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Connect With Your Teens | Conversation Starters, Parenting Tips, Screen Time, Build Connection, Communication Skills
Connect With Your Teens | Conversation Starters, Parenting Tips, Screen Time, Build Connection, Communication Skills
A Christian parenting podcast aimed at moms who want deeper connection with their teens. Host Terri Lee, a Christian parenting coach and communication specialist, offers practical tools to replace nagging with trust-building conversations. The show addresses common struggles like teens shutting down or being distracted by screens, and helps mothers move from frustration to understanding. Each episode provides conversation starters and communication strategies grounded in Christian values.
Episodes
104 | Afraid Your Teen Is Losing Their Faith ? How to Stay Connected with Abigail Stonestreet (Part 2)
You raised your kids to know and love God. You prayed with them, took them to church, and taught them the Bible. But now your teen is questioning their faith, challenging what you’ve taught them, or telling you they don’t believe in God anymore.
And you’re scared. Not just because they’re pulling away from church, but because you’re afraid they’re walking away from Jesus. You want to say something
103 | Parenting Teens Who Feel Anxious & Lonely with Abigail Stonestreet (Part 1)
Your teen is anxious. They’re lonely, even when they’re constantly connected. They’re spending more time on their phone and less time with people—and you’re trying to figure out what’s really going on underneath what you’re seeing.
The statistics about today’s teens can be alarming, but your teen is not a statistic. In Part 1 of my conversation with Abigail Stonestreet, co-author of Summit Ministr
102 | Parenting Teens When You’re Worried About Their Choices—Remember This Before You React
Your teen tells you something that makes your stomach drop. And within seconds, your mind is racing: How long has this been going on? Why didn’t I know? What do I say? What do I DO?
That’s the moment when listening gets hard—and fear can subtly take over the conversation.
Because when we’re worried about our teen’s choices, questions, or struggles, our instinct is often to jump in. Ask more quest
101 | 3 Conversation Starters to Get Your Teen Talking Without the Pressure
Getting a lot of “fine,” “nothing,” and “I don’t know” when you try to talk with your teen?
Before you decide your teen just doesn’t want to talk to you anymore, it might be time to change the conversation.
So much of our everyday communication with teens is about school, schedules, responsibilities, friends, or something that needs to get done. And while those conversations are necessary, our kid
100 | Why Does Everything Turn Into an Argument With Your Teen? 3 Keys to Build Connection and Trust
You ask your teen to do one simple thing—and somehow you’re both frustrated, defensive, and wondering how it turned into another argument. Sometimes the conflict isn’t really about the messy room, the phone, or the schoolwork. So why do these little things keep turning into arguments—and what can you do differently when they do?
In this milestone 100th episode, I’m sharing a real conflict I had wi
99 | How to Rebuild Trust With Your Teen When Your Relationship Feels Broken Part 2 | Ed Lee
How do you know if the trust you’re trying to rebuild with your teen is actually changing anything? What might your relationship look like on the other side of these difficult years?
In Part 1, my husband Ed shared one of the hardest conversations he had with our daughter and the communication choices he made when he realized something had to change. But rebuilding trust didn’t happen in that one
98 | 5 Communication Choices That Build Trust With Your Teen Part 1 | Ed Lee
What do you do when a difficult conversation with your teen is going downhill fast—and then they say something that cuts straight to your heart?
In this deeply personal episode, my husband Ed takes us back to one of the hardest conversations he ever had with our teenage daughter—when hurt, frustration, and years of strained communication collided. What he chose in the middle of that moment shows h
97 | Worried About Your Teen? How to Trust God With What You Can’t Control
You’ve had the conversation. You’ve prayed. You’ve researched. You’ve tried to help. And still, your mind keeps coming back to: What else can I do? What am I missing?
When you see your teen struggling, making choices that concern you, pulling away from their faith, or heading in a direction you desperately wish you could change, it’s hard not to feel responsible for making things better. And witho
96 | Teen Won’t Listen to Your Advice? 4 Communication Skills That Build Trust
You’ve spent years guiding your kids, so of course you want to share what you’ve learned when you see your teen struggling. But one of the challenges of parenting teens is realizing that as our kids grow, the way we guide them has to grow too.
