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5 Secrets of Parenting Teens

podcast Jun 27, 2023

This is Going to Be FUN: the Podcast

Episode 53: Top 5 Things I've Learned About Raising Teens

 

 

Episode Summary:

5 Secrets of Parenting Teens

In this special anniversary episode of 'This is Going to Be Fun', let’s celebrate and reflect on everything we have learned over the past year. I’m sharing the top 5 things I have learned about parenting teens over the past year as a coach and mom of 6.

Discover the crucial element that could be undermining your impact as a parent, why you might be missing out on your teen’s awesomeness and why you might feel like nothing you do is even making a difference. 

Plus, I’m revealing the unexpected group of teens that NEED us to shift our parenting approach and why most parents miss the chance to improve this relationship. Who are they? Tune in to find out!

This is an episode that'll help you see your teen and your parenting journey in a whole new light. Thanks for all you have done this year to support the This is Going to be FUN podcast! Your ratings and reviews and shares mean the world to me!

5 Secrets of Parenting Teens

Celebrating 1 Year of the “This is Going to Be FUN” podcast

I’ve learned a lot about raising teenagers over the past year. I have coached dozens of parents, researched and prepared 52 podcast episodes about raising teenagers and tested everything I have learned with my own 6 kids. 

And as much as I have grown as a coach, podcaster and business owner, I have grown the most as a mom. In honor of the 1-year anniversary of the “This is going to be FUN” podcast today, I am sharing the top 5 insights and teenage tips I have learned about raising teens over the past year.

Top 5 Teenage Tips – Lessons I’ve Learned This Year About Raising Teens

1. Good teens aren’t always ok

The well-behaved teens who get good grades, excel in extracurriculars, have good friends and make generally good decisions are usually not the ones that motivate parents to improve.

But often these teens who seem to be thriving are desperate for acceptance. They are craving our love and approval and think the only way to get it is by being the perfect child. 

As I have applied the principles I teach in my own parenting, I have noticed the biggest shift with my well-behaved, well-adjusted kids.

While the outward measures of success haven’t changed much, my relationship with them has completely transformed. I have seen their confidence soar as they have learned that they are safe and loved just the way they are.

The work we do here and inside my ENJOY community is especially important for the “well-behaved” teens. Don’t make the mistake of thinking things are fine the way they are while your teen suffers silently! The teenage tips you need for these teens are different, but still SO important. 

2. Motivation Matters

Why you parent the way you do is WAY more important than what you do. You can try all the teenage tips in the world, but nothing will work if you don’t have the right motivation.

Your motivation behind the things you say, the things you do, the rules you make and the consequences you give is EVERYTHING when it comes to how it impacts your teen. 

Just by being aware of your motivation, you can eliminate so many of the power struggles you have with your teen and so much of the frustration you feel. 

3. Don’t miss the good stuff

There is so much goodness to be found in every stage of parenting, but often we miss out on it because we are so focused on the hard stuff. 

If I go for a walk around my neighborhood with the intention of looking for hearts, I find hearts everywhere. I find heart-shaped flowers, heart-shaped tar on the road, heart-shaped leaves, heart-shaped rocks and heart-shaped cacti. But when I go on the same walk, not looking for hearts, I usually don’t notice a single heart. 

Whatever you are looking for, you will find. So one of my best teenage tips is to make sure you are actively looking for the good in your teen!

4. We have so much to learn from our teenagers

Most teenagers think they know everything, and most parents think it is their job to prove them wrong. But the truth is, your teen has so much to contribute, if you are willing to listen and learn from them. 

They are navigating a world we don’t fully understand – and, for the most part, they are doing it so well! They are excellent at accepting differences and loving people for who they are. They are great at adapting and navigating change. We can learn so much from them!

I have stopped thinking that I always know best and really embraced the idea that my teenagers have a lot of insight to contribute. As a result, there have been less power struggles and together we have worked together and found better solutions. 

5. Change takes time

We don’t always see the impact of the changes we are making in the moment. But small changes made consistently have a significant impact on our parenting over time. 

It is so fun to watch my clients become more aware of the patterns in their thinking and to see the way their parenting approach changes as they apply the principles we are learning over time.

What have you learned?

Sometimes, we only see the impact of our efforts when we look back, so I encourage you to look back over your past year.

  • What have you learned?
  • How have you grown? 
  • How has your perspective changed? 
  • What have you learned from your experiences that will help you moving forward?

The answer to these questions is the most important thing you can take away from this because it will help you see and celebrate how far you’ve come and give you the motivation you need to keep going! 

I am cheering you on every step of the way. If you want more help from me applying these principles to your own parenting, I would love to work with you inside of my ENJOY community. Join today to get immediate access. 

 

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