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Explore every episode of the podcast Single Parenting Reset Show: For Solo Parents of Tweens and Teens — Manage Behavior Problems, Reduce Screen Time & Improve Communication

Dive into the complete episode list for Single Parenting Reset Show: For Solo Parents of Tweens and Teens — Manage Behavior Problems, Reduce Screen Time & Improve Communication. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
274. Teen Behavior Problems: What Parents Should Do First25 Jun 202600:17:53

If your teen's behavior has been pushing every button lately—attitude, eye rolling, lying, shutting down, refusing to help, or constant battles over screens—you are not alone. Many parents start to wonder if they've lost control, lost connection, or lost influence altogether. When these struggles happen day after day, it's easy to take them personally and feel exhausted.

This episode offers a different perspective: your teen's behavior matters, but it isn't the whole story. Behavior is often a signal of something deeper. When parents focus only on stopping the behavior, they can get trapped in a cycle of arguments, frustration, and disconnection. Instead, the key question becomes: What is this behavior trying to tell me, and what does my teen still need to learn?

To help parents break these patterns, the episode introduces a simple five-step framework.

First, pause before you correct. A regulated parent is far more effective than a reactive one. Even a single breath can change the direction of a conversation.

Next, observe the pattern. Many teen behaviors are predictable when you look closely at when and why they occur. Understanding the trigger often reveals a more effective solution than simply increasing consequences.

The third step is to connect before you correct. This doesn't mean lowering expectations or becoming permissive. It means leading with understanding so your teen is more likely to stay engaged in the conversation.

Once connection is established, set clear boundaries. Effective boundaries are calm, specific, and tied directly to the behavior rather than the teen's character. Consistency creates safety and predictability.

Finally, repair after conflict. Some of the most important growth happens after a blow-up. Repair teaches teens that relationships can survive mistakes, disagreements, and difficult emotions.

This week, choose one recurring conflict instead of trying to fix everything at once. Practice the framework:

Pause → Observe → Connect → Set the Boundary → Repair

Ask yourself:

  • What is this behavior telling me?
  • What does my teen need to learn?
  • What boundary needs to be clearer?
  • How can I stay connected while still leading?

If your family needs additional support with communication, behavior challenges, emotional regulation, school stress, or screen conflicts, consider scheduling a Parent Reset Strategy Session to create a personalized path forward.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

273. How to Stop Arguing With a Teen Without Losing Connection23 Jun 202600:22:24

Does every conversation with your teen seem to turn into an argument?

You ask about homework, and they snap back. You remind them about a chore, and they roll their eyes. You bring up the phone, the attitude, the curfew, or the messy room — and suddenly you are in another exhausting back-and-forth.

For single parents, this can feel especially draining because there often is not another adult there to step in. You are the one holding the boundary, absorbing the reaction, and trying to stay calm when your teen knows exactly how to push your buttons.

In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset Show, Tess Connolly, LCSW, shares how to stop arguing with a teen without becoming permissive, giving up on boundaries, or losing the relationship.

Teen arguing is often not just about the surface issue.

It is not only about the phone.

It is not only about the homework.

It is not only about the tone.

It is not only about the curfew.

Many times, the argument is about control, independence, respect, emotional regulation, and connection. Your teen is trying to become their own person, but they do not always have the maturity, impulse control, or communication skills to do that gracefully.

That is where your role as the parent, guide, and coach matters.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Why your teen’s arguing is often developmental, not personal
  • Why timing matters so much when you are trying to talk to your teen
  • How to use connection before correction without giving up boundaries
  • What to say when the argument starts escalating
  • How to come back to hard conversations after everyone calms down
  • Why validation does not mean agreement
  • How to create a simple Family Communication Agreement with your teen

Tess also shares three practical tools you can start using this week:

  1. The Pause Protocol — a way to stop the argument before it becomes a full-blown fight
  2. The Two-Question Reset — two questions that help your teen reflect instead of defend
  3. The Family Communication Agreement — a shared plan for how your family handles conflict, space, repair, and respect

The goal is not to avoid every hard conversation. The goal is to stay steady, hold the boundary, and keep coming back to connection.

After you listen, choose one tool to practice this week.

You might try saying:

“I care about this conversation too much to have it like this.”

Or:

“I’m not going to argue with you, but I am going to come back to this.”

Or:

“Help me understand what was going on for you earlier.”

You are not failing because your house gets loud sometimes. You are raising a tween or teen. There will be conflict, but there can also be repair.

And remember: the best parenting skill is already inside of you. It is the relationship you have with your child.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

272. Screen Time Rules for Kids in Summer: Simple Boundaries That Actually Work18 Jun 202600:17:44

Summer can make screen time harder for families.

There is less school structure.

There is more downtime.

Kids may be home more.

Parents may be working.

And screens can quickly become the default activity.

In this episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, talks about how to create screen time rules for kids in summer without turning the whole season into a power struggle.

This episode is for parents of kids, tweens, and teens who want a calmer, clearer screen time plan.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

271. 3 Scripts to Handle Teen Attitude Without Losing Your Cool16 Jun 202600:18:21

Does your teen’s attitude instantly pull you into a fight?

The eye rolls.

The sarcasm.

The “whatever.”

The rude tone.

The way one comment can shift the whole mood in your home.

If you are parenting a tween or teen, teen attitude problems can feel exhausting, disrespectful, and deeply personal.

In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset Show, Tess Connolly, LCSW, shares three practical parenting scripts for handling teen attitude without yelling, lecturing, or losing your cool.

This episode helps parents understand why teen attitude is often connected to emotional dysregulation, not just disrespect.

You’ll learn:

  • What to say when your teen is sarcastic
  • How to respond when your teen rolls their eyes or says “whatever”
  • What to do when your teen snaps, yells, or shuts you out
  • Why fewer words often work better with emotionally flooded teens
  • How to hold a boundary without escalating the conflict
  • Why emotional regulation parenting matters during the tween and teen years
  • How to stay connected without letting disrespect take over the home

If this episode helped you, subscribe to The Single Parenting Reset Show and share it with another parent raising a tween or teenager.

If your family feels stuck in repetitive conflict cycles, Tess helps parents stay grounded, communicate more clearly, set calm boundaries, and rebuild connection with their tween or teen.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

270. When Consequences Stop Working With Your Teen: What to Do Instead12 Jun 202600:11:33

Your teen misses curfew. You take away the phone. They shrug.

Your tween talks back. You ground them. They say, “Whatever.”

You try to follow through, but nothing changes.

If consequences have stopped working with your teen, you are not alone—and it does not mean you are a bad parent.

In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset Show, Tess Connolly, LCSW, talks about why traditional consequences often stop working with tweens and teens, especially when those consequences are random, reactive, or disconnected from the behavior.

Instead of focusing on punishment, this episode gives parents a more effective way to respond: with empathy, clarity, consistency, natural consequences, logical consequences, choices, support, and connection.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Respond with empathy before anger.
  • Set clear expectations your teen can actually follow.
  • Use natural consequences without rescuing or lecturing.
  • Choose logical consequences that connect directly to the behavior.
  • Offer choices within limits so your teen has buy-in.
  • Notice what your teen is doing right, not only what they are doing wrong.
  • Know when outside support may be needed.

