Are you experiencing “Back To School Dread”? You know, that sinking feeling that this year will be just a frustrating repeat of the last?

This year CAN be different for your child or teen – and it’s easier than you think. In this episode, I’ll show you how three simple focus areas can transform your entire school year from chaos to calm, from stress to success. These strategies are not just about surviving the school year; they're about making it the best one yet for both you and your child.

As a parent, I know you want the best for your kids, and that’s why I’m here to share these game-changing tips with you. Trust me, they work.

• (03:12) The hidden secret: Why this time of year brings dread and how to flip the script.
• (07:25) The first focus area: Discover what every successful school year needs.
• (13:45) Storytime: How one simple change made a huge difference for a mom and her middle school twins.
• (21:10) Focus area two: This everyday habit can drastically reduce stress and arguments.
• (29:35) Real-life example: How a dad transformed his chaotic evenings into peaceful, productive time.
• (37:50) The final focus area: This often-overlooked step is a game-changer for academic success.

Listen in if you’re ready for the next chapter of your family’s journey. I’m right here cheering you on! :)

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Guide: Solve Your Child or Teen’s Sleep Problem
• Free Resource: How To Help Your Anxious Child Start The New School Year
• Online Courses: Court-Approved Co-Parenting and Parenting Skills Courses
• Email Me: Podcast@ModernParentingSolutions.org

Next Episode Recommendation:

• Episode #25: Everything You Need To Know To Solve Your Child or Teen's Sleep Issues
• Episode #42: How Establishing Family Routines and Rituals Can Help You Overcome Overwhelm, Stress, and Disconnection
• Episode #44: Unlock Your Child's Success: My Five Best Back-To-School Tips For Parents
• Episode #52: When Your Child or Teen Doesn't Want To Go To School

Take the Quiz:

• What Kind of Parent Are You? Find Out If Your Parenting Style Leans More Traditional, Modern - Or Somewhere In Between!

Don't miss this episode—it’s the parenting tool you never knew you needed. Tune in now and start transforming your child’s life!

What if I told you that you’re missing out on a simple parenting hack that could skyrocket your child or teen's motivation, confidence, and mental health? This episode is about to blow your mind and change the way you think about creativity and curiosity in your young person's life.

I used to think creativity was something you either had or didn’t. I thought the creative genes had skipped me. But guess what? ALL brains are wired to be creative thinkers - and understanding this can transform your parenting game. Creativity isn’t just about painting or drawing; it’s about problem-solving, adapting to new situations, and thriving in life.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the science behind curiosity and creativity and showing you how these tools can unlock your young person's full potential. You’ll learn how to turn everyday moments into opportunities for growth and learning.

What You’ll Learn:

• The Science of Curiosity: How curiosity works in the brain and why it’s a game-changer.
• Easy Strategies: Simple, research-backed ways to foster curiosity and creativity at home.
• Real-Life Tips: Practical advice to create a curiosity-driven environment.

In This Episode:

• 5:33: How the brain is hardwired to be creative.
• 6:40: Columbia University insights: The brain on curiosity.
• 8:23: The Duke University study: How Pretending To Be An Art Thief Taught Researchers About Creativity.
• 13:23: Why curiosity is crucial for your child or teen's development.
• 22:04: Easy ways to inspire curiosity at home.
• 28:45: Your weekly challenge—start creating curiosity now.

Resources Mentioned:

• Free eBook: The Ultimate Guide To Igniting Independent Thinking
• Online Courses: Court-Approved Co-Parenting and Parenting Skills Courses
• Email Me: Podcast@ModernParentingSolutions.org

Next Episode Recommendation:

• Episode #43: Teaching Your Child or Teen To Think For Themsleves: Cultivating Independent Thinkers

Take the Quiz:

• What Kind of Parent Are You? Find Out If Your Parenting Style Leans More Traditional, Modern - Or Somewhere In Between!

Don't miss this episode—it’s the parenting tool you never knew you needed. Tune in now and start transforming your child’s life!

Why Does My Teen Push Me Away?

Do you feel like your tween or teen is pushing you away and you're left wondering why? You’re not alone. In this episode, we're diving deep into why your young person might be creating distance and what you can do to rebuild your relationship.

You’ll feel better after listening to this episode because you’ll realize that this situation isn’t your fault—and I have the science to prove it! I'll share actionable strategies to help you reconnect with your tween or teen, supported by research and real-life examples.

In this episode:

• 1:55: My personal story with my son Patrick and how our relationship has evolved.
• 8:29: Understanding why teens push parents away—scientific theories and research explained.
• 13:45: Common triggers of disconnection.
• 16:56: Common myths of why this dynamic happens between parent and tween/teen
• 20:04: Respecting their need for independence and why it’s crucial for their development.
• 21:39: The importance of taking care of yourself during this stressful time.
• 24:18: Actionable Tips that you can use right NOW to eliminate disconnection
• 36:13: When to seek family therapy and how it can help rebuild your relationship.
• 39:44: Your weekly challenge—putting these tips into action and overcoming barriers.

