How "up in your teen's business" do you get? How much is too much monitoring, snooping, digging and tracking? Do you let them know you're going to be doing checking on them up front? Or, are you more of a covert operator? Do you know what difference it all makes? A lot. One of the most important things to a teenager (or a tween) is their autonomy. And if you threaten that, you'll be locked in never-ending power struggles. Find out how to navigate balancing your parental control with their need for autonomy and privacy.

Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

I drop new episodes every Tuesday and Friday so please tap Follow on the main episode page, so they’ll be ready for you in your app. 

You can reach out to me with ideas for the show or guest suggestions here. Thanks so much for listening!

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected] 

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

Today, I continue the series on vaping that we started last week with my interview with Daniel Ament in episode #109. I hope you shared Daniel's episode with your teen (and maybe even gave his information to someone at your school so he could speak to all the students.)

Vaping is ubiquitous in high school and more and more middle schoolers are taking up the habit every single day. Just because you've not seen evidence that your teen vapes or your teen has not admitted it to you, or they've promised you they'll never do it, does not mean that it isn't happening.

This week I'm explaining how the serious risk of lung damage associated with vaping and e-cigarettes didn't end right before COVID when the CDC stopped tracking the EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury) epidemic. Simply put - COVID took the spot light off this other serious risk to public health. 

But in fact, there have been thousands upon thousands of cases in the US alone of vaping related lung injury or illness due to vaping, e-cigarettes or dabbing since then. As a matter of fact, there have been two additional double lung transplants for vaping related lung damage.

I'll explain what's going on here and debunk some of the myths that vaping is "healthy" (that your teen may still be hanging onto.)

Next week I’ll be addressing how to help your teen resist starting vaping and how to help them stop.

Show Notes and Transcript

Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help mo

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected] 

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

You have to admit that you never knew another human being could evoke such a broad range of emotions from you. You love your teenager more than anything on the planet, you'd go to the ends of the earth for them (you pretty much already have) but...good God can they ever make you mad! It's like they know just the right amount of tone and attitude to throw in with their emotional meltdown, to bring out the very worst in you.

You can do better. And you can help them do better. Today we're going to talk about how your connection with your teen greatly depends on your awareness and understanding of both your teen's emotions and your own.

Show Notes and Transcript

Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

I drop new episodes every Tuesday and Friday so please tap Follow on the main episode page, so they’ll be ready for you in your app. 

You can reach out to me with ideas for the show or guest suggestions here. Thanks so much for listening!

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected] 

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

Today’s episode will be as significant for your teen’s to hear as it will be for you so please share. It may even be more important to share it with your younger kids who’ve not considered vaping yet. 

21-year-old Daniel Ament shares some much-needed insight into the world of teens and vaping (whether it’s nicotine or THC.) You’ll learn how easy it is for them to vape without you ever knowing, why it’s so difficult to avoid vaping to begin with and why punishing them or taking their vape away doesn’t solve anything.

Daniel talks about vaping a lot. He’s talked about it at schools, in print, television and on podcasts. That’s because Daniel suffered major life-threatening physical injuries from the less than 12-month time period that he vaped. His story is a cautionary tale but should also prove motivational for your teens (he speaks their language.)

This is the first episode in another series: Vaping. I have at least 2 more episodes coming over the next couple of Tuesdays because I know this likely impacts your teen even if you aren't yet aware.

Daniel's 501-(c)(3) (non-profit) Organization is called Fight4Wellness

Contact [email protected] to schedule a virtual or in person presentation with Daniel Ament

Donate to Daniel's organization via PayPal or by check: To Fight4Wellness and mail to, PO Box 36928 Grosse Pointe, MI 48236

Show Notes and Transcript

Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Than

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected] 

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

This is the 3rd episode in a series on connecting with your teen.
First episode in the series #104
Second episode in the series #106

This question comes up all the time, "I know I'm supposed to connect with my teenager, but how do I do it when they don't talk to me and ignore everything I say?"

Teenagers aren't usually that keen on talking to their parents on a regular basis, no matter what. But if your tween or teen feels like you treat them like a child, have no respect for their opinions, decisions or input, and feels like all you do is nag, scold, correct and lecture them...guess what? They're not going to want to be around you much at all. Think about it. Would you?

Today I continue the series on connecting with your teen or tween by discussing what it means to support your teen's autonomy and what's going on in their brain that makes this so very important.

