Avsnitt
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My guest today is Julietta Skoog, my co-founder and the Early Years Lead here at Sproutable. We’re talking about perfectionism and pressure on high achieving middle schoolers. Julietta and I discuss high achieving kids and the connection between extracurriculars and academics. We compare overachieving and being an efficient student and how much pressure some middle schoolers are under. Julietta shares about growth mindset and the antidote for perfectionism. We wrap up chatting about our modeling and “living out loud.”
Takeaways from the show
High achieving middle school students
We can’t always help our kids tune out distractions or pressure, but we can help our kids reframe
Extracurriculars and academics
Being an efficient student versus being an overachieving student
The high pressure (and even burn out) on middle schoolers
The fear of “what if I never figure it out?”
Reconciling parental expectations with school expectations and what their own expectations are for themselves
Studying for a test versus studying to learn & retain knowledge
Things can still be hard and uncomfortable even when we’re using our Positive Discipline parenting tools and doing it “right” - sometimes we just have to sit with the discomfort and the challenge
The importance of a growth mindset
“The antidote for perfectionism is I love you no matter what”
When kids stop trying because of pressure from perfectionism
Modeling and “living out loud”
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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Struggling to connect with your teen? This episode dives deep into the dynamics of parent-teen relationships, exploring how our beliefs and reactions shape the way our kids see us. Learn how to shift from control to connection, create a space of openness, and build trust so your teen feels seen, heard, and understood. If you’ve ever wondered how to maintain influence without pushing your child away, this conversation is for you. Tune in to discover practical strategies for fostering a relationship where your teen feels safe to share—and you can truly support their journey.
Find more show notes and info about our sponsors at https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-554-conflict-to-connection-parenting-teens-with-empathy-amp-understanding/
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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My guest today is Jenn Ireland, and we’re talking about the mental health in youth sports, particularly for teen girls. Jenn shares what youth sports culture looks like today and we discuss teens tying their self-worth to athletic performance. Jenn talks about some of the skills she mentors young female athletes about, like countering your inner-critic voice with your inner-coach. We get into the similarities between parent coaching and coaching young athletes, and we wrap up touching on when to (gently) push your adolescent and effective coaching.
Takeaways from the show:
The focus on winning & success in youth sports culture today
Being disappointed with a loss versus associating losses with your self-worth
Self-worth can’t be tied to performance
Being good at a sport takes many life-skills in addition to the necessary athletic skills
How to help kids who are stuck in their head or beating themselves up about performance
Teens need mentors aside from parents & coaches
Countering your inner-critic with your inner-coach
Similarities between parent coaching and coaching young athletes - we’re all working on the same skills
Parents encouraging/pushing their children into elite sports versus kids who are intrinsically motivated
How do you know when to push your athlete? When do you hand the decision to play to your adolescent?
Telling a teen you love them unconditionally versus making sure they know and believe that you love them unconditionally
Building relationships
Effective coaching & being connected to your coaches
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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Parenting teens is a wild ride, and in this episode, we’re diving into how we can stay connected, even when it feels like they’re slipping away. I’ll be sharing insights from the community, including a real question from a parent struggling with their teen’s choices and independence. We’ll explore how to reframe challenges, strengthen communication, and shift our own mindset to create deeper, more meaningful relationships. You can’t control your teen, but you can control how you show up—and that changes everything. Join me for a conversation full of insight, validation, and practical tools to support you on this journey!
For more show notes and information about our sponsors, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-552-influence-through-connection-while-dealing-with-our-teens-partners-family/
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My guest today is Clarissa Moll, and she’s here today to talk about helping teens cope with grief. Clarissa shares her story and what led her to griefwork. We discuss how teens grieve and what your child(ren) want and need to know during loss. Clarissa offers us tips around relationship building and starting tough conversations with our adolescents. We end our conversation talking about spirituality in grief.
Takeaways from the show
Teens don’t have a lot of resources around grief
Adolescents don’t grieve like children or adults, and everyone grieves differently
Asking your child what it’s like to be a grieving teenager
Needing our teen’s guidance into what they need from us
When, what, and how much to share with your child
Being the gatekeeper for your family
The importance of one trusted adult and building a community of support
Wanting to say the “right thing” while not layering on additional sadness
“Be a good question asker, not a good advice giver”
Spirituality in grief
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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As parents, we often feel stuck when communicating with our teenagers, convinced they're being manipulative or just trying to get their way. This podcast challenges that mindset by exploring how kids—at any age—are driven by a deep need for belonging and significance. It encourages us to shift from commands to curiosity, creating an environment where our kids feel safe, heard, and empowered. By understanding their "private logic" and using questions instead of demands, we foster real connection. If you're ready to transform your parenting approach, this episode is a must-listen!
Find more show notes and info about sponsors at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-183-your-kids-are-not-manipulating-you/
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My guest today is Ron Kerbs, and he’s here to talk about online gaming safety tips & gaming toxicity for our teens. We get into the biggest threats to kids who play online multiplayer games and why gaming is so toxic. Ron shares advice for parents and some positives about gaming. We finish by talking about Ron’s company, Kidas, which monitors kids’ gaming and offers parents concrete resources and tips for how to talk to your child about what happened.
