Pivot Parenting: Expert Tips for Navigating Teen and Tween Challenges

If you've ever thought, "I just want to love my kid and have them let me!" — this episode is for you. Many parents find themselves chasing their teen's affection, bending rules, overgiving, or trying to buy closeness with gifts and favors — all in the name of love. But instead of feeling more connected, they end up tied in emotional knots, walking on eggshells, and quietly wondering why they're getting less respect, fewer conversations, and more distance. It's painful, confusing, and it can make even the most devoted parent feel rejected. In this episode, I'm unpacking why we fall into the over-loving parent trap — that deep desire to be needed, appreciated, and close — and what actually works to build trust and lasting friendship with your teen. You'll learn how to: Recognize when love crosses into emotional dependence Stop chasing affection and start leading with calm confidence Create connection that lasts without begging for attention Love your teen in ways that invite respect, not resistance If you're tired of giving everything and getting silence in return, I've got you. This episode will help you shift from exhausted and overlooked to peaceful, confident, and genuinely connected. Ready to find peace in your parenting? Book a free Peaceful Parenting Strategy Call HERE

Your motivated kid turned into a teenager who doesn't care about anything. Now what? It's heartbreaking watching your once-enthusiastic child become indifferent to grades, goals, relationships - everything that used to matter to them. You're probably wondering if you did something wrong, if it's just a phase, or if there's any way back to the kid you remember. In this eye-opening interview, we dig into the real story behind teenage apathy and what parents can actually do about it. What We Cover: The fear driving both you and your teen (and why it paralyzes everyone) How the way you see yourself as a parent shapes everything Why how you view your apathetic teen matters more than you think Where your actual power lies as a parent (hint: it's not where you've been focusing) Practical ways to support your teen without enabling or pushing them away The difference between giving up and letting go Perfect for Parents Who: Have a teen who seems to care about nothing Feel powerless watching their child drift through life Wonder if their once-driven kid will ever find motivation again Are tired of nagging, bribing, and consequences that don't work Want to support their teen without losing their minds This isn't about quick fixes or forcing motivation. It's about understanding what's really happening and finding your role in the healing process. Because sometimes the best thing you can do is get out of your own way. Ready to see your apathetic teen - and yourself - differently? About my guest: In 1996, Alma Galván's world changed when both of her children were diagnosed with severe autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder. When doctors told her to institutionalize her son and move on with her life, she chose a different path—and began a journey that would transform thousands of lives. After seven years of research, Alma discovered powerful, science-backed techniques that dramatically improved her children's brain development. Within months, they made more progress than they had in years. Other parents noticed and began asking for help—leading Alma to create BrainWorx, a program that has now helped thousands of families overcome anxiety, overwhelm, distractibility, foggy thinking, and more. Her core discovery: movement changes the brain, and more brain function creates more ease in life. Alma is especially passionate about helping individuals who are looking for a solution that addresses the foundation and feel they have internal roadblocks. Her approach integrates brain development and emotional healing, creating a synergistic effect that accelerates growth and transformation. In December 2024, Alma survived a life-threatening aneurysm. Even while unconscious, her body continued to do small  movements  that she had practiced for years—evidence of how deeply they were woven into her. This is a part of why she and her doctors think she has recovers in a miraculous way. That experience deepened her devotion to this work, which she now continues through BrainWorx and Alma Integration, with even greater clarity, compassion, and purpose. Website: https://brainworxinc.com/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/brainworxinc Facebook: http://facebook.com/brainworxinc Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsvIkOSoJR9nwUSLfh9gieA

If you're a parent who lies awake at night mentally running through worst-case scenarios, overthinking every decision your teen makes, or trying to prevent every possible meltdown, mistake, or danger—you're not alone. Parental worry is universal. And it's exhausting. In this episode, I'm breaking down why we worry, what it's actually doing inside our brains and bodies, and how that worry—despite our best intentions—often lands with our teens as pressure, distrust, or emotional distance. We'll talk about the psychology behind parental anxiety, how teens interpret our constant checking-in, hovering, or "just making sure," and why your worry doesn't create safety—it creates stress. For both of you. Most importantly, I'll walk you through what to do instead. You'll learn skills that lead to real connection, calmer communication, and deeper trust, even in the moments that feel the most uncertain. This is about becoming the steady, grounded parent your teen can actually come to—not hide from. If you're ready to move from fear to confidence, and from constant worry to a relationship grounded in love and clarity, this conversation will help you get there. Want support applying this in your home? Book a free Peaceful Parenting Strategy Call with me and let's talk through exactly what's happening with your teen

Nagging your teen never works—but what if you had a framework that did? In this episode of Pivot Parenting, I sit down with author and parenting expert Marielle Melling to talk about how parents can finally get on the same page with their kids without the endless power struggles. We unpack why nagging backfires, how to soothe the discomfort that keeps families from healthy communication, and the secret to meeting everyone's needs in ways that actually strengthen family bonds. Marielle also walks us through her key questions that help parents see themselves and their teens more clearly—so that everyone feels heard, valued, and supported. If you're ready to stop nagging and start connecting, tune in now—and don't forget to book your free Peaceful Parenting Call, where we'll create your personalized strategy for parenting with peace and confidence. About my guest: Marielle Melling helps you create extraordinary relationships with your kids, yourself, and others in our disconnected world. She teaches a holistic, research-backed, and life-tested approach to strong relationships that last, including a healthy dose of fun. With a degree in health education and years of studying, writing, and coaching about parenting, Marielle's genuine warmth and teaching style hit home. She's the founder of Extraordinary Family Relationships and the Mom Spot Membership. Marielle is also the author of Peace amidst the Mayhem and The BUT Book. This mom of five is on a mission to bring more health, peace, and joy to the world one family relationship at a time. You can find her at: https://yourEFR.com https://instagram.com/extraordinary.relationships https://facebook.com/yourEFR/  

Today I'm talking with Jason Reid about one of the hardest parts of parenting: having real, honest conversations with our kids about the things nobody wants to bring up. The messy things. The scary things. The things we hope aren't happening—but often are. Jason shares his family's story of losing his 14-year-old son to suicide, and the gained wisdom he's sharing with all of us. He reveals the number one mistake we simply cannot afford to make as parents, and how small shifts in our conversations can genuinely protect our kids. This isn't an episode about fear—it's about clarity, courage, and the kind of connection that makes all the difference. We talk about how to support our kids through their struggles without pretending we have it all together, and how to keep it real with our own emotions in the process. If you're wanting practical, compassionate guidance for navigating hard conversations, strengthening trust, and being a safe place for your teen when life gets heavy, this episode will meet you right where you are.   About my guest:  Jason Reid is a partner at CEO International, where he coaches CEOs on how to be successful. He co-founded National Services Group, which employs 2500 people across three brands nationwide. He is a leader, entrepreneur, and family man. Following the loss of his 14-year-old son to suicide in 2018, Jason started the foundation TellMyStory.org, a nonprofit organization built to educate and empower parents by sharing the best and latest resources they need to identify and understand how to support their children's mental health struggles. Through its sister organization, Mental Wellness Media, it helps generate awareness through powerful media projects that compels parents and kids to better communicate and share their stories. Jason has shared his experience in two TEDx talks, the documentary films Tell My Story, What I Wish My Parents Knew and Tell My Story's other educational programs.