This episode is especially helpful for single parents, co-parents, and parents of tweens and teens who feel stuck in repeated power struggles.

Listen now to learn what to do when consequences stop working with your teen—and how to rebuild communication, responsibility, and connection in your home.

And when you’re ready for more support, join the family through the link in the show notes or book a Parent Reset Strategy Session.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

269. The Exact Words to Say When Your Teenager Refuses to Listen09 Jun 202600:22:09

Do you feel like you repeat yourself all day long with your teenager?

In this episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW shares practical parenting scripts that help reduce power struggles and improve communication with tweens and teens.

You’ll learn:

  • Why teens stop listening
  • The exact words that lower resistance
  • How to stop repeating yourself
  • Why nervous system regulation matters in parenting
  • Real examples for chores, homework, and screen time

Subscribe to The Parenting Reset Show and share this episode with another parent navigating the tween and teen years.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

268. Why Gentle Parenting Isn't Working (And What To Do Instead)04 Jun 202600:13:24

Do you ever feel stuck between being the "too soft" parent who gets walked all over and the "strict" one who yells and regrets it later?

Many single parents find themselves swinging between two extremes—permissive parenting that lacks boundaries and authoritarian parenting that shuts kids down. But what if there were a third way that builds trust, reduces screen-time struggles, and creates more peace at home?

  • Why high empathy without structure can increase anxiety and fuel screen-time battles
  • Why strict rules without connection can damage trust and cause kids to hide things from you
  • How to step into "secure leadership" with practical scripts that help you set firm, respectful boundaries this week

If you're ready to stop yelling and start leading with calm confidence, press play on this episode and discover how to become a secure leader in your home today.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

267. Teen Anger Issues: What to Do When Your Teen Explodes Without Losing Your Cool02 Jun 202600:16:29

If your teen explodes over homework, screens, chores, tone of voice, or being told no, it can feel like you are living with constant tension. Teen anger issues are one of the most common concerns parents bring into coaching.

In this episode, Tess explains why teen anger is often a signal, not the real problem. You’ll learn what is happening in the teen brain, why lectures usually fail during emotional escalation, and how to respond without becoming permissive or reactive.

You’ll walk away with practical scripts for angry moments, a simple anger plan to use with your teen, and a calmer way to hold boundaries while protecting your relationship.

Share this episode with a parent who is navigating teen anger at home. To get support with your own family patterns, schedule a Parent Reset Strategy Session.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

266. Digital Boundaries for Kids: Less Fighting, More Connection28 May 202600:14:29

Are screen time conversations turning into constant battles in your home?

In this episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, talks about digital boundaries for kids and teens — and why clear, calm boundaries can reduce fighting and protect what matters most.

You’ll learn how to create digital boundaries around sleep, school, safety, and connection, while still maintaining trust and relationship with your tween or teen.

Grab Tess’s Tech Reset Agreement or book a Parent Reset Strategy Session if you need help creating a realistic digital boundary plan for your family.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • What digital boundaries actually are
  • Why unclear boundaries create more conflict
  • How to connect screen time rules to family values
  • Why privacy and parent oversight both matter
  • How to use the four-part boundary framework: sleep, school, safety, connection
  • What to say when your child pushes back

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

265. Why Taking the Phone Away Doesn’t Fix It26 May 202600:13:30

Does your teen seem unable to put the phone down, even when they know they should?

In this episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, explains why phone limits matter, but why limits alone are often not enough to change the pattern. If you have tried taking the phone away and still end up in the same screen time battle, this episode will help you understand what may be happening underneath.

You’ll learn how to look at what your teen is getting from the phone — connection, escape, entertainment, relief, or a sense of control — and how to pair limits with structure, replacement habits, and connection.

Grab Tess’s Tech Reset Agreement or book a Parent Reset Strategy Session if your family needs help building healthier phone habits.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why taking the phone away does not always solve the problem
  • What your teen may be getting from their phone
  • How to set limits without shame
  • Why replacement habits matter
  • How to help your teen decompress without endless scrolling
  • One simple reset to try this week

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

264. Screen Time Family Rules That Actually Work21 May 202600:13:45

Are your screen time rules constantly turning into arguments, reminders, threats, or power struggles?

In this episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, explains why many screen time family rules fail and how to create rules that are clear, realistic, and easier for tweens and teens to follow.

You’ll learn how to move away from vague rules like “get off your phone” and toward practical agreements that protect sleep, homework, family connection, and emotional regulation.

Grab Tess’s Tech Reset Agreement or book a Parent Reset Strategy Session if your family needs a calmer, more connected screen time reset.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why vague screen time rules create arguments
  • Why rules made during conflict usually fail
  • How to create one clear screen time rule
  • Why sleep is often the best place to start
  • How to include your teen’s voice without giving up your authority
  • How to model healthier screen habits as a parent

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

263. Digital Addiction in Teens: What Parents Need to Know19 May 202600:15:03

Is your teen constantly on their phone, gaming late at night, scrolling endlessly, or melting down when you ask them to get off a screen?

In this episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, talks about digital addiction in teens in a practical and non-shaming way. You’ll learn why screens feel so hard for tweens and teens to stop using, what signs may show that screen time is out of balance, and how to respond without turning every night into a battle.

You’ll walk away understanding that the goal is not to become the screen police. The goal is to become a calm, clear leader who helps your child protect sleep, school, connection, and emotional regulation.

Grab Tess’s Tech Reset Agreement or book a Parent Reset Strategy Session if screen time has become one of the biggest conflict points in your home.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why “digital addiction” is a useful SEO phrase but needs a careful parenting lens
  • How to tell whether screen time is replacing sleep, movement, homework, or connection
  • Why your teen may know better but still struggle to stop
  • How to talk about screen time without shame
  • One simple screen time reset to try this week

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

262. What Is Parent Coaching?15 May 202600:39:22

Have you ever wondered what parent coaching actually is?

Maybe you have heard the term but are not sure whether it is therapy, parenting advice, family coaching, or something else entirely.

In this episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, explains parent coaching in clear, simple language and shares how it can help families move out of repeated conflict and into better communication, stronger boundaries, and deeper connection.

Parent coaching is not about blaming parents or fixing kids.

It is about helping families understand the patterns they are stuck in.

Why does the same argument keep happening?

Why does your teen shut down?

Why does your tween push back?

Why do screen time, school, chores, anxiety, or respect issues keep turning into daily battles?

Why do you feel like you are either being too strict or too permissive?

Tess also explains how parent coaching differs from therapy, and why her background as a licensed clinical social worker informs the way she supports parents and families.

Coaching is not therapy. It is not diagnosis, clinical treatment, or crisis care. But a mental health-informed lens can help parents better understand what may be underneath a child’s behavior.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • What parent coaching is in simple language
  • How parent coaching differs from therapy
  • Why parent coaching is not mental health treatment
  • How a mental health-informed parent coach can help you understand behavior differently
  • How parent coaching supports communication, boundaries, repair, routines, and family dynamics
  • Why parents do not have to choose between being permissive and being controlling
  • How to become a steadier, more connected leader in your family
  • Why repair after conflict is one of the most important parenting skills
  • How parent coaching may include your tween, teen, or young adult when they are willing
  • Why a coach can sometimes become a bridge between parent and child
  • Why relationship and connection are at the heart of everything

Tess shares her belief that the best parenting skill is already inside of you: the relationship and connection you have with your child. That is what they leave home with, not a parenting strategy.

If your family feels stuck in the same patterns and you are ready for practical, compassionate, grounded support, book a 45-minute Parent Reset Call with Tess.

This call is a chance to talk through what is happening in your family, what you have already tried, and whether parent coaching could help you take the next step.

Book your 45-minute Parent Reset Call through the link in the show notes.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

261. Teen Communication Coaching: How to Get Your Teen Talking12 May 202600:26:58

Does your teen shut down, give one-word answers, snap back, or avoid hard conversations altogether?

If so, the issue may not be that your teen does not care. They may not yet have the skills to communicate when they feel overwhelmed, judged, anxious, embarrassed, or defensive.

In this episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, explores teen communication coaching and why communication is one of the most important life skills tweens and teens can build.

Communication is the foundation of every relationship your teen has — with you, friends, teachers, coaches, siblings, future partners, and eventually coworkers and college roommates.

CDC data shows that many teens are carrying significant emotional stress, with 39.7% of high school students reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2023. Pew Research Center also reports that 96% of teens use the internet daily, and 46% are online almost constantly, which means teens are communicating all the time — but not always in ways that build real-life relationship skills.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why teens often shut down during parent conversations
  • What teen communication coaching looks like in real life
  • How to help your teen speak up without forcing them to talk
  • Why tone, timing, and body language matter before the words even begin
  • Simple scripts parents can use when teens are defensive, rude, or quiet
  • How single parents can lower communication pressure while still holding boundaries
  • The “Notice, Name, Need” framework for calmer conversations

If communication with your tween or teen has become tense, distant, or reactive, book a 45-minute Parent Reset Call with Tess. Together, you can look at the patterns happening in your home and identify practical ways to rebuild trust, reduce conflict, and help your teen open up.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

260. Teen Mental Health: What Parents Need to Know07 May 202600:13:49

Teen mental health struggles are rising fast — and many parents are seeing more anxiety, emotional shutdown, irritability, hopelessness, and overwhelm in their teens than ever before.

According to the CDC’s 2024 Youth Risk Behavior Survey using 2023 teen data:

  • Nearly 40% of teens reported persistent sadness or hopelessness
  • 20% seriously considered suicide
  • Nearly 1 in 10 reported attempting suicide

Parents are scared, exhausted, and often unsure how to help without making things worse.

In this episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, breaks down:

  • What is really happening with teen mental health right now
  • Why emotional overwhelm often looks like attitude or withdrawal
  • The parenting mistake that unintentionally increases shutdown
  • Why emotional safety matters more than constant fixing
  • How to support anxious and emotionally overwhelmed teens
  • What single parents especially need to understand right now

Tess shares nervous-system-aware parenting strategies, emotional regulation tools, and practical ways to connect with teens without power struggles.

If you have a teenager who seems:

  • emotionally overwhelmed
  • anxious
  • irritable
  • withdrawn
  • unmotivated
  • glued to screens
  • emotionally reactive
  • or difficult to reach lately…

this episode will help you better understand what may actually be happening underneath the behavior.

You’ll walk away with concrete tools to:

  • reduce emotional shutdown
  • strengthen connection
  • support your teen’s nervous system
  • and become a calmer emotional anchor at home

Listen to Episode 260 of The Single Parenting Reset Show: Teen Mental Health: What Parents Need to Know Right Now (2026)

And if this episode resonates with you:

  • Join the parenting newsletter family
  • Share this episode with another parent
  • And subscribe for more support around parenting tweens and teens with connection, boundaries, and emotional leadership

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

259. Emotional Intelligence in Teens: Help Your Child Manage Big Emotions05 May 202600:31:16

Is your teen or preteen having big emotional reactions, shutting down, snapping back, or melting down over what seems like a small issue?

In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset Show, Tess Connolly, LCSW, talks with Dr. Rosina McAlpine, work and family wellbeing expert from Win Win Parenting, about how parents can help tweens and teens build emotional intelligence and learn to manage their emotions more effectively.

Dr. Rosina explains that emotional intelligence is not just about “calming down.” It includes several skills: knowing your own emotions, managing those emotions, recognizing emotions in others, and handling relationships.

These skills are connected to better relationships, stronger school and work performance, improved mental health, better physical health, and greater life satisfaction.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • What emotional intelligence really means
  • Why emotional intelligence matters for teen behavior and wellbeing
  • How parents can help teens notice and name their emotions
  • Why emotional regulation has to be taught step by step
  • How screen time, gaming, and social media can affect mood
  • Simple ways parents can model emotional regulation
  • How to help teens build empathy and relationship skills
  • Why “look for the win-win” can reduce conflict at home

If your teen struggles with emotional outbursts, irritability, shutting down, or conflict, this episode will help you understand what is happening and how to begin building emotional intelligence one small step at a time.

Listen now and start with one simple shift: help your teen notice what they are feeling before trying to fix the behavior.

Dr. Rosina an internationally recognized expert on parenting, managing work and family life, working parents, researcher, and media contributor. Dr. Rosina is the founder of Win Win Parenting, a research-based program that is delivered in small, medium and large organisations and workplaces for all levels of government to inspire and resource working parents with strategies to better navigate day-to-day parenting challenges, support their mental health, manage work-life balance, reduce stress, and prevent burnout.

Dr. Rosina can offer a unique perspective –she has been featured on TV, print and radio media platforms – highlights include: the New York Post, The Today Show, with a regular spot on ABC Radio, and has spoken at corporate events globally. https://www.winwinparenting.com/media

https://www.drrosina.com/media

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

258. Teen Attitude Problems: How to Handle Disrespect Without Making It Worse30 Apr 202600:20:46

Is your teen talking back… rolling their eyes… or saying things that feel completely disrespectful?

You’re not alone—and more importantly, you’re not doing anything wrong.

Teen attitude problems are one of the most common (and most triggering) challenges for parents of tweens and teens.

But how you respond in those moments can either escalate the situation… or completely shift it.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really happening when your teen shows attitude—and why reacting the way most parents do actually makes it worse.

You’ll learn how to stay calm, set boundaries, and respond in a way that teaches respect instead of creating more conflict.

Because your teen doesn’t need more punishment…

They need better guidance.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why teen attitude problems often get worse when parents react emotionally
  • How to respond to a disrespectful teen without escalating the situation
  • What to say in the moment when your teen talks back
  • How to set clear boundaries without damaging your relationship
  • Why repair conversations matter more than lectures
  • Simple scripts you can use immediately

This approach helps you reduce conflict, build trust, and actually teach your teen how to communicate with more respect.

