Raising Boys Building Men ®/Parenting Solutions For Moms And Boys

The world your son is growing up in is very different from the one you were raised in. It’s louder, faster, and filled with constant distractions and if you’re raising a teenage boy, it can feel overwhelming and discouraging. In today’s episode, Heidi tackles the big question so many moms are silently asking: How do I raise a good man in such a confusing world? If your teenage son seems distant, d...

WHAT'S IN TODAY'S EPISODE Feeling like your son has shut you out? You're not alone. In this episode, we're breaking down the five things your teenage son desperately wants you to understand but doesn't have the words to express. From the confusing push-pull of needing space while still needing you, to why his stress is more real than you might think, we're getting underneath the behavior to help y...

What's In Today's Episode Before you jump into setting goals for next year, we're hitting pause. This episode is all about looking back at your year with compassion instead of criticism. You'll learn why reflection is the secret to breaking old patterns, what really counts as a win with your teenage son, and how a few simple questions can completely shift the way you parent in the year ahead. Why...

What's in Today's Episode Three messy, real-life Christmas disasters, a tree broken in half, a double case of pink eye, and rage cleaning on Christmas Eve that taught me the one thing that actually matters during the holidays. Spoiler: it's not the perfectly wrapped presents or the spotless house. Why You Care You're exhausted. You're trying to make the holidays magical while managing a teenage so...

What's in Today's Episode: This week before Christmas, we're cutting through the noise. I'm giving you permission to stop chasing the impossible "do it all" standard and showing you a better way to measure success, one that actually strengthens your connection with your teenage son instead of breaking it. Why You Care: Because you're exhausted. You're juggling gifts, schedules, programs, last-minu...

Discover the real reason your teenage son complains more during busy seasons (hint: it's not ingratitude), plus 5 practical strategies to respond with connection instead of combat. We're breaking down the neuroscience behind his pushback, when complaints spike the most, and exactly what to say when he's melting down over something that seems ridiculous. Why You Care Because you're working so hard...

Every mom has a picture in her mind of how motherhood will feel… and then real life shows up. Today’s conversation goes deep into something most moms of teenage boys feel but rarely name: grief in motherhood, specifically, the kind that comes from expectations not matching reality. In this episode, Heidi sits down with Margo Fordonski, a master-certified life coach and grief educator, to talk abou...

If one more person tells you to “just practice more self-care,” you might lose it, and honestly? Same. This week’s episode of Raising Boys, Building Men takes that guilt-filled phrase and flips it on its head. In today’s conversation, we dig into why traditional self-care often feels impossible for moms of teenage boys and why it’s NOT the answer you actually need. Instead, we talk about self-awar...

Parenting your teenage son used to be fun, the laughter, the easy connection, the hugs. Now it feels like silence, arguments, or distance. You wonder if you’ve messed something up. In this episode, Heidi unpacks why parenting stops feeling fun and how uncertainty steals your joy. You’ll learn the one mindset shift that will change everything, plus three ways to bring joy and connection back into y...

Balance sounds amazing, but it often feels impossible. Between work, schedules, and trying to actually sleep, most moms feel like they’re failing somewhere. In this episode, Heidi talks with leadership coach Denise Tallcott, founder of Working Moms Redefined, about what balance really looks like and how to stop beating yourself up for not “doing it all.” They unpack the truth behind mom guilt, how...

What happens when we make life too easy for our boys? In this episode, Heidi shares the powerful truth behind a phrase her husband told her years ago: “Spoiled boys make weak men.” This isn’t about judgment or shame it’s about awareness. Heidi walks through the research on how overindulgence, overparenting, and avoiding conflict weaken a boy’s ability to grow into a capable, resilient man. You’ll...

Do you ever look at your teenage son and think, “He’s capable of so much more, what’s stopping him?” You’re not alone. In this episode of Raising Boys, Building Men, Heidi shares the truth about confidence.  And it’s not built by pep talks or praise. It’s built through experience. You’ll learn three powerful ways to help your teenage son strengthen his confidence and self-esteem without nagging, r...

