Ep. 117 - Ann Coleman – Parenting and Emotional Wellness: Strategies for Navigating Adolescence
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What would you do as a parent to save your struggling relationship with your kid?
Ann Coleman is a former attorney who specialized in divorce, child custody, and adoption cases. Through raising her adopted son, Ann found herself deep in research, becoming a parenting expert on how to talk with teenagers struggling with anxiety, substance abuse, and mental health challenges.
Sharing the details of her experiences as a parent, Ann walks us through her extensive research on the teenage brain and how it shaped her approach to parenting and led her to create resources for parents to use.
Throughout our conversation, Ann provides practical advice on parenting with emotional wellness in mind and highlights the need for self-awareness and intentional reactions in dealing with children's emotions.
Three Key Takeaways
Understanding the Brain: During emotional moments, children's prefrontal cortex (the thinking part of the brain) disconnects, and the amygdala (the emotional part) takes over. Listening, not interrupting, and allowing them to vent can help them manage their emotions, reflect back, and acknowledge their feelings. Moreover, a loving touch can release oxytocin in their brain, helping them calm down.
Shift in Priorities: It's crucial for parents to allow their children to pursue their interests and not force them into predetermined paths, as this can lead to unhappiness and resentment.
Validation and Communication: Validating your child's emotions and asking curiosity questions to understand their triggers can go a long way in building trust and connection. Setting boundaries, redirecting destructive behaviors, and finding alternative outlets for strong emotions are also important.
Remember, reasoning with a child during emotional meltdowns often proves ineffective. Wait for a calm moment to have a thoughtful conversation.
Please enjoy my conversation on parenting and emotional wellness with Ann Coleman.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary - Parents & Kids Working Together to be Better Digital Citizens
No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind