There’s no handbook on how to advocate for your child at school, especially when things get hard.

Navigating IEP meetings can feel overwhelming, intimidating, and downright confusing. You know your child needs support, but between the legal jargon, emotional stress, and resistance from schools, it’s hard to know how to show up as a strong advocate for your child, no matter their age.

That’s why I invited Andrea Svendsen to join me for this conversation. Andrea has decades of experience in both public education and advocacy, and she brings an incredible combination of insider knowledge and heart. In this episode, she shares 10 practical tips to help you show up confidently at your child’s next IEP meeting, even if you’re feeling totally unprepared.

We talk about what your rights actually are, how to organize and present your concerns, and how to stay kind and collaborative while still standing firm in your values.

I know you’ll walk away feeling more equipped, less alone, and ready to advocate for your child in a way that builds trust and gets results.

In this episode on how to advocate for your child at school, we discuss:

• Why your role as a parent is just as important as anyone else at the IEP table;
• What to do before the meeting to feel prepared (and what to bring);
• How to write an effective “parental concern statement”;
• The difference between working with an advocate vs. a lawyer;
• Why kindness is a powerful advocacy tool;
• How to stay grounded during emotional meetings;
• How to involve your teen or young adult in their own support plan;
• What to do after the meeting to ensure your child’s needs are truly being met;
• And more!

More about Andrea Svendsen
Andrea has served as a special education teacher, alternative school director, principal, special education administrator and leader in a behavioral health organization, holding both a Master of Arts in Special Education and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration. This combination of diverse, practical and administrative expertise means she knows how to navigate complex school systems from every angle—so you don’t have to.

Andrea founded Svendsen and Associates, where they believe every child deserves and is entitled to an education that meets them where they are—no exceptions. This foundation is critical for life-long success and to maximize independence.
Their mission is simple: to stand by your side and champion your child’s unique needs. With empathy, expert guidance, and a genuine passion for seeing your child succeed, they’ll work together with you to ensure your family’s voice is heard in every conversation.

You can connect with Andrea on her website, send her an email at Andrea@svendsenllc.com, or send a text or call her at 6309155776.


Looking for support?
🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.


Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com


You can support the show by:
Leaving a review
Subscribing to the show

And remember parents, the change begins with us.

Nobody really talks about what happens after treatment. The messy, vulnerable in-between where your teen or young adult is no longer in crisis but still doesn’t quite feel at home in the world. They’ve changed… and they can feel it. But instead of feeling proud, they often feel disconnected, misunderstood, or even rejected by their peers.

They’ve gained emotional intelligence, insight, and tools most of their previous friends don’t have, and that can be incredibly isolating. Especially when it feels like no one else is speaking the same emotional language.

In this episode, I’m joined again by Hayley from ‘Not Therapy’ Coaching. Hayley is a former “troubled teen” turned coach who now helps young people reintegrate after treatment. We talk about what it really looks like to find community and belonging after treatment, and why so many teens and young adults feel like outsiders when they come home.

But most importantly, we share tangible ways you, as a parent, can support your teen in building meaningful relationships, without pushing, hovering, or downplaying how hard this part of the journey can be.

In this episode on helping your teen find community & belonging after treatment, we discuss:

• Why teens returning from treatment often feel more mature than their peers;
• How to validate your teen’s experience without rushing them to “get back to normal”;
• What real community can look like, and why it’s not always a big group;
• Small but powerful ways to help your teen rebuild connection & community (without overstepping);
• How to model healthy community and friendships in your own life;
• Why online relationships matter more than you might think;
• What to do when your teen doesn’t show interest in anything;
• Ideas for low-pressure, real-world ways to help them meet like-minded peers;
• And more!

More about Hayley Caddes
Hayley Caddes is a "former troubled teen" who spent her last years of high school in wilderness and residential treatment programs. Based on her experience, she co-founded Not Therapy to provide peer-to-peer coaching for teens and young adults who feel like therapy hasn’t been the right fit or who are transitioning out of therapeutic programs back into the real world. As young people who have been in their clients’ shoes, Hayley & Collin’s approach is rooted in personal expertise.

Learn more about Not Therapy on their website or blog, connect with them on LinkedIn, or directly book a free call.

Listen to our previous episode with Hayley: 97. Parenting Tips from Former Troubled Teens Hayley and Collin from ‘Not Therapy’


Looking for support?
🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.


Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

You can support the show by:
Leaving a review
Subscribing to the show

And remember parents, the change begins with us.

“You’re so controlling!” Did your kid ever tell you that?

If your teen or young adult constantly complains about your rules, expectations, or structure, saying that you’re controlling them, you're not alone. Many parents trying to set healthy boundaries with their teen end up questioning themselves the moment they face pushback. You want to listen, validate, and stay connected… but does that mean giving up on the structure your kid actually needs?

In this episode, Seth and I unpack the real-life tension between honoring your teen’s autonomy and holding firm to the healthy boundaries that keep your family grounded. We explore how to stay steady when your teen accuses you of being too controlling, and how to help them recognize their own agency, even when they’re frustrated.

Holding boundaries with a struggling teen is hard. Because yes, they will complain, but that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.

In this episode on setting healthy boundaries with your teen, we discuss:

• Why your teen might call structure “control”, and how to respond;
• Ways to reinforce boundaries while still respecting your teen’s autonomy;
• How to offer choice and accountability without giving up authority;
• The role of deadlines, check-ins, and letting natural consequences play out;
• Why your values matter more than avoiding conflict;
• The power of listening without renegotiating everything;
• How to shift from “nagging” to supportive accountability;
• And more!

Looking for support?
🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

You can support the show by:
Leaving a review
Subscribing to the show

And remember parents, the change begins with us.