As a parent, it can feel confusing — even jarring — to watch your sweet, snuggly child suddenly morph into someone who seems to roll their eyes at everything you say.

They slam doors. They cry harder than you expect over things that seem small. They question every rule. They want space. Lots of it.

There’s a moment that hits harder than you expect.

The moment your child stops asking for hugs.

The moment the jokes get an eye roll instead of a laugh.

The moment you feel like you’re tiptoeing just to keep the peace.

It’s not that you’re afraid of your teen.

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 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.

If you’re parenting a teen, chances are you’ve had moments where you questioned everything.

You snapped during a stressful moment. You brushed off something that clearly mattered to your teen. You said the “wrong” thing, even though your intentions were good.

You’re sitting across from your teen. They’re angry. Maybe they’ve slammed a door. Maybe they’re crying and telling you they feel alone. Or maybe they’ve gone quiet and withdrawn, refusing to say what’s wrong.

Summer is supposed to be a break—but for a lot of families, it becomes a season of stress. When your teen is struggling with big emotions, impulsive behaviors, or frequent outbursts, the downtime can feel anything but relaxing.

We all hit moments that feel like too much. For teens, those moments often come fast and loud—sudden overwhelm, big emotions, and the urge to do something to get relief. Sometimes that “something” makes things worse: snapping at a friend, shutting down completely, picking a fight, or engaging in self-harm.