In this episode of Connected Parenting, we flip the script on a common parenting concern; texting.

While we often hear about the downsides of screens, social media, and endless scrolling, texting can actually be a powerful connection tool between you and your teen.

I’ll share why, in certain moments, a text might be the bridge that keeps communication open, helps your teen feel seen and understood, and even diffuses tension before it escalates. From using texts to check in during their busy day to sending a quick message that shows you’re thinking of them, I’ll walk you through the situations where texting shines and how to use it effectively without replacing meaningful face-to-face conversations.

If you’ve ever worried about “too much screen time” but also want to strengthen your bond with your teen, this episode will give you a fresh perspective and practical tips to make texting work for your relationship instead of against it.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

• Benefits of Texting Your Teen (00:00)
• Using Texting for Specific Tasks (02:09)
• Texting for Connection and Affirmation (05:07)
• Overcoming Texting Challenges (07:26)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

Every parent wants their child to feel confident, connected, and well-liked but social health isn’t just about having friends. It’s a protective factor that influences everything from mental health to academic success.

Whether your child is struggling socially or is already a natural leader, this episode is packed with tools, scripts, and mindset shifts to help you parent with connection and raise a child who chooses authenticity over popularity.

Let’s build the foundation for confident, emotionally resilient kids who lead with kindness.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

• Helping Children Become Leaders, Not Followers (00:00)
• Modeling Empathy and Integrity (03:14)
• Teaching Children to Navigate Social Situations (07:58)
• The Role of Parents in Improving Social Skills (09:24)
• Incorporating Empathy into Family Values (11:39)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

In this week's episode replay, I’ll walk you through how to understand what’s really going on underneath that sibling resentment, how to use empathy and the CALM technique to shift the emotional dynamic, and most importantly, how to parent both kids through this without picking sides or reinforcing harmful patterns.

Jennifer's Takeaways:

• Handling Sibling Resentment: Introduction and Initial Steps (00:00)
• Understanding Family Patterns and Personal Biases (01:24)
• Addressing the Resentful Child: Gladiator Kids (01:55)
• The Role of the Easygoing Child (06:08)
• Strategies for Managing Sibling Dynamics (10:03)
• Building Connections and Encouraging Cooperation (13:16)
• Balancing Individual and Group Time (15:53)
• Addressing Sibling Rivalry and Play Therapy (16:24)

Meet Jennifer Kolari

Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.

Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.

Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.

Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).