How to Build Connection Over Control - Navigating Middle School Part 3
She pulls away. ..You try harder. She slams the door... You wonder if you're losing her.
In Part 3 of this 4-part series on navigating middle school, Dr. Kimberley Palmiotto explores one of the hardest parts of parenting a tween girl: how to stay connected when she seems to want nothing to do with you.
You’ll learn:
*Why the push-pull dynamic is wired into her brain and not your fault
*How to shift from control to connection, without losing boundaries
*Tools to build emotional safety, even when your daughter is shut down
*How to model repair after conflict and open the door to communication
*The 3 C’s that transform your relationship: Calm, Curiosity, and Compassion
Whether you’re dealing with eye rolls, slammed doors, or emotional shutdowns, this episode gives you language, mindset shifts, and repair tools to help you be the safe base she still needs, even when she acts like she doesn’t.
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15:22
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15:22
Power, Popularity, & Pressure- Navigating Middle School Part 2
Middle school friendships aren’t just complicated, they feel critical to your daughter’s sense of identity, safety, and self-worth. In Part 2 of this 4-part series, Dr. Kim dives deep into what’s happening in your daughter’s outside world. She explores things like friendships, peer pressure, social status, and the rising tide of relational aggression.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
*Why belonging feels like survival to the tween brain
*What “mean girl” behavior really signals and how to respond
*How to support your daughter whether she’s being excluded or doing the excluding
*The difference between popularity and true friendship (and how to help her know it too)
*Tools to help her build empathy, boundaries, and confidence without losing herself
This one is for every mom who has watched her daughter walk into changing middle school friendships and wondered, “What do I say? What do I do?”
You’ll leave this episode with tools, reflection prompts, and connection strategies that help you be the safe, steady voice in her social world, even when things get messy.
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21:13
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21:13
Her Changing World - Part 1 of A Series on Middle School
Middle school is more than a milestone, it’s a deep, messy, and transformational chapter for your daughter… and for you. This first episode of Season 2 rolls out part 1 of a 4 part series on navigating Middle School for Moms of Girls.
In this episode, Dr. Kimberley Palmiotto helps you understand what’s really going on inside your tween’s changing brain, body, and emotional world. From hypersensitive feelings to identity experimentation and peer comparison, this season can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to walk it alone.
You’ll learn:
* Why your daughter can’t always explain how she feels (and what to say instead)
* How her brain development impacts emotional regulation and behavior
* What it looks like to offer safety without shame
* The 3 things she needs most from you in this phase (even if she can’t say them)
Whether your daughter is moody, melting down, or changing before your eyes, this episode will help you respond with presence, compassion, and confidence.
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22:35
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22:35
Why Tone Matters with Your Teen Daughter
In this episode, we talk about a parenting tool that is underestimated: tone of voice. As moms of tween and teen girls, how we say things often matters more than what we say. During adolescence, a girl’s brain is rewiring and more reactive to emotional cues—especially tone. Your voice becomes her inner voice, shaping how she sees herself and how she handles relationships in the future.
Dr. Kim breaks down the science behind this sensitivity, shares practical tools to shift your tone toward calm and connection, and reveals how everyday moments of communication leave lasting emotional imprints. You’ll learn how to avoid the “tone traps” of sarcasm, correction, and dismissive language—and replace them with language that nurtures confidence, emotional safety, and resilience.
If you’ve ever wondered why your daughter reacts so strongly even when you're not “yelling,” this episode is for you. Tune in to learn how to use your voice not as a weapon or a wedge—but as a bridge.
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11:26
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11:26
The Truth About Parenting Styles (and What Daughters Really Need)
“I’m her mom, not her friend.”
It’s a phrase many moms wear like armor—especially when emotions run high or boundaries are being tested. But what if there is more and this mindset isn't working as well as we think it is?
In this episode, Dr. Palmiotto unpacks one of the most common parenting myths and offers a clear, compassionate look at the three foundational parenting styles: authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative. You’ll learn:
✨ Why your parenting style matters more than you think
✨ The emotional impact of each approach—especially on girls
✨ How the “mom vs. friend” belief can create disconnection (and what to do instead)
✨ What daughters actually need from us to grow into confident, emotionally grounded women
Dr. Kim shares research-backed insights, relatable examples, and a refreshing perspective on how to be the kind of mother your daughter listens to, learns from, and leans on—even when things get hard.
Whether you’ve been feeling unsure, stretched thin, or stuck in old patterns, this episode is your invitation to parent with more clarity, connection, and confidence. Find the printable resource "The Parenting Styles Cheat Sheet" at https://www.nurturinggirls.com/PodcastResources
About Growing Together- Navigating the Rollercoaster of Adolescence Together with Dr. Kimberley Palmiotto
In "Growing Together," Dr. Kimberley Palmiotto guides moms through the ups and downs of raising tween and teen daughters. Each episode delves into the unique challenges and joys of adolescence, offering practical insights and expert advice to help mothers and daughters thrive together. With heartfelt conversations, expert guests, and real-world strategies, Dr. Palmiotto infuses her own experience as a mental health professional and mom of 4 girls to provide moms with the tools to understand their daughters’ development, foster open communication, and nurture resilient relationships.
Tune in to discover how you can grow alongside your daughter in this transformative stage of life, tackling topics from friendship dynamics to emotional wellness, all while building a bond that lasts a lifetime. It's a rollercoaster, so let's ride it together!
Listen to Growing Together- Navigating the Rollercoaster of Adolescence Together with Dr. Kimberley Palmiotto, SOLVED with Mark Manson and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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