If you’re ready to feel calmer and more confident parenting your tween or teen…

👉 Follow the show so you don’t miss weekly episodes

👉 Share this episode with a parent who needs it

👉 And if you want more support, grab your Tech Reset Agreement or book a Parent Reset session through the link in the show notes

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

257. Teen Screen Time: How to Set Limits That Work28 Apr 202600:28:07

If teen screen time is becoming a daily battle in your home…

and your screen time limits for teens don’t seem to be working…

you are not alone.

You take the phone away.

You set rules.

You try to stay consistent.

And still… it turns into arguments, eye rolls, or sneaky behavior.

The truth is…

teen screen time is not just about the phone.

It’s about what the phone is replacing.

Sleep.

Homework.

Responsibility.

Connection.

And when limits are the only strategy…

your teen doesn’t learn how to manage screen time — they learn how to resist it.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to actually manage teen screen time in a way that reduces conflict and builds responsibility.

You’ll walk away with:

✔️ A new way to think about screen time that goes beyond just minutes

✔️ How to create clear, effective screen time rules for teenagers

✔️ A simple framework to turn daily battles into calm, consistent structure

This is the shift from reacting…

to leading.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

256. How to Discipline Teenagers Without Yelling or Power Struggles23 Apr 202600:18:13

Does disciplining your teenager leave you feeling drained, angry, or like nothing is working?

If every boundary turns into an argument, every consequence becomes a negotiation, and every hard moment ends in distance, this episode is for you.

In this solo episode, Tess breaks down how to discipline teenagers in a way that teaches responsibility without damaging the relationship. She explains why the old model of more punishment, more talking, and more control often backfires with tweens and teens, and what to do instead.

You’ll hear how to use clear limits, calm consequences, and connected follow-up to guide your teen more effectively. Tess also shares practical, out-of-the-box discipline strategies that help rebuild trust, reduce power struggles, and increase respect over time.

This episode draws on adolescent-development guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and NIMH, along with CDC findings on parental monitoring and teen risk behavior.

If you have been wondering:

  • how to discipline teenagers without yelling
  • what consequences actually work for teens
  • how to hold boundaries without constant conflict
  • how to rebuild trust after your teen breaks rules

this episode will give you a more grounded and effective framework.

You’ll learn:

  • the biggest discipline mistake many parents make with teens
  • what healthy discipline needs in order to work
  • unique ways to teach accountability, repair, and responsibility
  • phrases to use when your teen is disrespectful or pushes limits

Listen now, share this episode with another parent of a tween or teen, and make sure you’re connected with Tess for more support around parenting, boundaries, and communication.

If you want help creating more calm, more structure, and more connection in your family, join the community and explore parent coaching support.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

255. How to Rebuild Trust With Your Teen or Tween after conflict21 Apr 202600:13:12

Has trust been strained between you and your teen or tween?

Maybe there has been conflict.

Maybe too many arguments.

Maybe lying, secrecy, attitude, shutdown, or just that painful feeling of disconnection.

If you have been wondering how to rebuild trust with your teen without forcing conversations or making things worse, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Single Parent Reset Show, I’m talking about what trust repair really looks like with tweens and teens.

Not just the usual advice like “talk more” or “spend quality time together.”

We are getting into the deeper work of emotional safety, consistency, repair, and the less obvious ways trust gets rebuilt over time.

I also share research-backed insight on why parent-child communication, connectedness, and emotional predictability matter so much for adolescent well-being.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

  • why trust is rebuilt more through consistency than one big emotional conversation
  • how to repair a rupture after conflict without losing your role as the parent
  • out-of-the-box ways to rebuild trust, including creating a “do-over lane,” using neutral moments for reconnection, and letting your child have a voice in the repair process

If you have been feeling discouraged, disconnected, or unsure how to reconnect with your teen or tween, this episode will help you take the next right step.

Listen in, and if this episode speaks to you, make sure to join the family by getting on my email list for more support, tools, and guidance for parenting tweens and teens with more calm, connection, and confidence.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

254. Family Communication Coaching: 4 Powerful Shifts for Parents of Tweens and Teens16 Apr 202600:14:39

Is communication at home feeling tense, shut down, or full of conflict with your tween or teen?

If you keep walking away from conversations thinking, “Why does everything turn into an argument?” this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset Show, Tess Connolly, LCSW, breaks down four communication shifts that help parents talk with tweens and teens in a way that lowers defensiveness and builds more trust.

You’ll hear why language matters so much during adolescence, how to stop over-talking in hard moments, and what to say when communication has not gone well for a while.

Adolescence is a stage marked by heightened sensitivity to social evaluation, and research also links stronger parent-adolescent communication with better mental health and family functioning.

You’ll learn how to:

  • use connection-first language instead of jumping straight into correction
  • replace lectures with shorter, calmer communication
  • shift from blame to curiosity so your child opens up more
  • repair communication patterns when things have been tense or disconnected
  • use specific phrases that help tweens and teens feel safer talking to you

Listen now to learn simple, research-backed ways to improve family communication and change how you talk with your tween or teen, even if things have felt hard lately.

And if you want more support, join Tess’s email family through the link in the show notes.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

253. Help With Teen Behavior Problems: What to Do When Your Teen Lies, Pushes Back, or Shuts Down14 Apr 202600:14:50

Is your teen lying, talking back, shutting down, or making choices that leave you feeling scared, frustrated, or unsure of what to do next?

If so, you are not alone.

Teen behavior problems can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying so hard to stay connected while also setting limits and hold your ground.

In this episode, Tess talks about some of the most common teen behavior problems parents face right now and how to respond in a way that is calm, clear, and effective.

What looks like “bad behavior” on the surface is often a signal that something deeper is going on underneath.

Your teen may be dealing with stress, shame, anxiety, peer pressure, overwhelm, or a need for control, and that often comes out through behaviors like:

  • lying
  • disrespect
  • sneaking and secrecy
  • vaping, drinking, or substance use
  • anger, explosive reactions, or shutting down

Tess walks you through how to look at these behaviors differently so you can respond with both connection and structure.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • why teen behavior problems are often communication, not just defiance
  • the top 5 behavior issues parents are struggling with most
  • what to say and do when your teen lies, pushes back, shuts down, or breaks trust
  • how to stay grounded without becoming harsh or losing connection
  • why your relationship with your teen still matters, even when behavior needs to be addressed directly

You’ll leave this episode feeling more empowered, more clear, and more confident in how to help your teen through difficult behavior without getting pulled into constant power struggles.

If this episode spoke to you, make sure you join the family so you don’t miss future episodes, parenting support, and practical tools for raising tweens and teens with more connection and less conflict.

And if you know another parent who is dealing with teen behavior problems right now, send this episode their way.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

252. How Much Screen Time Is Too Much for Kids? What Parents Need to Know09 Apr 202600:12:41

Your child may be spending more than half of their waking day on a screen — and you may not even realize it.

If you’ve been wondering how much screen time is actually okay for your tween or teen, this episode breaks it down in a simple, clear way. Tess walks you through what experts recommend, what the research says too much screen time can affect, and what a healthier daily rhythm can realistically look like for kids today.

