Connect With Your Teens | Conversation Starters, Parenting Tips, Screen Time, Build Connection, Communication Skills

35 | Beyond Punishment: Creating the Safety That Invites Truth — Candid Conversation with Sharaya Maples (Part 2)

What if your teen isn’t lying to be defiant — but because they don’t feel safe telling you the truth?
In this Episode, my daughter, Sharaya and I have an honest conversation about what’s underneath teen lies — fear, shame, self-protection, and a longing to be understood. How creating a safe space transforms teen honesty. You’ll hear moments from our own story, including the choices we made as parents that rebuilt trust after painful breakdowns, and the small shifts that helped our daughter feel safe enough to be honest again. Trust isn’t built with your child through punishment — it’s built through understanding and safety.
If you’re ready to go deeper in building lasting connection in your relationships — I’m hosting a FREE workshop on November 17th. 
This is the hour every mom needs if you’re tired of walking on eggshells or feeling shut out of your teen’s heart. You’ll learn how to rebuild trust, stop the cycle of silence, and restore meaningful connection… even if things feel tense right now.
Save your spot here: https://bit.ly/connectwithyourteenworkshop
What You’ll Learn In This Episode:
Why teens lie even when it seems “illogical”
How to respond in a way that builds trust rather than panic, punishment, or fear
Why “tell me more” can open a door your teen thought was locked
What helped us repair connection after moments we got it wrong
Resources: 
✨ Join the FB Community: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly tips, encouragement, and be the first to know of upcoming events: Weekly Newsletter
✨Grab the link to our Anchoring Song Playlist on Spotify. These are songs that will help you pause, breathe, and reset when your emotions start to rise. https://bit.ly/AnchoringPlaylist
✨ Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💛Leave a Review so moms can find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. Listen on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you catch podcasts: https://bit.ly/ConnectWithYourTeensPodcast

34 | Beyond the Lie: Unpacking the Fear That Shut Me Down — Honest Talk with Sharaya Maples (Part 1)

If you’ve ever caught your teen lying and wondered, “Why would they do that?” — this episode is for you.
In part one of a heartfelt conversation with my daughter Sharaya, we unpack what’s really going on when your teen lies. It’s not about rebellion—it’s often about fear, shame, or self-protection. Together, we explore the hidden reasons behind teen dishonesty and what you can do to build connection and trust instead of tension. If you’ve been walking on eggshells or feeling shut out, this episode will help you see your teen’s behavior through a new lens and open the door to deeper connection. 💛
✨ Want to learn how to rebuild trust in just 10 minutes a day?
✨ Join me for the free Connect With Your Teen Workshop and learn how to rebuild trust in just 10 minutes a day? It’s November 17th at 10 AM MST live on Zoom.
You’ll discover how to stop walking on eggshells and start building a relationship rooted in trust and safety—without guilt, fear, or frustration.
👉 Save your seat here: https://bit.ly/connectwithyourteenworkshop
In this episode, you’ll learn:
-Why fear of punishment and loss of control often drive teens to lie
-How to respond in a way that builds emotional safety and invites honesty
-Simple ways to shift from correction to connection—starting today
And don’t miss the end of this episode where I share something real — a moment I missed during this interview and what God reminded me afterward.
It’s an encouraging reminder that we’re all in process — and that grace is the bridge between where we are and the connection we’re rebuilding.
Resources & Links
✨ Join the FB Community: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly tips, encouragement, and be the first to know of upcoming events: Weekly Newsletter
✨ Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💬 Leave a Review so moms can find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. Listen on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you catch podcasts: https://bit.ly/ConnectWithYourTeensPodcast

33 | 5 Signs You’re Escaping the Conflict Trap and Rebuilding Trust with Your Teen

