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

25 | Parenting Tips: One Reason Teens Tune Out Their Moms!

Are you tired of repeating your advice to your teen and getting eye rolls or silence in return?
Do you feel frustrated when your teen seems to tune out even the guidance you know could help them?
Wondering why your well-meaning solutions often push your teen further away instead of connecting them to you?
In this episode, we’re diving into a common communication pattern that keeps teens from truly listening—the one many moms unconsciously repeat without realizing it. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of over-explaining, eye rolls, or your teen shutting down, this episode is for you. You’ll learn how to shift from being a problem-solver to a gentle guide, so your teen feels respected, heard, and more open to your advice. By the end, you’ll walk away with practical tips to strengthen your connection and become the mom your teen naturally turns to for guidance.
💛 Want more support?
✨ Join the FB Community: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider: 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

24 | Talk So Teens Listen: 5 Keys to Better Communication

Ever feel like one wrong word with your teen can flip the whole conversation?
A slammed door, a sarcastic remark, or the dreaded eye roll—and suddenly you’re caught in a storm of emotions. Your heart races, defensiveness rises, and before you know it, you’ve drifted into frustration or silence.
Mom, I know that storm well. And I also know this: you don’t have to be tossed around by it. You can stay steady. You can stay connected.
In this episode, I’m sharing 5 keys to better communication so that even when the waves rise, you remain grounded and calm. These are simple but powerful practices that create safety—not just for you, but for your teen too. Because when you’re anchored and steady, your teen actually feels it, and it opens the door for them to listen and engage.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
✨ Why anchoring matters when conversations get stormy
✨ How to reset your emotions so you don’t default to fixing, criticizing, or shutting down
✨ 5 practical ways to stay grounded in Christ so your teen feels safe to listen
And as a bonus, I’ve created a Spotify Anchoring Song Playlist—songs that will help you breathe, worship, and reset in the middle of the storm. You can grab it in the show notes.
🎶 Resources & Links Mentioned
✔️ 🎶 Get the FREE Spotify Anchoring Song Playlist: https://connectwithyourteens.com/opt-in-ras-anchoring-playlist-638960
✔️ The Pause App by John Eldredge – Apple Store | Google Play
🤝 Stay Connected
✨ Join the FB Community: https://bit.ly/HowToConnectWithYourTeen
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider:https://connectwithyourteens.com/insider-newsletter-connect-with-your-teens
✨ Instagram: instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💛 Leave a Review
If this episode encouraged or gave you hope for your relationships, would you take a minute to leave a written review? Your words and show rating help other moms find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. → Leave a review here.

23 | Build Connection with Your Teen and Transform Conflict into Lasting Legacy

Ever feel like you’re losing connection with your teen? Like every attempt at conversation ends in silence or conflict? Silence at the dinner table, battles over screen time, or constant eye rolls that make you feel invisible in your own home?
Maybe you’ve been carrying sadness or guilt, feeling the weight of distance between you and your child — and wondering if the closeness you once had is gone for good.
But, Mom, what if there’s more? What if this season could be about more than just surviving the teen years? What if the very struggles that feel so heavy right now are not just problems to solve, but doorways — opening into a deeper trust, a stronger bond, and a lasting transformation in your relationship?
I believe that when we as moms reconnect with our teens, we unlock a future that’s different not just for our families, but for generations to come. What we’re talking about could completely shift how you see your role in your teen’s life and the impact your family can have in a world that desperately needs what you’re building.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
✨ Why conflict can be holy ground instead of a battleground
✨ The ripple effect your family’s transformation can have for generations
✨ A vision of your role as a peacemaker, shaping a legacy of love, honor, and reconciliation
 
✔️ Want more support?
✨ Join the FB Community: www.facebook.com/groups/connectwithyourteens/
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider: https://connectwithyourteens.com/insider-newsletter-connect-with-your-teens
✨ Instagram: instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💛 Leave a Review
💬 If you learned something or were encouraged, would you take 30 seconds to leave a written review? Your words truly help other moms find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connect-with-your-teens-parenting-teens-family/id1826286296

22 | Tired of Misunderstandings with Your Teen? 3 Keys to Get Them Talking (Instead of Walking Away)

