Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens Into Adulthood
Kenneth Wilgus, Cynthia Yanof
A weekly podcast on parenting teens and launching them into the world. Hosted by Cynthia Yanof with Dr. Ken Wilgus, author of the book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You."
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 3, 2024 • 22min
Episode 193: Keeping Marriage Alive When Your Teenagers Are Killing You!
When parents are busy raising children, a good marriage can seem like a luxury that they just don't have time for. Jessica and Dr. Ken argue that a good marriage is an essential part of raising healthy teens. As "Feeding The Mouth" parents know, adolescents need to be shown a path to their own emotional support and well-being. Marriage is not only essential for parents' emotional support but also important for you kids to see. How do parents deal with differences in parenting? We answer these and other important questions about marriage while raising teenagers.
You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!
podcast@feedingthemouth.com
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Nov 26, 2024 • 18min
Episode 192: Homeschooling and Teenagers
With the second edition of the "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" book, today we discuss the tricky balance of homeschooling adolescents. Homeschool families have changed significantly over the past few years and is a more popular choice than ever. Dr. Ken reminds parents of the important issue of "who's in control here?" in dealing with arguing teens. What circumstances are good to start homeschooling a teenager and which conditions are bad for that same choice? We cover these and other aspects of homeschooling teenagers.
You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!
podcast@feedingthemouth.com
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Nov 19, 2024 • 28min
Episode 191: Teenagers and Grandparents
Grandparents are often playing a larger part in the lives of their grandchildren than in the past. Most grandparents are popular with their grandkids when they're young, but what about during the teenage years? Today we discuss how understanding "Feeding The Mouth" principles can improve a grandparent's relationship with teenage grandchildren. Not surprisingly, Dr. Ken recommends being careful to respect your grandkids' parents (your own kids) even if you disagree with their parenting. What should a grandparent do when their teenage grandchild complains about their parents? Is it bad that my teen grandkids still like me making them cookies and generally babying them? Should grandparents have their own communication line with a teenage grandkid (e.g. texting, DMing etc.)? We answer these and other questions about having the best relationship with your grandchildren even through the teenage years.
You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!
podcast@feedingthemouth.com
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Nov 12, 2024 • 24min
Episode 190: Adult Children Living at Home
There are many circumstances when adult children need to live at home. Some parents think Planned Emancipation means that's a bad thing. It isn't. Today we discuss the advantages and pitfalls of adult kids at home. What should parents pay for? What do you do when your adult kid doesn't help out around the house? Is it a good thing when parents and their adult kids become each other's best friend? We answer these and other important questions. Spoiler alert: It's not THAT an adult child is living in your home but why and for how long.
You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!
podcast@feedingthemouth.com
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Nov 5, 2024 • 20min
Episode 189: Adoption, Foster Care and Teenagers
Today Jessica and Dr. Ken take on the issues related to teenagers who are adopted or are in foster care. Adolescence often brings up issues of identity and origin stories that can be upsetting to parents who have poured themselves into the lives of their teenagers. Dr. Ken suggests that adoptive and foster parents focus more on Planned Emancipation goals even when there's a strong impulse to slow this process down. We also focus on realistic goals that adoptive parents can maintain in order to fully appreciate their experience as parents of "chosen" kids.
You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!
podcast@feedingthemouth.com
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Oct 29, 2024 • 25min
Episode 188: Great Communication With Teenagers
What does great communication with teens really look like and how can parents achieve that? Dr. Ken and Jessica outline the aspects of the parent-teen relationship that usually cause trouble in communication (spoiler alert: control battles). Also we discuss the more nuanced issue of what great communication with adolescents should really look like. Should parents really have the goal of being so close to their adolescents that "we talk about everything"? Are there even times when a parent should actually tell their teenager, "I don't think you should be telling me this"? Is it a good goal for parents to want to be their teenagers' constant "go to" relationship through the trials of adolescence?
You can preorder Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!
podcast@feedingthemouth.com
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Oct 22, 2024 • 22min
Episode 187: When Planned Emancipation Doesn't Work
Parents some times complain that they "tried" planned emancipation and it "didn't work." Today we talk about the common reasons for planned emancipation not seeming to have the impact parents expected. This is all covered in the new edition of "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You."
You can preorder Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!
podcast@feedingthemouth.com
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Oct 15, 2024 • 28min
Episode 186: Planned Emancipation - Second Edition
As we prepare for the release of the second edition of "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You," Jessica and Dr. Ken talk about the power of planned emancipation. This method is often mistaken for the practice of rewarding children's good behavior with more privileges. Planned emancipation, by contrast, recognizes the greater freedom that comes with just getting older. Parents who fearfully try to hang on to control end up weakening their influence on their adolescents.
You can preorder Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!
podcast@feedingthemouth.com
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Oct 8, 2024 • 18min
Episode 185: Teaching Parents To Release The Burden of Parenting
In the second edition of "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You," Dr. Ken explains why he added an entire chapter on the issue of burdened parents. We discuss the difficulty of providing information for parents while avoiding the appearance of having an "inside scoop" to guarantee happy, successful teenagers.
You can preorder Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!
podcast@feedingthemouth.com
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Oct 1, 2024 • 20min
Episode 184: Refocusing On Individuation - The Main Thing To Know About Teenagers
We're getting ready for the release of "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" second edition. This gives Jessica and Dr. Ken the chance to clarify the most important themes that are unique to this approach to parenting adolescents. Today we review individuation which is the most important need that adolescents have by far. This need is so important that Dr. Ken even worries that if your teen doesn't seem to be pushing for autonomy that's not a good thing at all. Also, we take on common misperceptions like individuation is "just like when they were a 2 year old." WRONG!
You can preorder Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!
podcast@feedingthemouth.com
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy


