Kids & Family
**Moms of Tweens and Teens**

The Moms of Tweens and Teens podcast offers encouragement, expert advice, and equips moms with a deeper understanding of the unique needs of their tween or teen and how to meet them where they’re at and support them to thrive. Sheryl Gould is the Founder of Moms of Tweens and Teens, a nationally recognized Parenting Educator, Speaker, and Author of “SOS: The Technology Guidebook for Parents of Tweens and Teens, Get The Answers You Need, Keep Them Safe and Enjoy Your Kids Again” and the forthcoming book, “You’re Not Crazy, You’re Not A Bad Parent, And No Your Adolescent Doesn’t Really Hate You.”

Latest Episodes:

How to Strengthen Your Relationship With Your Neurodiverse Teen & Move From Conflict to Cooperation with Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster Jan 21, 2025

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Welcome to the Moms of Tweens and Teens Podcast!

Today, I'm excited to introduce two incredible guests, Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster, co-founders of ImpactParents and creators of the acclaimed podcast Parenting with Impact as well as authors of books, Parenting ADHD Now!: Easy Intervention Strategies to Empower Kids with ADHD and Parenting with Impact : Expert Advice to Empower Parents Raising Complex Kids.

. These two powerhouses specialize in helping parents of neurodiverse and complex kids navigate the challenges of parenting with greater ease, connection, and understanding.

Elaine and Diane are experts in neurodiversity-informed coaching, and they’ve spent over a decade equipping parents with the tools and strategies they need to build stronger relationships and support their kids’ independence. Their work has been transformative for countless families, offering hope and practical solutions to challenges like ADHD, anxiety, executive function struggles, and more.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into topics like the independence paradox, collaborative problem-solving, and how to manage that fine line between support and enabling. If you’ve ever found yourself in a power struggle with your tween or teen—or if you’re wondering how to rebuild connection and trust—this conversation will give you the clarity and encouragement you need.

Get ready to take away actionable insights, fresh perspectives, and the reassurance that you’re not alone on this parenting journey.
Let's dive in!
Where to find Elaine and Diane:
Impact Parents Website: https://impactparents.com/
Free Resources: https://impactparents.com/resources/
Their Books: Parenting ADHD Now!: Easy Intervention Strategies to Empower Kids with ADHD and Parenting with Impact : Expert Advice to Empower Parents Raising Complex Kids.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParent

Support the show

Check out What's Waiting For You At Moms of Tweens and Teens
Find more encouragement, wisdom, and resources:

Website: https://momsoftweensandteens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momsoftweensandteens/

Join our Community HERE.

Find awesome resources HERE.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsoftweensandteens/

Sheryl also has an Inner Circle weekly Parenting Program with a community of like-minded moms, personal coaching, and tons of resources to equip and support you to love well, navigate the challenges and meet your tween and teen’s unique needs during these pivotal years.

How to Support Your Tween or Teen When They Have No Friends with Special Guest Sheri Gazitt Oct 23, 2024

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Today, we're going to be talking about how to help our tweens and teens who are struggling with friendships, and this is really painful as a mom.
If you have a kid who is lonely and is struggling with girl drama, it might look a little bit different if you have a boy, but they have their version of that. If they're spending a lot of time isolated and alone in their room, they're not connecting outside of social media. Maybe they've even been bullied or excluded from friend groups, and they can see that on social media, and then it can be so complicated when they have social media and all that goes with that. When it comes to friendships, it can just complicate things, and they can compare themselves. It can be really rough, and it can be difficult to know what to say and what to do that's going to help.
And I hear from so many of you emailing me that you're saying, "Gosh, my kid is getting left out. They're lonely. They're spending all their time gaming, or they're coming home and crying every day because their best friend won't let them sit at the lunch table."
It takes on many different forms, and my special guest today is Sheri Gazitt, the CEO and founder of Teen Wise. It is an organization that empowers teen girls to conquer girl drama and establish healthy friendships. And she does private coaching. They have online courses, presentations, and professional trainings. She has been on the podcast before, and she has so much wisdom and insight and a really beautiful way of taking it all and making it really simple and easy to understand. And in this episode, she talks to us about what we can do to help our kids.
So let's dive in!