Are you constantly second-guessing every word you say—desperately trying to find the “right” way to communicate—but still ending up with tension?
Do you feel like you’re pouring your heart and soul into connecting with your teen, only to feel like you’re hitting a brick wall?
If you’re a mom who loves her teen deeply but feels stuck in a cycle of conflict, you might be missing the quiet, powerful signs that connection is actually happening.
In this episode, Terri unpacks 5 Signs You’re Escaping the Conflict Trap and Rebuilding Trust with Your Teen—and she’ll help you shift the one core belief that keeps you stuck in “fix-it” mode.
You’ll discover how to stop measuring success by your teen’s behavior and start noticing the subtle, Spirit-led shifts that are happening in your heart as you learn to listen, stay curious, and build safety through connection.
🌟 If you’re ready to make lasting changes in your relationships join the waitlist for my free “Connect With Your Teen” Workshop. I’ll show you how to create a beautiful connection with your teen in 10 minutes a day—without guilt or pressure. 🙌
Get the clarity, strategy, and tools you need to build trust and connection with your teen!
On This Edpisode You’ll Learn:
The flawed belief that keeps moms trapped in the cycle of conflict
How to move from a “Fix-It” mindset to a “Curiosity” mindset
Why advice-giving can sabotage connection (and what to do instead)
The 5 key signs that your communication is transforming
Resources:
✨ Join the FB Community: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly tips, encouragement, and be the first to know of upcoming events: Weekly Newsletter
✨ Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💬 Leave a Review so moms can find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. Listen on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you catch podcasts: https://bit.ly/ConnectWithYourTeensPodcast
 

32 | Beyond the Eye Roll: 3 Steps to Reach Your Teen’s Heart

Ever feel like your teen’s eye roll says everything — and none of it’s good? Maybe you’ve tried to connect, but every conversation ends in silence, sarcasm, or shutdown. The truth is, those surface reactions are just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath that attitude or one-word answer is something deeper — something your teen often doesn’t have the words to express.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through three powerful steps to move past those surface behaviors and reach your teen’s heart — so you can respond with understanding instead of reactivity. You’ll learn how to shift from frustration to connection, and discover how to communicate in a way that builds trust and emotional safety — even in the middle of an eye roll.
In this episode you’ll learn:
How to recognize what’s really behind your teen’s surface reactions
Three steps to help you connect instead of react: Remember & Discover, Invite & Listen, and Capture Feedback
The one mindset shift that opens your teen’s heart (and helps you stay calm when they’re not)
Why listening like God does is the most powerful communication strategy you’ll ever use
🌟 Join the waitlist for my free “Connect With Your Teen” Workshop.
I’ll show you how to create a beautiful connection with your teen in 10 minutes a day—without guilt or pressure. 🙌
Get the clarity, strategy, and tools you need to build trust and connection with your teen!
🔗 Sign up now: https://connectwithyourteens.com/opt-in-free-workshop-waitlist-638960-3652
🌟 Want more support?
✨ Join the FB Community: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly tips, encouragement, and event updates: Weekly Newsletter
✨ Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💬 Leave a Review — Your words help other moms find this podcast and the hope they’ve been praying for: Apple Podcasts

31 | The Secret to Calm, Connected Communication With Your Teen—God’s Way

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to slip into “fix-it” mode when your teen shuts down or rolls their eyes? You want connection, but fear takes over — fear they’ll pull away, make poor choices, or that you’re not doing enough. In this episode, Terri helps you uncover the real reason behind that reaction and how it’s connected to your identity as a mom.
Through Psalm 139, you’ll discover what it means to be fully known, loved, and seen by God — and how this truth becomes the anchor that steadies you in every conversation with your teen. You’ll learn how being grounded in God’s view of you transforms your words, your tone, and your ability to create emotional safety that invites your teen to open up again.
What You’ll Discover:
Why your communication style often reflects how you see yourself
How fear quietly shapes your words and reactions with your teen
The 5 anchoring truths from Psalm 139 that re-center your heart
How to respond with calm confidence instead of control
Join the waitlist for my free “Connect With Your Teen” Workshop. I’ll show you how to create a beautiful connection with your teen in 10 minutes a day-without guilt or pressure. 🙌
Get the clarity, strategy, and tools you need to build trust and connection with your teen!
🔗 Sign up now: https://connectwithyourteens.com/opt-in-free-workshop-waitlist-638960-3652
💬 WANT MORE SUPPORT?
✨ Join the FB Community: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly tips, encouragement, and be the first to know of upcoming events: Weekly Newsletter
✨ Instagram: instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💛 Leave a Review:
If these episodes gave you hope or a new perspective, would you leave a written review? Your words help other moms find this podcast and the encouragement they’ve been praying for.
→ Connect With Your Teens on Apple Podcasts