If you’ve ever taken your son’s phone away and watched him lose it, you are not alone. In this episode of Raising Boys, Building Men, Heidi sits down with screen-time expert and mom of five, Andrea Davis, founder of Better Screen Time. Together, they talk about what healthy tech boundaries really look like, how to know if your son is ready for a phone, and how to stop parenting from fear when it c...

One year ago, Heidi hit “record” on the very first episode of Raising Boys, Building Men with one goal: to give moms of boys a voice of truth and hope. Since then, she’s talked with psychologists, educators, and hundreds of moms who are all asking the same question: Will my son be okay? Am I doing enough? In this special anniversary episode, Heidi shares the five biggest lessons she’s learned afte...

Does your teenage son shrug his shoulders and mutter, “I don’t care” whenever you ask about school, friends, or the future? You are not alone and it’s not as hopeless as it feels. In today’s episode of Raising Boys, Building Men, Heidi unpacks what’s really happening when your son seems totally checked out. Spoiler: it’s almost always one of two things. You’ll learn how to tell the difference, and...

Feeling like you and your partner are parenting from different planets? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into why different parenting styles aren't the problem you think they are, when misalignment becomes dangerous, and practical ways to create a united front even when you don't always agree.   Your teenage son is watching every interaction between you and your co-parent. When parenting...

What's in Today's Episode Three powerhouse coaches—Molly Claire, Michelle Keil, and Maria Hendershot share their expertise on ditching the hustle culture, finding joy through creativity, and reclaiming your sense of self. We dive deep into why your relationship with yourself is the foundation for everything else, including raising confident sons who will become respectful men. Why This Matters to...

This isn't your typical episode - it's raw, unscripted, and straight from my heart. I'm sharing the terrifying phone call I received from my 23-year-old son Luke during a political assassination at his university where he stood just yards away from the tragedy.  And what this experience taught me about raising resilient boys in a world filled with tragedy and fear. Why This Matters to You  Your so...

Screens are everywhere - phones, video games, streaming shows and it can feel like your son is disappearing into them. In this episode, I share 5 practical steps you can use today to set healthy boundaries around screens without constant arguments. Why This Matters to You (Mom of Boys): You don’t just want fewer battles over screens. You want connection. You want your son to grow into a motivated,...

If you're exhausted from the daily battles. The nagging, reminding, and repeating yourself isn't working it's actually creating MORE resistance. You want peaceful mornings and a son who takes responsibility, but you're stuck in a cycle of control that's damaging your relationship. In this episode we are talking about the real reason your teenage son is acting out during back-to-school season (hint...

If you've ever sat with your head in your hands wondering "What am I doing wrong?" after your son's latest attitude explosion, this episode is your permission slip to STOP. You're not alone in this blame spiral - it's literally hardwired into us as moms. But here's the thing: that guilt isn't helping him learn accountability, and it's stealing your confidence as his guide.   In this episode we're...

You're exhausted from the daily battles. You're worried he'll never learn to manage himself. And you're starting to wonder if all this nagging is destroying the connection you've worked so hard to build. This episode gives you permission to step back and a roadmap for how to do it successfully.   We're diving deep into the morning battlefield every mom of teenage sons knows too well. I'm sharing w...

This episode gives you three practical ways to teach your teenage son that kindness is actually strength, not weakness, even when his world tells him otherwise. Listen if: You're struggling with a son who's becoming mean to siblings or friends, or you want to prevent your kind boy from hardening as he navigates high school social pressures. Key takeaways: Model kindness in your own conversations -...

If you've ever caught yourself wishing for "just one more day" with that sweet little boy who called you "mommy" - you're not alone. That quiet sadness you carry? It's universal, it's normal, and it doesn't make you ungrateful. But living there will rob you of the beautiful relationship you can have with your teenager today. Today we're diving deep into that ache you feel when you hold a little on...

If you're tired of walking on eggshells around your teenage son or feeling like every conversation turns into a power struggle, this episode is for you. You don't need to be naturally funny - you just need to be a little less serious. Your son is gauging your reaction to his struggles, and humor can be the bridge that keeps you connected through the tough moments. Discover why humor isn't just "ni...