Sometimes giving more advice—even really good advice—can make communication with teens harder instead of easier. And if distance or shutdown has already beg
95 | How to Build Connection With Your Teen When You Don’t Have More Time | Sarah Colbert
Do you ever feel like you’d have a better relationship with your teen if you just had more time? Between work, school, sports, appointments, responsibilities, and everything else competing for your attention, it can feel almost impossible to create the kind of meaningful connection you want with your teen. But what if more time isn’t actually what you need?
In this episode, I’m talking with Sarah
94 | Why Your Teen Gets Defensive So Quickly
Why does your teen get defensive when you’re only asking a simple question? You ask about homework, driving, friends, or plans—and suddenly your teen is pushing back or accusing you of not trusting them. If you’re parenting teens and wondering why everyday conversations turn into conflict so quickly, there may be more happening beneath the surface than you realize.
You’ll learn:
• What may really
93 | 3 Communication Habits Keeping You From Building Connection
You love your teen. So why does it sometimes feel like the harder you try to help, the farther apart you become?
Most moms don’t struggle because they don’t care enough.They struggle because the communication habit that feels the most loving can unintentionally create the very distance they’re trying to avoid.
In this episode, we’re uncovering one of the biggest reasons conversations break down—no
92 | Why Your Communication With Your Teen Starts Before You Speak
Every conversation with your teen starts before either of you says a word.
Most moms don’t realize what’s shaping those conversations—or why the same patterns keep repeating. If you’ve been trying to build connection and build trust, but still feel like you’re missing each other, there may be something happening long before the conversation even begins.
In this episode, you’ll discover a simple sh
91 | The #1 Sign You’re Doing Better As A Mom Than You Think
Have you been using the wrong scorecard to measure yourself as a mom?
Parenting teens is challenging and if you’ve ever wondered if you’re doing enough, you’re not alone. Building trust and connection during the teen years isn’t about getting every conversation right. Sometimes the greatest growth is happening in ways you can’t yet see.
In this episode, you’ll discover why your willingness to keep
90 | Why Your Teen Takes What You Say the Wrong Way
You love your teen and want the very best for them. So why do your conversations sometimes leave them feeling criticized, controlled, or misunderstood when your heart was trying to encourage, protect, and help?
Terri shares a powerful coaching story that reveals one of the biggest communication blind spots in parenting teens: the gap between our intentions and our teen’s experience and why they ta
89 | Your Teen Says, “You Don’t Understand.” Here’s What They’re Really Asking For.
What if one of the most frustrating things your teen says is actually an invitation… not a rejection? If you’ve ever heard, “You don’t understand,” this episode may completely change how you hear those words.
If your teen has ever said, “You don’t understand,” or shut down when you were trying your best to connect, this episode is for you. Sometimes the biggest breakthrough in teen communication i
88 | The 4-Step Conversation That Helps Your Teen Feel Heard
Have you found yourself replaying the conversation with your teen over and over, wondering what you could have said differently?
The truth is, helping your teen feel heard isn’t about having the perfect words. It’s about creating the kind of conversation where they feel safe enough to share what’s really on their heart. When teens feel heard, trust begins to grow—and where trust grows, connection
87 | 3 Ways to Stay Calm When Your Teen Pushes Your Buttons
Why do you keep reacting the very way you promised yourself you wouldn’t?
Maybe your teen rolled their eyes, ignored you, or answered with “Whatever,” and before you knew it, your frustration took over. You weren’t trying to yell. You weren’t trying to make things worse. But somehow the conversation ended with both of you feeling hurt, misunderstood, and even more disconnected.
In this episode, yo
86 | How to Build Connection With Your Teen Without Controlling Them
Ever feel like you’re doing everything you know to build connection with your teen… but somehow you feel farther apart than ever?
Sometimes the biggest barrier to building connection isn’t a lack of love—it’s the assumptions we make before we’ve taken the time to truly understand what’s happening in our teen’s heart and life. Fear can quietly fill in the blanks, causing us to react instead of re
85 | 5 Conversation Starters That Actually Get Teens Talking
Have your conversations with your teen turned into one-word answers, awkward silence, or talks that feel more like interviews than connection? If so, you’re not alone—and it doesn’t mean your relationship is beyond repair.