In this episode, Tess explains the current screen time guidelines for kids and why they matter so much for tweens and teens. She breaks down the difference between school-related screen use and recreational screen time, and she gives real-life examples of what a lower-screen weekday can actually look like for a tween versus a teen.

She also covers what research shows about how too much screen time can impact sleep, mood, focus, physical health, and family connection.

If screen time is taking over after school, evenings feel like a battle, or you are not sure what a healthy limit even looks like anymore, this episode will help you feel more informed and more grounded.

You’ll walk away with:

  • simple screen time guidelines for tweens and teens
  • a clearer picture of what a healthy day should include besides screens
  • language that helps you think about screen time as part of a full life, not the center of it
  • encouragement that reducing screen time does not have to mean perfection or punishment

This episode is especially helpful for parents who want less chaos, more structure, and more connection at home.

Listen to Episode 252: How Much Screen Time Is Too Much for Kids? What Parents Need to Know

Then grab your free Tech Reset Agreement below to start creating clearer, more collaborative screen time boundaries with your tween or teen.

In this episode, Tess covers:

  • How much screen time for kids experts generally recommend
  • Screen time guidelines for tweens ages 9 to 12
  • Screen time guidelines for teens ages 13 to 17
  • What too much screen time can affect, including sleep, mood, focus, and connection
  • What a lower-screen day can realistically look like for a tween
  • What a lower-screen day can realistically look like for a teen
  • Why reducing recreational screen time can help reset things at home

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

251. Why Teens Shut Down When Parents Try to Talk07 Apr 202600:10:56

Does your teenager shut down when you try to talk?

Many parents feel frustrated when conversations with teens turn into silence, eye rolls, or one-word answers.

But the reason teens shut down may not be what you think.

In this episode, parent coach and psychotherapist Tess Connolly explains the real reasons teen communication breaks down and what parents can do to rebuild connection.

You’ll learn how adolescent brain development affects communication and how parents can shift their approach to help teens feel safer opening up.

Inside this episode:

• Why teens shut down during conversations

• Common communication mistakes parents make

• How to create safer, more open conversations with teens

• Practical strategies that help teens talk again

Listen now and discover how to improve communication with your teenager.

If this episode helped you, share it with another parent and join Tess’s parenting newsletter for practical strategies delivered twice weekly.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

250. Parent Coaching for Overwhelmed Parents of Tweens and Teens: 3 Ways to Reduce Conflict02 Apr 202600:12:06

Are you parenting a tween or teen and feeling like everything has become more intense, more emotional, and more exhausting? You are not alone. In this episode, Tess Connolly talks directly to overwhelmed parents who are trying to manage conflict, set boundaries, navigate screen time, and stay connected to their child without losing themselves in the process.

The tween and teen years can leave even thoughtful, loving parents feeling depleted. When your child is moody, reactive, pushing limits, or arguing more often, it is easy to assume something is wrong. But often, these behaviors are part of normal development, and understanding that can change how you respond at home.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Why understanding normal tween and teen development can reduce parenting overwhelm
  • How to lower conflict at home by focusing on one issue at a time
  • Why clear agreements around screen time, chores, and money can help everyone feel more grounded
  • How small daily resets and moments of connection can support both you and your child
  • How parent coaching can help overwhelmed parents of tweens and teens feel more calm, clear, and confident

If this episode resonated with you, join the family through the link in the show notes for more support, encouragement, and parenting tools.

And if you are ready for personalized help, book a 45-minute Reset Call. Tess offers parent coaching for overwhelmed parents of tweens and teens who want to reduce conflict, set better boundaries, create stronger agreements, and build more connection at home.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

249. Teen Attitude Problems: 3 Simple Ways to Handle Teen Disrespect and Pushback31 Mar 202600:10:52

Are you dealing with teen attitude problems at home right now?

The eye rolling.

The sarcasm.

The “Why do you care so much?” responses.

If your teen’s attitude seems to be escalating conflict in your house, you’re not alone—and it doesn’t mean your parenting is failing.

Teen pushback is actually a normal developmental stage, but how you respond to it can either escalate the tension or strengthen your relationship.

In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset Show, Tess Connolly, LCSW and parent coach, explains why teen attitude often appears during the tween and teen years and how parents can respond in ways that maintain leadership without turning every moment into a power struggle.

Research shows that conflict between parents and teens tends to peak between ages 12–15, and most disagreements revolve around everyday issues like homework, chores, curfews, and screen time.

Understanding what’s really happening during these moments can help you respond in ways that reduce conflict and build connection.

In this episode you’ll learn:

  • Why teen attitude problems are often about independence and stress—not disrespect
  • A simple two-sentence boundary technique that prevents long lectures
  • How to slow down conflict in the moment so small disagreements don’t turn into big fights

These strategies can help you stay calm, maintain leadership, and guide your teen through the challenging moments that come with adolescence.

If you want more tools for navigating the tween and teen years, make sure to join the family by clicking the link in the show notes.

When you sign up for Tess’s bi-weekly parenting newsletter, you’ll also receive her Tech Reset Agreement, a practical framework families use to reset screen-time struggles and improve communication at home.

And if this episode helped you, consider sharing it with another parent who may be dealing with teen attitude problems too.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

248. How to Talk to Teenagers So They Actually Listen26 Mar 202600:10:37

Trying to talk to your teenager and getting eye rolls, silence, or one-word answers?

If conversations with your tween or teen feel harder lately, you’re not imagining it. Research shows that parent-teen conflict tends to peak during early adolescence, especially around everyday topics like chores, homework, and screen time.

But here’s the important thing most parents miss.

The issue usually isn’t that teens refuse to talk.

It’s that the way we talk to them needs to evolve as they grow.

In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset, Tess Connolly, LCSW, explains how communication with teens shifts during adolescence and why traditional “because I said so” parenting stops working.

Teenagers are developing independence, reasoning skills, and a strong radar for authenticity. When conversations feel controlling, vague, or dismissive, teens often shut down or push back.

But when parents shift toward honest, respectful communication, something powerful happens: teens are far more likely to stay engaged in the relationship.

In this episode you’ll learn:

  • Why honesty and direct communication works better with teens than control
  • Why explaining the “why” behind your boundaries increases cooperation
  • How giving teens the benefit of the doubt can open the door to better conversations
  • Why strong parent-teen communication is linked to better emotional wellbeing and confidence in adolescents

If you’ve ever wondered how to talk to teenagers without constant conflict, this episode gives you practical shifts that make communication easier and more effective.

If you found this episode helpful, forward it to another parent who might need it.

And if you want more tools for parenting tweens and teens, join the family to receive my bi-weekly parenting newsletter.

You’ll get practical guidance on:

  • screen time battles
  • teen behavior and boundaries
  • improving parent-teen communication
  • building stronger connection in your home

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

247. Tween and Teen Screen Time: What Parents Need to Know About Healthy Use, Red Flags, and AI24 Mar 202600:39:42

Is your tween or teen’s screen time healthy, or is it becoming a real problem?