You have the power to improve your relationship with your young person. Small, consistent efforts can make a big difference. It might feel tough now, but your dedication and love will shine through!

Resources Mentioned:

• Free eBook: How To Have Difficult Conversations With Your Teen So That You Get Your Point Across & Create a Close Parent-Child Bond
• Online Parenting Course: Modern Parenting Solutions Courses

Next Episode Recommendation:

• Episode #62: The Secret to Being a Happy Parent: Why Embracing The ‘Gani’n Changes Everything

Take the Quiz:

• What Kind of Parent Are You? Find out if you lean more traditional, modern, or in between by taking my online quiz.

I’d love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have. Share them with me via social media or email, and please share this episode with a parent who needs to hear it. The more we spread these messages, the more we can help other parents build stronger relationships with their kids.

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a positive review so other parents can find it too. I would really appreciate it!

Ever feel like your discipline strategies just aren’t working, no matter how hard you try?

If I had to guess, I’d say you’ve experienced moments where your child or teen's behavior seems to spiral out of control, despite your best efforts. Those times when the rules you set are ignored, the consequences don’t seem to stick, and you’re left feeling frustrated and unsure of what to do next. It’s incredibly disheartening, and you might be tempted to throw in the towel or resort to harsher measures. But hold on! Before you do that, you need to listen to this episode!

It’s completely natural to feel overwhelmed when things don’t go your way, but I’m here to tell you, my friend, you don’t have to stay stuck in a cycle of ineffective discipline. In today's episode, I’m going to share the 10 crucial clues that your discipline strategy might not be hitting the mark and, more importantly, how to turn things around.

In this episode, I’ll cover:

• Why Understanding These Clues is Vital: Knowing what isn’t working is the first step to making positive changes.
• The Common Pitfalls: We’ll dive into why certain discipline methods fail and how they can negatively impact your young person's behavior - and your relationship with them.
• Actionable Tips for Improvement: You’ll learn practical strategies to refine your approach and build a more effective discipline strategy.

I know this episode is a bit longer than usual, but trust me, you’ll want to stick around for the last few clues. We’re in the home stretch now, and the insights you’ll gain are worth it. Let’s keep going and uncover how you can transform your discipline strategy and feel more confident, peaceful, and proud of your parenting journey.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Life Lessons Every Young Person Should Know by the Time They Graduate from High School
• The Ultimate Guide to Making Better Parenting Decisions
• Explore more tools and tips in our Parenting Resources Library.

Connect with Dr. Becca Ballinger:

• Follow me on Instagram for daily parenting tips
• Browse my library of free parenting resources
• Gain skills by taking my court-approved parenting and co-parenting classes
• Sign up for my newsletter to get each episode—and its accompanying free guide—emailed directly to you each Monday morning

And always remember, Friend, I believe in you. You’ve got this.

Is your dream family vacation turning into a nightmare of sibling squabbles or teen moodiness?

We’ve all been there – those vacations that were supposed to be great but ended up in misery. This episode is your ticket to transforming those potential disasters into unforgettable, joy-filled adventures.

Join me as I share proven strategies to ensure your family vacation is more about bonding and exciting experiences than endless complaints. Discover how to set up this year’s family vacation for success with actionable tips tailored for elementary schoolers, middle schoolers, and teens.

Let’s make this vacation season the best one yet!

In today’s episode, I'm diving into how to transform those endless days of potential summer slump into a season brimming with growth, connection, and involvement. Here’s a sneak peek of what I'll cover:

[8:36] Setting the Foundation for a Smooth Vacation: Kickstart your trip on the right foot with essential tips for preparation and setting expectations.

[14:52] Tackling Common Vacation Challenges: Address the most frequent vacation hurdles with practical solutions to keep everyone happy.

[20:09] Engaging Elementary School Kids: Learn how to make vacations magical and fun for your young children with specific, age-appropriate strategies.

[28:26] Balancing Independence and Family Time for Middle Schoolers: Discover ways to give your tweens the independence they crave while ensuring quality family bonding.

[36:51] Keeping Teens Invested and Engaged: Find out how to respect your teen's space and interests while encouraging their participation in family activities.

[46:04] My Parent Coaching Challenge for You: Take on my special challenge designed to help you plan a successful, stress-free vacation.

Tune in and turn your next family vacation into a memorable and positive experience for everyone!

If you find this episode helpful, please follow The Modern Parenting Solutions Podcast on your favorite podcast app and share it with other parents. It could be just the resource they need.

