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

Hi Parents! Today I sit down with Krista St-Germain to explore the tender, complex reality of supporting a teen through the loss of a parent while also navigating your own grief. Krista is a Master Certified Life Coach, widow, and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast, and her work has helped thousands of women rebuild their lives with compassion, self-trust, and hope after profound loss. Krista and I dig into where the familiar “five stages of grief” came from and why they were never intended to describe how real people move through loss. We talk about what grief often looks like behind closed doors, how widowhood can reshape your identity, and why learning to trust your emotional process is such an essential part of healing. We also talk about how teens grieve differently, how to recognize grief beneath certain behaviours, and how to support them without trying to fix the pain. Krista shares guidance on navigating birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays in ways that honour the parent who died while giving everyone space to feel what they feel. More about Krista: Krista is a grief and post-traumatic growth expert who rebuilt her life after losing her husband to a drunk driver in 2016. Through therapy, mindset work, and coaching tools, she found a path forward, and now helps widows do the same. Her work has been featured in Psychology Today, Medium, Parents Magazine, and more. If you’re supporting a grieving teen or grieving yourself, I hope this conversation brings you comfort, clarity, and permission to move at the pace that feels right for you. It’s a conversation I know will support so many. 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

Hi Parents! In today’s episode, I sit down with international parenting coach Mary Van Geffen to talk honestly about what it means to raise a strong-willed child or as Mary playfully calls it, Parenting A Spicy One. If you have a child who feels everything deeply, pushes back hard, or seems immune to traditional strategies, this conversation will feel like a breath of relief. Mary and I explore what truly defines a Spicy One and why their behavior can look so different from their peers. We get into why classic discipline often backfires and what actually helps them feel safe, seen, and cooperative. Mary also explains what’s happening beneath the surface during intense moments and how parents can stay calm, kind, and firm even when emotions escalate. More About Mary: Mary is an international parenting coach who specializes in helping moms of strong-willed, deeply sensitive kids. Through her training as a Simplicity Parenting counselor and Professional Co-Active Coach and her own lived experience raising a spirited child, Mary teaches parents how to stay regulated, compassionate, and confident when the heat rises. With more than 400,000 parents following her daily insights on Instagram and thousands completing her transformative programs, she’s become a trusted voice for families learning to parent differently. If you’ve been craving guidance on how to support your strong-willed child, reduce power struggles, and build deeper connection without losing your boundaries, this episode will give you clarity, comfort, and practical tools. I know so many parents will feel seen in this conversation. Quiz: How Spicy Is Your Household? 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

Hi Parents! In this episode, I’m unpacking a question so many teens, young adults, and parents are quietly wrestling with: Is grad school actually worth it, or is it just the next step everyone feels pressured to take? We talk about why this stage can feel so overwhelming, especially for young adults who have been in school their entire lives and suddenly feel the same pressure they experienced when choosing universities in high school, only now the stakes feel bigger. I explore the emotional and financial cost of making decisions from confusion, why teens often default to grad school out of fear or familiarity, and how to help your young adult slow down long enough to get clear about what they actually want. I also open up about my own journey - why even at 29 I’m still figuring out my path, and why not having everything mapped out in your early twenties is completely normal. This conversation is meant to bring relief, perspective, and direction, both for anxious young adults and for parents wanting to support them without adding more pressure. 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

Hi Parents! Conversations about sex can be one of the most anxiety-triggering moments in parenting, and that goes for both parents and teens. Many parents worry about how to start, what to say, or how to make sure their teen feels comfortable and heard. In this episode, I’m joined by Amy Lang, founder of Birds & Bees & Kids and a certified sex educator with nearly two decades of experience helping parents navigate these conversations with confidence. Together, we explore why starting conversations about sex early helps build trust and open communication that lasts a lifetime. Amy shares simple, honest ways to approach “the talk” with calm and humor, how to respond when your teen feels anxious or shuts down, and ways to teach boys about respect and consent.  More About Amy: Amy Lang is a nationally recognized sexuality educator, speaker, and author who has spent nearly 20 years helping families have open, shame-free conversations about sex and relationships. Through her platform, Birds & Bees & Kids, and her podcast Just Say This, Amy provides practical, age-appropriate guidance that helps parents raise informed and confident young people. She’s known for her humor, empathy, and ability to make even the most uncomfortable topics feel approachable. If you’re looking for resources to support these conversations at home, Amy recommends Sex Talks with Tweens (her book) and Protecting the Gift by Gavin de Becker - two insightful reads that help parents guide their teens with confidence and safety. 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

Hi Parents! If you’ve ever felt like your days are packed with responsibilities but your mind never truly rests, this episode will help you discover small, grounding rituals that bring calm back into your life and your home. I’m joined by Michelle Maros, cofounder of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and co-host of the Life Happens podcast. Michelle’s work centers around helping people find happiness and peace through mindfulness, compassion, and meaningful daily practices. She’s also the author of Dear Friend, a heartfelt collection of reflections and affirmations to help readers reconnect with themselves in the midst of life’s noise. In this episode, you’ll learn how simple, consistent rituals can bring more calm into your home and ease anxiety for both you and your teen. You’ll also discover why dedicating just 1% of your day to mindfulness can shift your mood, focus, and patience in powerful ways.  More About Michelle: Michelle Maros is a writer, mindfulness teacher, and the cofounder of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, an organization dedicated to spreading inner peace and personal empowerment through mindfulness and compassion.  With a background in journalism and training as a registered yoga teacher, Michelle brings a unique blend of heart, honesty, and wisdom to her work. Through her teachings and her book, she reminds us that peace isn’t found in grand gestures, it’s built through small, loving choices each day. If you’ve been craving calm amidst the chaos, this conversation will remind you that peace isn’t about perfection but rather about presence, one mindful moment 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