Many moms think they need one big heart-to-heart conversation to reconnect with their teen. But what if the answer isn’t one perfect conversation? What if it’s creating more opp
84 | The Communication Skill That Builds Trust and Gets Your Teen Talking Again
Ever feel like you’re doing everything you know to connect with your teen… and somehow you’re growing further apart instead of closer?
You drive them everywhere. Make meals. Solve problems. Pray for them. Yet conversations still end with eye rolls, one-word answers, or silence. Sometimes the biggest communication problem isn’t what we’re saying—it’s where our focus is.
In this episode, I share a p
83 | The Real Reason You Feel Disconnected From Your Teen
Do you ever feel like you’re constantly dealing with attitude, screen time, lack of communication, conflict, or poor choices? Most moms assume those things are the reason they feel disconnected from their teen.
But what if they’re not the root problem?
In this episode, Terri shares a powerful mindset shift that can change the way you approach parenting teens and help you build connection, build tr
82 | Healthy Boundaries Without Guilt: The Freedom to Let Go with Lori Owens (Part 2)
Do you ever find yourself reacting more strongly than you want to when your teen says or does something that pushes your buttons?
Maybe you’ve tried all the parenting tips, practiced better communication skills, and worked hard to build Connection, but certain conversations still leave you feeling frustrated, anxious, or emotionally drained.
In Part 2 of my conversation with Lori Owens, Resilience
81 | Stress, Anxiety, and Relationship With Your Teen with Lori Owens (Part 1)
Do you ever feel like you’re carrying the weight of your teen’s choices, emotions, future, and faith on your shoulders?
As moms, it’s easy to believe that if we just say the right thing, do the right thing, or try a little harder, we can prevent mistakes and protect our teens from pain. But what if some of the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm you’re carrying was never yours to carry in the first pla
80 | Why Parenting Teens Takes More Than Prayer: Christ-Centered Communication Skills That Build Connection
Are you praying for your teen but still feeling stuck in the same communication struggles?
You love your teen. You pray for them. You ask God to help. Yet conversations still end in silence, misunderstandings, eye rolls, or frustration. If you’ve ever wondered why the relationship isn’t changing despite your prayers, this episode is for you.
In this episode, we’re exploring why parenting teens tak
79 | Parenting Teens: 5 Words That Build Trust and Connection Fast
Do conversations with your teen seem to end before they really begin?
You ask questions. You try to help. You care deeply. Yet somehow the conversation gets shorter instead of deeper, and you’re left wondering why it’s so hard to connect.
The truth is that many moms aren’t struggling because they don’t care enough. They’re struggling because they’re trying so hard to help that they accidentally mi
78 | The #1 Screen Time Mistake Moms Make During Summer Break
Have you ever felt like your teen’s phone gets more attention than you do?
Maybe summer break arrived and you were hoping for more conversations, more connection, and more time together. Instead, it feels like every interaction starts with trying to pull your teen’s attention away from a screen.
If you’ve ever felt ignored, dismissed, or less important than whatever is happening on your teen’s pho
77 | Build Connection With Your Teen: Why They Don't Need to Change First
Have you ever found yourself thinking…
“If my teen would just change, things would finally get better”?
Maybe if they would talk more. Maybe if they would stop pushing back. Maybe if they would be more respectful. Maybe if they would open up. If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting for your teen to change before your relationship can improve, you’re not alone.
In this episode, we talk about a personal
76 | Parenting Teens: Why Being Still Helps You Hear What Your Teen Needs
Do you ever feel physically present with your teen… but mentally somewhere else?
Thinking about the dishes. The work. The schedule. The text you forgot to answer. The pressure of trying to hold everything together. Sometimes moms carry so much for so long that their souls stop feeling rested… and it quietly begins affecting communication, emotional connection, and even the ability to truly listen.
75 | Teaching Teens to Drive Without Fear or Conflict with Ed Lee (Part 2
Why do conversations with teens get tense so fast… especially while driving?
One minute you’re calmly giving instructions. The next, you’re gripping the door handle, correcting everything, emotionally flooded, and wondering why your teen suddenly shuts down.
