“Because I said so!”

How did your last conversation go with your teen?

If it was a battle, argument, or yelling and 

you felt frustrated, angry, or exhausted, then guess what?

You are communicating from an outdated parenting model.

Most of us were raised with rewards, punishments, and phrases like, “Because I said so.”

Try this instead.

When your buttons get pushed, and they will, pause and breathe to settle your nervous system.

Notice you want your teen to do something different.

You go first.

Stop lecturing and telling them what to do.

Instead, turn what you were about to say into a question.

After they answer your question, empathize.

And then ask them, “What do you want to do?”

Stop when they offer an idea.

Not when their idea is your idea.

Your teen is not perfect. 

No one is.

They are learning.

Give them space to do that.

They are developing life skills that don’t come innately.

This is normal.

Nothing has gone wrong.

When you respond with compassionate curiosity, you’ll feel better.

Your teen will listen and share more.

This is how to raise the little human you always imagined they would become.

Listen. You will yell. We all do.

It’s not a big deal until you decide to yell at every interaction and never repair the situation.

If this makes sense, then click HERE to explore coaching with me.

I will teach you how to stop the battles and create the connection and cooperation you desire.

Imagine how that would feel.

♥️ Jeanine

P.S. Here’s the link to take the first step.

P.P.S. Head on over to Instagram for more parenting strategies.