Parenting can often feel like walking down a street filled with unexpected challenges, and this week, I explore how we can guide our kids—and ourselves—through these moments with patience and understanding, using Portia Nelson's poem Autobiography in Five Short Chapters as a starting point. I'll also talk about common setbacks your child might face as they develop and share simple strategies—like breaking tasks into manageable steps, using visual reminders, and encouraging accountability—to help them grow. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with actionable strategies to guide your child's development and build a more supportive, understanding relationship.

Parenting is full of decisions that don’t have easy answers. In this solo episode, I explore the concept of "both-and thinking," an approach that helps parents embrace the gray areas and find solutions that balance boundaries with compassion. From navigating teenage independence to tackling life’s unexpected hurdles, this mindset offers a way to honor multiple truths at once. Join me as I share real-life examples and actionable strategies to help you build stronger, more flexible relationships with your kids.

In this solo episode, I’m diving into a challenge many parents face: What do you do when your teenage daughter starts withdrawing? Whether she’s shutting the door, spending more time alone, or pulling away from the connection you once shared, it can be confusing and worrisome. I’ll explore how to distinguish between typical adolescent behavior and potential signs of depression, share practical strategies for reconnecting, and offer tips for fostering meaningful conversations that go beyond the surface. From navigating sibling rivalry and addressing false narratives to planning individual dates and using alternative communication methods like texting, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you support your teen while respecting her growing need for independence. Tune in to learn how to rebuild connection and navigate this normal yet challenging stage of parenting.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with my 25-year-old daughter, Delaney, a USC alum navigating life in New York City while working in finance. Delaney shares her perspective as a young adult navigating life’s transitions. We dive into the journey from college to adulthood, the delicate art of balancing independence with parental support, and the significance of knowing your child’s world. From candid budgeting advice to navigating friendships and responsibilities, this episode is packed with practical tips and heartfelt reflections to strengthen family bonds.

Today’s episode is a special one. I’m thrilled to have my daughter Riley as my guest. She’s home from college, and I may have slightly sprung this idea on her last-minute, but she’s such a good sport! Riley is 22, a senior at USC studying business, and brings a unique Gen Z perspective to the topics we’ve been exploring on the podcast.

We dive into parenting reflections, what we got right (and what we didn’t), and what it’s like to be a young adult navigating today’s world. Riley shares her insights on growing up, balancing boundaries with independence, and the challenges teens face in the age of social media.

Whether you’re a parent of teens or just curious about life through the lens of a 22-year-old in 2024, this episode is packed with heartfelt conversation, laughter, and wisdom. So tune in for a candid chat about family, growth, and connection.

In this episode, I dive into practical strategies for navigating the complexities of parenting teens during the long holiday season. Whether you're facing last-minute curfew changes, questionable friendships, or challenging behavior, this solo episode offers proactive approaches to maintain strong boundaries and foster meaningful connections. Inspired by a heartfelt discussion with my Moms of Teens group, I share personal anecdotes, tools for staying calm under pressure, and insights on how to parent from a place of strength—not fear.

This week, I’m excited to welcome Andrew to dive into his experience as a dad. In the episode, Andrew, a father of two boys, 16 and 13, reflects on how his own upbringing shaped his approach to fatherhood. From learning invaluable lessons from a supportive dad to navigating the unique challenges of raising teens in today’s fast-paced, digital world, Andrew shares his journey with refreshing honesty. We explore the values he hopes to pass on, the unpredictable nature of parenting, and how staying connected while letting go has become a key part of his evolving philosophy. Andrew also opens up about finding the balance between providing guidance and giving his kids the space to grow, all while staying true to his belief that parenting is as much about learning from your kids as it is about teaching them.

In this episode, I sit down with Alan, a devoted dad navigating the unique journey of co-parenting his son, Dante, who is on the autism spectrum. Alan shares the decisions he and his ex-wife made to create a stable, loving environment for Dante, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

From navigating schools and societal judgment to embracing autism as a gift, Alan opens up about the deep reflections, tough moments, and joys of raising an extraordinary child. He even shares his perspective on the role children like his son may play in solving the world’s biggest challenges.

I hope this conversation will inspire you to rethink what it means to parent, to connect, and to embrace the beauty of every child’s unique path. Tune in for an honest, thoughtful discussion about acceptance, resilience, and the powerful potential of neurodiversity.