The Teen Years Toolkit For Moms: Parenting Communication Skills to Calm the Chaos

Do you find yourself obsessively refreshing your phone, imagining worst-case scenarios when your teen is out of the house — and calling it “just being a good mom”?This episode dives into a belief many moms carry: that constant worry is a sign of love and good parenting. But what if that belief is what’s keeping you stuck in stress and robbing you of peace? We’re talking about the emotional toll of hypervigilance, what’s actually happening in your brain when you're spiraling, and how to begin breaking the cycle—without ignoring your child’s safety.Understand how worry spirals begin — and why they feel so hard to stopLearn how to question the thoughts that make you feel out of controlDiscover practical mindset shifts to help you feel calm (or at least neutral) when your teen is outListen now to start untangling the guilt-worry loop and learn a more grounded way to show up for both your teen — and yourself.Take the Communication Style Under Stress quiz now—it only takes a minute!How to Talk About the BIG Stuff With Your TeenNew episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00 AM ESTBook a free 1:1 coaching consult hereConnect with me at [email protected] Learn more about me at www.coachwithjessica.caThis powerful podcast explores how moms and parents can navigate anxiety, overwhelm, and grief while building resilience, confidence, and emotional intelligence, offering tools for better communication, active listening, and setting healthy boundaries to foster trust, reduce yelling and punishment, de-escalate conflict and escalation, and strengthen relationships with teens through empathy, calm, and lasting harmony.

Are you constantly stuck in a cycle of worry about your teen — only to end up feeling exhausted, anxious, and disconnected?If you're a mom who believes that worrying shows love or responsibility, this episode gently challenges that idea and reveals why worry may be draining your energy without keeping your teen any safer. We explore how worry becomes a mental habit disguised as care — and what to do instead.Discover the hidden emotional toll of worrying and why it doesn't make you a better mom.Learn how to spot when you're spiraling and shift into constructive action instead.Get practical strategies to reduce worry, increase trust, and feel more present in your relationship with your teen.Press play now to learn how to stop letting worry run your parenting and start reclaiming your peace, energy, and confidence.Take the Communication Style Under Stress quiz now—it only takes a minute!How to Talk About the BIG Stuff With Your TeenNew episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00 AM ESTBook a free 1:1 coaching consult hereConnect with me at [email protected] Learn more about me at www.coachwithjessica.caThis powerful podcast explores how moms and parents can navigate anxiety, overwhelm, and grief while building resilience, confidence, and emotional intelligence, offering tools for better communication, active listening, and setting healthy boundaries to foster trust, reduce yelling and punishment, de-escalate conflict and escalation, and strengthen relationships with teens through empathy, calm, and lasting harmony.

Ever finish a scroll session feeling more anxious or irritated than when you started?Many moms of teens turn to social media for a mental break—only to walk away feeling emotionally drained. This episode introduces a simple, eye-opening self-coaching tool that helps you check in with your body and emotions while you scroll, helping you make more intentional choices without guilt or restriction.Learn how to identify what scrolling is really doing to your nervous systemDiscover why mindfulness—not willpower—is the key to breaking screen habitsApply this powerful tool beyond social media to other unwanted habits in your lifeHit play to learn how a 30-second scroll check-in can transform your screen time—and your emotional well-being.Take the Communication Style Under Stress quiz now—it only takes a minute!How to Talk About the BIG Stuff With Your TeenNew episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00 AM ESTBook a free 1:1 coaching consult hereConnect with me at [email protected] Learn more about me at www.coachwithjessica.caThis powerful podcast explores how moms and parents can navigate anxiety, overwhelm, and grief while building resilience, confidence, and emotional intelligence, offering tools for better communication, active listening, and setting healthy boundaries to foster trust, reduce yelling and punishment, de-escalate conflict and escalation, and strengthen relationships with teens through empathy, calm, and lasting harmony.

Ever felt like a hypocrite telling your teen to get off their phone—while scrolling on yours?If you're avoiding the screen time conversation with your teen because you're battling your own habits, you're not alone. This episode explores how to break the shame cycle and lead your teen from a place of honesty, not perfection.Discover why your own screen time struggles can actually build connection with your teen instead of breaking trust.Learn how to approach the conversation without guilt or self-judgment so it actually leads to change.Gain a simple mindset shift that turns mutual struggle into a chance for collaborative leadership and family growth.Listen now to learn how to shift from self-criticism to calm confidence in your next screen time conversation with your teen.Take the Communication Style Under Stress quiz now—it only takes a minute!How to Talk About the BIG Stuff With Your TeenNew episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00 AM ESTBook a free 1:1 coaching consult hereConnect with me at [email protected] more about me at www.coachwithjessica.caThis powerful podcast explores how moms and parents can navigate anxiety, overwhelm, and grief while building resilience, confidence, and emotional intelligence, offering tools for better communication, active listening, and setting healthy boundaries to foster trust, reduce yelling and punishment, de-escalate conflict and escalation, and strengthen relationships with teens through empathy, calm, and lasting harmony.

Do you dread bringing up screen time with your teen because it always ends in conflict or power struggles?You’re not alone — for many moms, managing screen time feels like a constant tug-of-war that leaves everyone frustrated. In this episode, Jessica Stewart and parenting expert Tess Connolly dive deep into how to move away from resentment and into cooperation, all while protecting your relationship with your teen.Discover how to spot early signs of unhealthy screen habits — before they damage sleep, mood, or relationships.Learn the exact steps to co-create a screen time agreement with your teen that builds trust and independence.Get practical, non-judgmental communication tools to end daily tech fights and start calmer, more connected conversations.Listen now to learn the calm, confident strategy to ditch screen time battles and help your teen take ownership of their tech use.About today's guest:Tess Connolly, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, seasoned parent coach, and the host of the Single Parenting Reset podcast. She specializes in guiding families—especially those with tweens and teens—toward more intentional, cooperative, and values-based relationships.Through her compassionate, personalized guide-and-coach approach, Tess helps parents uncover and build on the strengths they already have. Her work empowers families to confidently navigate parenting challenges while fostering deeper connection and trust at home.Whether she's supporting single parents or families navigating tough transitions, Tess is passionate about helping you create a calmer, happier, and healthier family life—without power struggles or guilt.Grab her Tech Reset Agreement HereFind her at www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.comNew episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00 AM ESTTake the Communication Style Under Stress quiz now—it only takes a minute!How to Talk About the BIG Stuff With Your TeenBook a free 1:1 coaching consult hereConnect with me at [email protected] Learn more about me at www.coachwithjessica.caThis powerful podcast explores how moms and parents can navigate anxiety, overwhelm, and grief while building resilience, confidence, and emotional intelligence, offering tools for better communication, active listening, and setting healthy boundaries to foster trust, reduce yelling and punishment, de-escalate conflict and escalation, and strengthen relationships with teens through empathy, calm, and lasting harmony.