If I were to ask you, "How much do you feel appreciated on a scale of 1 to 10 by your kids, husband, partner, friends, family, or work?" What would you say? I have talked to plenty of moms who feel they were appreciated at...
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Is your happiness dependent on your teen's happiness? Here's why I asked you this question. Last week, a mom told me with a big smile on her face, "I guess it's time to go back to my recovery meeting." I asked her, "Why?" She told me that...
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Sometimes the answer is no. It has to be, if we are going to protect our daughters. This is not the fun part of being a parent. There she is, standing in front of you in her mature, grown-up body. She tells you she can handle it. ...
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Teenage girls live in the selfie generation. It's what teen girls do. So what's up with all these selfies? Parents can be baffled by the frequency of their daughter's selfies. When we were teens, we also loved getting our pictures taken, but it wasn't all the time. ...
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Exercise is a necessity for all teens, not just the superstars. This is foundational for their physical and emotional health. There are many benefits to exercise, which go far beyond the quest for the perfect body. Better school performance. Exercise not only strengthens our muscles, but it also...
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The sky was deep blue, no humidity, and the temperature was 60 degrees. I decided to take advantage of this beautiful day in Houston. Days like these are rare in Houston, and I wasn’t going to miss it. The red buds were out, and some...
Read MoreI love being around teenagers. They have an energy and joy that's contagious. When you can get past the drama, you can see the teenager's wonderful attributes and qualities, many of which we have lost as adults. Yes, teens can be emotionally reactive, but they can also...
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I am taking an online defensive driving course. I could say I am taking the course because I wanted to lower my car insurance, which is partially true. But the truth is, I was speeding and got a ticket. There you have it. The secret...
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Yes, teen girls can be drama queens, but moms can be drama mamas. "How? Our disrespectful, moody, entitled, and defiant daughters can push our buttons. And what happens when they push our buttons? We get angry and frustrated very quickly. We fire words right back at our daughters that...
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My teen is so stubborn. He argues about everything She won't listen to anything I say If I say one thing, he blows a gasket I'll ask her about her day, and all she says is fine. She's so disrespectful. It's like she's in her own little world Do any of these...
Read MoreAs you embark on the incredible journey of motherhood, I want you to know that you are not alone. Over the past 30 years, as a marriage and family therapist, I've had the privilege of listening to countless moms share their fears, worries, and truths...
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I was talking to Chelsea, a 15-year-old girl, a few days ago. She's gorgeous and tall, yet she looked small sitting on my office couch. I asked her what was going on. She looked out the window and said, "Everyone hates me at school. I am...
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You want the best for your teen. You want her in the best school, taking the best classes. You want her involved and developing her abilities and skills. You want her to be challenged, and all this is important for her brain development. But there is...
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Mothers have an amazing skill. Since your daughter was a baby, you have learned how to tune in to her every look, movement, and sound she's ever made. By the time your daughter is a teenager, your 'tuning in' skill is highly developed. Now, it...
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What is Mother Fog? Mother Fog is when there are so many things going on at one time that you can't think clearly. This happens all the time with mothers. It's like your mind is covered with a thick, soupy, dense fog, and your thoughts, feelings, decisions,...
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Remember Cyndi Lauper’s song from the 80s, Girls Just Want To Have Fun. You might remember singing that song at the top of your lungs, driving to the lake with your friends when you were in high school or college. But that was a long time ago…and...
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Your teen is going to get upset. The question is how will you handle it? This is a hard one for moms. We hate to see our teens unhappy, so we jump in and try to fix it, but we make it worse. Your teen needs what...
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How would you answer this question? Why is parenting your teenage daughter so challenging? Is it your daughter’s attitude, defiance, rebellion, mood swings, and rude behavior? Is it her not obeying you or procrastinating? Is it her walling off in her room and not communicating? Yes, all of these things...
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My family loves to tell stories. One of my favorites is when my sister was 13. My dad, sister, and I were down at Memorial Park in Houston. We had hiked down to Buffalo Bayou. The bayou is brown and murky, and God knows what...
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Is your happiness dependent on your teen's happiness? Here's why I asked you this question. Last week, a mom told me with a big smile on her face, "I guess it's time to go back to my recovery meeting." I asked her, "Why?" She told me that...
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