Power Your Parenting: Moms With Teens

Have you ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone, only to realize you've lost precious time you could have spent with your family?

Do you notice a difference between your digital habits and those of your teenagers?

JENNIE KETCHAM CROOKS is the founder of the West Coast Anxiety Clinic, a clinical licensed social worker, and an anxiety and OCD specialist. Prior to starting the West Coast Anxiety Clinic, she was the Director of Clinical Education at Seattle Anxiety Specialists and before that, the lead medical social worker at the Polyclinic. Jennie has been involved in research at the University of Washington, a guest lecturer at Harvard University, and appeared on a number of popular television shows from Headline News and The View to Oprah.

Jennie is the author of LOOK UP The 30-Day Path to Digital Minimalism and Real Life Maximalism.

In this episode we discuss how digital habits are formed and how they can often lead to overconsumption and mental health issues like anxiety. Jenny shares her personal story of missing her daughter's first steps because of being absorbed in her phone, highlighting how easy it is to fall into this trap. The conversation covers practical strategies to identify and change these habits, emphasizing the importance of modeling positive behavior for our children. They also explore how digital overuse can prevent us from experiencing meaningful connections and real-world activities. Finally, they address the critical need for downtime and boredom to allow our brains to rest and recharge.

Here are 3 practical takeaways.

1. Set Boundaries with Digital Devices:

Establish clear boundaries for when and where digital devices can be used. For example, consider creating phone-free zones in your home, such as the dinner table or bedrooms. This helps to foster more meaningful interactions and ensures that digital consumption doesn't interfere with quality family time.

1. Model Healthy Digital Habits:

Your children are watching and learning from your behavior. Make a conscious effort to demonstrate healthy digital habits, such as limiting screen time, prioritizing face-to-face interactions, and choosing real-world activities over digital ones. This sets a positive example for your kids to follow.

1. Prioritize Self-Care and Real-World Connections:

Take care of your own needs by scheduling regular self-care activities that do not involve screens. This could include hobbies, exercise, or socializing with friends in person. By fulfilling your own needs outside of the digital world, you'll be less likely to rely on your phone for comfort and more present for your family.

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/becomingjennie/

Learn more at: https://westcoastanxiety.com/

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Are you struggling to maintain harmony in your relationship while managing the mental load of parenting teens? Have you ever wondered what the most common sources of conflict are between parents when it comes to raising children?

In this insightful episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, Colleen O'Grady dives deep into the realities of parenting and its impact on relationships. Joined by Leonie Akhidenor they discuss the common conflicts parents face.

Leonie Akhidenor is a certified relationship coach, property developer and consultant, part-time model and mother of two boys. Dubbed ‘The Parenting Guru’ (Daily Mail, 2023) she is the founder and host of the ‘Parenthood Podcast’, where she focuses on sharing stories about our biggest challenges and lessons as parents. Unlike a lot other parenting podcasts, Leonie’s audience appeals to both mums and dads, as she talks directly with parents about uncomfortable topics in order to remove stigmas and normalize the experiences of modern day parenthood.

With a style that feels a lot like group therapy - Leonie delves into topics with guests such as losing the spark with your partner after having children, or how you can overcome feelings of resentment, conflict in parenting styles and how we can find ourselves again after the weight of responsibility wears us down. Frank, caring and helpful in her approach - Leonie has established herself as the ‘real talk’ advice guru for all couples on their parenting journey.

such as the mental load that often falls on moms, resulting in feelings of resentment and inequality in responsibilities.

Leonie states that parents commonly fight about the inequality of household responsibilities, with moms often carrying the heavier mental load, leading to feelings of resentment. Additionally, differences in parenting styles and the challenges of maintaining intimacy and connection in the relationship are frequent sources of conflict.

They also explore the impact of parenting on a mom’s identity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining personal interests and self-care. The conversation touches on the importance of quality time with partners to reignite intimacy, strategies for dealing with differences in parenting styles, and practical ways to delegate household tasks to reduce stress. Additionally, they discuss the unique challenges of raising a biracial family and the common frustrations dads experience when they feel sidelined. This episode is packed with practical advice and heartfelt stories to help moms navigate the complex dynamics of family life.

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/parenthoodpod/

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Are you navigating the tumultuous tween years with your child and wondering what makes this stage so unique? Do you find yourself caught off guard by sudden emotional outbursts and unexpected behavior changes in your 9-14 year old?

My guest today is an expert on tweens. Joann Schauf is the founder of Your Tween and You, an author and a seasoned speaker who specializes in parenting and adolescent coaching. She authors the blog, The Tween Times, and actively engages with parents through workshops and conferences. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling.

Joann Schauf discusses the crucial process of identity formation in tweens, emphasizing that this period is marked by significant changes in their sense of self. Tweens experience a variety of emotions and face confusion as they navigate their developing identities. They might express doubt, confidence, and fluctuating interests in rapid succession, all while questioning their beliefs and experimenting with different roles. Schauf highlights the importance of mothers shifting their parenting approach to be more collaborative and supportive, rather than authoritative. Moms should engage in open conversations, allow their tweens to express themselves, and offer guidance without judgment. By doing so, they provide a safe environment for tweens to explore and understand who they are becoming, fostering both independence and a strong parent-child connection.

