45. Stop Blaming Yourself for Your Son's Bad Behavior (It's Not Your Fault)
If you've ever sat with your head in your hands wondering "What am I doing wrong?" after your son's latest attitude explosion, this episode is your permission slip to STOP. You're not alone in this blame spiral - it's literally hardwired into us as moms. But here's the thing: that guilt isn't helping him learn accountability, and it's stealing your confidence as his guide.
In this episode we're diving deep into why moms automatically blame themselves when their teenage sons act out, slam doors, or get in trouble at school. I'm sharing why this self-blame is your default response, how it's actually hurting both you AND your son, and giving you practical steps to break free from the guilt cycle so you can show up as the confident mom your son needs.
You'll leave with :
Understand the psychology behind why moms blame themselves (spoiler: it's not actually helpful)
Learn to shift from guilt to curiosity - the game-changing parenting emotion
Get scripts for conversations that give ownership back to your son
Discover why boundaries aren't trauma - they're exactly what he's begging for
Practical steps to stop the self-blame cycle starting today
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE
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18:36
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18:36
44. What to Do When Your Teenage Son Won't Get Out of Bed (Without Destroying Your Relationship)
You're exhausted from the daily battles. You're worried he'll never learn to manage himself. And you're starting to wonder if all this nagging is destroying the connection you've worked so hard to build. This episode gives you permission to step back and a roadmap for how to do it successfully.
We're diving deep into the morning battlefield every mom of teenage sons knows too well. I'm sharing why you need to stop being his human alarm clock, how to pull facts from your dramatic stories, and the exact steps to give him ownership back without losing your mind or your relationship.
How This Episode Solves Your Problem
End the morning chaos - Learn to separate facts from fear-based stories that fuel your frustration
Build his independence - Discover why natural consequences work better than rescue missions
Preserve your relationship - Get curious instead of combative, and watch connection strengthen
Feel confident letting go - Understand why it's better for him to struggle now than at 25
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE
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22:34
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22:34
43. How to Raise Kind Teenage Boys When the World Isn't
This episode gives you three practical ways to teach your teenage son that kindness is actually strength, not weakness, even when his world tells him otherwise.
Listen if: You're struggling with a son who's becoming mean to siblings or friends, or you want to prevent your kind boy from hardening as he navigates high school social pressures.
Key takeaways:
Model kindness in your own conversations - Pay attention to how you talk about teachers, coaches, and neighbors in front of your son because he's learning from every word
Celebrate kindness like you celebrate wins - Point out acts of kindness you see and praise them specifically so your son learns to value character over status
Show him that his heroes are kind people - Help him see that true strength comes from choosing kindness, not from being the loudest or most aggressive
Golden quote: "The most confident kids that come through my house are also the kindest kids... confidence and kindness go hand in hand."
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE
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20:25
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20:25
42. The Quiet Sadness of Motherhood: Grieving Your Little Boy While Loving Your Teenager
If you've ever caught yourself wishing for "just one more day" with that sweet little boy who called you "mommy" - you're not alone. That quiet sadness you carry? It's universal, it's normal, and it doesn't make you ungrateful. But living there will rob you of the beautiful relationship you can have with your teenager today.
Today we're diving deep into that ache you feel when you hold a little one and miss your own boy's chubby hands. I'm talking about the homesickness for who your son used to be while you're trying to embrace who he's becoming. This episode gives you permission to feel that grief AND practical ways to stay present with the amazing young man in front of you right now.
Today is tomorrow's reminiscence. Don't miss it while longing for yesterday.
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE
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21:02
41. How to Connect with Your Teenage Son Using Humor (Stop the Power Struggles)
If you're tired of walking on eggshells around your teenage son or feeling like every conversation turns into a power struggle, this episode is for you. You don't need to be naturally funny - you just need to be a little less serious. Your son is gauging your reaction to his struggles, and humor can be the bridge that keeps you connected through the tough moments.
Discover why humor isn't just "nice to have" - it's a neuroscience-backed parenting superpower that can transform your relationship with your teenage son. I'm sharing real stories from our family (yes, including multiple car incidents!), the science behind why laughter works, and practical one-liners you can use this week to break tension and build connection.
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE
About Raising Boys Building Men/Parenting Solutions For Moms And Boys
Raising Boys, Building Men: The Go-To Parenting Podcast for Moms Raising Sons from Middle School to Manhood
Are you a mom caught in the whirlwind of raising sons? Do you find yourself:
• Wishing the arguments would just... stop?
• Frustrated by the constant battle with screens, schoolwork, and indifference?
• Longing for those simpler days when you could just enjoy your boy?
• Searching for a parenting approach that actually works?
Look no further! ”Raising Boys, Building Men” is your lifeline in ups and downs of boy-mom life.
In each episode, you’ll discover:
• Practical, same-day solutions to your most pressing parenting challenges
• Confidence boosters to become the mom your teenager needs
• Strategies to nurture good men while nurturing yourself and your relationships
My mission? To help you raise a resilient, happy son, take care of yourself, and have a blast doing it!
Ready to trade worry for fun? Conflict for connection? Short-term fixes for lifelong bonds? You’re in the right place, my friend.
Hey there! I’m Heidi – mom to 5 incredible sons, wife, social worker, and certified life coach. With three decades of boy-raising under my belt, I’ve tried every parenting trick in the book. But it wasn’t until I discovered that effective parenting doesn’t have to be complicated or miserable that everything changed. Now, I’m here to share those game-changing insights with you.
If you’re ready to:
• Become the mom you’ve always dreamed of being
• Raise sons who’ll thrive in this world
• Actually enjoy this wild ride of parenting
Then this podcast is your new secret weapon.
So, pop in those earbuds, and let’s transform your parenting journey together. It’s time to raise boys, build men, and have an absolute blast along the way!
Listen to Raising Boys Building Men/Parenting Solutions For Moms And Boys, Everyday Māori and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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