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

If you're questioning whether you know anything at all because your son argues with literally everything you say - from room cleaning to what time it is - you're not alone. This isn't about disrespect or failure. It's developmental, it's normal, and most importantly, it's fixable. Today we're diving deep into the nitty-gritty of that argue-about-everything phase that hits around age 14. I'm sharin...

If you're exhausted from the constant self-criticism. The guilt. The comparison to "perfect" moms. This episode gives you permission to stop beating yourself up and start building on what you're already doing well. You will discover the game-changing "gap vs. gain" mindset that transforms how you see yourself as a mom. Learn why your brain is wired to focus on what's wrong, plus three simple strat...

If you're exhausted from breaking up fights, tired of being the family referee, and wondering if your boys will ever actually like each other - this episode is your lifeline. You're not failing as a mom. Your kids aren't broken. This is normal, and it gets better. In todays episode you'll walk away knowing exactly how to respond with wisdom instead of weariness, create more connection in your home...

If you're tired of the guilt, confusion, and that aching feeling that something is breaking between you and your son after every argument, this episode is for you. Those explosive moments aren't really about the chores or curfew - there's so much more happening underneath. Today we're breaking the exhausting cycle of daily arguments with your teenage son. I'm sharing my simple 3-step framework tha...

If you're lying awake wondering where you went wrong or feeling like you're failing because your son barely speaks to you anymore, this episode will be your lifeline. You're not alone, you're not failing, and most importantly - this phase doesn't last forever when you know how to navigate it. This episode introduces the three-step roadmap to move from feeling isolated and rejected by your teenage...

As a mom raising boys, you're constantly wondering if you're doing enough, doing it right, or if your influence will last. In today's heartwarming Father's Day tribute, Heidi sits down with her dad, Larry Rigby, to explore the timeless wisdom passed down through generations. This conversation spans three generations of parenting wisdom, from the Greatest Generation to today's digital challenges. Y...

If you've ever watched your son sit home alone on Friday nights, wondered why he doesn't have friends, or felt that pit in your stomach when he seems lonely and disconnected - this episode is for YOU. You're not alone in this worry. Learn how to create genuine safety at home (not just asking 50 questions) Discover why your own social story might be driving your panic Get practical tools to support...

What's in Today's Episode This isn't about another parenting strategy or technique. Today we're diving deep into the one thing that will transform your entire parenting experience: discovering your powerful WHY. I share the emotional story of bringing home my fifth son and the crushing moment that led to my breakthrough understanding of what really matters in raising boys. Why This Matters to You...

Summer break promises family memories but often delivers chaos, empty refrigerators and endless screen time battles. With teenage boys shutting off their executive functioning and living purely from their primitive brains (seeking pleasure, avoiding pain, staying efficient), it's no wonder we feel overwhelmed! Understanding what's happening in your son's brain will help you navigate this season wi...

Have you ever walked away from a conversation with your son feeling frustrated and disconnected? In this episode, I'm diving into the critical communication mistake I see moms make with their teenage sons (and honestly, I catch myself making it too!).   In this episode you'll walk away with practical strategies to shift from talking AT your son to talking WITH him, helping you rebuild connection e...

As moms of boys, we often see symptoms of anxiety but don't know how to help without overparenting. You might notice your son having stomach aches, resistance to social situations, or trouble at school—all potential signs of anxiety that's going unaddressed. In this eye-opening conversation, I'm joined by Dr. Robin Graham, author of "You, Me and Anxiety - Take Action Over Anxiety to Enjoy Being Yo...

As a mom of boys, you put so much pressure on yourself to be the perfect mother, especially on days meant to celebrate you. When reality doesn't match your expectations, the disappointment can be crushing. You deserve to enjoy these special days without the emotional rollercoaster. Join me today as I share my not-so-perfect Mother's Day story (involving a black eye and two feuding brothers) and th...

