Joyful Courage for Parenting Teens Casey O'Roarty

My guest today is Dr. Jenn Noble, and she’s here to talk about adolescent identity development and support us all in broadening our lens around the experience of mixed race kids and families.

Dr. Jenn helps parents to see who their kids really are and helps teens express who they are to their parents. We all know teen identity development is a total rollercoaster! On one hand, we know our adolescents are growing up, but we sure like to hang onto who they were as children. Their experiences and perspectives are real, but they’re often dismissed.  

As we dig into adolescent identity development, and Dr. Jenn reminds us that part of a teen’s job is to explore things, try things out, and push back with a safe place to land. I ask Dr. Jenn what parents can do to invite your teens to talk to you, how adolescents can read our agendas (even when we think we’re being open-minded!), and how this plays out differently in mixed race households.

Takeaways from the show

What should parents know about adolescent identity development? 

Broadening our lens around the experience of mixed race kids and families

Seeing your kid for who they are - how do we really get to know & see them? 

Negative stereotypes around teens 

Teens need to try & explore new things with a safe place to land 

What makes adolescents feel open to talking and sharing more with parents 

Code switching (cognitive flexibility) 

Teens are seeking groups and are very sensitive to rejection 

How can we best show up for mixed race teens? 

Authentically affirming & complimenting teens’ experiences


For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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As our teens continue to get older, our role in relationship with them changes. It is hard to know where to lean in and where to let go. The good news is there is no "right way" to parent through the second half of the teen years and beyond - instead, we get to become ever better at intuiting what it is our young people need. During this episode, I go through the different eras of later adolescence and offer my thoughts on useful ways of showing up. Can't wait to hear what you think!

Find all the show notes at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-488-thoughts-about-parenting-our-older-teens-and-baby-adults/

Join the Joyful Courage Parents of Teens FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jcforparentsofteens
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I am so excited about my guest today - Alyse Levine!  We have one of the foremost college counseling experts in the country here today sharing her wisdom and tips to help adolescents fulfill their college goals & dreams. 

Alyse shares why she’s so passionate about college admissions & working with young people, and I ask what was surprising for her when going through the college admissions process with her own kiddo recently.  We dig into all-things admissions related: testing, grades, college essays, rescinded offers, and virtual opportunities & internships.  I ask Alyse what teens should be doing during the summer and how to discern good opportunities & programs, and we wrap up this week talking about setting expectations for our adolescents and how motivating it is when people are learning something they’re excited about. 

Key Takeaways from the show

Why work with a college admissions specialist or counselor? 

FAFSA, Merit Money, & scholarships 

How has grading changed since we were in school? 

Colleges rescinding offers 

College is a safe place to make some mistakes & grow resiliency 

What should teens be doing during summer breaks? 

Virtual internships & experiences 

What to look for in good summer programs & offerings 

Authenticity during the college admissions process 

The motivation that comes when we are learning things we’re excited about 

“There is a home and a college for everyone”


For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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Surprise!!! My girl and podcast fave, Julietta Skoog, joins me today on a special Thursday show where we come down off of our high from leading our first ever Sproutable Retreat on the gorgeous California Coast. We talk about the highlights from the weekend as well as the power of parenting in community, creating time and structure for our own self-care, and shared a few funny stories... Listen in and let me know what you think.

Find all the show notes and info about our sponsors here: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/Eps-486-The-beauty-of-parenting-in-community-with-Julietta-Skoog
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My guests today are Jaya Ramesh and Priya Saaral. Jaya and Priya have a lot in common, including being the co-authors of their new book, “Parenting at the Intersections.” This is a deeply emotional topic for them, both personally and professionally.  

Many people are discussing the experience of neurodivergence, and many people are discussing being a person of color, but where are the resources for neurodivergent people of color? Jaya and Priya have so much wisdom to share, from asking for what your child needs until they get it, what people who aren’t raising neurodivergent children of color need to know, and why & how to be there for all kids, not just your kid. 

We dig deep into how we can expand our definition of what’s “normal,” so that we can be less judgmental, especially when there are systems in place working against that, and how hard it can be for adolescents to find their strengths when we are so focused on deficits.  

Takeaways from the show

How do you hold the feedback about your child from their school? 

How do you make it work when public school is the only option? 

Asking for what you or your child(ren) needs until you get it 

Checking your biases

What do people who aren’t raising neurodivergent children of color need to know? 

Being curious, empathetic, & compassionate 

Being in it for all kids, not just your kid 

Expanding our definition of “normal” so we can be less judgmental 

Moving away from neurotypical expectations, narratives, & timelines 

Holding that space for our child(ren) when they show up differently


For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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Ooh, I have some fun during this week's solo show... If I could go back to parenting my kids through middle school I would take my own advice and do it differently. The beauty of hindsight. Lucky for YOU I am sharing all of my thoughts around parenting during middle school years today on the show!
Find the full show notes and info about sponsors at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/Eps-484-the-real-work-of-parenting-during-the-middle-school-years
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