Trust Me Mom

• 24. Teen Anxiety - Here’s How Parents Can Truly Help

  Parenting a teenager can feel like walking on eggshells, especially when anxiety enters the picture. In this episode Ekaterina Konovalova spoke with Sophia Vale Galano, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and author of Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teen Cope with Worry.Sophia shared practical, compassionate strategies to help parents recognize anxiety, open up meaningful conversations, and model calm and emotional regulation without controlling or enabling their teens.You’ll learn:- How to tell normal stress from clinical anxiety- Why teens mirror their parents’ emotional energy- What to say (and what not to say) when your teen shuts down- How to navigate social media, body image, and comparison traps- Why self-care for parents is the foundation of calmer teensIf you’ve ever wondered how to truly connect with your anxious teen — this conversation will give you hope, insight, and practical tools to start today.To learn more about Sophia, check her website www.sophiagalano.com00:26 Introduction: Meet Sophia Vale Galano, author of “Calming Teenage Anxiety”01:19 Sophia’s journey: From career change to working with teens02:38 Why teen years are a pivotal moment for mental health03:06 How to recognize teenage anxiety vs. normal stress04:58 When to take a closer look at your teen’s behavior05:08 First steps for parents: Talking about anxiety early06:11 Conversation tips: How to ask open-ended questions07:54 When teens say “I don’t want to talk about it”08:52 Changing the setting: Why casual conversations work better10:18 Rebuilding trust when there’s a control history11:00 How parents can model emotional regulation13:09 Why teens notice parental behavior more than words14:35 Energy and emotional connection between parents and teens15:00 How parents’ stress affects their children17:33 When and how to seek therapy or outside support20:07 Different types of support beyond traditional therapy21:18 Overcoming control and trusting the process23:06 Teens in today’s world: Why social media changes everything24:02 Healthy social media habits for teens26:39 Dealing with comparison and body image28:20 Highlights from Sophia’s book: Self-examination for parents29:53 Leading by example: Modeling healthy emotional habits30:56 Parents’ invisible impact and long-term influence31:23 Finding joy and balance as a parent33:40 The line between helping and enabling35:23 Teaching resilience: Let teens “scrape their knees”36:31 Final advice: Be open, flexible, and patient36:56 Where to find Sophia’s book and connect with her#TeenAnxiety #ParentingTeens #MentalHealth #TrustMeMom #SophiaValeGalano #ParentingTips #AnxietyHelp #TeenTherapy #ParentingPodcast #CalmingTeenageAnxiety #MentalHealthAwareness #MindfulParenting #RaisingTeens

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• 23. Long-Distance Parenting: How to Stay Connected Across Miles

  When we hear the phrase long-distance relationship, we often think of romantic partners separated by geography. But what about long-distance parenting—navigating fatherhood or motherhood from miles away. In this episode of Trust Me Mom, I sat down with Jason Cercone, a podcaster, strategist, and devoted father, who shared his story of co-parenting his teenage daughter after separation—and later, after she and her mother moved six hours away.00:43 Navigating Long-Distance Parenting04:14 Maintaining Connection Across Distances08:19 Communication Strategies for Safety11:50 Coping with Emotions as a Long-Distance Parent16:00 Teaching Resilience and Self-Defense20:12 Instilling Work Ethic and Values22:00 The Importance of Communication in Co-Parenting#trustmemom #LongDistanceParenting #CoParenting #CommunicationStrategies #EmotionalChallenges #Resilience #WorkEthic #ParentingAdvice #FamilyDynamics #TechnologyInParenting #MaintainingRelationships

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• 22. Kids Do Well If They Can | Conversation with Dr. Ross Greene

  In this conversation, Dr. Ross W. Greene discusses the importance of understanding child behavior through the lens of frustration responses rather than traditional rewards and punishments. He emphasizes the need for parents to meet their children where they are developmentally and to engage in collaborative problem-solving strategies. The discussion also highlights the significance of effective communication and listening in addressing children's needs, as well as the broader implications for child psychology and advocacy.By listening to this episode you will learn that:• Rewards and punishments do not solve underlying problems.• Children's concerning behaviors are often frustration responses.• Meeting kids where they are is essential for effective parenting.• Developmental variability means each child is unique.• Collaborative problem-solving is more effective than unilateral decisions.• Listening to children is crucial for understanding their needs.• Non-compliance can provide valuable insights into a child's struggles.• Parents should focus on individual progress rather than comparisons.• Frustration responses indicate unmet expectations.• Advocacy for children's mental health is increasingly important.0:00 Introduction to Dr. Ross Greene1:30 The Problem with Rewards and Punishments4:00 Understanding Kids' Frustration Responses7:00 Ask Your Child What’s Making it Hard for Them to Meet Your Expectations. 10:00 Plan A, B, and C Explained15:00 Developmental Variability and Meeting Kids Where They Are18:00 The Power of Listening and Empathy18:59 Upcoming Book and Advocacy Efforts#ChildPsychology #ParentingTips #PositiveParenting #ChildDevelopment#EmpathyInParenting #CollaborativeProblemSolving #DrRossGreene #kidsdowelliftheycan #DevelopmentalVariability#drgreene

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• 21. Want Resilient Kids? Heal Yourself First with Kenny Weiss

  What does it really mean to heal for your kids? Many parents say, “I’d die for my children,” but emotional authenticity coach Kenny Weiss believes the greatest gift we can give our children is doing the work on our own trauma.In this powerful conversation, Kenny shares his personal journey—growing up in a chaotic home, struggling with addiction, divorce, and even suicidal thoughts—and how he transformed pain into purpose. He opens up about the concept of the Worst Day Cycle, why small childhood moments (like cottage cheese for the dog) can shape a lifetime, and how suppressed emotions often show up in our health, from back pain to allergies.0:00 – Every adult emotion begins in childhood0:29 – Meet Kenny Weiss (Emotional Authenticity Coach & Founder of The Greatness University)1:05 – Kenny’s childhood story: chaos, trauma, and survival3:23 – How trauma shapes false identities and addictions6:17 – “I didn’t know how to be a man”: healing begins at 388:00 – Discovering his gift through therapy9:25 – Rock bottom: contemplating suicide and letting go of control10:54 – Spiritual epiphanies and writing his first book11:52 – Parenting truth: “Would you heal for your kids?”13:36 – The cottage cheese story: subtle childhood wounds17:19 – How parents can attune better to their child’s emotions18:36 – Why parents must heal their own trauma first20:00 – Life as a series of painful lessons (and gifts)22:00 – Seeing life clearly: emotional authenticity as the “3D glasses”24:21 – Why pain drives growth & the importance of emotions27:05 – How to shift from self-destruction to emotional authenticity28:34 – The link between emotions and illness29:27 – Back pain, family burdens, and hidden emotional weight33:33 – Allergies, coughs, and unspoken truths36:06 – Rebuilding after bankruptcy and mini “deaths”39:04 – Vulnerability, shame, and giving others permission to heal40:14 – Reliving your “worst day” and the Worst Day Cycle42:57 – The Authentic Self Cycle: truth, responsibility, healing, forgiveness44:33 – Resources: free content, books, classes, and coaching47:00 – Living in alignment: finding peace after 4948:47 – Embracing future awakenings and deeper peace49:15 – Closing words of inspirationWe talk about:Why “I’d die for my kids” can actually harm children.How parents unconsciously pass unresolved trauma to their kids.The connection between emotions and physical illness.The difference between living in the Worst Day Cycle vs. reclaiming your authentic self.Practical steps to start healing and modeling emotional authenticity for your family.Kenny’s message is clear: Pain is not the enemy—it’s the pathway to authenticity, healing, and freedom.Kenny’s website & free downloads: https://kennyweiss.net#Parenting #ChildhoodTrauma #EmotionalHealing #KennyWeiss #TrustMeMom

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• 20. How Help a Kid with OCD and Screen Addiction

  Join Ekaterina and licensed professional counselor Alexandra (Alex) Dimoff as they explore the complexities of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and screen addictions in children. Discover how family history and environmental factors contribute to OCD, and learn about effective interventions and therapies.0:00 – Why video games are so addictive0:40 – Introduction to guest Alex Dimoff (licensed counselor)1:16 – Alex’s journey into becoming a therapist2:00 – What is OCD? Definition and symptoms3:15 – How OCD develops: predisposition vs. triggers4:03 – Is screen addiction the same as OCD?5:22 – Treatment approaches: therapy vs. medication6:17 – Real client case study (hair pulling & skin picking)9:11 – Importance of parent participation in therapy10:06 – Coaching parents to change habits11:13 – Managing electronics: passwords & device control11:56 – Why screen addiction happens15:03 – Peer competition, skins & bragging rights in games15:49 – Strategies for parents to manage gaming addiction18:09 – Using timers, warnings, and smooth transitions18:15 – Handling aggression & consequences19:44 – What if a child breaks things at home?21:00 – Do kids outgrow screen addictions?22:46 – When to seek therapy & what to expect24:46 – How long therapy typically lasts26:02 – New obsessions replacing old ones27:12 – Can OCD last a lifetime? Extreme cases28:40 – Life events triggering relapse29:00 – Final advice for parents29:39 – Where to find Alex Dimoff #OCD #MentalHealth #Parenting #Therapy #OCDinkidsGuest Information: Alex Dimoff is a licensed professional counselor specializing in OCD and screen addictions, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/alexandra-dimoff-mars-pa/1215088

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