Transitioning from parenting a young child to parenting a tween can have its challenges, but keeping an open mind and learning to be more flexible will bring you and your child more joy. Adapting your parenting to fit the needs of your teenager-to-be requires a change in rules, communication patterns, expectations, collaboration, and ways of connecting with your child.

A teenager I used to mentor, who for privacy purposes will be referred to as Jason, was at the time a seventeen-year-old male in a transitional stage of life. He was in the process of earning both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree when I met him, which is one example of maturity that seems well-above average for his age. At the same time, Jason was yearning for direction and was longing to pursue his dream of professional theater

Many teens are struggling with high levels of anxiety without anyone knowing. You might wonder how this is possible. Teens are experts in hiding their true thoughts and feelings. Additionally, anxiety can be difficult to notice as there is no “one shoe fits all” definition. Anxiety does not discriminate.

I love Jesus. And I also struggle. I am no stranger to fear and worry and anxiety. For years I was told things like “just trust God more” and “worry is a sin” and “you should pray more”.  And yet despite a love for the Lord that resonates to the core of who I am, […]

Conflict is inevitable.  As long as we have relationships, we will experience conflict.  Research even shows that conflict can be a vital part of strengthening relationships, as we work to rebuild the connection together relationships can go on to be stronger than they were initially.   For many of us, we are spending more time […]

For most of us, it has been more than six weeks of practicing social distancing.  Six weeks of learning a new normal, of experiencing the missed events and connections, and of coping with drastic, unexpected changes in our lives.   As we have learned to navigate our current reality as adults, we also have the […]

In simple terms, mindfulness is being focused on the present moment and yes, kids can learn how to implement mindfulness into their daily lives.  Mindfulness is a learned skill that can be taught.  Parents can educate children on what mindfulness is and what it looks like by speaking about it as well as modeling mindfulness […]

Years ago I heard an analogy that has stuck with me.  We are all buckets, containers in which water can be put into.  As we move through life, our buckets get little holes and the water begins to seep out.  This is normal as we experience the stressors of school, jobs, relationships, and other problems […]

Imagine taking a stroll down a beautiful green forest with wonderfully scented flowers, creatures of different types making their calls to each other, a calm stream of water to your right and on your left is a blank wooden sign pointing to nowhere. You see the path, but it is one you have never been […]