30 | When Your Teen Feels Like a Stranger: 5 Steps to Rebuild Your Bond (Part 2)

Have you ever felt like your teen has become a stranger? That the distance between you grows every time you open your mouth?
In this episode, we dig into the hidden weight of regret and grief many moms carry—and how that weight can actually be a pathway to rebuilding connection. We’ll cover two additional types of grief many moms experience, reveal the freedom in forgiveness through Scripture, and walk through 5 practical steps you can begin using right now to rebuild trust and closeness with your teen.
Have you ever felt like your teen has become a stranger? That the distance between you grows every time you open your mouth? In this episode, we dig into the hidden weight of regret and grief many moms carry—and how that weight can actually be a pathway to rebuilding connection. We’ll cover two additional types of grief many moms experience, reveal the freedom in forgiveness through Scripture, and walk through 5 practical steps you can begin using right now to rebuild trust and closeness with your teen.
Join the waitlist for my free “Connect With Your Teen” Workshop. I’ll show you how to create a beautiful connection with your teen in 10 minutes a day-without guilt or pressure. 🙌
Get the clarity, strategy, and tools you need to build trust and connection with your teen!
🔗 Sign up now: https://connectwithyourteens.com/opt-in-free-workshop-waitlist-638960-3652
Resources and links:
✨ Join the FB Community: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly tips, encouragement, and be the first to know of upcoming events: Weekly Newsletter
✨ Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💬 Leave a Review so moms can find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. Listen on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you catch podcasts: https://bit.ly/ConnectWithYourTeensPodcast

29 | Do You Feel Like You’ve Lost the Teen You Once Knew? 5 Steps to Rebuild Connection and Trust (Part 1)

Has your teenager pulled away and you’re left wondering what happened to the close, easy connection you once had?
In this heartfelt episode, we’ll talk about the often-unspoken grief that comes with parenting teens — the sadness, confusion, and sense of loss when your child grows more distant. It’s part one of a two part series that will help you understand what’s really happening beneath the distance and how those feelings can become the starting point for rebuilding connection and trust.
You’ll learn:
1- The first 3 most common types of grief moms of teens experience
2- Why acknowledging your emotions isn’t weakness—it’s the first step toward rebuilding trust
3- How to begin processing the loss so you can move forward in love and connection
If you’ve ever looked at your teen and thought, “I just want us to be close again,” this episode will meet you right where you are.
One Thing to do this week:
Before next week’s episode, take 10 quiet minutes to journal:
“What I miss most about our relationship is…”
“The connection I dream of having with my teen looks like…”
“When I think about these changes, I feel…”
✨ Part 2 next week we’ll discover two other types of grief and reveal how to move from grief to growth and begin rebuilding connection in a new way.
Other Helpful Episodes:
🎧 EP 28: Has Family Time Turned Into Screen Time? 3 Ways to Reclaim Meaningful Connection
🎧 EP 21: When You Feel Like Nothing’s Working with Your Teen — Start Here
Want more support:
 ✨ Join the FB Community: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly tips, encouragement, and be the first to know of upcoming events: Weekly Newsletter
✨ Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💬 Leave a Review so moms can find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. Listen on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you catch podcasts: https://bit.ly/ConnectWithYourTeensPodcast

28 | Has Family Time Turned Into Screen Time? 3 Ways to Reclaim Meaningful Connection With Your Teen