In Part 2 of this conversation, Terri’s husband, Ed Lee, shares his honest perspective on teaching their teens to drive — including how fear
74 | Driving With Your Teen Without Conflict: Parenting Tips (Part 1)
Does teaching your teen to drive leave both of you tense, frustrated, or emotionally exhausted? Maybe you’re trying to help…but your teen experiences your guidance as pressure, control, or criticism instead.
This episode is part 1 of a 2-part series on teaching your teen to drive while building trust and without damaging connection. Terri shares a powerful conversation with a mom whose daughter fe
73 | Communication Skills: Why Your Teen Shuts Down When You Ask Questions
Have you ever noticed the more questions you ask… the more your teen shuts down?
The conversation starts with good intentions. You’re trying to understand. Trying to connect. Trying to help. But somehow it keeps ending with: “I don’t know.” “Nothing.” “Fine.”
In this episode, we talk about why some questions create emotional safety… while others accidentally create pressure and defensiveness. Beca
72 | Parenting Teens: The Hidden Cause of Overwhelm
You’re doing everything you can to hold it all together…
but underneath the schedules, conversations, responsibilities, and emotional weight of parenting teens… you still feel overwhelmed.
And maybe what’s exhausting you isn’t just how much you’re carrying.
Maybe it’s the disconnection stress and fear quietly create inside us.
In this episode, Terri talks about the hidden emotional and spiritual r
71 | Teen Pulling Away? Build Connection Without Compromising Truth with Kasey Leander (Part 2)
Do you ever feel like your teen is slipping further away behind screens, short answers, or silence?
Maybe conversations feel tense lately… or maybe you’re trying so hard to keep the peace that you’ve started walking on eggshells, unsure how to communicate without triggering conflict or pushing them further away.
In Part 2 of this conversation, Kasey Leander from Summit Ministries shares why teens
70 | Teen Questioning Their Faith? How to Keep Them Talking with Kasey Leander (Part 1)
What if your teen’s questions about God aren’t a sign that you’ve failed?
When your teen shuts down, pushes back, or doesn’t want to talk about faith, it can stir up fear fast. You may wonder if you said too much, didn’t say enough, or somehow missed something as a mom.
In this honest conversation with Kasey Leander from Summit Ministries, we talk about why faith questions are often part of a teen
69 | Stop Walking On Eggshells And Communicate With Calm Confidence
Are conversations with your teen leaving you feeling anxious… second-guessing everything you say?
Do you find yourself walking on eggshells—trying so hard to keep the peace, but still ending up in shutdown, short answers, or tension?
If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation with your teen thinking, “What just happened?” or “Why does this keep happening?”—this episode is for you.
In this week
68 | 5 Ways to Stop Conversations From Going Sideways With Your Teen
Do conversations with your teen ever go sideways… even when you’re trying to do everything right?
You’re learning communication skills…You want to stay calm, present, and connected…But in the moment—something shifts. You feel the pressure. The fear. The urgency to fix, correct, or respond quickly. And suddenly… the conversation doesn’t go the way you hoped. If you’ve ever walked away thinking, “I
67 | 3 Steps to Break Lies Sabotaging Communication With Your Teen (Part 3)
Do you ever feel yourself shift in a conversation with your teen…like you were calm one moment—and suddenly you’re reacting? Maybe they roll their eyes…shut down…or go back to their phone…And something in you tightens.
That moment?
It’s not random.
And it’s not just about communication skills.
In Part 3 of this series, I’m walking you through a simple, faith-anchored process to recognize what’s h
66 | 2 More Lies Sabotaging Communication With Your Teen (Part 2)
Have you ever been in a conversation with your teen…and suddenly it feels like more is at stake than just the conversation?
Like their reaction means something about you…or if you don’t handle it right, you might lose connection?
That pressure you feel in those moments…isn’t random. And it’s not just about your communication skills.
In Part 2 of this series, we uncover two more lies that quietly s
65 | 3 Lies That Sabotage Communication With Your Teen (Part 1)
Do you ever walk away from a conversation with your teen thinking…“That’s not how I wanted that to go…”
You tried to stay calm. You chose your words carefully. You were intentional…And somehow, it still felt tense, disconnected, or off.
What if it’s not just about what you’re saying…but what’s driving you underneath the conversation?
In this episode, we begin a powerful 2-part series uncovering th
64 | Stop Arguing With Your Teen: Let Them Have Their Perspective
What if the reason your teen shuts down…isn’t because they don’t want to talk—but because they don’t feel understood?
So many moms feel stuck in constant conflict, walking on eggshells, or unsure how to communicate without it turning into an argument.
In this episode, we’re talking about one powerful shift in communication skills that can help you stop arguing with your teen, build connection, and
63 | What Happens After Your Teen Opens Up: With Dina Windle (Part 2)
What happens after your teen finally opens up…
Do things actually change? Or does it go right back to the way it was before?
If you’ve ever had a good conversation with your teen and wondered, “Will this last?”—this episode is for you.
In this episode of Connect With Your Teens, we continue the conversation with Dina Windle, a mom of a teenage daughter, and explore what happened after that first b
62 | How to Build Trust With Your Teen: A Real Mom Story with Dina Windle (Part 1)
What do you do when your teen is angry… emotional… or pushing you away?
Most of us react.
We defend.
We try to fix.
But what if the moment you feel the most tension…is actually your greatest opportunity to build connection?
In this episode, Terri sits down with mom Dina Windle for a real-life conversation about a difficult moment with her daughter—one that could have created more distance, but ins
61 | 5 Signs Your Teen Still Wants Connection (Even When They're Pushing You Away)
What if your teen pushing you away… isn’t rejection at all?
What if it’s actually a sign they still want connection—with you?
When your teen is argumentative, emotional, or shutting you out, it’s easy to believe the connection is gone. Many moms start to feel like they’re losing their influence—or that their teen simply doesn’t care anymore.
But what if that behavior isn’t disconnection… it’s a cr
60 | Why Fear Blocks Connection With Your Teen (Do This Instead)
What if the hardest moments in conversations with your teen…aren’t something to fix—but something to step into?
That tension you feel…that fear rising up inside of you…what if it’s not the problem?
What if it’s actually the place God wants to meet you—and begin transforming how you show up in parenting teens and relationships?
In this episode, we’re talking about the internal wrestle so many moms
59 | Why Your Teen Stops Talking (And How to Fix It)
Have you ever noticed your teen starts opening up…and somehow, the conversation shuts down?
You’re trying to help. You’re trying to guide. But instead of getting closer… they pull away.
What if the problem isn’t what you’re saying—but how quickly you’re trying to fix it?
In this episode, I’m sharing one simple communication skill that can completely change the way your teen responds to you—helping
Bonus | Why Conversations With Your Teen Still Feel Off
Have you ever put thought into how you were going to respond to your teen…
and the conversation still didn’t go the way you expected?
You’re trying to stay calm.
You’re thinking about what to say.
And still… something feels off.
In this short bonus episode, we’re talking about why communication with your teenager can feel harder than expected — even when your heart is in the right place — and the
58 | 5 Scriptures to Anchor Communication Skills and Build Connection
Have you ever walked away from a conversation with your teen thinking…
“Why did I say that?” or “I think I just made that worse…”
You love your teen. You want to guide them, help them, and stay connected. But sometimes, in the moment, your response comes out of frustration, fear, or pressure—and it leaves both of you feeling more disconnected.
What if the problem isn’t your communication skills… b
57 | Why Mom Guilt Is Sabotaging Communication With Your Teen: And How to Build Connection Instead
Have you ever walked away from a conversation with your teen thinking…
“Why did I say that?”
“I should have handled that better.”
“Maybe I messed this up.”
That quiet voice of mom guilt can creep in quickly. And while it often comes from love and a deep desire to guide your child well, it can quietly shape the way we communicate with our teens.
Sometimes guilt leads us to over-explain, over-advise
56 | Are You Accidentally Shutting Down Your Teen? 3 Communication Patterns That Block Connection
Have you ever walked away from a conversation with your teen thinking, “I was trying to encourage them… so why did they shut down?”
You care deeply. You’re trying to listen, understand, and support your teen. But sometimes conversations still end in silence, distance, or frustration.
In this episode, we talk about three common communication patterns many loving moms use that sound supportive and r
55 | The Missing Piece in Communication With Your Teen…with Nancy Demmitt
What if the communication tools you’ve been taught… aren’t actually enough to build connection and real trust with your teen?
