Your Zen Friend

• Smartphones & Anxiety: Setting Healthy Boundaries for Tweens & Teens

  Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I explore the link between smartphone use and anxiety in tweens and teens. I'll introduce the term "problematic smartphone use," explain what it looks like, how to recognize if your child is struggling with it, and share practical (as well as creative) strategies to help them set healthier boundaries with their phone.✨ What's Bringing Me More ZenTune in after the break to discover what recently brought me more zen. I was the lucky winner of a contest at a local salon and day spa! I'll tell you about the fabulous services I won and one in particular which I will definitely be returning for! Even if you're not local, I guarantee this service is offered in your area too ☺️If you're local to Fairfield County or Litchfield County, CT, check out the fabulous salons, DPZ on Main in Danbury or DPZ North in Litchfield: https://thedpz.com/📻 Mentioned in this episode: An NPR report on the results of adults taking a 2 week break from using the internet on their smartphones: Click here to read it💌 Let's Connect!Website: yourzenfriend.comEmail: [email protected]: @YourZenFriendPodJoin our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend⚠️ When to Seek Professional Help: If your child is showing severe signs of problematic smartphone use such as extreme irritability when separated from their phone, significant sleep disruption, declining grades, or withdrawal from family activities, it may be time to consult with a qualified clinician. If you live in the state of Connecticut, feel free to contact me through my website: yourzenfriend.com - And if you live elsewhere ask your child's pediatrician or school guidance counselor for a referral.💛 If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to help the podcast grow in order to offer more free support to parents of anxious tweens and teens!Remember: Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging, so take some time today (and every day) to do something kind for yourself! 💕This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.

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• To Reassure or Not to Reassure: What to Do When Your Tween or Teen is Worried

  Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I tackle a common dilemma parents face: should you reassure your anxious tween or teen when they're worried, or could that actually make their anxiety worse? I'll share practical strategies to help you know when it's ok to offer a little reassurance. And I'll let you know when it's better to not reassure and what you can do instead. 📢 Important Scheduling Update:* I'll be releasing new episodes twice a month for the next few months (instead of weekly). ✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen* Tune in after the break to discover what's bringing me more zen this week - a special segment about ignoring anti-aging marketing aimed at women and embracing our beauty and confidence as we age! 👑💌 Let's Connect!* Website: yourzenfriend.com* Email: [email protected]* Instagram: @YourZenFriendPod* Join our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend⚠️ When to Seek Professional Help:If your child is constantly seeking reassurance, sending worried texts throughout the day, or struggling to attend school or activities, it may be time to consult with a qualified clinician. If you live in the state of Connecticut, feel free to contact me through my website: yourzenfriend.com - And if you live elsewhere ask your child's pediatrician or school guidance counselor for a referral. 💛 If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to support the show and help more parents of anxious tweens and teens! Remember: Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging, so take some time today (and every day) to do something kind for yourself! 💕This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.

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• Parenting is Ridiculous, Keeping it Real as a Therapist Mom

  Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I'm taking off my therapist hat and getting real about the challenges of parenting - especially when it comes to raising tweens and teens. Join me for some honest conversation about the ups and downs of this parenting journey! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨ I'll share with you:Why parenting is ridiculously challenging (and keeps changing just when you think you've figured it out!)The special challenges of parenting tweens and teens with anxiety The truth about parenting, "experts," myself includedSome hope and encouragement that will be sure to make you feel better about your own parenting📚 What's Bringing Me More ZenTune in after the break to discover what's bringing me more zen this week despite feeling "cranky AF"! 😂💌 Let's Connect!Website: yourzenfriend.comEmail: [email protected]: @YourZenFriendPodJoin our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend💪 Encouragement for Parents: Remember that we're all human - even those of us with "answers"! Having knowledge doesn't guarantee perfect implementation, and modeling that imperfection can be valuable too. Mentioned on this episode: What in The World, by Leanne Morgan: If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to support the show and help more parents of anxious tweens and teens! This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.

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• Easing Sunday Scaries for Tweens and Teens

  Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I'm tackling the Sunday Scaries - those end-of-weekend worries that so many tweens and teens experience. If your child's weekend joy turns to anxiety as Monday approaches, this episode is for you! 😰✨  I'll share with you:How to recognize Sunday Scaries in your tween or teen (including some surprising signs you might not expect!)Why anxiety tends to peak right before anticipated eventsThe powerful 10-minute worry strategy that helps get those anxious thoughts outHow to create enjoyable Sunday evening rituals that your teen will actually look forward toImportant reminders about self-compassion for parents on this journey📚 What's Bringing Me More ZenFor all my fellow book lovers, I have a fun book recommendation that had me laughing out loud! This book has a wonky premise that provided  introspection on marriage, lots of laughs and a satisfying ending. 💌 Let's Connect!Website: yourzenfriend.comEmail: [email protected]: @YourZenFriendPodJoin our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend💪 Encouragement for Parents: Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Supporting an anxious tween or teen isn't easy, but small, consistent steps can make a big difference. Your patience and support matter more than perfection!If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to support the show and help parents like you! 💛Mentioned in this episode: Husbands by Holly GramazioThis podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.

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• How to Stop Walking on Eggshells with Your Anxious Tween or Teen

  Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I'm diving into something SO many parents tell me about - that feeling of walking on eggshells around their anxious tween or teen. That sense that you're literally tiptoeing through your own house, scared that saying or doing the wrong thing might trigger a reaction that sends your whole family's day into a spiral. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone! 😰✨ Breaking Free from Walking on Eggshells (Without Losing Your Zen!)I'll share with you:The real reason we fall into this tricky pattern (and yes, I've been there too!)Why tiptoeing around anxiety actually makes it grow stronger (I'll tell you about a family who learned this with game night)How to set "loving limits" that help everyone in the familyA practical action step you can take this weekWays to support siblings who are caught in this dynamic tooAnd don't worry - I'm sharing plenty of real-life examples to help you stop walking on eggshells with your anxious tween or teen.💌 Let's Connect!Email: [email protected]: @YourZenFriendPodJoin our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend💪 Encouragement for Parents: Here's something I really want you to remember: your child's big reactions? That's anxiety speaking, not their true self. Allowing your child to work through challenging situations will help them learn to manage their anxiety in the long run. You've got this! If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to support the show and help parents like you! 💛This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.

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