Got questions about parenting in this modern world? Reach out at podcast@modernparentingsolutions.org. I’m here to help, and your questions might just become the focus of a future episode!

Connect with Dr. Becca Ballinger:

• Follow me on Instagram for daily parenting tips
• Browse my library of free parenting resources
• Gain skills by taking my court-approved parenting and co-parenting classes
• Sign up for my newsletter to get each episode—and its accompanying free guide—emailed directly to you each Monday morning

And always remember, Friend, I believe in you. You’ve got this.

Is your young person feeling lost, wondering what the point of it all is?

In today's episode, we tackle a challenge many parents face: helping their child or teen find a sense of purpose in life. It's all too common for young people to feel like life is just an endless cycle of meaningless tasks: going to work, doing boring work, coming home to pay bills, and then doing it all over again. But it doesn't have to be that way!

Many worried parents tell me they fear their child or teen might miss out on learning important morals and a purpose in life without a religious background. This episode will show you that plugging into a sense of purpose can be done with or without a religious framework. Whether your family is connected to a religious community or not, there are powerful, actionable strategies you can use to guide your young person toward a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Join me as I share 8 impactful strategies to help your child or teen discover their unique strengths and passions, and learn to connect positively with their community and the world around them. We’ll explore:

• [8:15] Understanding Purpose: Discover what true purpose means and why it’s so vital for your young person’s well-being.
• [13:00] The Disconnect: Learn the four key reasons why modern teens may feel disconnected from a sense of purpose and how to address these issues effectively.
• [19:28] Building Purpose: Dive into seven strategies designed to foster a sense of purpose in your child or teen, helping them see that life is more than just a monotonous routine.

This episode is packed with practical advice, heartfelt insights, and encouraging support to help you empower your young person. Don’t miss out on these valuable tools that can transform their outlook on life.

Tune in now and take the first step towards helping your child or teen live a life full of meaning, joy, and purpose.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to listen to this one: [Episode #35] The Importance of Teaching Your Young Person To Live a Purposeful Life

Connect with Dr. Becca Ballinger:

• Follow me on Instagram for daily parenting tips
• Browse my library of free parenting resources
• Gain skills by taking my court-approved parenting and co-parenting classes
• Sign up for my newsletter to get each episode—and its accompanying free guide—emailed directly to you each Monday morning

And always remember, Friend, I believe in you. You’ve got this.

What if I told you that the reason you often give up on enforcing a household rule with your child or teen is because they're using science against you? And what if, by understanding this science, you could finally stop giving up RIGHT BEFORE they give in?

In today’s episode, I'll show you why you're giving up too soon when your child or teen pushes back on your rules or boundaries...and your young person was just moments away from complying.

There’s a game-changing concept that will help any parent successfully implement new boundaries and rules. Once you hear it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

This episode will explain why so many parents struggle to follow through with new rules and boundaries and provide the key to achieving lasting behavior change in your child or teen.

By the end of today’s episode, you’ll:

• Understand the critical concept of the "extinction burst"
• Recognize the four stages of behavior change
• Have practical strategies to stay consistent and see positive results

Imagine feeling like a confident parent when you know to expect pushback from your child or teen - AND you know how to deal with it in a way that makes it a non-issue.

For more resources, including links to additional parenting tips and strategies, click here for the podcast episode page.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to listen to this one: [Episode #63] Redefining Obedience: How To Go From Blind Obedience To Mutual Trust

Connect with Dr. Becca Ballinger:

• Follow me on Instagram for daily parenting tips
• Browse my library of free parenting resources
• Gain skills by taking my court-approved parenting and co-parenting classes
• Sign up for my newsletter to get each episode—and its accompanying free guide—emailed directly to you each Monday morning

And always remember, Friend, I believe in you. You’ve got this.

Today, you’ll discover how to stop feeling manipulated by your child or teen using four proven strategies.

This episode is a masterclass in understanding and managing emotional manipulation. You'll learn about the science behind why parents get caught in these cycles and, most importantly, how to break free.

Dr. Becca Ballinger shares the four key strategies you need to create a peaceful and connected family environment. After listening, you will know exactly what to do to handle your young person’s intense emotions, foster better communication, and build a stronger, more supportive relationship.

For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page and to download the episode guide. This guide includes a summary of the key points and a worksheet to help you implement the strategies discussed in the episode, making it easier for you to tackle emotional manipulation in your home.

Connect with Dr. Becca Ballinger:

• Follow me on Instagram for daily parenting tips
• Browse my library of free parenting resources
• Gain skills by taking my court-approved parenting and co-parenting classes
• Sign up for my newsletter to get each episode—and its accompanying free guide—emailed directly to you each Monday morning

And always remember, Friend, I believe in you. You’ve got this.