Joyful Courage for Parenting Teens

Latest Episodes:

Eps 492: Exploring inspiration and soul care on the journey of parenting teens May 30, 2024

Show notes

Alright... We are going a bit sideways today. Or are we? Maybe we are going in the perfect direction... You'll have to let me know. I am sharing about our personal practice of dropping in with what is real and relevant for me as I work to drop into the present moment and be who I need to be for myself and others. Having a practice is what keeps me focused in on what matters most to me, it helps me to keep my inner compass pointed in the direction I live towards... We get a bit woo woo this week but I trust you to hear the takeaways you need.

Find more about the episode and sponsors at https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-492-exploring-inspiration-and-soul-care-on-the-journey-of-parenting-teens/

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Eps 491: Motivating homeschooled teens with Maren Goerss and Angela Sizer May 27, 2024

Show notes

My guests today are Maren Goerss and Angela Sizer - two former school teachers who both chose homeschooling for their families (and created an awesome podcast & book about it!). We get right into it today, jumping into collaborating with your teen around their learning, lasting effects to the homeschool community post-Covid, and what to do if you don’t mesh well with the homeschool community in your area.

We hit on a lot during this episode: school refusal, “optimally” scheduled days, trusting our children to know what’s best for them, disinterested (discouraged) learners, who teens are earning their grades for, leaning into your strengths as a parent and home educator, and saying no to things that don’t matter to your family.

We wrap up this week on homeschooling our kids with learning differences or who are neurodivergent. Check out Maren and Angela’s new book, “Think Differently about Learning,” to dig in even further to Homeschool Unrefined!

Takeaways from the show

Collaborating with your child on their education
Finding community for homeschooled teens
Asking kids for their opinion
Homeschooling shifts post-Covid
What can you do when you don’t mesh well with the homeschooling community in your area?
“Think Differently about Learning” book
Children deserve to be trusted & deserve authority over their choices
What can we do with our disinterested (discouraged) teens?
Grades - who & what are they for?
Leaning into your strengths as a teacher
Homeschooling kids with neurodivergence or learning differences
Accepting our teens (and making sure they know it)

For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.

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Eps 490: Endurance, personal growth, and intersecting with our adolescents' experience May 23, 2024

Show notes

Drop in with me to explore what it takes to be with the ebb and flow of the season of parenting teens and tweens. It isn't for the faint of heart and it absolutely requires our development of self awareness, reflection and endurance. We have the power to shift how we are experiencing the challenges that are showing up with our young people if we are willing to go there. Listen to this episode for inspiration on the HOW.

Find show notes and info about our sponsors at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-490-endurance-personal-growth-and-intersecting-with-our-adolescents-experience

Join the discussion in the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jcforparentsofteens

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Eps 489: Identity development for mixed race teens with Dr. Jenn Noble May 20, 2024

Show notes

My guest today is Dr. Jenn Noble, and she’s here to talk about adolescent identity development and support us all in broadening our lens around the experience of mixed race kids and families.

Dr. Jenn helps parents to see who their kids really are and helps teens express who they are to their parents. We all know teen identity development is a total rollercoaster! On one hand, we know our adolescents are growing up, but we sure like to hang onto who they were as children. Their experiences and perspectives are real, but they’re often dismissed.

As we dig into adolescent identity development, and Dr. Jenn reminds us that part of a teen’s job is to explore things, try things out, and push back with a safe place to land. I ask Dr. Jenn what parents can do to invite your teens to talk to you, how adolescents can read our agendas (even when we think we’re being open-minded!), and how this plays out differently in mixed race households.

Takeaways from the show

What should parents know about adolescent identity development?
Broadening our lens around the experience of mixed race kids and families
Seeing your kid for who they are - how do we really get to know & see them?
Negative stereotypes around teens
Teens need to try & explore new things with a safe place to land
What makes adolescents feel open to talking and sharing more with parents
Code switching (cognitive flexibility)
Teens are seeking groups and are very sensitive to rejection
How can we best show up for mixed race teens?
Authentically affirming & complimenting teens’ experiences

For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.

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Eps 488: Thoughts about parenting our older teens and baby adults May 16, 2024

Show notes

As our teens continue to get older, our role in relationship with them changes. It is hard to know where to lean in and where to let go. The good news is there is no "right way" to parent through the second half of the teen years and beyond - instead, we get to become ever better at intuiting what it is our young people need. During this episode, I go through the different eras of later adolescence and offer my thoughts on useful ways of showing up. Can't wait to hear what you think!