To find more about Joann and her book, "Loving the Alien" go to https://www.yourtweenandyou.com/

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yourtweenandyou/

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Moms, have you ever wondered how to protect your teen's mental health and foster a positive body image in the face of pervasive diet culture and social media pressures?

In this episode, Colleen O'Grady talks with Marla Mervis Hartman, creator of "Love Your Body, Love Yourself."

After experiencing years of dysfunction in relation to food, exercise, and body confidence, Marla transformed her life through the radical act of self-compassion and friending herself. She has since used her experiences to help empower women as they choose appreciation for their bodies, honor themselves through nourishing lifestyle choices, and cultivate confidence along the way. Marla works at Ai Pono  a Eating Disorder Recovery Center. Most recently, she has been featured at TEDx Salinas. Currently, Marla lives in Maui with her husband, Olaf, and son, Aspen–where she works full-time as a professional coach, speaker, facilitator, and Instructor. Marla will see her first book, Be-Friend Yourself on bookshelves beginning of 2024.

Marla discusses her journey of healing her relationship with food and body image, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion. Marla shares tools for managing emotional eating, such as identifying underlying issues, promoting self-care, and fostering a positive body image through modeling healthy behaviors. She highlights the impact of diet culture on both moms and teens and offers strategies for open communication. The conversation also covers the importance of parents healing their own relationships with food to provide a supportive environment for their teens and the critical influence of a mother's relationship with food on her children's attitudes towards eating and body image.

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/loveyourbodyloveyourselfalways/

Learn more about Marla at https://www.loveyourbodyloveyourself.com/

BE-Friend Yourself Book Pre-order Link:

https://www.loveyourbodyloveyourself.com/book

FREE GIFT

Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Eating https://goloveyourbodyloveyourself.com/emotionaleating

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How can you create a sense of adventure and belonging in your family, even when life gets messy?

What are the essential values that help cultivate a healthy and connected family?

In this episode I interview Julie and Chris Bennett, authors of Fighting for Family, The Relentless Pursuit of Building Belonging.

The Bennetts share their journey of moving from Oklahoma to Los Angeles and how this adventurous leap, combined with facing personal challenges like Julie's battle with cancer, has shaped their family dynamics.

Julie and Chris Bennett are the founders of Welcome Home Lifestyle which exists to create and promote content that celebrates all things family.

Both Julie and Chris are graduates of Baylor University and have spent the majority of their 23 years of marriage working in vocational ministry. Through overwhelming challenges, they have learned how to fight for the things that matter and devote themselves to helping others do the same.

Alongside their passion for building belonging for others, they love nothing more than beach football, spontaneous road trips, and throwing a good party.

The Bennetts live in Malibu, CA where Chris serves as lead pastor of Vintage Church Malibu.

They emphasize the importance of intentionality in building family connections, advocating for open and honest conversations, and believing the best about each other, even during tough times. The Bennetts discuss their six core values for cultivating family, which include seeking to understand before being understood and working through hard things instead of walking away. They also highlight the significance of humility, vulnerability, and the willingness to learn from each other, noting that a healthy family is about being real and embracing the messiness of life together.

To learn more go to https://www.fightingforfamily.org/

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/juliebennett_/

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Are you worried that technology is taking over your family life, especially with your tweens and teens?

In this episode of the "Power Your Parenting" podcast, Colleen O'Grady hosts Erin Loechner, the author of "The Opt Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't." Erin shares her journey from being a social media influencer to leading a low-tech lifestyle. Founder of global tech-free movement The Opt-Out Family, Erin Loechner is a former social media influencer who walked away from a million fans to live a low-tech lifestyle—and is now teaching others how to do the same. Her cutting-edge work has been praised in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and the Huffington Post, as well as on the Today Show. When she’s not scrawling on her trusty steno pad, Erin, her husband, and their three kids spend their days chasing alpenglow, reading Kipling, and biking to town for more tortillas.

Five key points include: 1) The pervasive belief that kids need technology is challenged, suggesting families can thrive without it. 2) Erin's family motto is "be more engaging than the algorithm," focusing on meaningful offline activities. 3) The negative impacts of technology on children’s mental health are highlighted with compelling statistics. 4) Erin shares practical strategies for families to reduce screen time, such as creating device-free zones and engaging in tech-free retreats. 5) She emphasizes the importance of parents modeling low-tech behavior and fostering real-life connections to help kids develop critical thinking and a love for discovery. Additionally, Erin discusses the challenges and strategies for managing technology in schools, advocating for alternatives to digital assignments and promoting device-free environments to enhance students' focus and well-being.

Learn more at https://www.erinloechner.com/

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Are you wondering how to support your teen through the heart-wrenching experience of grief and loss?

