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

Are you stuck in constant battles over screen time, routines, and emotional blowups with your tween or teen—and wondering why everything feels harder lately? You're not imagining it. Research shows that high screen time is linked to increased anxiety and depression in teens—and late winter brings developmental and seasonal stress that only intensifies the tension. But the answer isn’t more rules—i...

Does every conversation with your tween turn into a power struggle, especially around screen time? You’re not alone—and this episode reveals what’s really going on beneath the pushback. If you’re a single parent dealing with nonstop arguments, shutdowns, and oppositional behavior, you might be missing the deeper message your child is trying to send. This episode uncovers why opposition is often le...

Is your teen pulling away, spending more time alone, and talking less — leaving you wondering if you’re losing them? If you're a parent watching your teen go quiet or withdraw, it’s easy to panic. But this stage — while scary — can be both normal and navigable. The way you respond in this moment could either protect your connection or push them further away. How to tell the difference between norm...

Have you already repeated yourself three times today—and still got silence, eye rolls, or snapping back from your teen? If the new year already feels like old battles—around school, sleep, or screens—this episode will give you a powerful reframe. Especially after the holidays, most teens are emotionally dysregulated, and jumping straight to correction isn’t just ineffective—it’s damaging. You don’...

Is screen time creating chaos, conflict, and constant tension in your home? You're not alone—and you're not powerless. In this year-end "best of" episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, shares the most effective and research-backed screen time strategies from 2025 that actually help tweens and teens reduce screen dependence without damaging your relationship. Discover why co-creating a tech vision with your...

Are you constantly arguing with your tween or teen and wondering why every conversation turns into a power struggle? You're not alone—and you're definitely not failing. In this "Best of 2025" episode, parent and family coach Tess Connolly, LCSW, breaks down why conflict is developmentally normal and how single parents can navigate it with less yelling, more connection, and a lot more peace at home...

Feeling overwhelmed or pulled in every direction this Christmas Day as a single parent? You’re not alone—and this reset is exactly what you need. Between the pressure of gifts, logistics, screen time, and co-parenting dynamics, Christmas can be an emotional minefield—especially with tweens and teens. This episode offers a calming antidote: a gentle, grounding Christmas Day Reset to help you stay p...

Are screens quietly taking over your home this December — turning your teen into a moody ghost and your holidays into chaos? If you're a single parent already noticing more eye-rolls, late-night scrolling, and tension around devices, you're not imagining things. Holiday break brings disrupted routines, more downtime, and zero structure — the perfect storm for screen overload and emotional blowups....

Do you really know what your teen might be offered at their next holiday party? With school out and the holiday season in full swing, teens have more unstructured time, less supervision, and more peer pressure than ever—especially when it comes to vaping and THC pens. If you're a single parent of a tween or teen, this episode arms you with what to say before they head out. Learn why the holiday se...

Is your teen snapping at you, glued to their phone, or arguing over every little thing this December? The holiday season can push everyone to the edge—especially your teen. With disrupted routines, overstimulation, and mounting pressure, moods are volatile. If you're a single parent feeling overwhelmed by conflict and chaos, this episode brings relief. Learn a 3-second strategy that stops argument...

Feeling like the only parent trying to enforce rules while your co-parent plays it loose with curfews, screen time, or even vaping? The holidays make it worse — but there's a better way. When co-parenting dynamics clash, especially during the high-stress holiday season, many single parents feel like they’re swimming upstream. If you're the one holding the line while your co-parent is more relaxed...

Are you a single parent of a tween or teen wondering how to handle vaping, screen time, or other tough topics — without constant arguments or shutdowns? In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset Show, Tess Connolly talks with respiratory therapist Jessica Stewart about how to recognize vaping use, how it affects teen brains and behavior, and how to start these conversations to improve communic...

Ever feel like your teen just shrugs off every consequence you give—curfew blown, phone gone, and they still say "whatever"? If you’re a parent stuck in a loop of threats, punishments, and zero results, this episode will explain why your teen tunes out—and how to reset your approach for real change. Most consequences aren’t working because they don’t teach anything. But with the right strategies,...