Parents ask this all the time, and the answer is not as simple as counting hours. In this episode, Tess Connolly talks with physician and digital wellbeing expert Dr. Sajita Setia about what actually matters when it comes to tween and teen screen time, digital health, sleep, social connection, red flags, and AI.

This conversation goes beyond the usual “how many hours is too much?” debate. Tess and Dr. Setia break down how parents can tell the difference between healthy device use and harmful patterns, what warning signs to watch for, why sleep is one of the biggest overlooked factors, and how AI is already changing childhood and adolescence.

They also discuss the difference between “bloom scrolling” and “doom scrolling,” why devices in bedrooms are such a problem, and what parents can do right now to build more connection instead of more conflict.

If you are parenting a tween or teen and feeling behind, overwhelmed, or worried about screen time, this episode will help you:

  • understand what healthy screen use actually looks like
  • spot early red flags around problematic use
  • protect your child’s sleep, mood, and mental health
  • think more clearly about AI and kids
  • feel more confident setting limits without constant power struggles

Listen in, then share this episode with another parent who is trying to figure out how to navigate phones, social media, gaming, and AI with their child.

If this conversation resonates, make sure you’re on my email list for more support around parenting tweens and teens, screen time, connection, and emotional health.

Learn more about Dr. Sajita Setia and her work at https://sajitasetia.com/

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

246. Why Tweens Push Back: What Parents Often Misunderstand19 Mar 202600:09:47

Why does your once cooperative child suddenly argue about everything?

If you're parenting a tween, you may be noticing more attitude, pushback, and emotional reactions. Many parents interpret this behavior as disrespect or defiance, but developmental research suggests something very different is happening.

During the tween years (roughly ages 9–13), children begin developing stronger independent thinking and identity formation. This natural stage of development often leads to increased questioning of rules, negotiation attempts, and emotional intensity.

In this episode, Tess Connolly explains why tween pushback is a normal part of development and how parents can respond in ways that strengthen connection rather than escalate conflict.

You’ll learn practical parenting strategies that help you:

• Reduce power struggles with your tween

• Respond calmly when your child pushes back

• Encourage independence while still holding healthy boundaries

• Improve communication with tweens and early teenagers

If parenting your tween has started to feel more challenging lately, this episode will help you better understand what’s happening and how to navigate it with confidence.

Listen now to learn why tweens push back and what parents often misunderstand about this stage of development.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

245. Parenting Help for Tweens: Homework, Screens, and Attitude—What to Do Tonight17 Mar 202600:10:56

If your tween turns simple requests into a debate—homework, screens, bedtime, chores—you’re not alone. In this episode, you’ll get parenting help for tweens that’s practical, calm, and usable tonight.

Tweens (roughly ages 9–12) are in a developmental stage where they’re practicing independence—so pushback, eye rolls, and “I KNOW!” can spike fast. The problem isn’t that you’re doing it wrong—the problem is that most parents don’t have a simple in-the-moment structure to stop escalation before it takes over the whole evening.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have:

  • A 3-step reset to stop power struggles before they blow up
  • A few one-sentence scripts that keep your authority and protect connection
  • A simple When–Then + Timer structure that reduces arguing
  • A 10-minute weekly “Reset Meeting” that lowers conflict all week (especially helpful for solo parents)

✅ Try the 3-step reset tonight with the next flashpoint (screens, homework, bedtime).

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

244. How To Deal With a Disrespectful Teenager Without Damaging the Relationship13 Mar 202600:17:12

What do you do when your teenager rolls their eyes, talks back, or gives you attitude — and you want to address it without creating even more conflict?

If you are parenting a tween or teen, especially on your own, you already know that disrespect can feel exhausting and deeply personal. The more you react in the moment, the more quickly things can spiral into power struggles, shutdowns, and disconnection. This episode helps you take a different approach by looking underneath the behavior and identifying the life skill your child may still be learning.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to respond to disrespect without losing your calm or your authority.

You’ll hear practical scripts you can use during everyday moments like eye rolls, rude tone, homework battles, screen time struggles, and conflict at home.

You’ll also learn how to help your tween or teen build adaptability, responsibility, emotional strength, and respect over time.

Press play to learn how to handle disrespect in a way that protects connection, strengthens your leadership, and helps your teen build the skills they need for life.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

243. Disrespectful Teenager? How to Respond Without Damaging the Relationship10 Mar 202600:08:25

Why does one simple request, like putting the phone away for dinner, turn into a full-blown argument with your teen?

If you are parenting a tween or teen on your own, everyday moments like screen time, chores, or bedtime can quickly become emotionally exhausting. This episode helps you understand why teen pushback happens so fast, why it is often more developmental than personal, and how to respond in a way that lowers tension instead of making the conflict worse.

Listeners will learn why teen pushback is often a normal sign of growing independence, not a sign of failure or disrespect.

They will understand how screens and constant digital stimulation can push teens closer to emotional overload.

They will walk away with a simple, calm response strategy that helps them hold boundaries while protecting connection.

Play this episode to learn how to stay steady in heated parenting moments so you can reduce conflict, protect your relationship, and lead your teen with more confidence.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

242. After a Fight With Your Teen: Why Repair Matters for the Parent-Teen Relationship05 Mar 202600:09:06

What if what you do in the 24 hours after the fight matters more than the fight itself?

If you’re parenting a tween or teen—especially as a single parent—conflict can leave you carrying guilt, second-guessing yourself, and unsure how to reconnect without making things worse. This episode breaks down how to repair in a way that actually rebuilds safety and trust, instead of reopening the argument.

  • Learn what attachment research says about why repair—not perfection—is what creates secure relationships
  • Know exactly when to talk so you don’t trigger round two of the conflict
  • Use a simple 3-step repair sequence that lowers defensiveness and rebuilds connection fast

Press play to learn the three-step repair approach that helps you reconnect with your teen quickly—without re-litigating the fight.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

241. Screen Time Rules for Teens: Why Inconsistent Parenting Makes Them Fail03 Mar 202600:09:28

Ever notice how the moment you grab the phone to enforce a limit, the meltdown becomes bigger than the screen time itself?

If screen time limits feel like a daily battle—especially when you’re parenting solo—this episode explains why the blowups happen and how a predictable system can stop you from feeling like the “bad guy” every night.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • What’s actually happening in your teen’s brain when a phone is taken suddenly—and why the reaction looks so extreme
  • Why screen limits are harder to enforce in single-parent households (and how to drop the guilt and work with your real life)
  • A simple three-part framework to set limits that hold without constant lectures, negotiations, or daily conflict

Press play to get the Predict–Agree–Follow Through system so you can reset your screen rules once—and finally calm the daily fights.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

240. Teen Vaping: What Parents Should Say When They Find a Vape26 Feb 202600:08:27

Found a vape, cartridge, or hidden stash—are you about to say something that shuts your kid down for years?

When you discover vaping, your fear often comes out as anger—especially if you’re doing this alone as a single parent. This episode shows how to have the conversation in a way that reduces ongoing use and keeps communication open, so you don’t end up with a teen who just hides it better.

