Is anxiety good for you?

That’s the question at the heart of this week’s episode, where I sit down with Dr. Ivy Ruths, a licensed specialist in school psychology, specializing in treating anxiety, OCD-related disorders, and parenting challenges.

Ivy shares three concrete steps for helping your child try new things and dealing with childhood anxiety. She also shares the hidden benefits of anxiety and how these moments (even when challenging) can be crucial for building confidence in kids.

Dr. Ivy Ruths and I break down the idea that anxiety isn’t something to eliminate—it’s something to harness. And we’ll share exactly how to do it.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• “Is anxiety good for you?” isn’t just a question—it’s a mindset shift that can help you reframe scary moments with your child.
• The biggest mistake we make when dealing with childhood anxiety—and how to flip it to strengthen your child’s self-confidence.
• Building confidence in kids: the 3-step framework to help them try new things.
• How to stop accidentally sending the message that anxiety is something to avoid, and instead show your kids the benefits of anxiety.
• Why your role as a parent is more than just safety—it’s helping your child take small, brave steps forward, even when you’re feeling anxious too.

Listen to the full episode now and learn how to turn anxiety into your child’s superpower!

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Ever finally get a “yes” from your teen to hang out… and then sit there awkwardly wondering, “Now what?”

If you’ve found yourself unsure what to do with teens once you’re actually together, this episode will walk you through it step by step.

This is part two of our series on teen connection. Last week we covered how to get your teen to hang out with you. This week is about what to do with teens once you're there. From creating comfort to avoiding conversation-killers, we’re focusing on strategies that work in real life.

I’ll share exactly how to strengthen your parent teenager relationship in small but powerful ways—and how to avoid the traps that turn hangouts into tension.

Whether you're wondering how to connect with your teenage son or daugher, or need ideas for fun things to do with teenagers, I’ll walk through clear, actionable strategies you can try today.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The #1 mistake parents make when deciding what to do with teens—and how to flip the script
• My 3-step formula for hangouts that actually build your parent teenager relationship, not drain it
• Why Starbucks, TikTok, and silence might be the best bonding tools for your parent teenager relationship—and how to use them well
• How to avoid sabotaging the moment (hint: this matters whether you're figuring out how to connect with your teenage son or daughter)
• The one thing teens wish you knew when you plan fun things to do with teenagers

Your time with your teen doesn’t need to be magical—it just needs to be intentional. And yes, even a 10-minute drive-thru run can be a meaningful step forward in your parent teenager relationship.

If you’re struggling with how to connect with your teenage son, or you want to do more than just coexist with your daughter, this episode is packed with the guidance you’ve been craving.

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One of the most common questions those parenting teens and tweens ask is "should I force my teenager to spend time with me?" or what to do when your teenager shuts you out?

If you’ve felt the sting of rejection when your once-chatty child turns into a quiet, phone-absorbed teen, you’re not alone. In this episode, I break down how to connect with your teenage son or daughter when they seem more interested in hanging out with their friends than with your parent teenager relationship.

I’ll share why this is a totally normal part of parenting teens and tweens —and how you can make the most of it.

In this episode, I cover:

• What to do when your teenager shuts you out – Why teens can seem disconnected, and how to decode what they’re really trying to tell you.
• Should I force my teenager to spend time with me? – How to balance encouraging connection without pushing them away.
• How to connect with your teenage son – What to do if he’s barely looking up from his screen and avoiding conversation.
• How to connect with your teenage daughter – How to build your parent teenager relationship and trust during a time when she might be craving independence.
• Parent teenager relationship – Tips for building a strong connection that lasts beyond the teen years.

Ready to strengthen your parent teenager relationship and create moments of real connection?

Listen to this episode for practical, research-backed advice on how to connect with your teenage daughter or son, even when they seem to be pushing you away.

And, don’t miss next week’s episode, where I’ll share practical strategies for parenting teens and tweens, and what to do when you actually get your teen to hang out with you!

LET'S CONNECT:

Thriving Child Center

PCIT Experts

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Love having expert tips you can actually use? Join our newsletter and get a beautifully designed PDF of each episode’s top 3 takeaways—delivered straight to your inbox every week.

Are you a provider? Subscribe here for professional insights and parenting resources!