Take the time to care for yourself, recognizing your own needs and well-being. Reflect on your reasons for giving or taking care of others, whether it's your child, an aging parent, or anyone else. What motivates your actions? If you find uncertainty in your motivations, give yourself the permission to hit pause. This practice prompts a deeper understanding of the intentions behind your caregiving, fostering a more conscious and balanced approach to supporting others while prioritizing your own self-care.

CONNECT WITH US

• Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor

Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

In this episode of Plan P, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison shed light on the delicate balance of parenting: knowing when to step back. While it's natural to want to help our pre-teens, teens, and young adults navigate life, it's equally crucial to resist the urge to be a helicopter parent. The hosts emphasize the importance of allowing children the space to make mistakes and learn from them. By stepping back, parents foster independence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Unless the situation poses a danger, it's okay to let them face consequences, be it a bad grade or finding their own way home. Join Sarah and Quinn as they explore the transformative power of letting go, shaping resilient and self-sufficient young adults in the process. Tune in for invaluable insights on nurturing independence while providing a safety net of guidance.

This Week’s Practice: Allow Room for Growth

This week's practice encourages parents to step back and allow their children to experience the natural consequences of their actions. It involves giving kids the space to trip and fall, metaphorically speaking, and make mistakes without immediate parental intervention. Whether it's burning dinner, shrinking a shirt in the laundry, or missing an assignment, resisting the urge to jump in and correct fosters essential life skills. By allowing these mishaps, children learn responsibility, problem-solving, and resilience. Embracing mistakes becomes a powerful tool for growth, helping kids develop independence and learn from real-life experiences. This practice promotes a healthy balance between guidance and allowing children to navigate the challenges of life, contributing to their personal development and self-confidence.

Parenting Resources Mentioned: 

“Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. S. Dweck

CONNECT WITH US

• Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor

Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

In this enlightening episode of Plan P, hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison delve into the intricate world of emotions, exploring the depth and complexity beyond the typical happy-sad-mad spectrum. They emphasize the importance of parents doing the necessary inner work to identify their own feelings and reasons behind them. Recognizing that if expressing emotions is challenging for parents, it naturally becomes difficult for teenagers too. 

One key technique discussed is the use of "I" statements, empowering parents and teens alike to express themselves honestly and respectfully. By delving into the nuances of emotions and equipping listeners with effective communication tools, this episode serves as a practical guide to fostering healthier parent-teen relationships. Tune in as Sarah and Quinn unravel the layers of emotions, offering invaluable advice on navigating the often intricate terrain of feelings.

This Week’s Practice: Embracing "I Feel" Statements

This week's practice revolves around honing emotional awareness and effective communication. Begin by identifying your feelings, acknowledging them without judgment. For enhanced communication, visit our website's resources page, where valuable tips on formulating "I" statements await. These statements, starting with "I feel," empower you to express emotions assertively and respectfully, fostering healthy dialogue. Practice using these statements in your daily interactions, both with your teens and others. By mastering this skill, you create a bridge of understanding, promoting open and empathetic communication within your family and beyond.

CONNECT WITH US

• Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor

Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!