HEALTHY FAMILY CONNECTIONS

The Therapist Says "Back Off." Should I? Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

What do you do when you're 15-year-old is avoiding responsibilities and smoking weed, and the therapist you're going to says as parents, you need to back off? In this week's episode, I answer a question from a father who is questioning the advice he's getting from his son's therapist. Dad is stuck in a Control Battle with his son, who's developing some unhealthy habits. We don't want these habits to become character traits in his son's adult life. The advice Dad is getting from his son's therapist is that he and his wife need to back off. But is this the right step to take for a healthy path forward? Listen in to learn: • How to "back off" the right way • How to work together towards a common goal • Tips for moving forward collaboratively for everyone involved ...and more!

Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/the-therapist-says-to-back-off-should-i/

Is Better Good Enough? Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

What do you do when you've taken some good parenting steps and your previously violent 13-year-old daughter is back in control? Is that enough, or is there more to do? In this week's episode, I answer a question from a grandmother who is raising her 13-year-old granddaughter. Her granddaughter used to exhibit violent, destructive behavior. But, after utilizing the tools outlined in my book, Ending the Parent-Teen Control Battle, and my course of the same name, she saw some great results. The work isn't over yet, though. Her granddaughter still has some areas of improvement. Grandma wonders if she should expect more from her granddaughter and help her grow or simply live with her improved-upon behavior. So, what steps should this grandmother take moving forward? Listen in to learn: → About the necessity of accountability to benevolent parental authority → The importance of validating and showing empathy for your teen's feelings when "raising the bar" → How my Parenting Course can help your family, too ...and more!

Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/is-better-good-enough/

Get Off This Enablement Train! Dec 03, 2020

Show notes

What do you do when your husband is letting his very disturbed adult son take him and his business downhill? This week, I address concerns from a woman who is facing some pretty tough challenges with her husband, their small business, and her adult stepson. Her husband has been enabling his adult son since he was a teenager. His son has some severe issues and his deteriorating condition and behavior are destroying the business. Dad has turned to alcohol to handle the stress, which, of course, is not a healthy coping mechanism. His wife loves him but doesn't want to tolerate the situation. She wants to know if there is anything she can do to turn things around. So, what can this family, who is on an enablement train, do to create desperately need change? Listen in to learn: • Standards for successfully mixing family and business • How to set limits and address critical issues in a failing marriage • How to ask for the help you need in therapy ...and more!

Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/get-off-this-enablement-train/

"Give" Your Teenager the Joy of Success Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

What do you do when your relationship with your truly terrific teenage daughter with learning disabilities has turned into a daily battle over homework?

This week, I answer a question from a Mom who is struggling to support her teenage daughter in getting her schoolwork completed. Mom has provided ample support to her daughter who has struggled with a learning disability since elementary school. She has stayed on top of her daughter's needs, resourced her needs, been her advocate in the schools, and filled in the gaps in her executive functioning at home. But, it can be quite a challenge to support a special needs teenager in the area of her or his disability and support their independence at the same time. So, what steps can this mom and other parents of teens with disabilities take to teach their child how to manage responsibilities? Listen in to learn: → About the intricacies of the transitional years of adolescence → The importance of teaching your teenager with disabilities to be their own advocate → How my new Parenting Course can help you make the shift into being the parent of a healthy and capable teenager ...and more!

Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/give-your-teenager-the-joy-of-success/

Our Very Normal 17 Year Old Is Failing Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

What do you do when your very normal 17-year-old starts to fail in their senior year? In this week's episode, I answer a question from a Dad who is trying to help his 17-year-old son, who suddenly seems to no longer care about school or college. There are many challenges at play, like failing grades and a lack of motivation to attend college, but the most concerning is his son's substance abuse. What started out as "normal teen behavior" that was never addressed appears to have turned into a destructive issue. Dad and Mom are now at a loss for what steps to take next to get their son back on track. With the times we're living in, many parents may be faced with teenagers who are in a downward spiral. So, what can we do? Listen in to learn: → Why substance abuse is a challenge that needs to be addressed first → Tips on how parents can address issues early to avoid major problems later → How my new Parenting Course can provide guidance on moving forward ...and more!

Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/our-very-normal-17-year-old-is-failing/

50% Custody and 100% Responsibility Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

How do you keep your son caught up with his work when you only have 50% custody, he won't do it on his own, and his father won't take responsibility? In this week's episode, I answer a question from a Mom having a challenging time getting her 15-year-old son to take responsibility for his school work. Unfortunately, she's not getting any support from her ex-husband. She's stuck in a Control Battle with her son and needs advice on how to teach her son to be accountable for his actions. Many families are distancing learning right now, and a lot of them are also splitting custody. You could be facing a very similar situation with your teenagers. So, what can parents do to set healthy limits while feeling undermined by the other custodial parent? Listen in to learn: • Why your teenager needs to be responsible for their own motivation • How to motivate students who aren't academically talented • Ways my new Parenting Course can help you and your family ...and more!

Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/50-custody-and-100-responsibility/