In this heartfelt episode, Colleen interviews award-winning writer and podcaster Clarissa Moll, who shares her personal journey of navigating grief after the sudden loss of her husband in 2019. Clarissa, a remarried widow and mother of seven, discusses her two upcoming books, "Hurt, Help, Hope" and "Hope Comes to Stay," which offer essential guidance for teens and younger children dealing with grief.

First, she emphasizes the importance of understanding that grief manifests differently for each child, ranging from clinginess to a need for solitude. Second, she highlights the necessity of self-care for parents to ensure they can support their children effectively. Third, Clarissa discusses the significance of maintaining family unity and open communication to prevent the family from splintering after a loss. Fourth, she stresses the value of creating a supportive environment that includes normalizing grief, encouraging resilience, and leveraging trusted adults to provide additional support for grieving teens.

Additionally, Clarissa advises moms to be patient with their teens' grief journey and to avoid imposing a timeline on their healing process. She emphasizes that grief can take years to process, and it's crucial for parents to provide a stable, understanding presence without pressuring their teens to "move on" too quickly. This patience and acceptance can help teens feel supported and understood, fostering a healthier, more genuine healing process. Finally, Clarissa advises moms to be patient with their teens' grief journey and to avoid imposing a timeline on their healing process. She emphasizes that grief can take years to process, and it's crucial for parents to provide a stable, understanding presence without pressuring their teens to "move on" too quickly. This patience and acceptance can help teens feel supported and understood, fostering a healthier, more genuine healing process.

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mollclarissa/

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Hey moms! Have you ever wondered if your teen or college student truly understands the value of money? Are they financially savvy, or do you often find them struggling to grasp the basics? Today’s episode is all about empowering you to help your teens become financially literate.

With almost twenty-five years of experience as a financial advising professional, Jeffrey Panik, MSFS, CFP® knows that his job is to help clients strike a balance between living well today and planning for the future. Throughout his career, Jeff has worked with hundreds of families, individuals, and small businesses to help them set goals, strategically manage their assets, and work toward achieving their dreams. The first in his family to attend college, Jeff believes it is imperative to start the discussion of financial literacy early to best prepare for financial success throughout life. Jeffrey is the author of Your Future Is Now: A Guide to Understanding Your Finances and Gaining Independence.

In this episode, Jeff emphasizes the importance of starting financial literacy discussions early. He provides practical tips on teaching teens about the real costs of credit cards and responsible spending. You'll learn about various budgeting tactics that suit different personalities, understand the true costs of college and how to manage student loans effectively, and discover ways to encourage your teens to work part-time and save. Jeff also highlights the value of early financial education and the impact of practical experiences like internships and part-time jobs.

Follow Jeffrey on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpanik/

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Are you worried about your teen spending the summer glued to their screens and losing valuable skills? In episode #271 of the "Power Your Parenting Moms to Teens" podcast, host Colleen O'Grady chats with Julia Geffner, a seasoned growth marketer and mom, about preventing the dreaded summer slide. They share practical tips on establishing routines, setting screen time limits, and exploring exciting interests through hands-on activities and enrichment programs. Discover how to make this summer not only relaxing but enriching for your teen. Tune in and transform your summer strategy!

Julia Geffner is a growth marketer, strategist, and customer experience executive and current chief digital and marketing officer at Summer Discovery, the global leader in pre-college programs for nearly six decades. She has 20 years of experience in executive and C-level digital and traditional marketing experience and revenue growth roles. She is passionate about youth education and loves that she gets to help create interactive and fulfilling learning experiences for teens.

She graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in political science and an M.B.A. from Fordham School of Business in marketing and management. Most importantly, Julia is a mom to her two incredible children.

Learn more about Summer Discovery and Julia at https://www.summerdiscovery.com/about/our-team

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/summerdiscovery

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How can moms help their tweens and teens finish the year strong? Do you see your teens procrastinating? How can moms motivate their teens to study and do their best on their finals and AP exams? This episode is full of practical tips and advice to help YOU help your teen.

Our guest today is Lisa Speransky. Lisa grew up in New York City, attending specialized public schools and Columbia University. Through years of her own experience as a well-known tutor and mentor in NYC, she came to understand how a tutoring relationship can be life-changing for a student and began expanding her company in 2003. Lisa also enjoyed a 13-year corporate career in consumer products, spending 3 of those years in a C-level role before returning to IVY to pursue her mission to help students find joy in learning.

How to motivate teens to study?

"Emphasize the higher stakes of final exams compared to regular tests, and remind them that consistent studying can prevent last-minute stress and improve performance."

How to handle procrastination?

"Encourage the use of calendar blocking to break study tasks into manageable chunks, making it easier to start and stay on track without feeling overwhelmed."

The importance of reducing stress.

"Help your teen manage exam stress by providing organizational tools and reinforcing that a single test is not the end of the world; your support and understanding are key."

To find out more about Lisa or IVY go to:

https://ivytutorsnetwork.com/about/our-team

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivytutorsnetwork/

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