Find all the show notes at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-488-thoughts-about-parenting-our-older-teens-and-baby-adults/

Join the Joyful Courage Parents of Teens FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jcforparentsofteens

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Eps 487: Expert guidance on the college admissions process with Alyse Levine May 13, 2024

Show notes

I am so excited about my guest today - Alyse Levine! We have one of the foremost college counseling experts in the country here today sharing her wisdom and tips to help adolescents fulfill their college goals & dreams.

Alyse shares why she’s so passionate about college admissions & working with young people, and I ask what was surprising for her when going through the college admissions process with her own kiddo recently. We dig into all-things admissions related: testing, grades, college essays, rescinded offers, and virtual opportunities & internships. I ask Alyse what teens should be doing during the summer and how to discern good opportunities & programs, and we wrap up this week talking about setting expectations for our adolescents and how motivating it is when people are learning something they’re excited about.

Key Takeaways from the show

Why work with a college admissions specialist or counselor?
FAFSA, Merit Money, & scholarships
How has grading changed since we were in school?
Colleges rescinding offers
College is a safe place to make some mistakes & grow resiliency
What should teens be doing during summer breaks?
Virtual internships & experiences
What to look for in good summer programs & offerings
Authenticity during the college admissions process
The motivation that comes when we are learning things we’re excited about
“There is a home and a college for everyone”

For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.

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Eps 486: The beauty of parenting in community with Julietta Skoog May 09, 2024

Show notes

Surprise!!! My girl and podcast fave, Julietta Skoog, joins me today on a special Thursday show where we come down off of our high from leading our first ever Sproutable Retreat on the gorgeous California Coast. We talk about the highlights from the weekend as well as the power of parenting in community, creating time and structure for our own self-care, and shared a few funny stories... Listen in and let me know what you think.

Find all the show notes and info about our sponsors here: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/Eps-486-The-beauty-of-parenting-in-community-with-Julietta-Skoog

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Eps 485: Parenting neurodiverse kids of color with Jaya Ramesh and Priya Saaral May 06, 2024

Show notes

My guests today are Jaya Ramesh and Priya Saaral. Jaya and Priya have a lot in common, including being the co-authors of their new book, “Parenting at the Intersections.” This is a deeply emotional topic for them, both personally and professionally.

Many people are discussing the experience of neurodivergence, and many people are discussing being a person of color, but where are the resources for neurodivergent people of color? Jaya and Priya have so much wisdom to share, from asking for what your child needs until they get it, what people who aren’t raising neurodivergent children of color need to know, and why & how to be there for all kids, not just your kid.

We dig deep into how we can expand our definition of what’s “normal,” so that we can be less judgmental, especially when there are systems in place working against that, and how hard it can be for adolescents to find their strengths when we are so focused on deficits.

Takeaways from the show

How do you hold the feedback about your child from their school?
How do you make it work when public school is the only option?
Asking for what you or your child(ren) needs until you get it
Checking your biases
What do people who aren’t raising neurodivergent children of color need to know?
Being curious, empathetic, & compassionate
Being in it for all kids, not just your kid
Expanding our definition of “normal” so we can be less judgmental
Moving away from neurotypical expectations, narratives, & timelines
Holding that space for our child(ren) when they show up differently

For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.

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Eps 484: The real work of parenting during the middle school years May 02, 2024

Show notes

Ooh, I have some fun during this week's solo show... If I could go back to parenting my kids through middle school I would take my own advice and do it differently. The beauty of hindsight. Lucky for YOU I am sharing all of my thoughts around parenting during middle school years today on the show!

Find the full show notes and info about sponsors at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/Eps-484-the-real-work-of-parenting-during-the-middle-school-years

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Eps 483: Douglas Haddad teaches us about creating encouragement for middle schoolers Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

My friend Douglas Haddad is here this week to chat about all things middle school, with a focus on encouraging discouraged learners.

Douglas has been teaching for over 24 years (at ONE school!), and I love his commitment to his students. Douglas shares what he’s seen changing during that period, like higher anxiety & social media misuse, and what’s stayed the same, like a child’s need to feel loved, heard, and understood.

Douglas shares his wisdom on keeping middle schoolers encouraged & engaged: making sure they understand the systems in place around them, how we can help when our kid isn’t connecting with a teacher, collaborating on family agreements, and helping our tweens grow their tolerance for discomfort.

Takeaways from the show

What’s different between middle school today & when you were a tween?
“Loved, heard, and understood”
What does discouragement look like in the classroom?
Wait Until 8th Pledge
Does your child know & understand the systems in place around them?
How to help foster connection between your child & their teachers
Family contracts, charters, agreements, & meetings
Being available without an agenda or judgment
Setting & celebrating small goals
Scaffolding for our kiddos to grow their tolerance for discomfort

For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.

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