Takeaways from the show
What are the threats to kids who play online, multiplayer games? Spoiler: privacy issues & sharing personal information
The big feelings & frustrations that come with gaming
Why is online multiplayer gaming so toxic?
Are there “safe” games for kids? How do parents know?
Getting interested & involved in your adolescent’s games
What’s “too much” gaming?
Around 60% of kids under 18 who play video games will be bullied, harassed or scammed
Benefits of gaming include making friends, getting scholarships, and even making a living
Kids offers monitoring AND help with how to communicate and have those tough conversations with your child after an incident
Collaborating with other parents in your child’s friend group to get on the same page about gaming
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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Parenting a struggling teen is an incredibly tough journey, and if you’ve ever felt alone in it, this episode is for you. A fellow parent bravely shares their experience of admitting their 13-year-old into residential mental health care—how they got there, the doubts, and the hope. We’re diving into when to seek help, how to find it, and how to support our kids while also taking care of ourselves. If you’re navigating the impossible, know that you’re not alone. Tune in for insight, encouragement, and a reminder that healing—for both you and your teen—is possible.
Find more show notes and resources about our sponsors at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-549-when-our-teens-need-more-support-than-what-we-can-give/
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My guest today is Dr. Paul Sunseri. We’re talking about gentle parenting and oppositional teens. We get into how to get your teen on board with the limits & expectations you’ve set. Dr. Sunseri and I do several role plays as an oppositional teen & father to share specific strategies & language. We discuss threatening and physically aggressive or self-harming behaviors and finish on the importance of modeling emotional regulation.
Takeaways from the show
Dr. Sunseri’s new book - Gentle Parenting Reimagined: How to Make it Work with Oppositional Kids
What is intensive family-focused therapy?
Defining gentle parenting
Gentle parenting “harder kids”
Staying firm without being punitive or shaming
What is oppositional defiance disorder?
Your kids will be angry with you at times - part of parenting is telling your children “no”
Getting your resistant teen on board with limits & expectations
Handling threatening and physically aggressive behavior or self-harming behaviors
What to do/say in the moment when your teen is raging
Modeling emotional regulation - if you’re modeling explosiveness, they learn to be explosive
Creating a positive, self-sustaining feedback loop with your teen
What should parents look for when finding a great therapist for their adolescent
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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Today’s guest is Doctor Dan Siegel. Dan is a clinical professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA school of Medicine and the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Centre at UCLA. He is also the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute which focuses on the development of Mindsight, teaches insight, empathy and integration in individuals, families and communities. Dr. Siegel has published extensively for the professional and lay audiences. We are discussing his new book: Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence.
Takeaways from the show
The wheel of awareness: what it is and how it helps
How awareness impacts your body and health
How being present impacts the speed of the aging process
Wellbeing and how it is enhanced by being present
Relationships with your kids and how being present improves it
Cultivating awareness
Role modeling resilience
How awareness feeds connection vs control
Impacts of a lack of structure on the brain and future of children
Authoritative parenting vs Authoritarian parenting
Why we need the village and how that creates stress for contemporary parents
Finding joy, tranquility and connection through expanding awareness
Flipping our lid, learning from our body’s signals and how awareness can help
Monitoring and modifying for self-regulation and to improve responses to stress
The 3 O’s what they mean
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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Parenting through the teen years is a wild ride—full of highs, lows, and everything in between. We get tangled up in our kids' struggles, feeling responsible for fixing things, worried about their future, and desperate to help. But what if the real work is about stepping back, seeing them fully, and trusting their journey? In this episode, we explore the power of encouragement—not as empty praise, but as a way to build resilience, connection, and confidence. If you're deep in the muck with your teen, this is for you. Take a breath and listen in.
For full show notes and info about our sponsors, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/547-energetic-encouragement-for-emotional-teens-and-tweens/
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My guest today is Vibha Arora, and we’re discussing being empty nesters. Vibha and I both share stories and feelings from our own kids launching and discuss how our relationship with our partners change. We get into how to rediscover yourself as someone besides Mom or Dad. Vibha and I finish our conversation, chatting about checking-in with our recently launched baby adults and the importance of tending to ourselves.
Takeaways from the show
The phrase “empty nest” versus “freedom nest”
Our adult children leaving is our goal
There’s a wide range of feelings and emotions that come when our children leave the house, and those are all okay
Our relationship with our partners changing during this phase of life
Relaunching yourself as an empty nester & identity shifts
Letting go of control and trusting our newly-launched adults
When we jump in and fix things, we rob them of experiences and learning
We have to be okay with it when our kids don’t take our suggestions or advice
Clarifying expectations and making a plan about checking-in with each other
5 Minute Journal Prompt: “I am…”
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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This week’s podcast is a must-listen for parents navigating the challenges of raising teens in the digital age! I dive into a relatable post from our Joyful Courage for Parents of Teens Facebook group about a mom’s discovery of her 12-year-old’s creative use of tech to bypass school filters. We discuss the struggles of setting screen boundaries, the importance of co-creating agreements, and how to handle these conversations with curiosity and connection rather than confrontation. If you’re dealing with tech-related parenting hurdles, this episode is packed with insights and actionable tips. Don’t miss it!
