Have you been using the wrong scorecard to measure yourself as a mom?

Parenting teens is challenging and if you’ve ever wondered if you’re doing enough, you’re not alone. Building trust and connection during the teen years isn’t about getting every conversation right. Sometimes the greatest growth is happening in ways you can’t yet see.

In this episode, you’ll discover why your willingness to keep learning communication skills, seeking God’s wisdom, and showing up with love is one of the strongest signs you’re doing better than you think. If you’re looking for practical parenting tips to build connection, strengthen trust, and improve communication with your teen, encouragement is on the way so that you can see yourself—and your parenting—through God’s perspective instead of your own scorecard.

I pray this episode is a blessing to you and your family, reminding you that God is still at work in you—and that you’re doing far better than you think.

If you’d like personalized support as you navigate your unique situation, I’d be honored to walk alongside you through a one-on-one Communication Coaching Call. You can learn more and schedule your call at the link below.

👉https://connectwithyourteens.com/communication-coaching

💌Want weekly encouragement straight to your inbox?

Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly parenting tips, encouragement, and support straight to your inbox Weekly Insider Newsletter

🤍Looking for a safe, faith-based community of moms who get it?

Come join us inside the How To Connect With Your Teens Facebook group—we’re waiting to welcome you: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group

📖Need a place to start?

Download my Building Connection Beyond Screen Time: A Quick Guide for Moms to help you build trust with your teen, strengthen communication, and create more meaningful everyday conversations.

👉https://connectwithyourteens.com/build-connection-screentime

💛 Interested in ongoing support?

Join my free monthly support group for moms of teens — a safe, faith-led space for guidance, connection, and encouragement.

Learn more here: https://connectwithyourteens.com/supportgroup

🎧Would you like inspiring worship music to anchor you in your journey?

This is a collection of songs that have brought me peace and helped me anchor my heart in Christ. You can go straight to this link to get my Anchoring Spotify Playlist (no sign up required): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0pmOIQvAH6dibMmAxQzbGf?si=WZ8bE23YQfWdY5lbBM_2pA&nd=1&dlsi=e9c329d0073a4b3b

✨Follow or DM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach

✨Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com

Related Episodes:

36 - The #1 Sign You’re a Great Mom (It’s Not What You Think)

48 The #1 Sign You're About to Break Through With Your Teen (This Will Surprise You)

65 - 3 Lies That Sabotage Communication With Your Teen (Part 1 of 3)

You love your teen and want the very best for them. So why do your conversations sometimes leave them feeling criticized, controlled, or misunderstood when your heart was trying to encourage, protect, and help?

Terri shares a powerful coaching story that reveals one of the biggest communication blind spots in parenting teens: the gap between our intentions and our teen’s experience and why they take what you say the wrong way. You’ll discover why your teen may react differently than you expect, how one simple perspective shift can strengthen communication with your teen, and a practical way to build trust with your teen while creating a deeper, lasting connection.

If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “That isn’t what I meant,” this episode is for you.

I pray it's a blessing to you and your family!

✨Ready for personalized support?

If you find yourself replaying conversations, wondering what went wrong, or wishing you knew how to respond differently, I’d love to help. In a 1:1 Communication Coaching Call, we’ll identify what’s creating distance, strengthen your communication, and create a personalized plan to help you build lasting connection and trust with your child.

👉https://connectwithyourteens.com/communication-coaching

💌Want weekly encouragement straight to your in box?

Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly parenting tips, encouragement, and support straight to your inbox Weekly Insider Newsletter

🤍Looking for a safe, faith-based community of moms who get it?

Come join us inside the How To Connect With Your Teens Facebook group—we’re waiting to welcome you: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group

📖Need a place to start?

Download my Building Connection Beyond Screen Time: A Quick Guide for Moms to help you build trust with your teen, strengthen communication, and create more meaningful everyday conversations.

👉https://connectwithyourteens.com/build-connection-screentime

💛 Interested in ongoing support?

Join my free monthly support group for moms of teens — a safe, faith-led space for guidance, connection, and encouragement.

Learn more here: https://connectwithyourteens.com/supportgroup

🎧Would you like inspiring worship music to anchor you in your journey?

This is a collection of songs that have brought me peace and helped me anchor my heart in Christ. You can go straight to this link to get my Anchoring Spotify Playlist (no sign up required): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0pmOIQvAH6dibMmAxQzbGf?si=WZ8bE23YQfWdY5lbBM_2pA&nd=1&dlsi=e9c329d0073a4b3b

✨Follow or DM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach

✨Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com

Related Episodes:

5 - From 'It's Too Late To Fix This' To Having Real Conversations With Your Teen

13 - The Secret to Effortless Connection With Your Teen (And How to Break the Hidden Barrier)

32 - Beyond the Eye Roll: 3 Steps to Reach Your Teen's Heart

What if one of the most frustrating things your teen says is actually an invitation… not a rejection? If you’ve ever heard, “You don’t understand,” this episode may completely change how you hear those words.

If your teen has ever said, “You don’t understand,” or shut down when you were trying your best to connect, this episode is for you. Sometimes the biggest breakthrough in teen communication isn’t finding the perfect words—it’s learning what your teen may really be asking for underneath the words they’re saying.

In this episode, I’ll help you see those frustrating conversations through a different lens so you can respond in a way that helps build connection, build trust, and create greater emotional safety in your relationship.

You'll Learn:

• Why “You don’t understand” usually means something deeper
• One simple communication shift that can completely change the direction of a conversation
• How to use practical communication skills that help your teen feel heard
• Why understanding comes before influence in healthy family communication
• How small moments of connection today can strengthen your relationship for years to come

As followers of Christ, we’re called to listen with humility and value others above ourselves. When we choose to understand our teen before asking them to understand us, we begin reflecting the heart of Jesus—and that’s often where healing, trust, and connection begin.

📩 Want more encouragement and practical tools each week?

Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for Christ-centered encouragement, communication tips, podcast updates, and practical ways to strengthen your relationship with your teen.

👉Join here: Weekly Insider Newsletter

More Resources:

✨ Want to work 1:1 with me?

Book a 60-Minute Communication Coaching Call. Together, we’ll identify what’s getting in the way of connection with your teen, uncover practical next steps, and create a clear plan so you can stop feeling stuck and start rebuilding trust and connection.

👉Learn More: https://connectwithyourteens.com/1-hour-communicationcoaching

🤍Looking for a safe, faith-based community of moms who get it?

Come join us inside the How To Connect With Your Teens Facebook group—we’re waiting to welcome you: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group

✨Follow or DM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach

✨Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com

💬 If this podcast has encouraged or helped you share it with a friend and take 30 seconds to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps more moms see the podcast and get support.

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Related Episodes:

32 | Beyond the Eye Roll: 3 Steps to Reach Your Teen's Heart

64 | Stop Arguing With Your Teen: Let Them Have Their Perspective

77 | Why Your Teen Doesn’t Need to Change First to Build Connection