Joyful Courage for Parenting Teens

My guest today is Dr. Anjali Ferguson.   Dr. Anjali Ferguson and Casey dig deep in this episode on how to be in conversation with teens about social-political issues, including abortion. Dr. Ferguson weighs in on if we should bring up tricky topics or wait for children to ask questions and gives tips on how to be ready for emotionally-charged topics. They share advice on when and how to take a moment during challenging conversations and the work that’s needed to parent differently than we were parented. Dr. Ferguson explains how to validate and hear what your teen is sharing, even when you have a difference of opinion. Casey asks Dr. Ferguson about best practices for being open with tweens and teens, especially regarding reproductive rights. They talk about the pros and cons of teenagers getting news and information from social media like TikTok. Dr. Ferguson shares how Parenting Culture provides resources for and supports families of different races, faiths, and cultures to address tough topics and difficult questions. She wraps up by speaking on openness, racial socialization, and cultural identity. Key takeaways from the show All kids and teens will ask you hard questions and want answers - expect it & prepare to be open  Inviting open dialogue, staying non-judgmental, & communicating around emotionally-charged topics How to handle your child or teen having different opinions than you do  Kids will stop coming to us if they don’t feel heard, seen, & validated, especially when we have differing opinions  Knowing when to be open with tweens & teens, especially regarding reproductive rights and when to fall back on facts  Destigmatizing why people choose abortion  How do we handle teens getting their news and information from social media like TikTok?  Asking questions to model & foster critical thinking  Resources for families of different races, faiths, and cultures to address difficult questions and tough topics like reproductive rights, Covid-19, healthcare, & more  What’s racial socialization? What’s your cultural identity?  Looking for more? Find all the show details on our website here: www.besproutable.com/podcasts/tough-conversations-election-anjali-ferguson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So glad to be highlighting this show again - wowzer. This is such a profound invitation, every day, to be who our teens need then to be. Yes, love them with all of you, stand by them, AND give them space to discover all there is to learn from mistakes and risks, triumphs and failures - these are THEIRS to experience. Doesn't mean we abandon them, it DOES mean that we love them through it all regardless of how it looks. This is what all kids need, even those adult ones! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aly shares about her own tough teen years and how she started working with parents of teens. Casey & Aly dig into what misguided ideas parents of teens have and what new brain science is showing us, like behavior-based parenting (ie: punishments and rewards) leading to acting-out & defiance and how much brains grow & change during puberty. Aly explains what a boundary truly is, and why children & teens should not and cannot be responsible for parent’s feelings. She shares how common co-dependence is for Gen X and Gen Y and how that can lead to controlling or catering to your teen along with a sense of responsibility for others feelings and behaviors. Casey breaks down being kind & firm at the same time. Aly defines boundaries and expectations with examples as well as how & why to stay compassionate and curious with your teen. Aly wraps up by explaining what teens need to show their best effort, including in an antiquated school system. Takeaways from the show: Misguided ideas about the teen years   We parent the way we were parented  The strategies that worked well with your young child will not work with that same child in the teen years  100% of behavior is driven by emotion; we must learn relationship-skills and how to connect Gen X and Gen Y were raised with a heavy responsibility for their parent’s feelings, leading to co-dependence   Everyone, including parents and teens, are worthy and deserving of respect You are responsible for your own feelings and behaviors and not anyone else’s (including your teens)  What really is a boundary? What’s the difference between a boundary and an expectation?  Staying compassionate and curious with your teen  Effort = belief in self + belief in a probable success + understanding the risk of failure  Parenting is a process that starts with you: be gracious, let it be messy, & it’s never too late to change a relationship For more information + transcripts go to our website here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I'm outta here!!For real. I am on a plane with Julietta Skoog, my partner at Sproutable headed out on a WORLD TOUR!! We land later today in the UAE and will be speaking at the Parenthood Unconference next week, alongside so many amazing speakers.Listen to this SHORT solo show to hear all about it!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

