The Wake-up Call That Changed Everything
On August 24, 2016, I was standing in Bed, Bath, & Beyond in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, helping my daughter buy supplies for her college dorm room when I got a call from my son’s high school principal. He told me I needed to pick up my son from the Senior retreat.
He was high.
At first, I was furious. It had been an exhausting year trying to make him stop smoking.
I was angry that his recklessness was impacting this time with my daughter.
Then I panicked. How was I supposed to pick him up when I was 3,000 miles away?
I started to cry.
For the past year, he’d made a series of reckless decisions.
I worried these choices would impact him for the rest of his life.
So I tried to “manage” (cough, cough…control) him because I thought this was what a good parent should do.
I tracked him to “keep him safe.” (Actually, to try to catch him in a lie.)
I yelled at him when he didn’t do his assignments.
I punished him when he disrespected me or didn’t obey.
Nothing worked.
I was angry, exhausted, and frustrated with myself.
My son was struggling, and I was failing him.
The turmoil and distance between us devasted me.
It became crystal clear to me on that call in Bed, Bath, and Beyond that we both needed help.
Shortly after, I found a parenting program that taught me a new approach.
I learned how to stay calm and persevere, even during the most challenging times.
This was the magic that turned everything around.
🙌 I learned that his behavior did not mean I failed as a parent.
🙌 I learned how to talk to him without disappointment or anger seeping in.
🙌 I learned how to accept his choices without condoning them.
🙌 I learned to resist the urge to tell him what to do even when I thought there was a better way.
🙌 I learned to trust that this was his journey and that life didn’t have to look perfect.
And you know what? My fears and worries started to subside.
I felt close to him for the first time in years.
💖 Had I not sought help, he wouldn’t have reached out to me when he felt low during college.
💖 I wouldn’t have been able to calmly support him without being critical.
💖 And I wouldn’t have been confident enough to trust that he would be okay.
But worse than that, we wouldn’t have the connection and trust we have today.
He now shares his worries when he has troubles at work or in relationships.
And he shares exciting news, too, like when he got a puppy.
And I know he will want me to be close to his future spouse, be part of his children’s lives, and share family milestones and adventures in the years ahead.
Raising teens is not for the faint-hearted.
It takes time, energy, and intention to help them thrive.
With this proven approach, I help loving, well-intentioned parents like you who want to enjoy these years with their teens.
I will tell you exactly how to tailor my process to you and your family on a free Parenting Plan Strategy call.
Discover how you can enjoy these years – calmly and confidently.
♥️Jeanine
P.S. For a deep dive into parenting strategies, join my Facebook group, Parenting Teens: How to Not Lose Your Shit.