What you will learn:

The significant impact of friendships on our tweens' and teens’ lives, specifically how social struggles can lead to clinical depression and anxiety.
The visible change in teens' body language and spark when they see a path forward in their social lives.
Research on how patterns of popularity and bullying in middle and high school can persist into adulthood.
Impact of the pandemic on teen friendships and their social skills.
The "football effect," where disagreements lead to team formation, exacerbates the situation.
Common mistakes parents make when supporting their children through social conflicts.
Building confidence and addressing inner critic.

Links

Support the show

Check out What's Waiting For You At Moms of Tweens and Teens
Find more encouragement, wisdom, and resources:

Website: https://momsoftweensandteens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momsoftweensandteens/

Join our Community HERE.

Find awesome resources HERE.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsoftweensandteens/

How to Organize Your Life and Declutter Using the Enneagram, Interview with Laurie Palau Jul 23, 2024

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Hey friend,
If you struggle with clutter and being organized.
If you are frustrated with your kid and their bedrooms and how disorganized they can be.
If you’re wondering why it’s so hard to keep it all together with everything you have to do.
I am so excited for you to listen to this episode with Laurie Palau!
Laurie Palau is the author of HOT MESS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO GETTING ORGANIZED, host of the popular weekly podcast This ORGANIZED Life, which has over 3M downloads, and founder of Simply B Organized, a lifestyle company that helps people live simply and work smarter.
Her advice has been featured in national publications including Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens & The New York Times.
Laurie speaks, teaches, and writes about Clutter, the Enneagram, and Women’s Entrepreneurship. Through coaching, consulting, and 1:1 mentorship, Laurie uses a mix of humor, tough love, and compassion to empower women whether they are running a household, a business or both!
Buy her a coffee or a drink, and she’ll talk your ear off about all things BRAVO or true crime podcasts. She is a mom to two grown-ish girls and lives in New Hope, PA, with her husband Josh and their dog Jeter.
Mentioned in this episode:
Laurie's Freebie: https://simplyborganized.myflodesk.com/enneagramcoremotivations
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile: https://amzn.to/3ybAlOU
The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types: https://amzn.to/4fbuxG4
Where to find Laurie:
Website: https://simplyborganized.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyborganized/
Podcast: https://simplyborganized.com/this-organized-life/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simplyborganized
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thisorganizedlifepodcast
Here book: HOT MESS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO GETTING ORGANIZED: https://amzn.to/4d3hBzY

Support the show

Check out What's Waiting For You At Moms of Tweens and Teens
Find more encouragement, wisdom, and resources:

Website: https://momsoftweensandteens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momsoftweensandteens/

Join our Community HERE.

Find awesome resources HERE.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsoftweensandteens/

How To Let Go to Help Them Grow: Supporting Your Teen To Thrive, Interview with Dr. Cameron Caswell Jul 09, 2024

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Hi friend. Welcome to the show today, and I am so glad that you're spending time with me.
In today's episode, we are talking about the tough process of letting go. Letting is one of the most difficult things when your your kid hits the middle school years - you're in this big transition, and I found this so hard - "When do I step in? When do I step back?"
It's hard to let go when you watch them making decisions that you're not crazy about and you want them to be successful, and you want them to make good decisions. And that is all well and good, but without meaning to we often get in the way.
Today, my special guest is Dr. Cam Coswell, and she is also known as the Teen Translator. Dr. Cam is a wealth of knowledge and experience on adolescent development and how you can build trust and help your kid to become more independent and confident and to build those necessary skills that our kids need as they move towards adulthood.
You are going to love this episode. You're going to get so much good stuff, and you're going to feel so much better that you are not alone as we talk about our own challenges and struggles as well.
So let's dive in!
Where to find Dr. Cam and all her resources:
Website
Instagram

Support the show

Check out What's Waiting For You At Moms of Tweens and Teens
Find more encouragement, wisdom, and resources:

Website: https://momsoftweensandteens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momsoftweensandteens/

Join our Community HERE.

Find awesome resources HERE.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsoftweensandteens/

How To Raise Confident Daughters, Mind, Body, and Spirit, with Kristi K. Hoffman Jul 02, 2024

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Welcome friend,

Kristi K. Hoffman is an award-winning, Emmy-nominated TV host, media producer, journalist, lifestyle influencer, family woman, businesswoman, philanthropist, and best-selling teen social issues author of Total Package Girl: Discover the Ultimate You for Life.

