The Teen Years Toolkit For Moms: Parenting Communication Skills to Calm the Chaos

Have you ever felt uneasy — or even jealous — about the friends or partners your teen is suddenly spending more time with? It’s not just about “bad influence” — it’s about the shift in your role as a parent during a time when peers start having more sway. If you’ve ever felt powerless, disrespected, or pushed aside, this episode will help you navigate that tough emotional terrain without damaging...

Do you constantly worry about your teenager’s future—grades, behavior, or even if they’ll be okay without you reminding them? If you're a mom who finds yourself stuck in anxious loops, thinking that worrying is just part of being a "good parent," this episode will shift your mindset. We explore how worry shows up in parenting, why it feels necessary, and how to stop letting it run your day. Discov...

Tired of constant battles over screen time? Wondering how to talk to your teen about phones and social media without getting eye rolls or slammed doors? Smartphones are here to stay—and so is your teen’s connection to them. But navigating this digital world doesn’t have to mean power struggles and resentment. In this episode, you’ll learn how to shift from controlling your teen’s tech habits to co...

Do you ever wish you could stay calm in the moment — especially when your teen triggers you again with the same old behaviour? If you find yourself constantly reacting with frustration, guilt, or anger in tough parenting moments, you're not alone — and there’s a better way. In this episode, Jessica Stewart introduces a powerful 4-step Thinking Plan Blueprint that helps you mentally prepare for tri...

Are you dreading “the talk” with your teen about drinking—and afraid you’ll either blow up or be ignored? This episode is your guide to having real, honest conversations with your teen about alcohol without turning it into a lecture or losing the connection. Whether you're team abstinence, harm reduction, or just terrified of saying the wrong thing, this discussion will ground you with neuroscienc...

Do your eyes light up when your teenager walks into the room—or do you brace for drama? If you're feeling disconnected from your teen, stuck in a cycle of power struggles, or unsure how to rebuild the closeness you once had, this episode gives you a refreshingly simple (yet wildly effective) tool to shift your energy and theirs—in seconds. Discover the science-backed emotional cue that tells your...

Have you ever yelled at your teenager and instantly felt like you ruined everything? If you’ve ever spiraled into guilt after a blow-up with your teen, you’re not alone—and the good news is, all is not lost. In fact, repairing the connection afterward can make your relationship stronger than it was before. This episode breaks down exactly how. Learn why it’s never too late to reconnect with your t...

Are you tired of feeling like your teen’s moods control the entire energy of your household? When parenting teens, it's easy to feel powerless and reactive—especially when your teenager seems to spiral and drag you into their emotional chaos. In this episode, Jessica shares the life-changing tool called the emotional self regulator that gives you back control—not over your teen, but over your own...

Do you feel personally attacked when your teen snaps at you, rolls their eyes, or talks back with an attitude? You’re not alone — but what if I told you that what feels like defiance might actually be normal, healthy behaviour for a developing teen brain? This episode dives into the misunderstood science and psychology behind teenage “rudeness” and why your emotional response is just as important...

Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a cycle of constantly fixing your teen's problems—only to end up feeling burnt out, unappreciated, or disconnected? Many well-meaning moms try to help their teens by solving every issue that arises—but this habit can unintentionally send the message that we don’t trust them to figure things out themselves. If you’re craving a more connected relationship with y...

Are you struggling to figure out what to say (or not say) when your teenager comes home overwhelmed with emotions? Many moms feel instinctively responsible for "fixing" their teen’s bad days — but this approach can unintentionally cause disconnection. In this episode, Jessica Stewart explains why your fear of your teen’s big feelings is completely normal, why trying to "make it better" often backf...

Ever wonder why your once-chatty teen suddenly clams up — and what you should do when they just won’t open up? As a mom, it's easy to feel rejected, worried, or even like you're failing when your teenager won't talk to you. This episode sheds light on why their silence is often developmental, not personal, and how understanding this shift can help you rebuild connection without pressure or guilt....

Are you tired of feeling like every conversation with your teen turns into a battle over "disrespect"? What if you could turn those moments into opportunities for real connection instead? If you're a mom struggling with power struggles and feeling hurt by your teenager's words or actions, this episode is your lifeline. You'll discover why typical teenage behavior often feels disrespectful, but may...

Ever wonder why you end up yelling at the people you love most—and what you can do to finally stop? If you're tired of feeling guilty after another shouting match with your teen, you're not alone. In this episode, Jessica Stewart opens up about her own experience with "Mom Rage," explores why yelling feels so instinctive, and offers real-world strategies to help you stay calm and feel truly heard...

How to Handle Your Teenager Not Doing Their Chores Without Getting Frustrated or Angry In this episode of Finding Your Calm With Your Teenager, life coach Jessica Stewart addresses a common parental frustration: teens neglecting chores. Using a real-life example from a parenting group, Jessica explains how altering your thought process can reduce conflict and improve communication.  She outli...

 One day I went to my son's room to look for something and I ended up finding a bunch of vapes and vape paraphernalia there. I will just say that I did not remain calm. I was livid. And it was fortunate that he was not home at the time because I needed time to calm down. Let's be real. I get triggered and need all the tools I teach here to help myself remain calm through these challenging times In...

Is it time for your teen to learn how to drive? 🚗 Are you terrified of this? 🫣 This is the ultimate in literally letting go of the wheel 🛞 and finding ways to keep your CALM.  Let’s dive in or shall I say drive into this episode where I will share my best wisdom and life coaching tools to help you with this. I’m going to break it down into a few parts 🛑 ➡️Before you even get into the car...

We can talk about acceptance at many different levels, acceptance of situations, acceptance of other people and how they are, self-acceptance.  When I myself or anyone else talks about acceptance as in just accept it, I think sometimes we can gloss over the frustration of acceptance and just skip to the part where we expect to be or where we expect others to be. Today I want to talk about tha...

Do you constantly worry about your teen’s every move? Find yourself checking their location, overanalyzing their tone, or assuming the worst when they don’t text back? If so, you might be experiencing **hypervigilance**—a heightened state of parental anxiety that can strain both you and your teen. In this episode, we explore: ✅ What hypervigilance is and why it happens ✅ How it impacts both you...

What is the best way to have the BIG talks with your teens?  We are often afraid to bring them up because we think it will make us uncomfortable or will cause them to engage in behaviour we don't want them to.  It does matter that we have these conversations and you want to be part of that conversation. Listen to this week's episode for 8 things to consider before you talk about sex, dru...

Have you ever had one of those days where you just feel *done*? Like you've got nothing left to give, and parenting feels overwhelming? You're not alone. In this episode, we’re talking about that drained, burnt-out feeling that so many parents experience—especially when raising teenagers. I’ll walk you through why this happens, what’s really going on beneath the surface, and how to shift your mind...

  🎙️  Raising a teenager is a whole new world compared to parenting a young child. As your child grows, your parenting style needs to evolve, too. In this episode, we’ll explore the key shifts parents need to make when transitioning into this stage—so you can stay connected,  and keep your cool when things get challenging. 💡 **What You’ll Learn in This Episode:** ✔️ The biggest min...

I personally love to read self-help books.  Is this the better way to be? Not necessarily... I have found myself at times using concepts and tools against myself and make me feel like I'm not good enough. Listen to this week's episode for a deeper dive into this realm. How do you use personal development?  Do you use it for or against yourself? Learn more about me at www.jessicastewartco...

Do you want to know how to help your teen not to feel sad? Of course you do right? That's your job as a parent.  What if it was better for your teen to help them learn how to feel sad or feel any of the so-called negative emotions. In this episode I make a case for this as part of learning healthy emotional management and regulation.   Remember, nothing has gone wrong when we are feeling...

Have you seen this on your social media channels? AITA?  It makes sense why we ask it but is it the right question to ask?  I don't think so and in this episode I will explain why.   There are much better questions to ask to create more connection in your relationships and to gain more insights from these "negative" interactions we inevitably have with our teenagers. Listen and let...