Show Notes and Transcript

Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

I drop new episodes every Tuesday and Friday so please tap Follow on the main episode page, so they’ll be ready for you in your app. 

You can reach out to me with ideas for the show or guest suggestions here. Thanks so much for listening!

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected] 

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

Of course, the way we were raised influences the way we parent our own kids. Did you know it also has a major impact on our romantic relationships? Even friendships and work relationships? 

The way our parents interacted with us, beginning in infancy, (specifically, the way in which they did or did not meet our physical and emotional needs) forms the template for all of our relationships. It's something researchers call attachment style and it's not only fascinating but crucial to understand about ourselves.

If you have an insecure attachment style, luckily, there are steps you can take that will not only change things for your family now, but for future generations.

Show Notes and Transcript

Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

I drop new episodes every Tuesday and Friday so please tap Follow on the main episode page, so they’ll be ready for you in your app. 

You can reach out to me with ideas for the show or guest suggestions here. Thanks so much for listening!

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected] 

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

This is the 2nd episode in a series on connecting with your teen.
First episode in the series #104

If the relationship with your teen or tween is suffering, I want you to consider something. How close would you feel to someone who you believe treats you like a child, constantly reminds you to do things you already know to do, complains about every tiny infraction, and makes no attempt to understand the stress you're under?

Well, that's likely how your teenager feels pretty regularly. Their brain perceives so many things as negative (even when neutral!)

Reminders, questions, corrections, statements, a tone of voice, a facial expression, all can be very negatively interpreted by your teenager (even if you don't really intend it that way.)

You've got some work to do to maintain your connection with them. Let's get to it.

Show Notes and Transcript

Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

I drop new episodes every Tuesday and Friday so please tap Follow on the main episode page, so they’ll be ready for you in your app. 

You can reach out to me with ideas for the show or guest suggestions here. Thanks so much for listening!

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected] 

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

In today's episode I'm talking with ​Lainie Liberti​ about the concept of "partnership parenting." Lainie's parenting philosophy is that parenting, especially during the teen years, should be a collaboration between you and your teen, based on a set of core values; both the parents' and the teens'. The point of this effort is to build a strong connection, mutual respect and openness.

If you don't know who Lainie is, she's a ​teen mentor​, co-founder (with her 24-year-old son, Miro) of Project World School​ and the author of ​Seen, Heard and Understood: Parenting and Partnering with Teens for Greater Mental Health​, in which she discusses the concept of partnership parenting and so much more. Lainie traveled the world with her son while "schooling" him, and is considered a pioneer in the "​worldschooling" movement​" and very much practiced what she preaches (wait until you hear what her son says about her!) She's mentored hundreds of teens and studied parenting, psychology, emotional intelligence, etc. for years and really knows her stuff. You're going to appreciate her fresh perspective on parenting your teens.

Show Notes and Transcript

Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected] 

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

This is the 1st episode in a series on connecting with your teen.
Second episode in the series #106
Third episode in the series #108

Connecting with your teens is not just a nice sentiment - it's critically necessary to have any influence in their lives. Without connection, it will be extremely difficult to keep them physically safe or mentally healthy. Connection might not be what you think but it's probably easier than you've imagined.

Listen to this first episode in a continuing series on building connection with your teens as I discuss one simple thing you can do to "start the ball rolling."

Show Notes and Transcript

Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

I drop new episodes every Tuesday and Friday so please tap Follow on the main episode page, so they’ll be ready for you in your app. 

You can reach out to me with ideas for the show or guest suggestions here. Thanks so much for listening!

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected] 

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

Today, I’m joined by Aly Pain to discuss how most of us are still parenting using an outdated model from several generations ago, which is derailing the connection with our teenagers and fueling their misbehavior.

Unfortunately, we don't even realize how we’ve simply accepted many of these parenting myths and attitudes as truth, despite the mounds of scientific evidence to the contrary. And when we attempt to make the necessary changes with our teenagers, we’re often met with disapproval and push-back from family and friends.

We’re talking about these misconceptions to set the record straight on common concerns like respect, connection, compliance, and living up to their potential. Aly explains how you can begin parenting your teenager in a way that leads to increased connection (yes, she’s going to explain what that really means!) and lasting change in their behavior.

Aly's passion is empowering parents to build healthy, respectful relationships with their teens without giving up or giving in. She's been featured in the New York Post, ABC Nightly News and the Rachael Ray Show.

Connect with Aly:

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

YouTube

Website

Show Notes and Transcript

Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more pa

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected] 

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen