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

Do you feel like your - once close relationship with your teen is slipping away - and no matter what you try, the distance just grows. You're not alone. Especially for single parents of tweens and teens, the shift between sweet elementary school kids to conflict - heavy adolescence can feel like emotional whiplash. In this episode, therapist Katie K. May breaks down her 3-step Hierarchy of connect...

Is screen time quietly fueling your child’s anxiety — and what can you actually do to stop it? If you’ve noticed your tween or teen is more anxious, irritable, or withdrawn after being online, you’re not imagining it. This episode unpacks why today’s tech-driven world is having a measurable impact on mental health — especially for kids — and what single parents need to understand to make a real ch...

What can parents learn from a hostage negotiator about raising confident teens? A lot more than you might think. In this powerful follow-up conversation, host Tess Connolly, LCSW, talks with Karleen Savage — a TEDx speaker, hostage negotiator, and parent coach — about how parents can build trust, handle conflict, and guide their teens toward confidence and independence. Karleen introduces her Conf...

Are you constantly wondering if your tween is ready for social media—or worried about how much screen time is too much ? If you’re a single parent trying to navigate your tween’s digital world, this episode breaks down the real challenges behind social media readiness. Tess and guest expert Dr. Melanie McNally, PsyD, explore why Gen Z’s relationship with social media is different, and how you can...

Are you a single parent trying to figure out whether your child’s struggles with focus, emotions, or school might be ADHD — and how to truly help them thrive? In this insightful episode, host Tess Connolly, LCSW , sits down with Dr. Yael Rothman and Dr. Katia Fredriksen , two pediatric neuropsychologists (a.k.a. “thinking doctors for kids”) who help parents understand the why behind their child’s...

Do you ever feel like setting boundaries with your teen just leads to endless conflict—or worse, silence? Parenting teens is tough because adolescence brings rapid changes in emotions, thinking, and independence. Many parents struggle to balance enforcing rules with keeping communication and trust alive. If you’ve ever wondered how to “hold the line” without pushing your teen away, this episode is...

Is your middle schooler’s mood swings, tech obsession, or growing independence leaving you unsure how to parent them? The middle school years bring huge developmental changes—emotionally, socially, and cognitively. Many parents of tweens struggle with screen time, shifting boundaries, and figuring out how to stay connected while giving more independence. If you’ve ever felt stuck between being “to...

Is your tween suddenly struggling with friendships—being left out, confused by shifting dynamics, or dealing with drama you don’t know how to fix? As a single parent, it can feel overwhelming to know how much to step in—and when to step back. In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset Podcast (formerly The Parenting Reset Show ), Tess Connolly, LCSW, sits down with friendship expert Jessica to...

Tired of daily battles with your tween or teen over screen time, chores, or attitude? Wondering why every conversation feels like a war zone? If you're a single parent caught in an endless loop of reactive parenting, power struggles, and emotional exhaustion—this episode is your reset. Tess Connolly, LCSW, walks you through a powerful framework to help you interrupt the conflict cycle and rebuild...

Feeling like back-to-school season has turned your home into a battlefield of screen time fights, homework resistance, and chaotic routines? If you're a single parent wondering how to recover from a summer full of power struggles, this episode is your September reset. Licensed parent and family coach Tess Connolly shares why this time of year is the ideal moment to reset boundaries, routines, and...

As a single parent, one of the most stressful moments you can face is when your tween or teen flat-out refuses to give up their phone. Whether it’s bedtime, homework time, or a consequence you need to enforce—what do you actually do in that moment without ending up in a yelling match or tug-of-war? In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset Show , Tess Connolly, LCSW, shares practical, in-the-m...

Finding out your Tween or Teen is vaping marijuana, drinking or experimenting with substances can feel like a crisis. But what if this moment could bring you closer together. In this episode of The Single Parent Reset Show, Tess Connolly, LCSW, shares her own story of discovering her own son had vaped marijuana - and how a five minute pause before reacting turned into a rupture into a powerful res...