My guest today is Domari Dickinson. Domari shares how she got started on her Conscious Parenting & Positive Discipline journey. They discuss what Conscious Parenting, Positive Parenting, & Gentle Parenting mean and if those are helpful labels. Domari shares her tips for those of us who are transitioning to a different parenting style, including identifying & digging into your own triggers, leading with love & grace, and feeling all of your feelings. Takeaways from the show: What does being a conscious parent mean?  Doing the work ourselves & focusing on personal growth  Unpacking your bags and identifying your triggers  Leading with love & grace  Get comfortable asking yourself “why?”  Being okay with not having “the right answer”  Feeling & accepting all of your feelings For more show notes, including full transcripts, visit our website here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listeners - you are in for a TREAT!! This Thursday the Joyful Courage podcast feed is being taken over by my good friend, Julie Neale, host and brilliance over at Mothers Quest Podcast. Julie has powerful conversations with incredible guests and I am honored to be sharing one of those convos here with the Joyful Courage community.Julie's guest is Jonathan Mooney, father, writer, speaker, activist, and self-described “do-gooder.” He is the author of Normal Sucks, How to Live, Learn and Thrive Outside the Lines.Jonathan forged his own path to Brown University where he co-founded an organization and co-wrote a book to help neurodivergent students like himself succeed in college.He has been a champion for neurological and physical diversity for more than two decades, and goes deep and wide with Julie about the pervasive impact of institutionalized and cultural ableism and his quest to help himself and others with differences understand they are not deficient.You are IN FOR A TREAT MY FRIENDS!! While you're at it, be sure to check out MothersQuest episode 93 where Julie's son, a freshman at UCLA, interviews Jonathan about neurodivergent activism and more!Appreciating you all so much!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

My guest today is Kimberly Holmes.  Kimberly and Casey talk about their family backgrounds and what common challenges long-term, committed couples are facing. They discuss couples therapy and intentionally supporting both spouses & a safe environment during Marriage Helpers workshops. Casey and Kimberly talk similarities and differences between problem solving, using curiosity questions, and compromising with a teen versus with a spouse. Kimberly shares advice on how to listen to and take feedback from a partner and tips on how parents can find common ground when it comes to their teens. Casey and Kimberly wrap up digging into the importance of consistency, relationships ending, and the challenges of co-parenting. Takeaways: How do the teen years affect your partnership with your spouse?  Pushing or pulling out of a marriage How do you show up in your relationship? Genuinely asking your spouse questions with curiosity  Receiving feedback from a spouse without getting defensive  Finding common ground, empathy, & being teammates with your spouse  Do parents need to have the same parenting style?  Can every marriage be saved? When is it time to call it quits?  Having peace in your decisions   Co-parenting challenges, disappointments, & tips  Find full show notes here: http://www.besproutable.com/eps-341-exploring-intimate-partnerships-kimberly-holmes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I am so grateful to be bringing back this show. It was a powerful re-listen for me, and I remembered the tension of the early teen years, the mistakes my daughter was telling me she was making, and how challenging it was to hold it all and still feel like I knew what I was doing. If you are committed to relationship centered parenting AND struggling with your teens risky behavior or less than ideal decision making, this show will help you feel seen, no doubt.If you are interested in the waitlist for my membership program, head to www.besproutable.com/ljc.For more complete shownotes for this show go to https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-115-solo-show-exploring-trust-and-surrender-as-i-navigate-all-there-is-to-learn-while-raising-a-teen/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

My guest today is Britt Hawthorne.    Casey and Britt dig into what being anti-biased and anti-racist mean. Britt shares strategies from her new book, “Raising Anti-Racist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide,” for talking about racism with children and teens including embracing getting uncomfortable & admitting what you don’t know. Britt shares her wisdom on how to tackle tough topics like police brutality with your kids and family.  Guest Description Britt Hawthorne is a black, bi-racial mama, teacher, author, and anti-bias & anti-racist facilitator. Britt partners with caregivers, educators, and families to raise the next generation of anti-racist children. Together with her beloved partner, they are raising their kids to be empathetic, critical thinkers embracing justice and activism. Her days are filled with coffee, teaching, and joy. You can find out more about Britt at www.britthawthorne.com.See full show notes here:http://www.besproutable.com/raising-anti-racist-children-with-britt-hawthorne/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Raising teenagers is HARD. This solo show explores the dynamic we create when we work to hold on to control and what come alive when we are willing to let go and give our kids the space they need to develop the skills that will serve them in the long term.Get the full show notes at:  www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-339-solo-having-the-courage-to-let-go Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices