236. Communication With Teenagers: Why It Matters More Than Ever

236. Communication With Teenagers: Why It Matters More Than Ever

Author: Therese Connolly February 12, 2026 Duration: 9:29

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 personal stories and powerful research, you'll hear how simple words can shape trust, identity, and emotional safety in the teen years.

  1. Discover why loving words matter neurologically and emotionally—especially in adolescence.
  2. Learn specific, connection-building phrases that truly land with tweens and teens.
  3. Hear how to start (even if it feels awkward or unfamiliar) in a way that feels authentic to your parenting style and family history.

Listen now to learn how small shifts in the way you speak to your teen can lead to deeper connection, trust, and emotional safety—starting today.

⭐Got screen time problems at home, get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Mindful Kids and Families

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here👇: therese@mindfulkidsandfamilies.com Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

🆘 Need 1:1 Support? Book right here to connect with Tess for a 45-minute FREE “Parent Reset” session: Parent Reset Call

⭐Got screen time problems at home? Get the Tech Reset Agreement here 👉Mindful Kids and Families

⭐️Join the Family and get your weekly Mindful Kids and Family Journal here: https://www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com/join-the-family (Get ready for lessons, podcast leads, offers for parents, and ways to win free parent coaching or masterclasses)

The Single Parenting Reset Show supports single moms, working moms, and all parents with practical parenting tips on screen time, emotional regulation, co-parenting, stress relief, setting boundaries, building trust, and raising confident tweens and teens, while tackling tech addiction, behavior problems, and parent burnout with conscious parenting strategies for stronger family connection.

#singleparents #parentingtweensandteens #ScreenTime #behaviorproblems #Communication


Navigating the tween and teen years alone comes with a unique set of daily tests, from managing defiance to negotiating screen time in a connected world. Single Parenting Reset Show: For Solo Parents of Tweens and Teens is here for that journey. Hosted by Therese Connolly, a licensed clinical social worker and family coach, this podcast moves beyond theory to offer actionable steps you can use immediately. Therese draws on both professional expertise and a genuine understanding of the solo parent reality, where you’re the only one setting boundaries and mending fences. Conversations focus on turning behavioral challenges into opportunities for growth, finding realistic ways to pull kids from their devices, and fostering a home where communication actually works. You’ll hear strategies for building your own confidence as a parent while strengthening your family’s connections, all without the sugar-coating. This is a space for single moms and dads seeking real-life support, where every episode aims to provide a practical reset for the week ahead. Tune in for a blend of compassionate guidance and concrete tools designed specifically for the solo parent raising adolescents.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Single Parenting Reset Show: For Solo Parents of Tweens and Teens — Manage Behavior Problems, Reduce Screen Time & Improve Communication
Podcast Episodes
174. Teen Anxiety and Avoidance: What Parents Should Know [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:16
Is anxiety driving tension in your home—whether it's yours or your tween’s? Learn how to handle overwhelming moments with clarity, not panic.Anxiety often shows up during parenting—especially for single parents raising t…
173. When Teens Say “I’m Bored”: What Parents Should Do [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:37
Are you hearing “I’m bored!” before your first cup of coffee hits the counter? If you’re a single parent raising tweens or teens, you’re definitely not alone.In this episode, Tess Connolly, LCSW, sits down with fellow mo…
172. Why Parents and Teens Keep Having the Same Arguments [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:17
Are you a single parent stuck in the same exhausting conflict loop with your tween or teen? Do your arguments feel repetitive, emotional, and hard to solve—no matter how many times you talk it through?You’re not alone—an…
168. Handling Teen Behavior Problems and Screen Time Battles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:05
Struggling to parent your screen-obsessed teen without constant conflict or guilt?In today’s screen-saturated world, parenting tweens and teens feels more like managing meltdowns than building connection—especially for s…
167. Summer Structure for Tweens and Teens: How Parents Can Stay Sane [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:16
Are you a single parent wondering how to survive summer with your tween or teen home all day, pushing back on rules, and glued to a screen?As summer ramps up, many parents face a sudden breakdown in structure—and a surge…