As a journalist and media professional starting out in a time when men dominated the industry, Kristi realized there was a massive need to build up girls and help them realize they are capable of anything they set their minds to.

She struggled quite a bit with body image and sexual harassment in the early days of her career. As a result, she started the Total Package Girl brand as a resource for young girls to achieve confidence, overcome obstacles, and chase their dreams.

Let’s dive in!

What you will learn:

What Kristi has learned about mentoring, career development, and personal growth for moms.
Self-doubt, anxiety, and finding focus in leadership and parenting.
Teaching kids self-awareness and self-care through healthy habits and values.
What it was like writing a book for girls and incorporating feedback from young readers.
Empowering girls through leadership and self-care.
Self-care for moms and prioritizing personal well-being.

Where to find Kristi and Mentioned in this Episode:

Support the show

Check out What's Waiting For You At Moms of Tweens and Teens
Find more encouragement, wisdom, and resources:

Website: https://momsoftweensandteens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momsoftweensandteens/

Join our Community HERE.

Find awesome resources HERE.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsoftweensandteens/

The Keys To Creating A Happy Summer Jun 18, 2024

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**Please support the show HERE!**
Summer is the perfect time for fun and relaxation, but it can also bring its share of challenges.

You might be thrilled about the endless possibilities, from beach trips to movie marathons, yet also worried about your teens spending too much time in their rooms, glued to screens, or perhaps out with friends, potentially getting into trouble. You might want some ideas on how to make it a great summer with your tweens and teens.
In this episode, I walk you through some reflective questions to help you think about...
What you'd love to do to have fun,
Help you to identify energy drains and what recharges you,
How to manage screen time and get your kids onboard with having fun as a family.

I've included some tools and insights needed to create a balanced and happy summer for you and your family!
Mentioned on the show:
Reflection Questions to Create A Happy Summer
Resources on Summer Bucket List and More

Resources and Workshops HERE

Support the show

Check out What's Waiting For You At Moms of Tweens and Teens
Find more encouragement, wisdom, and resources:

Website: https://momsoftweensandteens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momsoftweensandteens/

Join our Community HERE.

Find awesome resources HERE.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsoftweensandteens/

Rising Above Your Story with Karena Kilcoyne Jun 11, 2024

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We've all experienced pain and trauma in our lives, whether it be trauma with a "little t" or "big T" trauma. There have been people, events, and situations that have hurt and wounded us. As a result, we've developed defense mechanisms to shield ourselves from the pain and to keep us safe. And yet, not dealing with our pain and wounds holds us back from healing, joy, freedom, and peace. But this takes courage.

Today, I am honored to welcome Karena Killcoin, the best-selling author of "Rise Above The Story." In this interview, she shares her story of trauma and healing and inspires us to rise above our stories and take the courageous path to knowing our true selves, finding genuine peace, and achieving emotional freedom.

Her book, “Rise Above the Story,” is part memoir and part evidence-based framework. She shares her own harrowing stories of trauma and distills the science of what your brain does to keep you safe when you experience trauma.

We all carry negative narratives that fill us with shame and unworthiness. We discuss the proven steps to stop living in the past, end your negative mind chatter, and love yourself once and for all. You are not alone.

This is a conversation you don’t want to miss! Let’s dive in!

What you will learn:

Karena’s story of childhood trauma and healing.
Childhood trauma and its impact on adulthood, personal relationships, and mental health.
Emotional healing and the fear of facing trauma.
Healing from trauma and finding joy through therapy and self-discovery.
Healing from trauma through acknowledgment, inner child work, forgiveness, and self-love.
The importance of self-awareness and forgiveness in our healing journeys.
How and why to let go of the victim mentality.

Where to find Karena:

Support the show

Check out What's Waiting For You At Moms of Tweens and Teens
Find more encouragement, wisdom, and resources:

Website: https://momsoftweensandteens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momsoftweensandteens/

Join our Community HERE.