  • Learn why your first reaction matters more than the punishment you choose in the moment
  • Use a research-backed way to talk that keeps things firm, warm, and effective
  • Walk away with a clear conversation framework to uncover what vaping is doing for your teen—and respond in a way that actually changes behavior

Press play to get a calm, step-by-step script for what to say next so you can protect your child’s safety without blowing up trust.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

239. Teen Attitude Problems: Why Rudeness Isn’t Always Disrespect25 Feb 202600:08:50

When your teen snaps, rolls their eyes, or talks back—do you feel like you’re one comment away from losing it?

If you’re parenting solo, teen attitude can feel constant and personal—like you’re failing or losing your relationship. This episode reframes what’s actually happening in your teen’s brain and in your single-parent family dynamic, so you can respond in a way that lowers conflict without letting the disrespect slide.

  • Understand why teen rudeness is usually dysregulation, not a character flaw—and why common consequences can escalate things.
  • Learn the single-parent intensity factor: why you get the worst of it (and what it means about safety and attachment).
  • Use a 2-step, research-backed response that holds the boundary in the moment and repairs connection afterward.

Press play to learn the calm, two-step script you can use the next time attitude hits—so you stay in control, keep your dignity, and protect the relationship.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

238. Teen Mental Health: Why Late Winter Is Hardest for Teens19 Feb 202600:16:34

Does your tweener or teen seem to fall apart every March — more conflict, more screen time, more shutdown, more stress?

If things feel heavier at home right now, you’re not imagining it. March is a predictable stress spike for tweens, teens, and especially single-parent families. The school year is three-quarters done, motivation is low, social drama peaks, and everyone’s emotional reserves are depleted.

For many families, this shows up as increased screen battles, irritability, missing assignments, communication shutdown, and sometimes even substance use or mental health concerns.

The good news? Once you understand the pattern, you can plan for it — and protect your teen’s mental health instead of getting caught in constant blowups.

  • Understand why March is the highest stress month for many teens and families
  • Learn practical strategies to reduce conflict, screen battles, and emotional shutdown
  • Know the warning signs that mean it’s time to seek additional mental health support

Press play now to learn how to lower the stress in your home this March and protect your teen’s mental health before things escalate.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

237. Teen Screen Time Limits: What to Do Before Taking Away the Phone18 Feb 202600:20:33

Does your teen’s phone have more control in your house than you do?

If every attempt to set limits turns into a meltdown… if you feel nervous even mentioning screen time… or if your teen seems constantly exhausted, moody, or anxious, you’re not alone. Today’s phones are designed to keep teens hooked — and their developing brains are especially vulnerable to the pull of constant notifications, social comparison, and late-night scrolling.

The good news? You don’t have to choose between endless power struggles and giving up entirely. There’s a clear, calm way to step back into leadership — without yelling, shaming, or surprise phone grabs.

  • Understand why heavy phone use is directly impacting your teen’s sleep, mood, and mental health
  • Learn a step-by-step “Phone Reset” framework to regain control without damaging your relationship
  • Discover practical safeguards and family routines that reduce screen battles and rebuild real connection

Press play now to learn how to protect your teen’s mental health, restore calm in your home, and confidently take back leadership around devices.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

236. Communication With Teenagers: Why It Matters More Than Ever12 Feb 202600:09:29

Is your teen brushing you off, rolling their eyes, or acting like your words don’t matter anymore? What if the way you speak to them is the secret to reconnecting?

As tweens and teens pull away, many parents stop using loving, affirming language—thinking it’s no longer welcome or effective. But in this deeply personal episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, shares why the opposite is true. Backed by personal stories and powerful research, you'll hear how simple words can shape trust, identity, and emotional safety in the teen years.

  • Discover why loving words matter neurologically and emotionally—especially in adolescence.
  • Learn specific, connection-building phrases that truly land with tweens and teens.
  • Hear how to start (even if it feels awkward or unfamiliar) in a way that feels authentic to your parenting style and family history.

Listen now to learn how small shifts in the way you speak to your teen can lead to deeper connection, trust, and emotional safety—starting today.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

235. Taking Away Your Teen’s Phone Backfires: What Parents Should Do Instead10 Feb 202600:11:11

Ever feel like taking your teen’s phone away is the only option—but it always ends in another argument?

If you’re a single parent trying to set screen time boundaries without becoming the screen time police, this episode offers a better way forward. In a world where AI chatbots and social media are your teen’s go-to for support, staying connected requires a shift from control to mentorship.

In this episode, you'll discover:

  • How to replace power struggles with digital mentorship so your teen actually listens.
  • Why doing a "do-over" is more powerful than staying calm, and how it models emotional intelligence.
  • How to build connection equity that keeps you as your teen’s trusted person when life gets hard.

Listen now to learn the practical mindset shifts that will help you stop the screen time battles and start building a deeper bond with your teen—no perfect parenting required.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

234. When Your Teen Pulls Away: How to Stay Close During the Teen Years06 Feb 202600:09:13

Is your teen pulling away—and every time you try to connect, it only seems to push them further?

If you’re a single parent feeling lost in the silence or fearing the distance means you're failing, this episode will reframe everything. Tess Connolly, LCSW, walks you through why this disconnect is normal, and how most parenting advice is doing more harm than good.

  • Learn why your teen’s distance is a healthy part of development—not a personal rejection.
  • Discover how to transition from “managing” your teen to guiding them with calm influence.
  • Get real-world tools for creating low-pressure moments of connection that feel safe and natural—for both of you.

Listen now to learn how to stop chasing your teen—and start showing up in a way that keeps the door open for real connection.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

233. Gentle Parenting With Teens: Why Boundaries Still Matter03 Feb 202600:13:24

Do you ever feel stuck between being the "too soft" parent who gets walked all over and the "mean" one who yells and regrets it later?

Many single parents find themselves swinging between two extremes—permissive parenting that lacks boundaries and authoritarian parenting that shuts kids down. But what if there was a third way that actually builds trust, improves screen time struggles, and keeps the peace?

  • Why high empathy without structure increases anxiety and leads to screen-time battles
  • Why strict rules without connection damage trust and cause kids to hide things from you
  • How to step into “secure leadership” with real-life scripts that help you set firm, respectful boundaries this week

If you're ready to stop yelling and start leading with calm confidence, press play on this episode and learn how to become a secure leader in your home today.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

232. Teen Screen Addiction: When Screen Time Is a Problem (and When It Isn’t)29 Jan 202600:09:57

Are you constantly setting screen time rules—only to be ignored or met with resistance from your tween or teen?

If you're a single parent juggling both connection and control, you're not alone. Parenting tweens and teens solo can leave you stuck in a cycle of exhaustion, over-explaining, or giving in just to keep the peace. But what if there was a science-backed way to reset the dynamic?

  • Learn the Bridge Method, a brain-based script that gets through to your teen—without the blowups
  • Use AI tools as your parenting co-pilot to reduce decision fatigue and mental overload
  • Discover the difference between tech overuse and real screen addiction, and how to respond with calm leadership

Tune in now to discover practical strategies that will help you set firm boundaries while keeping the connection strong with your tween or teen.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

231. Triggered by Your Teen? How Parents Can Stay Calm During Conflict27 Jan 202600:37:04

Ever feel like your teen’s screen time habits, bad attitude, or boundary-pushing behaviors are personally attacking your sanity?

