106. Be the Change You Wish to See in Your Teen: Improving Your Relationship With Your Struggling Teen Through Self-Awareness

Parenting Post-Wilderness: Parenting a Struggling Teen Before, During and After Treatment

What if improving your relationship with your teen starts with changing yourself?

Are you willing to look at your own behavior to improve your relationship with your teen? If you know me at all, you know I truly believe the change begins with us. In this episode, Seth and I dive deeper into what that actually means for you as a parent.

Seth dropped quite the truth bomb in this episode: "None of us is perfect in how we relate to everybody." And isn't that the crux of it? We go into situations armed with a laundry list of demands and expectations for our teens or partners, but how often do we take a step back and ask ourselves if we’re holding up our end of the bargain?

Here’s the thing—no one wants to change when they feel attacked. Think about it: How would you feel if your teen came at you with a list of your shortcomings? You’d probably get defensive, right? Well, guess what? Your teen feels the same way.

“If I’m asking someone else to be honest, I better look in the mirror and just ask myself ‘How honest am I being?’” - Beth Hillman

Real change starts when we’re willing to look in the mirror and look at our own part first - a little self-reflection I challenge you to do as we explore these ideas in this week’s episode. Let’s dive in.

In this episode on improving your relationship with your struggling teen through self-awareness, we discuss:

• Self-Awareness in Parenting: Recognizing your own weaknesses and how they impact your relationships, especially with your struggling teen;
• The Importance of Mutual Respect: Understanding that in any relationship, there must be a balance of give and take;
• Avoiding an Authoritarian Approach: Realizing that setting rigid expectations and demands without self-reflection won't foster positive change in your teen;
• Owning Your Role: Accepting responsibility for your part in the relationship dynamic and being open to self-improvement;
• Effective Communication: Emphasizing the need to clearly communicate your needs to avoid resentment;
• And more!

Need support?

🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!
🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

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And remember parents, the change begins with us.

Got a question or something to share? You can always send me a message by clicking here. I'd love to hear from you!