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

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 pa...

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 realistical...

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...

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...

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 y...

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...

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 co...

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 t...

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 pr...

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 discon...

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 respon...

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....

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...

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. Lea...

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 l...

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 de...

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, soci...

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 persona...

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 thi...

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...

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 th...

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...

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 Abram...

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...

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 sha...