Many moms learn communication skills like active listening or conflict resolution, yet conversations at home can still feel tense, exhausting, or disconnected.
So what’s missing?
In this special episode of Connect With Your Teens, I’m joined by someone who deeply shaped my
54 | Communication Skills: The Silent Habit That Pushes Teens Away
You love your teen. You want connection. You want peace in your conversations. You want to build trust, not tension. So why does it still feel hard?
What if the struggle isn’t just communication skills… but the pace your family has been living at?
In this honest, heart-to-heart episode of Connect With Your Teens, we’re talking about a silent parenting habit that quietly affects your health, your e
53 | From “We Need to Talk” to Real Conversations That Build Connection (Part 4)
“I want you to know where I’m coming from — not because I’m trying to control you, but because I love you. And I’m going to love you no matter what you decide.”
What if that’s how your next hard conversation ended?
In this final episode of the series, you won’t just learn the framework — you’ll hear it. Because knowing communication skills that build connection is one thing. Hearing what they actu
52 | From 'We Need to Talk' to Restoring Connection With Grace (Part 3)
You’ve said the hard thing. You’ve shared your concerns. You’ve owned your feelings. But the conversation still feels unfinished. Why? Because most of us were never taught the communication skills needed to have “the talk” in a way that truly builds connection instead of distance.
In this third episode of the series, we walk through Step 7 — the next piece that shifts your “we need to talk” moment
51 | From “We Need to Talk” to Speaking Your Heart So They Receive It (Part 2)
You’ve been replaying the conversation in your head for days. You care deeply. You see things that concern you. You want to build trust, not create distance. But every time you try to bring it up, your teen shuts down… gets defensive… or walks away.
And suddenly “we need to talk” turns into conflict instead of connection.
In Part 2 of this 3-part series, I’m giving you the exact words and simple s
50 | From 'We Need to Talk' to Honest Conversations That Build Connection (Part 1)
Every mom knows that moment—you say "we need to talk" and watch your teen immediately shut down, get defensive, or walk away. You enter these conversations with the best intentions, wanting to address their behavior and restore peace. But the way most of us were taught to handle conflict is just a bandaid to a deeper issue, and it ends up creating more distance.
Have you been listening more? Refle
49 | The Power of God’s Acceptance to Turn the Heart of Your Teen
What if the way you see and love your teenager could mirror the moment you first felt fully loved and fully accepted by God?
In this episode, Terri shares an experience during her kids' teen years but didn't have the language for at the time. Through prayer and reflection, God showed her a deeper truth about acceptance, love, and how to build God breathed connection with our teens—no agenda, no s
48 | The #1 Sign You're About to Break Through With Your Teen (This Will Surprise You)
Struggling to communicate with your teen? Feel like every conversation ends in frustration, conflict, or silence?
What if the breakthrough you're looking for has nothing to do with finding the perfect words—and everything to do with what you do before you open your mouth? In this episode, we're diving into the #1 sign that your communication skills are about to start transforming your relationship
47 | Why Your Teen Chooses the Phone Over You (And How to Change It)
If you've ever felt like the last person your teen wants to talk to, this episode is for you.
We're going beneath the surface to understand what's really happening in your teen's brain and heart when they choose the screen over real conversation. You'll discover why they're willing to risk the drama and pain of social media—and what that reveals about what they're actually searching for.
More imp
46 | She Thought It Was Too Late — Then the Phone Rang: A Conversation with a Mom
If you've ever felt like you're at your wit's end with your teen—constantly worrying, trying to control, but only pushing them further away—this episode is for you.
Today, I'm sitting down with a mom (we'll call her Jessica) who was exactly where you are. She was anxious, exhausted, and desperate for connection with her daughter who was shutting down. But through anchoring in God's love, practicin
Bonus | What If Connection With Your Teen Could Feel Easy Again?
If you've ever walked away from a conversation with your teen wondering, "What did I just do wrong?"—this episode is for you.
The silence. The tension. The one-word answers. The distance you're feeling isn't a failure… and it does not need to be permanent.
You're not a bad mom and you're not failing.
You just need a different approach to build connection in these teen years.