Have you ever said something you meant as helpful, only to have your teen take it the wrong way? You’re thinking, “I just want them to know I care.” But what they hear is, “You don’t think I can do anything.”
In this episode, we’ll look at why your words sometimes don’t land the way you intend—and 3 key shifts that help your teen feel safe to keep talking instead of walking away.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
✔️ The “identity filter” that shapes how your teen hears every word
✔️ How to move from control to collaboration in daily conversations
✔️ Simple reframes that build trust and connection
If you’re tired of eye-rolls, shutdowns, or conversations that go nowhere, this episode will give you fresh hope and practical ways to connect with your teen’s heart.
💛 Scripture Reference: James 3:5 – “The tongue is a small part of the body, yet it carries great power.”
🎶 Song Mentioned: Speak Life by TobyMac - TobyMac - Speak Life
✔️ Want more support?
✨ Join the FB Community: www.facebook.com/groups/connectwithyourteens/
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider: https://connectwithyourteens.com/insider-newsletter-connect-with-your-teens
✨ Instagram: instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💬 Leave a Review: If you learned something or were encouraged, would you take 30 seconds to leave a written review? Your words truly help other moms find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connect-with-your-teens-parenting-teens-family/id1826286296
 

21 | Parenting Styles That Build Respect: Teenage Insights With Bre Lee (Part 2)

Ever wonder what really makes teens feel seen and valued? In this heartfelt conversation with my daughter Bre, we pull back the curtain on the everyday moments that build lasting connection between parents and teens. From playful interactions to deep discussions, we share both sides of the parent-teen relationship - what works, what doesn't, and why.
This isn't just theory - it's real insight from both a mom and daughter's perspective on how to create the kind of relationship where teens feel safe to open up and parents feel confident to lead with love.
What you'll hear in this episode: 
How to use play and humor to connect at any age 
Why affirming identity matters more than praising accomplishments 
The power of showing up and putting distractions aside 
How to enter your teen's world through music, interests, and friendships 
Why asking permission before giving advice builds trust 
Practical ways to support your teen, even when you disagree
✅ One Thing To Do This Week (Choose One): 
Option 1: Notice & Affirm: 
Take a moment to notice and affirm something about who your teen is, not just what they do. Look for their kindness toward a sibling, creativity in solving a problem, or perseverance in a challenge. Speak it out. Let them know you see them.
Option 2: Practice Intentional Presence: 
Enter their world – Ask your teen to share a favorite song, game, or story from their day and engage with genuine curiosity. Let them feel seen.
Choose whichever option feels most natural to you - both are powerful ways to start building deeper connection today.
Bre’s Podcast Links and Interview with her pastor:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/me-myself-and-why/id1778954356
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3FiT9YvhDF1bPIwXSzABRw?si=d5jmrlLCTSard9L3r3qfDg
Interview on One On One:
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/one-on-one/id1797863869?i=1000724844022
YouTube: https://youtu.be/qfNuVRrYeIY
Related Episodes:
14 | The Power of Listening: How Young People Find Belonging When We Truly Hear Them With Greg and Kim McInturff (Part 1): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connect-with-your-teens-parenting-teens-family/id1826286296?i=1000722896181
15 | The Power of Listening: How Young People Find Belonging When We Truly Hear Them With Greg and Kim McInturff (Part 2): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connect-with-your-teens-parenting-teens-family/id1826286296?i=1000723151231
Want more support?
✨ Join the FB Community: www.facebook.com/groups/connectwithyourteens/
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider: https://connectwithyourteens.com/insider-newsletter-connect-with-your-teens
✨ Instagram: instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
 
 

20 | How to Create Safe Spaces for Honest Conversation—Teenage Insights With Bre Lee (Part 1)

Moms, when your teen pulls back, it can feel discouraging and even scary. But what if behind the silence is a longing to be known?
In this powerful conversation with my daughter Bre, now 35, you’ll hear straight from her heart about her experiences as a teen and young adult — what made it hard to talk openly with us, what shifted when we learned new communication skills, and what she wishes moms understood about holding a safe space.
In her early twenties, she spent four years in youth ministry, so she has a unique view on how teens think and what challenges they face in communicating with parents. 
This episode is full of parenting teens insights that will encourage you to slow down, set aside the agenda, and use gentle conversation starters that build trust instead of shutting it down.
We talk about:
Why teens often believe the pattern of past reactions more than the parent in front of them
How “unexpected kindness” made a bigger impact than any correction
The difference between talking to your child vs. connecting with a person
The power of invitations: “I’m here to hold your story”
Why vulnerability as a mom builds trust more than perfection ever could
💡 Questions to reflect on as you listen:
Do you know what patterns your teen has come to expect from you?
How do you usually respond when you see your teen holding back?
What would it look like to lay aside an agenda and enter the conversation with openness?
 
✔️ Want more support?
✨ Join the FB Community: www.facebook.com/groups/connectwithyourteens/
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider: https://connectwithyourteens.com/insider-newsletter-connect-with-your-teens
✨ Instagram: instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💛 Leave a Review: If this episode encouraged 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. → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connect-with-your-teens-parenting-teens-family/id1826286296.

19 | Afraid of Saying the Wrong Thing To Your Teen: When Connection Becomes Worth the Risk

What happens when you finally push past your biggest fear?
In this follow-up episode, I share the powerful story of what happened after I left a trembling message that changed my life—a reunion 55 years in the making.
Moms, if you’ve been waiting on the other side of silence, hoping your teen will open up, this episode will encourage you that connection is always worth the risk.
You’ll learn:
💛 How fear tells us stories that keep us stuck—and how to move past them
💛 Why connection doesn’t require perfect circumstances
💛 The simple, brave steps that can open your teen’s heart—even in messy, imperfect moments
✨ Related Episodes:
18 – E 18 The Vault: When Fear Blocks Connection With Your Teen And 4 Insights That Will Help You Break The Silence - Listen Here
 

16 | Feeling Disrespected When Talking To Your Teen? 3 Tips To Foster Mutual Respect

Moms, do you ever walk away from a conversation with your teen feeling like they just don’t respect you? Maybe it’s the eye rolls, the sarcasm, or the silence that leaves you hurt and wondering if things will ever change.
Here’s the surprising truth: most of the time, these conflicts aren’t really about respect at all. They’re about something deeper—something that can shift the entire dynamic once you understand it.
In this episode, I’ll share a simple but powerful process I call the Listen Capture Feedback Loop—three steps that will help you foster mutual respect, rebuild connection, and open the door for your teen to actually listen in return.
If you’ve ever thought, “They don’t hear me, and I don’t know how to reach them,” this episode will give you fresh hope and practical tools to start turning things around.
✨ Related Episodes:
14 – The Power of Listening: How Young People Find Belonging When We Truly Hear Them With Greg and Kim McInturff (Part 1) → Listen here
15 – The Power of Listening: How Young People Find Belonging When We Truly Hear Them With Greg and Kim McInturff (Part 2) → Listen here
✨ Resources & Links
✨ Join the FB Community:  www.facebook.com/groups/connectwithyourteens/
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider: https://connectwithyourteens.com/insider-newsletter-connect-with-your-teens
✨ Instagram: instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💛 Leave a Review
💬 If this episode encouraged 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. → Leave a review here

18 | Finding My Dad After 55 Years and Overcoming the Terror of Reconnecting

What if the deepest connection with your teen is locked behind an iron vault of fear?
In this deeply personal episode, I take you behind the scenes of my own story—55 years of silence, a hidden identity, and how fear of rejection nearly kept me from one of life’s most precious connections.
If you’ve ever:
Felt like you’re walking on eggshells with your teen…
Tried to connect, only to be met with silence or resistance…
Wondered if fear—yours or theirs—is the real barrier between you…
Then this episode will give you hope. Together, we’ll uncover 4 insights about fear and connection that can help you break the silence and open the vault to your teen’s heart.
Remember—protection without connection creates distance. But with courage, honesty, and God’s help, you can move past fear into deeper relationship.
Resources & Links:
✨ Join the free FB Community: How to Connect with Your Teens and grab your free gift: 6 Conversation Starters That Open Hearts when you join.
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider: https://connectwithyourteens.com/insider-newsletter-connect-with-your-teens
✨ Instagram: instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💛 If this episode encouraged you, would you take60 seconds to leave a written review? Your words help other moms—who may feel alone—find the hope and encouragement they need. 
💬 Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts  *Scroll down to Ratings & Reviews to leave yours
 

17 | Struggling With Teen Lying? 3 Truths to Help You Build Trust Without Control

Moms, have you ever caught your teen in a white lie—or felt that sinking gut feeling that they aren’t telling you the whole truth? It can feel frustrating, even scary, when honesty doesn’t come easily in your relationship.
But here’s the thing: lying is rarely just about the lie itself. Behind every dishonest moment is a story—a deeper reason that your teen might be afraid to tell the truth.
In this episode, I’ll share three powerful truths that will help you shift from control to connection so you can start building trust, even when lies show up.
You’ll discover:
✔️ Why control often creates more distance instead of more honesty
✔️ The hidden fears and struggles behind your teen’s lies
✔️ How your response to small truths can shape future honesty
What if honesty in your home became less about fear of consequences and more about safety, curiosity, and grace? That’s the shift we’ll walk through together today.
Important Note: If lying feels chronic or the situations are more serious, seek God’s guidance and consider connecting with a licensed counselor, especially if mental health concerns may be involved. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
Scriptural Reminder:
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24
💛 Moms, you don’t have to parent perfectly to connect deeply.
Resources & Next Steps:
✨ Join the FB Community: www.facebook.com/groups/connectwithyourteens/
✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider: https://connectwithyourteens.com/insider-newsletter-connect-with-your-teens
✨ Instagram: instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach
✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com
💛 If this episode encouraged you, would you take60 seconds to leave a written review? Your words help other moms—who may feel alone—find the hope and encouragement they need. 
💬 Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts
***Scroll down to Ratings & Reviews to leave yours