Parenting Anxious Teens | Parenting Teens, Managing Teen Anxiety, Parenting Strategies

• 54 | How Parents Can Quiet the Inner Critic, Reclaim Confidence and Model Self-Love with Sue Erhart

  Hi Parents! Have you ever noticed how the most critical voice in your life might be your own? That internal dialogue that questions every parenting decision, especially when your teen is struggling with anxiety can be exhausting. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Sue Erhart, author of Lose Your Critic for Good for a powerful conversation on what it really takes to quiet that inner voice and reconnect with your calm, confident center. Sue shares her deeply personal journey from a high-powered corporate career to becoming a guide for others seeking peace and purpose. We explore how perfectionism and pressure create disconnection, why conventional self-help tools often miss the mark, and how small shifts in awareness can lead to lasting change, without needing to burn everything down and start over. More about Sue: Sue Erhart spent decades as a corporate executive and attorney, operating in high-stakes environments where success was measured by external achievements. But behind the scenes, she was grappling with a harsh inner critic that left her feeling stuck, depleted, and out of alignment. After a personal transformation, Sue created a platform that blends grounded wisdom with spiritual insight to help others reclaim their power and inner clarity. Her book offers a step-by-step method to break free from the grip of self-judgment and step into a more aligned, fulfilling way of living. Now, she’s on a mission to help others, especially those who've spent years doing things “the hard way” - find a more compassionate path to joy, confidence, and inner freedom. If you're ready to let go of the mental noise and start parenting - and living - from a place of truth and trust, you won’t want to miss this episode. Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

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• 53 | Preparing Your Teen for Post-Secondary: A Summer Game Plan for Parents in Canada and the U.S.

  Hi Parents! Are you wondering how to help your teen start thinking about college or university without the pressure? For many anxious teens, thinking about life after high school can bring more stress than clarity. The unknowns around applications, decisions, and deadlines can feel overwhelming - and let’s be honest, it can be overwhelming for you too. But summer offers a unique opportunity to begin the conversation in a calmer, more intentional way. In this solo episode, I’m walking you through how to gently open the door to your teen’s post-secondary future. We’ll talk about how to make the most of campus tours, how to start future-focused conversations without pushing them into panic mode, and why your role as a guide, not the decision-maker, is so important. You’ll hear a quick story from my own campus visit with my parents, and why so many teens tell me later that they wish they had done more of them. We’ll also go over what to say after a tour, how to help your teen compare schools in a practical way, and what application timelines look like for both Canadian and American parents. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with a summer game plan that helps reduce anxiety, create clarity, and support your teen in taking confident next steps, one conversation at a time. Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

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• 52 | The 5 Rights of Parenting & Why Self-Care Is a Superpower for Raising Anxious Teens with Holly Swenson

  What if supporting your anxious teen didn’t mean constantly doing more - but instead, meant becoming more present, intentional, and self-aware in the moments that matter? In this episode, I’m joined by Holly Swenson - wellness blogger, registered nurse, and author of Stop, Drop, Grow, & Glow - to explore how conscious parenting, grounded in self-care and deep inner work, can reshape how we show up for our teens. More About Holly: Holly Swenson is a best-selling, award-winning author, and mom of four. Through her book Stop, Drop, Grow, & Glow, Holly offers a refreshing take on modern parenting - one rooted in mindfulness, purpose, and self-compassion. With her unique background as a nurse and mother, she empowers parents to slow down, shift their mindset, and lead from their values instead of stress or guilt. Holly’s “5 Rights of Parenting” invites parents to tune in to themselves, approach challenges with clarity, and create deeper, more authentic connections with their children. If you’ve ever questioned how to care for your teen without losing yourself in the process, this conversation is your permission slip to pause, reflect, and thrive alongside your child. Parenting can be hard - but it doesn’t have to feel like a constant struggle. Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

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• 51 | No School, No Structure, More Anxiety? How to Help Your Teen Thrive This Summer

  Hi Parents! Are you worried about summer break feeling stressful? For parents of anxious teens, the end of the school year can bring more tension than relief. With no routine, more screen time, and long days filled with “what now?” moments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to keep your teen busy, happy, and mentally well. Add in your own work schedule and responsibilities, and suddenly summer starts to feel less like a break and more like a juggling act. In this solo episode, I’m talking about what really happens when anxious teens lose the structure of school - and what you can do to help them feel more secure and supported during these unstructured months. You’ll hear why screens become such a tempting escape, how to gently build in a sense of purpose and routine without making it feel like summer school, and how to invite your teen into planning their days so they feel empowered, not controlled. I’ll also share a fun strategy I personally use with my friends - creating a shared summer list on a Google Doc. It’s a simple but powerful way to keep everyone connected and looking forward to things without the pressure of over-scheduling. We’ll also explore how to carve out space for your teen to help around the house - not every day, but enough to give them a sense of contribution and accountability. And if you’ve ever felt like you’re the entertainment committee 24/7, I’ve got thoughts on how to shift that dynamic too, so boredom doesn’t always fall back on you. This episode is filled with easy, doable strategies for creating a summer that feels a little more intentional, a little less chaotic, and a whole lot more connected. So if you’re already bracing yourself for the summer juggle, this one’s for you. Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

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• 50 | Good vs. Bad Video Games: How to Help Teen Boys Build Healthy Habits with Screen Time

  Hi Parents! Do screen time battles leave you feeling frustrated, drained, or like you're constantly walking on eggshells around your teen? In today's digital world, navigating boundaries around video games, phones, and other screens can feel like a daily power struggle - especially when anxiety is in the mix. In this episode, I’m joined by Scott Novis, a former Disney executive, tech entrepreneur, and father of three who’s spent years helping families create healthier digital habits. Together, we dive into how to set screen time boundaries without the daily meltdowns - and how to foster more connection and cooperation in the process. More about Scott: Scott Novis is a serial entrepreneur, author, and former Vice President at The Walt Disney Company with a background in engineering and game development. He’s the founder of GameTruck, the first-ever mobile video game party company, which has now served over 10 million guests across the U.S. Scott is also a passionate advocate for helping families find balance in a tech-driven world. Through his speaking, writing, and innovation, he helps parents and kids build more connected, intentional relationships with technology - without the yelling, nagging, or shutdowns. Scott shares practical strategies that help teens transition off screens without explosions, explains what’s really happening in their brains when they lose themselves in a game, and how to avoid the all-too-common trap of punishments that backfire. We also explore how anxiety can show up around screen time and how parents can recognize when their teen is using screens to self-soothe - or avoid something deeper. You’ll walk away from this episode with tools to create smoother routines, reduce conflict, and better understand your teen’s emotional needs when it comes to digital spaces. Scott's insights will help you shift from feeling powerless to empowered, and from reactive to proactive in your parenting. Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

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