Ever feel like your teen expects VIP treatment 24/7 — instant rides, new phones, last-minute rescues — and flips out when you say no? You’re not alone. Many parents, especially single parents, are seeing more entitled behavior from their teens — and struggling to manage it without constant arguments. This episode dives deep into where entitlement comes from, how it’s fueled by screens and peer cul...

Ever feel like your teen has completely shut down — no conversation, just shrugs, one-word answers, or silence? You’re not alone. Many single parents are trying their best, but unknowingly creating communication roadblocks that push their teens further away. This episode breaks down the exact reasons that connection feels so hard — and what small shifts can bring your teen back to the table. Disco...

Tired of trying to enjoy Thanksgiving while your teen's face is glued to a screen? If you're a single parent trying to create meaningful family time during the holidays—but end up arguing over screen time—you're not alone. This episode gives you a simple, connection-focused reset to help you set screen time boundaries without the usual tension or power struggles. In this episode, you’ll discover:...

Tired of feeling disrespected by your teen and not knowing how to respond without yelling or shutting down? When your teen rolls their eyes or snaps back with sarcasm, it’s hard not to take it personally. But what if you could handle those tense moments with calm, confidence, and connection — instead of chaos? Learn why your teen’s rude behavior is often not about you — and what’s really going on...

Is your teen insisting “it’s not a problem” even though you’ve seen air fresheners, eye drops, or sudden “new friends”…and you suspect vaping? In this episode, Tess and Gigi walk through what actually works when you think your teen is vaping marijuana or nicotine—starting with how you respond. You’ll see why reacting in anger usually shuts the conversation down, why so many teens try it out of cur...

Ever feel like every conversation with your teen turns into an argument — and you're both left frustrated and unheard? You're not alone — but there's a smarter way to navigate these tense moments. In this episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW and parent coach, shares a calm, connection-first approach to arguing with your teen that doesn’t end in slammed doors or shut-downs. If you’re tired of lecturing, ye...

Do you ever wonder if your teen might be vaping—but can’t tell if you’re just being paranoid? With vaping devices disguised as everyday objects and flavored cartridges designed to appeal to teens, it’s getting harder for parents to spot the signs. This episode helps you identify what’s really going on when your teen’s behavior starts to shift, so you can step in before things escalate. Learn the m...

Is your teen glued to their phone — and every screen time rule you try only leads to arguments and frustration? If you’ve ever wondered whether giving your teenager more control over their own device use is risky or wise, this episode breaks it all down. Tess Connolly, LCSW, and Gigi explore a real-life case of parents who handed over screen time responsibility to their 16-year-old — and what happ...

Struggling with screen time limits that spark constant battles with your teen? As a single parent, managing your own screen habits while teaching your teen self-regulation can feel like a losing game. This episode dives deep into how your communication and role modeling directly impact your teen’s behavior—and why traditional screen rules may be working against you. Learn how to set screen boundar...

Are you constantly battling your teen over screen time — especially when it’s time for dinner or bed? In this quick-hit episode of The Single Parenting Reset Show , Tess dives into a real-life parenting challenge: how to reset screen time limits when you've let things slide. Whether your teen is gaming all night or ignoring curfews, this episode offers tactical advice that’s both compassionate and...

Do you ever wonder exactly how much screen time is too much for your tween or teen — and how to actually make limits stick without daily battles? As a single parent, it can feel impossible to manage phones, tablets, and gaming while also keeping peace at home. In this episode, parent and family coach Tess Connolly, LCSW , breaks down what experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics and The Anx...

Are you feeling drained from constant power struggles, screen-time battles, and emotional blowups with your teen? In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset Show , host Tess Connolly, LCSW , talks with therapist Katie K. May about the Caregiver Capacity Map —a breakthrough framework that helps single parents understand their own emotional limits and their teen’s unique sensitivities. If you’re...