Stay ConnectedEver wish you had a zen friend? Someone who could help you ease your tween or tween’s anxiety, while also supporting you, so parenting was more peaceful?
Well good news, host Lauren Wolfe, a therapist and mom who’s made it through those anxious teen years is here to offer parents some zen!
A full-length episode comes out every Tuesday. And “A Drop of Zen,” a short guided meditation or a “Zen Bonus Boost,” a mini episode, come out every Friday.
Copyright: © 2022 Your Zen Friend
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:
📚 What's Bringing Me More Zen
💌 Let's Connect!
💪 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.
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:
📚 What's Bringing Me More Zen
💌 Let's Connect!
💪 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 Gramazio
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.
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:
And 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!
💪 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.
In this episode, I’m talking about a struggle that’s super common for tweens and teens: social anxiety. I’ll cover what it is, how to spot it, and, most importantly, how you can help your child to take healthy risks in social situations.
Social anxiety can show up in many ways, such as avoiding social situations, fearing judgment, or overthinking conversations. These feelings can make it difficult for tweens and teens to connect with others or handle everyday interactions.
🥺 Navigating Social Anxiety in Tweens and Teens
I’ll tell you how to:
And I'll give you some real life examples too!
💌 Let’s Connect!
💪 Encouragement for Parents: Your child doesn’t need you to be perfect—they need you to stay connected. When you validate their feelings and celebrate their efforts, you create a safe space for them to share their challenges.
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.
In today’s episode, I’m answering our first listener question from Anna, a fellow Zen Friend, who’s struggling with her own anxiety triggered by her daughter’s anxiety.
✨ Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:
Why your anxiety makes sense – Understanding the emotional connection between you and your child.
The Anxiety Feedback Loop – How your child’s anxiety can trigger yours, and how to break the cycle.
Practical strategies – Tips for managing your anxiety so you can better support your child.
I’ll also share relatable stories and practical tips for lowering anxiety in your home. 🙌
✨ What’s Bringing Me More Zen:
Stay tuned until the end of the episode when I share What’s Bringing Me More Zen—Here’s a hint: it’s related to Little House on the Prairie! If you ever loved the books or television series then you are sure to love this!
💌 Let’s Connect!
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.
Welcome to your Zen Bonus Boost! This is a short (and hopefully sweet) episode designed to offer support, strategies and tips for parents of anxious tweens and teens.
On this episode I'll tell you why it is important and helpful to validate your own feelings as well as your children's. I'll give you examples of how you can practice self compassion as well as offer your children emotional support.
If you are looking for support for your tween or teen and live in Connecticut, check out my private practice, Firefly Counseling and Wellness: https://www.laurencounseling.com/
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.
In this episode, we’re diving into 3 ways to bring more balance to you and your tween/teen in 2025! 🎉
✨ Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:
1️⃣ Reducing the pressure (on yourself and your kids)
2️⃣ Tackling overscheduling to create more room for connection
3️⃣ Valuing relaxation, creativity, and movement
I’ll also share relatable stories (including some parenting wins and lessons learned) and practical tips for lowering anxiety in your home. 🙌
✨ What’s Bringing Me More Zen:
Stay tuned to the end of the episode when I reveal my word for the year and my goal inspired by my love for reading and how I’m using it to create more balance. 📚
💌 Let’s Connect!
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! 💛
Remember, parenting an anxious tween or teen can be tough. Take time today (and every day) to do something kind for yourself. 💕
Enjoy the episode! 🎧✨
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.
In this episode, I’m diving into routines and predictability—how they can help (and sometimes hinder) your anxious tween or teen—and exploring the joy and connection that holiday traditions bring. I’ll also share a peek into my family’s Christmas traditions, both past and present.
Traditions are powerful—they create connection, foster joy, and give us something to look forward to ☺️
💬 Stay Connected:
Enjoy the episode and share it with a friend—it’s the best way to help the podcast grow! 🎙️
Parenting an anxious tween or teen is challenging, so I hope you'll 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.
Feeling overwhelmed with all the holiday to do's? Guest and friend of the pod, Vicki Smith will help us to clear our schedules of the stuff that doesn't serve us so that we have more time to do the things we enjoy. Self care isn't just about lighting candles and wearing cozy socks. One terrific way to care for yourself, especially during the holidays is to set healthy boundaries. Vicki is here to help us do that!
It's not always easy to distinguish between a 'hell yes' and a 'no' when it comes to invitations or requests. Vicki tells us how we can feel into our body to better guide decisions. Vicki talks about how we often make decisions from a place of fear, obligation and guilt. She helps us identify when we are acting from these emotions and how we can make choices that we don't later regret.
For any of us with people pleasing tendencies, saying no can be super uncomfortable. Vicki helps us to decrease and manage our uncomfortable feelings. This starts with knowing how to politely decline an invitation. Vicki will give us a strategy for this that she calls, "a boundary sandwich." We'll also explore how having more time for yourself to do what you enjoy, will improve your overall holiday experience. This is your chance to create a holiday season that is truly merrier, without some of the unnecessary stress and pressure.
Also check out my previous episode with Vicki Smith: Ep#41 - People Pleasing and Perfectionism with Vicki Smith
https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/people-pleasing-and-perfectionism-with-vicki-smith/id1646833026?i=1000619209880
Here's where you can connect with Vicki:
Viki's Bio:
Vicki Smith is a licensed psychotherapist and a coach who specializes in people pleasing and perfectionism. She enjoys working with these issues because she loves seeing people discover their true nature and then share it with the world. Vicki brings both her personal and professional experience into her work with clients. Blending her experience as a mindfulness meditation teacher with her background in body-centered yoga therapy to help clients get to know the whole of their being. Her mission is to help folks not just TALK ABOUT the life they’ve always wanted, but to actually start LIVING IT OUT! When she isn’t working, she is hiking in the woods with her husband and two dogs or traveling to National Parks to explore outside her hometown of Atlanta Ga.
I'd love to hear from YOU! Here's how to connect with me:
💬 Stay Connected:
Happy Holidays! 🎁✨
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.
In this festive episode, I’m sharing how I’ve shifted my holiday traditions to create more peace and joy during this busy season. Whether you're juggling the magic-making or supporting an anxious tween or teen, it can feel like a lot (especially for us moms 🫠
🎧 Tune in for:
If the holiday hustle has you feeling overwhelmed, this episode is here to help you take a breath, let go of the pressure, and enjoy what really matters.
💬 Stay Connected:
Happy Holidays! 🎁✨
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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