Does your “family time” feel like everyone’s just sitting together but living in separate digital worlds? Have screen-time battles left you feeling more disconnected from your teen than ever? What if reclaiming connection didn’t require more rules?
If your family room feels more like a collection of people staring at separate screens than a place of connection, there’s hope for change without the constant conflict.
In today’s episode, Terri shares three practical (and peaceful) ways to reclaim time with your family that build connection instead of creating power struggles. You’ll learn how to shift the focus from controlling your teen’s screen use to creating meaningful moments of presence, curiosity, and trust—because true connection isn’t built by taking things away, but by intentionally creating something better together.
You’ll discover how to:
💛 Create “Micro Moments” that open space for real connection
💛 Shift from pressure-filled “family time” to natural togetherness
💛 Lead with curiosity—not criticism—when your teen’s glued to their device
By the end, you’ll have simple, effective ways to strengthen your relationship and make time together something your teen actually looks forward to.
Resources Mentioned:
✔️ EP 14: How One Couple Used Music To Build Connection With a Teen (Greg & Kim McInturff’s story) Listen Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connect-with-your-teens-conversation-starters/id1826286296?i=1000722896181
✔️ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider:
💌 https://bit.ly/ConnectWithYourTeensInsider — Get weekly encouragement and practical tips to strengthen communication with your teen.
✔️ Join the Private Facebook Community:
💬 https://bit.ly/HowToConnectWithYourTeen — A safe space for moms learning how to communicate with their kids and encourage one another through it all. Once a month, Terri hosts a private Live Q&A Zoom call for members. The October 2025 one will focus on navigating hard, polarizing conversations with grace and connection.
💛 If this episode encouraged you or gave you hope for your relationships, would you leave a written review? Your words help other moms find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. Listen here on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connect-with-your-teens-parenting-teens-family/id1826286296

27 | Why Your Teen Goes Silent When You Ask Questions (And How to Fix It)

When was the last time your well-meaning questions turned your teen into a brick wall? If you’re tired of watching your teen shut down, walk away, or give one-word answers, you’re not alone.
In today’s episode, we’re uncovering why the way you ask can actually create more distance—and how one simple shift can open the door to real connection. Every mom wants to know what’s happening in their teen’s life, but even with the best intentions, sometimes our approach makes them pull away instead of draw near.
You’ll learn:
✔️ Why questions make your teen go silent
✔️ Three key shifts that turn questions into safe invitations
✔️ A simple approach that transforms conversation into connection
If you’ve been longing for deeper conversations with your teen, this episode will give you a fresh perspective and practical steps you need to create conversations your teen actually wants to have.
Resources & Links:
✨ Join the FB Community: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly tips, encouragement, and be the first to know of upcoming events: Weekly Newsletter
✨ Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💬 Leave a Review so moms can find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. Listen on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you catch podcasts: https://bit.ly/ConnectWithYourTeensPodcast

26 | Why Your Teen’s Connection Tank is Running On Empty and What You Can Do To Fill It

Is your teen’s constant pull toward devices and friends leaving you feeling shut out? Do you worry that you’re losing the bond you once had with your child? What if their need for connection is actually God’s design calling out to you? 
Ever feel like your teen is slipping away—spending more time on their phone, retreating to their room, or turning to friends and social media instead of you? You’re not alone. In this heartfelt episode, Terri opens up about why your teen’s connection tank might be running on empty and what you can do to refill it—starting today.
Discover the biblical foundation for connection, the hidden reasons your teen may be seeking it in unhealthy places, and simple, everyday ways you can rebuild trust, strengthen communication, and create the safe space your child is desperately longing for.
Because connection isn’t optional. It’s part of God’s original design—and when you pursue it, you give your teen the gift of being truly seen, known, and loved.
👉 Inside this episode you’ll learn:
Why connection is essential to your teen’s well-being (and not just “nice to have”).
How God models connection through His pursuit of us—even when we mess up.
What today’s teens are saying about their parents, devices, and what they really want most.
Five practical ways you can start filling your teen’s connection tank today.
💡 If you’ve been praying for a breakthrough in your relationship, this episode will give you hope, encouragement, and a tangible first step.
Resources & Mentions in This Episode:
✨ Youth wellness expert Katey McPherson → https://www.kateymcpherson.com
Connect With Me:
✨ Join the FB Community: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly tips, encouragement, and be the first to know of upcoming events: Weekly Newsletter
✨ Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💬 Leave a Review so moms can find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. Listen on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you catch podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connect-with-your-teens-conversation-starters/id1826286296