In this bonus episod
45 | Stuck in the Noise? How to Break Free From Parenting Paralysis
Have you ever felt paralyzed as a mom? Like you’re walking on eggshells…Replaying conversations at night…Overthinking every word because you’re afraid of making things worse.
When the noise in your head gets this loud, it can feel impossible to hear God’s voice — or know how to move forward with your teen.
In this episode, I share a deeply personal moment that brought me face-to-face with that par
44 | How to Reconnect with Your Teen: They’re Not Drifting — They’re Waiting for You
What if your teen isn’t drifting away for good—but waiting to see if it’s safe to come back?
If you’ve been carrying the fear that your teen is pulling away, this episode offers a hopeful and grounding reframe. Often, what looks like distance or silence isn’t rejection at all. It’s waiting. Waiting to see how you show up. Waiting to see if your presence feels calm, steady, and safe enough to trust
43 | God's Plan for You and Your Teen: 4 Conversation Starters You Might Not Expect
New year, same struggles with your teen? I get it. But what if this year could be different—not because you try harder, but because you align with what God is already doing?
Maybe you've been tiptoeing around your own home, hoping today won't be the day something sets them off. You ask a simple question and get shut down with one word. Or worse—an eye roll and a slammed door. And you start thinkin
42 | New Year, New Peace: How to Enter God's Rest and Still Build Connection
Are you tired of striving and longing to parent from peace—showing up present, grounded, and emotionally available for your teen?
“Shalom shalom, mom.”
As a Christian mom, the new year can bring pressure, worry, and a quiet fear of losing connection with your teen. But God’s promise in Isaiah 26:3 offers something different: perfect peace that doesn’t depend on your circumstances—or your teen chan
41 | When Your Teen Talks About the Hard Stuff: Questions That Build Trust (Part 2)
What do you do when your teen brings up a political, social, or faith-related issue that clashes with everything you believe?
If your heart races, your guard goes up, or you feel the urge to correct, defend, or shut it down—you’re not alone, Mom. But those moments don’t have to lead to distance or disconnection.
In this episode, we continue our series on questions that create connection, build t
40 | 3 Questions That Build Connection When Faith Divides Your Family (Part 1)
What if listening — not defending — is what actually keeps the door open with your teen? How do you stay grounded when your teen questions everything you’ve taught them about God? Is it possible to build trust and influence without agreeing or convincing?
When your teen starts questioning God, faith, or church, it can feel like the ground drops out from under you. Suddenly, every conversation fee
39 | When Your Teen Stops Believing: How to Keep the Door Open Instead of Pushing Them Away
When faith becomes a tense topic with your teen, it’s easy to assume they’re “rebellious,” uninterested, or shutting God out. But for so many moms, the real shift happens when they begin to see their own fears, pressure, or anxiety around spiritual conversations — and choose a new way to communicate about God in a way that feels safe, respectful, and genuinely connecting.
In this episode, we look
38 | 3 Ways to Find Hope for Your Teen Relationship This Christmas (Even If You Feel Hopeless)
Welcome back to Connect With Your Teens! Today’s episode kicks off a brand-new holiday series designed to help moms walk through December with hope, peace, and confidence — even if Thanksgiving left you feeling discouraged or disconnected from your teen.
If you walked into Thanksgiving hoping for warmth, connection, laughter, and maybe one of those rare moments where your teen chooses to be around
37 | From Holiday Stress to Holy Peace: 5 Tips to Truly Enjoy Thanksgiving This Year
Thanksgiving is here… and if you’re like most moms, you’re feeling a mix of gratitude, exhaustion, pressure, and hope. You want connection with your teen, you want peace in your home, and you want to enjoy the holiday you’ve worked so hard to prepare — but the expectations threaten to steal your joy before the turkey even goes in the oven.
In this episode, Terri shares a powerful shift that change
36 | The #1 Sign You’re a Great Mom (It’s Not What You Think)
What if the #1 sign you’re actually a great mom has nothing to do with your teen’s behavior?
If you’ve been lying awake at night replaying conversations, wondering what you did wrong or why your teen seems more distant…this episode will lift a weight off your shoulders.
Inside, Terri reveals the hidden patterns that quietly create disconnection—and the one identity shift that helps you show up wit
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 pare
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 connecti
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
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 thro
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
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, an
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 dist
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
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’
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