Teen Savvy Coaching
Helping teens and the adults who care for them to thrive
What does it mean to be a “good” parent when your body—or mind—just isn’t cooperating? In this week’s episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, we sit down with psychologist Dr. Katie Lawless to talk about what it’s really like to navigate parenting with chronic illness. Katie lives with cystic fibrosis and brings both clinical wisdom and …
If parenting triggers—like finding laundry on the floor, a missed homework assignment, or a teenager’s “I got it” shrug—ever make you lose your cool, you’re not alone. In this week’s episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and I unpack what’s really going on when minor parenting moments become major meltdowns. Spoiler: it’s usually not about …
If your child refuses to wear jeans, can’t sit still at dinner, or melts down over seemingly minor transitions, you’re not alone—and it might not be behavioral at all. In the latest episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, we explore how occupational therapy for kids can be a powerful (and often overlooked) tool to support emotional …
Understanding what ADHD kids wish their parents knew is the key to unlocking more compassion and more connection. Helping to have fewer power struggles. With Part 2 of our ADHD series on the Parenting Shrink Wrapped podcast, we dig into the real-life parenting challenges that come with raising neurodivergent kids. We discuss how a few …
ADHD in kids is one of the most commonly discussed—and commonly misunderstood—diagnoses in parenting today. If your mental image of ADHD involves a fidgety, blurting, can’t-sit-still kind of kid, you’re not wrong… but you’re not seeing the whole picture. In the latest episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, child psychiatrist Dr. Melissa Wellner and I take …
If your teen’s eye roll makes you feel irrationally furious, or their silence sends you spiraling into shame, you’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. These moments might be revealing how trauma affects parenting, especially when old wounds resurface in everyday interactions with your child. In a recent episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, we had the …
This week on Parenting Shrink Wrapped, we’re honoring Father’s Day with a raw, real, and refreshingly unfiltered conversation about fatherhood and grief. Our guests—two dads who aren’t afraid to admit they don’t have it all figured out. They open up about the messy, meaningful, and often emotional journey of raising kids. Our guests are Dr. …
If it feels like your house is being held together with forgotten permission slips and lukewarm coffee, you’re not alone. May is chaos. And for parents of teens and tweens, surviving the end of the school year can feel like an extreme sport. In the latest episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa Wellner, MD, and …
If you’ve ever felt like the peanut butter squished between two very emotionally complex slices of bread—your teen on one side and your parent(s) on the other—congrats. You’re living the sandwich generation life. In our latest episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Parenting While Being Parented, Melissa and I dig into the emotional complexity of raising …
As parents, we all want our teens to succeed and build life skills, but the road to success isn’t always about academic achievement or winning trophies. One of the most valuable places for teens to build important life lessons is through youth sports. Whether they’re playing competitive soccer, gymnastics, or even participating in recreational team …
May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re starting it with some real talk—and real myth-busting—about teen mental health. 🎤 In the newest episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, I team up with my co-host, child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Melissa Wellner, to break down three of the most common (and dangerous) misconceptions we hear from …
If you’ve ever seen your teen react like a startled horse when asked about missing homework, you’re not alone. Teens and horses have more in common than you’d think—and when parents gain insights and understanding those reactions can help build stronger communication. In our latest episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, we’re exploring what horses—yes, actual …
Spoiler alert: Your teen probably isn’t going to sit cross-legged in a playroom and build castles in a sand tray in play therapy. But what if the principles behind play therapy could still help you understand, connect with, and support your teen—especially when they’re struggling to express what’s going on inside? In the latest episode …
Parenting is never a one-size-fits-all journey, and when you’re raising a child on the autism spectrum, the path can feel even more complex. From navigating school accommodations to understanding sensory needs, parenting a child with autism requires patience, advocacy, and a whole lot of love. In the latest episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, we sit …
Parenting Transitions: Why Support Matters from Birth to the Teen Years Bringing home a baby is life-changing—but so is navigating the teen years. If you’ve ever wished for a parenting coach to guide you through the ups and downs of adolescence, you’re not alone. On this week’s Parenting Shrink Wrapped podcast, we’re joined by pre …
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your tween and thinking, Who even are you right now?, you’re not alone. Middle schoolers can be dramatic, unpredictable, and—let’s be honest—a little rude sometimes. But does that mean you’re raising a “difficult” teen? Probably not. In our latest episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, we tackled a real-life …
Divorce is one of the most challenging transitions a family can go through. But here’s the truth: how you handle it makes all the difference—especially for your kids. Not every divorce has to be a drawn-out battle filled with bitterness and legal drama. There is a better way. In our latest Parenting Shrink Wrapped episode, …
When you think about play, do you picture a bunch of kids running around, laughing, and making a mess? Maybe a game of tag, a pile of Legos, or an intense round of hide-and-seek? What if I told you that you need play just as much as your kids, especially as a busy, overworked, slightly …
In today’s world, food and body image are more complicated than ever. Between social media, celebrity diets, and the latest wellness trends, teens are bombarded with mixed messages about food and health. How can parents help their kids develop a positive relationship with eating—without falling into the traps of diet culture? On the latest episode …
Understanding Child and Adolescent Anxiety: When to Worry Anxiety is on the rise among kids and teens, and as parents, it can be tough to know when to step in. While some anxiety is a normal and even healthy response to life’s challenges, excessive or impairing anxiety is a different story. In the latest episode …
Parenting teens is no small feat. Between school stress, extracurriculars, and the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence, it’s easy for parents to fall into the trap of putting their own needs last. But here’s the hard truth: neglecting your self-care isn’t just unsustainable—it’s also detrimental to your ability to parent effectively. In the latest episode of …
I’d like to introduce a key parenting strategy to connect with your teen. I teach this to all of my coaching clients: “Join before you shift.” When it comes to raising teens, so many of our conversations are what I call “change conversations.” These are the moments when we’re asking our teens to make a …
I went to see Inside Out 2 with my soon-to-be-18-year-old daughter on opening night, and I’m so glad I did. As someone who swims in the waters of all things teen, I’ve been looking forward to the release of this film since I learned it was in creation. If you’re familiar with the original Inside …
The other night my husband and I were reminiscing about our college days, which is when we met. (That I was just a few months older than my youngest is now when I met the guy I’d eventually marry is a tad mind-blowing to me. I mean–I felt so much OLDER than my daughter feels …
