Imagine the last time you argued with your teen. There could be a million different situations that prompt an argument, but most follow a similar pattern. You and your teen probably disagreed about something, and each of you was probably trying to prove that your perspective was the right one. Consider the following fictitious example of an argument between Diane and her daughter, Laura. Notice any similarities between their exchange and a typical argument with your teen.

It’s the second week of school.

Your teen walks through the door, drops their backpack, and disappears into their room. You hear the door click shut.

You tell yourself it’s just a long day. But part of you wonders if this is the beginning of the same pattern you’ve seen before: the strong September start that slowly unravels until your teen feels completely shut down.

You’ve been here before. For most parents, back-to-school season brings school supply lists, shopping for new clothes, and making sure their teen has what they need to succeed in a new school year.

In the previous blog, you learned how the cycle of anxiety works and how to recognize it when it shows up in your life. Now it’s important to build insight and skills to break the cycle by doing something different than what anxiety wants you to do…

Ever wish your teen came with a color-coded mood ring to warn you before you walked into a storm?

One minute they’re joking around, the next they’re slamming the door. Mood swings in teenagers can feel intense, unpredictable, and hard to keep up with—but they’re also a normal part of adolescent development

When your teen pushes back, shuts down, or explodes, it’s easy to feel like your only options are to come down hard or back off completely.

You try setting limits, and it creates more conflict.
You try being understanding, and it feels like you’re being walked on.

When your teen is emotional, overwhelmed, or acting out, it can feel like you're walking on eggshells or stuck in the same frustrating conversations over and over again.

You want to help. You want to understand. But what starts as a check-in often turns into a vent session that leaves you both feeling worse.

When your teen comes to you with a problem—whether it's a bad grade, friend drama, or a missed opportunity—your instinct might be to help by offering a solution.