For more show notes and information about our sponsors go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-545-secret-browsers-hiding-tiktok-middle-school-screen-challenges/
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My guest today is Julietta Skoog, my co-founder and the Early Years Lead here at Sproutable. We’re talking about middle school friendships today.
We discuss established elementary school friendships changing in middle school. Julietta shares a recent story about her own middle schooler and when it’s appropriate for parents to get involved in friendship drama. We talk about the difference between belonging & fitting in, coaching your kid(s) through discomfort, and how important it is to acknowledge and validate how hard our middle schoolers are working. We end by getting into how we can encourage new friendships & nurture good friendships.
Takeaways from the show
Middle school is messy!
Your sweet, innocent child being exposed to new things
Middle school is a great, lower-stakes time to make mistakes
Reflecting on your own middle school experiences & memories to find compassion for your adolescent
Kids need at least one or two good friends they can count on
Coaching our kids through discomfort
When is the time for parents to get involved in middle school drama?
Listen, acknowledge, validate, believe, and encourage your middle schooler
Middle schoolers need to practice decision making before high school
Encouraging new friendships and nurturing good friendships
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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This show is a replay, and I think you will love it!
I've been reflecting on surrender in parenting and life. Inspired by my morning routines, coaching, and my daughter's journey to thriving independence, I've learned that surrender isn't defeat but trust—letting go of control and embracing what is. Parenting my teens, navigating challenges like mental health struggles and my husband's cancer, taught me to release attachments to outcomes, timelines, and "why" questions. Instead, I focus on being present, curious, and supportive. I've found peace in trusting my kids' paths, holding space for them to grow authentically. This surrender brings freedom and deeper connection in parenting and beyond.
Find more show notes and information about our sponsors at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-380-art-surrender-parenting-teens/
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My guest today is Melissa Esposito, and we’re talking about the power of nature & the power of building a parent community. We discuss expanding the relationships that our adolescents have and the benefits of other adults in your children’s lives. Melissa shares about how and where to find a parent and family community so our youth have other adults in their life to support them. We talk about when you just don’t understand your kid. We wrap up this episode with some suggestions for places & opportunities to volunteer & connect with youth.
Melissa Esposito is cofounder and lead mentor of Feather and Frond forest school, an outdoor wilderness school in Bellingham, WA.
Takeaways:
BUILD a village for your kid and BE the village for other kids in your community
What is wilderness school?
The overlap between toddler & adolescent years
The auntie revolution
We’re not meant to parent alone
There’s capacity for community everywhere
Showing up for kids that aren’t yours
There are many opportunities and places are available to volunteer & connect with children in your community
We’ve got to be in it for all of us and not just ourselves
The connection between nature & community
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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This week's solo show addresses a parent’s question about engaging a teen who resists meaningful conversations. The parent felt stuck, balancing curiosity and respect with their teen’s avoidance, and wondered how to foster responsibility without resorting to punitive measures. I emphasized the importance of understanding what’s holding teens back, shifting from “won’t” to “can’t,” and focusing on respectful, patient communication. Teens often need space to process emotions and build trust. I encouraged reframing expectations, staying kind and firm, and prioritizing long-term connection. Parenting teens is messy but rewarding, and the key lies in intentionality, patience, and self-awareness. You’re not alone in this journey!
Find more show notes and info about our sponsors at https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-542-communicating-beyond-i-dont-know-with-our-teens/
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My guest today is Karen Collins, and we’re talking about creating rituals, especially at the new year. We discuss what rituals are and how to use the near year’s energy as a reset. Karen shares some practices from a recent retreat, including an embodiment exercise, then shares her own new year’s ritual. We talk about setting intention for the year with anchoring words and wrap up on sustaining the work of ritual in chaotic, day-to-day life.
Takeaways from the show
What are rituals?
What’s the difference between a ritual versus something you just do sometimes?
Using the new year as a reset
The human experience versus the spiritual experience
Setting intention with anchor words
Falling off is part of the practice
Rejuvenation days
Keeping your non-negotiables simple
Make 2025 a year of self compassion
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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Happy New Year! I’m embracing the energy of being a deliberate creator, focusing on growth and learning. A listener shared a challenge about their 13-year-old son lying about screen time. While the lie was minor, the parents were troubled by how easily it was told. I encouraged them to approach this with curiosity and love, not punishment. Share disappointment without shaming, revisit agreements, and emphasize that mistakes are opportunities to learn. Trust and honesty grow through connection and communication, not fear or control. Parenting is messy, but every challenge is a chance to grow together.
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My guest today is our early childhood lead, Julietta Skoog, and we’re wrapping up the year talking about screentime & tech. Julietta shares the screen agreements she’s created with her children. We discuss how to help our teens develop a sense of self-awareness around their screen use & why they need opportunities to practice. We talk about how to know when screentime is getting problematic & building trust with your adolescent around screen usage.
See more show notes, resources and info about our sponsors at https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/539-talking-about-screens-again-with-julietta-skoog/
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