As a mom of teenage boys, you're probably feeling the pressure build in your relationship. Misunderstandings, school situations, and daily life challenges create tension that needs release. This episode gives you permission to prioritize fun and shows you how these moments actually strengthen your connection during the hard teenage years.   You'll walk away with practical ideas to create enjoyable...

As moms of teenage boys, we often find ourselves walking a tightrope between wanting to fix everything and giving them space to grow. Whether your son is exploding with anger or retreating into silence, this episode gives you the tools to meet him where he is emotionally without compromising your boundaries.   Master coach Molly Claire joins us to dive deep into navigating the emotional world of t...

As moms of teenage boys, worry often feels like love. But that anxiety is zapping your energy, causing you to over parent, and creating disconnection with your son. When you find yourself spiraling at 2 AM about his future or hovering over his every move, you're not alone – but there is a better way forward. In this powerful episode, I break down how worry impacts your relationship with your teena...

Feeling lost in the teenage wilderness? Wondering if your son's behavior is "normal"? You're not alone. These books offer more than advice – they're your roadmap through the complex terrain of raising teenage boys. In this powerful episode, I'm diving deep into five transformative books that will completely change how you understand and connect with your teenage son. These aren't just any books –...

In today's episode of Raising Boys, Building Men, we're breaking down failure – what it really means and how loosening our grip on it allows our sons to learn crucial life lessons. This episode gives you permission to let go of the heavy meaning you've attached to "failure" and provides practical tactics to support your son through struggles while maintaining your connection. You'll learn how to b...

If you're feeling overwhelmed by your son's attitude, door-slamming, eye-rolling, or other challenging behaviors, you're not alone. Every mom experiences moments where everything feels like an emergency. This episode gives you permission (and a strategy) to step back and gain a new perspective that will strengthen your relationship with your son. You'll walk away with a practical tool to immediate...

In today's episode, I'm sharing my proven BRIDGE method for reconnecting with your teenage son after arguments. You'll learn exactly what to say (and what not to say) to rebuild trust and strengthen your relationship, plus fascinating research about why post-conflict conversations are actually beneficial for your son's brain development!   Get my step-by-step BRIDGE framework to: Regulate emotions...

If you've ever felt guilty about letting your son struggle, or found yourself managing every aspect of his life (hello, checking those missing assignments!), you're not alone. Research shows that over-helping our teens will actually lower their confidence and increase anxiety. But here's the good news - you can shift from micromanaging to guiding without damaging your relationship. In todays episo...

As moms raising teenage boys, we often feel like we're failing when we're actually just... parenting. If you've ever felt that gut punch of guilt after setting a boundary or taking time for yourself, this episode will help you understand why those feelings show up and how to use them to your advantage. In this episode you'll learn: The critical difference between guilt and shame (and why it matter...

If you're exhausted from the constant power struggles, feeling disconnected from your son, or worried that your relationship is slipping away – this episode is your lifeline. We'll explore why common approaches like trying to control or change your teen often backfire, and what to do instead. You'll discover: Why relationship trumps everything (and how to make this shift) The bridge analogy that w...

If you've ever sat on the couch worrying about your teen son's future (like I did), or found yourself overthinking every parenting decision, this episode is your permission slip to breathe. In this episode we look at the 6 game-changing insights I wish I'd known 10 years ago while raising teenage sons. From letting go of perfect parenting to trusting your mom intuition, these are the truths that t...

Crushing Mom Anxiety and Raising Confident Sons Today's episode is full of raw, real-talk frameworks for managing mom anxiety and supporting teenage sons through overwhelming emotional challenges. Discover a simple 3-question strategy to: Instantly calm your racing thoughts Understand what's really causing your anxiety   Help your son develop lifelong emotional resilience   Want more conversations...

If you're exhausted from nagging, worrying about your son's future, or caught in negative thought patterns, you're not alone – it's actually your brain's natural wiring! But these patterns might be damaging your relationship with your teen boy. In Today's Episode we are diving into the science of negativity bias and discover why your mom-brain might be stuck in worst-case-scenario mode. Learn prac...