Find awesome resources HERE.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsoftweensandteens/

What Our College-Bound Kids Need to Know with The College Doc, Dr. Jill Grimes Jun 04, 2024

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I'm so excited that Dr. Jill Grimes is back. She is the college doc and just came out with her newest edition of "The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook: Your Guide for Everything from Hangovers to Homesickness." It is a great gift if you have a high school grad. It gives so much information that will help your college student navigate their health and symptoms.

In this episode, we talk about everything from how to support them in talking to their doctor to how to talk to them about getting their medication refilled. That is a tough one. How do you get your kid to become more independent and be able to do that when they go to college? We also discuss how to support them in getting enough sleep. Additionally, she talks about some things that I did not know, like how common seizures are with college students and what our kids need to know.

We also cover sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, and so much more. So, let's dive in.
Mentioned in this episode:
My Course:

Raising a Teenager: A Crash Course in Decoding and Reconnecting

Jill's book: The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook: Your Guide for Everything from Hangovers to Homesickness.

Support the show

Check out What's Waiting For You At Moms of Tweens and Teens
Find more encouragement, wisdom, and resources:

Website: https://momsoftweensandteens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momsoftweensandteens/

Join our Community HERE.

Find awesome resources HERE.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsoftweensandteens/

How To Have Healthy Talks About Sex and Intimacy in A Confusing Culture, Interview with Dina Alexander May 28, 2024

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Welcome to today's episode of How To Have Healthy Talks About Sex and Intimacy in A Confusing Culture.

When it comes to sex, our bodies, love, and intimacy, our kids are bombarded with false, unhealthy, and confusing messages.

How do we talk to our kids about what healthy relationships, sex and intimacy look like?

My special guest today is Dina Alexander, here to help us navigate this challenging landscape and empower our children with the knowledge they need for healthy, positive, and wonderful intimate relationships.

Dina is the author of "30 Days of Sex Talks for Ages 8-11: Empowering Your Child" and "30 Days of Sex Talks for Ages 12+: Empowering Your Child with Knowledge of Sexual Intimacy." She is also the founder and CEO of Educate and Empower Kids, an organization dedicated to strengthening families by teaching digital citizenship, media literacy, and healthy sexuality education—including the critical topic of online pornography.

In today's episode, Dina will provide parents with the tools and insights necessary to have these sometimes uncomfortable but essential discussions with our tweens and teens. We’ll explore how to foster relationships built on mutual respect and kindness and address the realities shaping our and our children's sex lives.

Where to find Dina:

Support the show

Check out What's Waiting For You At Moms of Tweens and Teens
Find more encouragement, wisdom, and resources:

Website: https://momsoftweensandteens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momsoftweensandteens/

Join our Community HERE.

Find awesome resources HERE.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsoftweensandteens/

How To Ditch The Mom Lies and Find Your Way Back To Yourself with Heather Chauvin May 21, 2024

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Welcome to the show today, and I am so glad you're here. I want to start today by sharing something that my friend Amy sent to me yesterday. This is a meme entitled "How to be a mom in 2017. "We could actually change that to "2024" because it still applies to us today.

Make sure your children's academic, emotional, psychological, mental, spiritual, physical, nutritional and social needs are met. While being careful not to overstimulate, under-stimulate, and properly medicate, helicopter, or neglect them in a screen-free processed foods-free, GMO-free, negative energy-free, plastic-free body positive, socially conscious, egalitarian but also authoritative, nurturing, but fostering independence. Gentle but not overly permissive, pesticide-free, two-story multilingual home preferably in a cul de sac, with a backyard and 1.5 siblings spaced at least two years apart for proper development. Also, don't forget the coconut oil.

Then, it goes on to say, "How to be a mom in literally every generation before ours. Feed them sometimes."

Oh my gosh, we were having a huge conversation about how we can feel so exhausted that we can feel like we've lost ourselves as moms or feel like we're constantly abandoning our own needs.

If you are relating to this, you're going to love my special guest today Heather Chauvin. Heather has been named the next-generation thought leader in parenting and women's leadership. She's the author of Dying to Be a Good Mother and the podcast host of Emotionally Uncomfortable, and Heather's work supports women to manage their energy and time so they don't have to sacrifice their impact at work or at home with their kids. And her mission is to crack women open to their deepest potential and lead the life their soul craves.

There are so many nuggets of wisdom and goodness in this episode, so let's dive in!
Where to find Heather: