His phone was never the problem
Your teenager isn’t plotting against you. But they are landing on something old, every single time. Here’s what’s actually happening, and what one mum discovered when she looked underneath.
Why do teenagers push your buttons? The real answer
What a button actually is Let's define this properly, because I use the word 'buttons' a lot and it's worth us all being on the same page. A button is not just something annoying your teenager does. It's a moment where their behaviour, completely unintentionally, sets...
How to talk to a teenager who shuts down: 5 steps
If you prefer to watch me talk on this topic, you can do so here. - They came downstairs looking hollow, you asked how they were...they said fine. You tried again later. Fine. You found a gentler moment, a better question, a softer tone. Still fine. And then they...
Is your teen’s phone making them anxious? (Yes. Here’s what to do)
A parent asked me this week: her daughter is on her phone constantly, and she is convinced it is making the anxiety worse. Every time she tries to limit it, it turns into a massive row. I told her: you are right. And I am not going to dress that up. Jonathan Haidt's...
Why does my child behave worse with me? The real reason
There is one child. You know the one. The one who picks the fight before the day has properly started. Who winds up their sibling with what can only be described as artistry. Who somehow takes 85% of your energy while the rest of family life happens somewhere in the...
Guest Blog – Anna -Screen Safe – WhatsApp for Under 13s
This is a guest blog from the brilliant Anna at Screen Safe. Join her mailing list here.NEW: WhatsApp Parent-Managed Accounts (Under 13s) WhatsApp has announced the rollout of “Parent-Managed Accounts” — a new feature that now allows children under 13 to use the app,...
Teenage Perfectionism and Anxiety: What Parents Miss
A mum got in touch with me recently. Her daughter had just received her mock GCSE results - nine brilliant grades, and two that were slightly lower. And instead of celebrating the nine, her daughter fell apart over the two. They could barely mark the achievement. The...
Window of Tolerance: Why Teen Emotions Explode
When your teenager shouts, slams doors, or bursts into tears, it can feel as though everything has suddenly gone wrong. But very often something else entirely is happening. Your child has simply gone outside their window of tolerance. What the Window of Tolerance...
Divided Loyalty in Teenagers After Divorce
Learn how divided loyalty in teenagers after divorce affects behaviour and how calm leadership protects your child’s emotional security.
Parenting Teenagers Without Shouting
A leader is emotionally intelligent. A leader is strategic. They understand their own emotions. They regulate themselves first. They respond on purpose instead of reacting on impulse. That is the kind of leadership parenting a teenager requires. If living with your...
Parenting Teenage Conflicts: Lead, Don’t Control
Parenting teenage conflict is normal. Learn how calm leadership – not control – helps families navigate adolescence without fear or disconnection.
Why parenting teens feels so hard – ask me live
Struggling with teen parenting? You’re not alone. Discover why it feels so hard — and how emotional leadership can transform your family dynamic.
Emotional Leadership Begins With Your Own Emotions
I share a fortnight filled with joy, overwhelm, pride, panic, and a small spiral after seeing myself on ITV. Spoiler: emotional leadership isn’t about staying calm all the time. It’s about tending to your feelings with the same compassion you offer your child.
Because when you meet your emotions wisely, you teach your teen how to do the same.
The Empowered Parenting Framework
Over the past few years, I’ve developed a framework I call the Seven Pillars of Empowered Parenting — a way of understanding the emotional, neurological, and relational shifts that help parents support their teens with calm, clarity, and connection.Here’s a simple...
The Power of Rupture and Repair Parenting
Learn why conflict with your teen doesn’t mean failure—and how to repair it with confidence. Discover the 3-step rupture and repair process to rebuild trust, model emotional maturity, and strengthen your parent–teen connection.
Parenting Teenagers with Gratitude
If you’ve ever looked at your teenager and thought, where did my lovely child go? You’re not alone. One minute they’re warm and funny, the next it’s slammed doors, sarcasm, or silence. Here’s the truth: adolescence is a full-scale renovation project. Their brain,...
Shame in Parenting: The Hidden Emotion Running Families
Learn how shame in parenting quietly shapes family dynamics — and how to break generational cycles by leading with calm, compassion, and emotional intelligence.
When Your Teen Feels Left Out: How to Stay Calm and Lead
When your teenager feels left out — no invites, no close friends, hating school because of the peer drama — it tears you apart. You can’t kiss it better anymore. And your own fear, anger, and sleepless nights only make things worse.
Here’s the truth: your child’s distress will always mirror your ability to stay calm. If you spiral, they spiral. If you steady yourself, they begin to regulate.