If you’re a single parent raising a tween or teen, you already know how quickly everyday stress can escalate into anger — especially when you're dealing with screen time limits, vaping or drinking concerns, or flat-out defiance. In this powerful episode, Dr. Mitch Abrams joins Tess to break down what anger really means for parents, and how to use it as a tool — not a trap.

  • Learn how to identify and manage parenting burnout before it leads to conflict.
  • Get practical anger management tools that work during real-life moments like screen time battles and disrespectful attitude.
  • Understand why suppressing your anger — especially around issues like vaping and drinking — does more harm than good.

Tune in now to learn real-world parenting skills that help you stay calm and effective — even when your teen pushes every single button.

Dr. Mitch Abrams has a private practice providing sport, clinical, and forensic psychology services, and is also an expert in the treatment of trauma. Since 2000, he has worked inside the prison system in New Jersey and now oversees psychological services for seven of the state’s prisons as Chief Psychologist for Rutgers-University Correctional Health Care. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers Health-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Abrams is the Founder and CEO of Learned Excellence for Athletes, utilizing anger management training to assist athletes, coaches, and professionals reach peak performance. His new book is: I’m Not Fucking Angry!!! Adjust the Flames to Get What You Want and Need Learn more at drmitchabrams.com.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

230. Social Media and Teen Behavior: What Parents Need to Know22 Jan 202600:15:30

Are you tired of the constant battles with your teen over screen time—wondering why they just won’t put the phone down?

In this eye-opening episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, explains how your teen’s addiction to scrolling isn’t laziness or defiance—it’s neurological manipulation. Discover why those endless TikToks are more powerful than your rules, and what you can do about it, especially as a single parent.

  • You’ll understand the brain science behind your teen’s obsession with their phone—and why nagging won’t help.
  • You’ll learn the top 5 signs their screen time has crossed the line from habit to addiction.
  • You’ll get Tess’s 5-step Connection Over Control reset framework to rebuild trust and reduce conflict in your home.

If you’re ready to stop yelling and start reconnecting with your teen, hit play now and learn the practical reset tools you need today.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

229. Better Communication With Teens: Why Parents Should Stop Lecturing20 Jan 202600:38:20

Are screen time battles, teen backtalk, or constant conflict leaving you emotionally drained as a single parent?

For parents of tweens and teens, everyday moments like bedtime, homework, and phone limits can quickly spiral into major stress. What if there was a simple, science-backed way to reset your energy—and your communication—in real time? In this episode, breathwork coach Arleen Peterzak shares how intentional breathing can help single parents manage conflict, model emotional regulation, and create calmer, more connected conversations at home.

  • Learn how better communication with your tween or teen starts with regulating your own nervous system.
  • Discover simple, in-the-moment breathwork techniques to help manage screen time stress and family conflict.
  • Find out how to model calm through breath—so your child feels safe, heard, and more likely to listen.

🎧 Press play now to learn how just 6 minutes of breathwork a day can help single parents manage screen time struggles, reduce conflict, and build better communication with their tweens and teens.

Arleen Pietrzak is a breathwork guide, movement educator, and longtime personal trainer who helps people restore ease, resilience, and trust in their bodies. With over 20 years of experience in fitness, movement, and high-touch environments, Arleen blends practical physiology with intuitive awareness to support nervous system regulation, posture, and sustainable breathing patterns.

Through her breath adventures, workshops, and one-on-one work, Arleen guides people through simple, accessible practices that help navigate stress, pressure, and change—both physically and emotionally. Her approach emphasizes listening to the body, developing proprioception, and using breath as a reliable tool for self-regulation rather than force or control.

Arleen is especially passionate about helping parents and teens build embodied tools they can use in real life, creating space for calm, connection, and choice in everyday moments.

https://breathadventure.com

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

228. Struggling With Your Teen Right Now? How to Reconnect15 Jan 202600:08:59

Are you stuck in constant battles over screen time, routines, and emotional blowups with your tween or teen—and wondering why everything feels harder lately?

You're not imagining it. Research shows that high screen time is linked to increased anxiety and depression in teens—and late winter brings developmental and seasonal stress that only intensifies the tension. But the answer isn’t more rules—it’s a new kind of reset.

  • Discover what’s really behind your teen’s rising irritability and shutdowns
  • Learn the “Connect Before You Correct” reset strategy backed by research
  • Hear a real-world example of how one parent shifted from nightly battles to peaceful evenings

Tune in now to learn the simple yet powerful reset strategy that helps you reduce conflict and rebuild connection with your teen—starting tonight.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

227. 5 Ways to Build Emotional Resilience in Teens13 Jan 202600:10:27

Does every conversation with your tween turn into a power struggle, especially around screen time? You’re not alone—and this episode reveals what’s really going on beneath the pushback.

If you’re a single parent dealing with nonstop arguments, shutdowns, and oppositional behavior, you might be missing the deeper message your child is trying to send. This episode uncovers why opposition is often less about attitude and more about stress, emotional safety, and your child’s need for connection and autonomy.

  • Learn the real root causes behind oppositional behavior (it’s not defiance—it’s dysregulation).
  • Discover 5 powerful strategies to de-escalate conflict and reconnect with your tween.
  • Walk away with a calm, clear framework for setting limits without triggering a meltdown.

Listen now to discover how small communication shifts can end daily battles and strengthen your connection with your tween.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

226. Your Teen Is Pulling Away: What Parents Should Do08 Jan 202600:08:39

Is your teen pulling away, spending more time alone, and talking less — leaving you wondering if you’re losing them?

If you're a parent watching your teen go quiet or withdraw, it’s easy to panic. But this stage — while scary — can be both normal and navigable. The way you respond in this moment could either protect your connection or push them further away.

  • How to tell the difference between normal independence and warning signs that need more attention.
  • What not to do when your teen shuts down — and why common reactions can backfire.
  • A step-by-step approach to staying emotionally steady and rebuilding trust without pushing too hard.

Press play now to learn how to support your teen through this phase while keeping communication and connection intact.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

225. 3 Parenting Mistakes That Damage Communication With Teens06 Jan 202600:06:13

Have you already repeated yourself three times today—and still got silence, eye rolls, or snapping back from your teen?

If the new year already feels like old battles—around school, sleep, or screens—this episode will give you a powerful reframe. Especially after the holidays, most teens are emotionally dysregulated, and jumping straight to correction isn’t just ineffective—it’s damaging. You don’t need to talk more, you need to start differently.

  • Learn why January is the worst time to lead with correction and what to do instead
  • Discover a 3-step emotional reset that warms your teen up for better conversations
  • Get a repeatable script you can use today to stop the power struggles around screen time and school

Press play to learn the exact reset that makes your teen more likely to listen, cooperate, and connect—all without yelling or repeating yourself.

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Download the Tech Reset Agreement

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset Strategy Session”: Parent Reset Strategy Session

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication

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