Have you seen the viral FAFO parenting meme? It stands for Find Out — and parents everywhere are talking about it. The idea is simple: let kids experience the consequences of their actions. But here’s the problem — left unmodified, FAFO can sound harsh, authoritarian, or even shaming. In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset Show , Tess Connolly, LCSW, offers her compassionate, modified versi...

Are you a single parent stuck in endless battles over screen time, disrespect, or constant power struggles with your tween or teen? When you’re parenting alone, every conflict feels magnified—and without a co-parent to back you up, it’s easy to feel like yelling or giving in are your only options. But what if there was a proven way to rebuild trust, calm the storm, and reconnect with your teen aft...

Are screen time battles with your tween or teen leaving you drained, frustrated, and second-guessing yourself as a single parent? If you’ve ever felt like screens have taken over your home, you’re not alone. Single parents often feel stuck between wanting to set limits and needing the peace that screens provide. The good news? You don’t need to choose between chaos and total restriction—you can cr...

Do you ever feel like your teen’s anger, distance, or rejection means you’re failing as a parent? If you’ve ever wrestled with shame, pressure to be the “perfect” parent, or guilt about raising kids solo, you’re not alone. The truth is — those messy, uncomfortable parenting moments are actually the biggest opportunities for healing, growth, and connection with your child. In this episode, you’ll d...

Is screen time creating constant battles and distance in your home — especially as a single parent trying to hold it all together? In this episode of The Single Parenting Reset Show , Tess Connolly, LCSW, shares practical tools from her Tech Reset Masterclass to help families rebuild connection and find balance with technology. With devices creeping into every corner of family life, parents are se...

Is your teen constantly rolling their eyes, giving you attitude, or shutting you out — and you're not sure what it really means? If you're a single parent trying to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of raising tweens or teens, this episode breaks down the hidden messages behind your child’s body language and what your reactions might be making worse — without you even realizing it. Learn how to...

Are you a single parent lying awake at night wondering, Am I messing up my kids? You’re not alone—and the truth is, perfect parenting doesn’t exist. Parenting tweens and teens as a single parent can feel overwhelming. Between managing behavior, setting screen time boundaries, and keeping communication open, the pressure to “get it all right” can leave you exhausted and doubting yourself. That’s wh...

Is your tween or teen ready to thrive this school year — or are you already bracing for homework battles and behavior problems? In this timely episode of The Parenting Reset Show , Tess Connolly chats with Jessica Bradley of The Learning Room about how to reset and prepare for a smooth start to the school year. Jessica explains the difference between tutoring and academic coaching, shares three pr...

Struggling to get your tween or teen to do homework without constant battles or nagging? As the school year ramps up, many single parents feel overwhelmed trying to manage academics and routines without becoming the "homework police." This episode dives into realistic, conflict-reducing strategies to help your child take more ownership—without daily drama. Learn how to create a customized, consist...

Struggling to get your tween or teen back on track before school starts? Late nights, nonstop screens, and zero structure don’t magically disappear when that alarm clock rings. In this episode, we dive into exactly how single parents can help tweens and teens shift from summer mode to school-ready—especially when it comes to building better routines around behavior, communication, and sleep. Wheth...

Feeling anxious about screen time as school looms closer? Wondering how to avoid device drama without becoming the “bad guy”? In this practical and timely episode, we tackle the top screen-time challenges single parents face as the school year approaches—and offer clear, compassionate strategies to ease the transition. From shifting bedtime routines to co-creating tech agreements, you’ll learn how...

Do you constantly worry about how your daughter feels in her body—but struggle with knowing how to help her feel strong and confident? In this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Melisa Holmes, OBGYN and co-founder of Girlology , we explore how body confidence isn't about looks—it's about health, self-respect, and social safety. If you're a single parent raising a tween or teen, this episode will he...

Tired of feeling like the behavior police in your own home? If your tween or teen constantly talks back, shuts down, or melts down over screen time—this episode is your reset. In this short solo episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW and parent coach, shares a powerful reframe: What if your child’s "bad" behavior isn’t the real issue—but a message they’re trying to send? You’ll learn how to move from reacti...