Okay, fellow parents, we need to talk about something that’s probably going to make you squirm. Those two little words we toss around like confetti? “Good job!” Yeah, turns out we might be accidentally sabotaging our teens’ self worth with our well-meaning praise. I know, I know. You’re probably thinking, “But what’s wrong with encouraging …
Why I Stopped Saying “Good Job!” (And Why You Should Too) Read More »
When a teen explains complex gaming strategies to their parent, watch how their entire demeanor changes – shoulders back, voice strong, eyes bright with purpose. This isn’t just about gaming anymore. This is about teen confidence in action. Through years of working with teens, this transformation never fails to amaze. When teens step into the …
The Hidden Power of Letting Teens Be the Teachers Read More »
You guys, we need to have a serious conversation about teen bullying. And no, I’m not talking about the simplified “just stand up to them” advice we all grew up with. I’m talking about the systematic destruction of our kids’ sense of self that’s happening right under our noses. Here’s the gut punch: One-third of …
I had to laugh at myself the other day. There I was, telling my teenager to “take deep breaths” during a college application meltdown while I was stress-eating my third chocolate chip cookie and obsessively checking my email. Talk about not practicing what we preach, right? And that’s exactly what got me thinking about mindful …
Let me tell you about a pattern I see constantly in my coaching practice: brilliant, capable teens who’ve mastered the art of making themselves invisible. What looks like simple teen anxiety on the surface is often something deeper – high achievers who’ve developed sophisticated ways of hiding their capabilities. They’re getting straight A’s while speaking …
Stop Hiding Your Light: When Achievement Feeds Teen Anxiety Read More »
Picture this: A mom sits in my office, checkbook in hand, ready to write her son’s quarterly “straight A’s bonus.” She pauses when I ask her a simple question: “What message is this sending about why we learn?” Let’s have an honest conversation about teen mental health and the way we’re accidentally turning education into …
Protecting Teen Mental Health: Why We Need to Stop Paying for Grades Read More »
Parents, Your Teen’s Independence Isn’t About You (And Why That’s So Hard to Accept) Let me share something I see constantly in my coaching practice: Parents unconsciously sabotaging their teen’s independence because they’re terrified of becoming irrelevant. Harsh? Maybe. True? Absolutely. Here’s a recent example: I was working with a family where the mom insisted …
The Parenting Blindspot That’s Holding Your Teen Back Read More »
I want to talk about something we don’t discuss enough: what happens to teens after trauma. Not just the obvious emotional scars, but something deeper – the theft of their sense of power, their belief that they have any control over their own lives. I’m seeing this more and more in my coaching practice. Teens …
When Trauma Steals Your Teen’s Power: The Journey Back to Self-Trust Read More »
Let me paint you a picture I see every day in my coaching practice: A brilliant teen with ADHD, drowning in a school system that’s stuck in the 1950s. Their brain is wired for movement, engagement, and creative problem-solving. Yet there they sit, hour after hour, in classrooms designed for a completely different kind of …
Our Schools Are Failing Teens With ADHD (And It’s Not the Kids’ Fault) Read More »
Let me tell you about a 16-year-old I’m working with. Bright kid, creative mind, endless potential. But according to his teachers? He’s “disruptive,” “can’t focus,” and “needs to try harder.” Why? Because he can’t sit still through their hour-long lectures. Here’s what kills me: I just read his IEP report, and it’s like his teachers …
