Connect With Your Teens | Conversation Starters, Parenting Tips, Screen Time, Build Connection, Communication Skills

Terri Lee | Christian Parenting Coach, Communication Specialist, & B.A. Social Work
  • 5.0 (78)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

*****TOP 2.0% GLOBAL PODCAST***** The go-to podcast for Christian moms who want deeper connection with their teens. Are you tired of feeling dismissed every time your teen pulls out their phone mid-conversation? Do conversations with your teen feel more like nagging sessions than real connection? Is your teen shut down, distracted, or glued to a screen… while you’re desperate to build trust and keep your relationship strong? I’m so excited you’re here! This podcast will help you move from walking on eggshells to having real, trust-building conversations—without the nagging, misunderstandings or push-back. My mission is to equip you to communicate with tools that replace frustration with understanding, turn tension into trust, and help you become the mom your teen feels safe opening up to. Hi, I’m Terri Lee. A wife, mom, tutu, and communication coach. For years, I thought the key to raising my kids well was teaching the right lessons, taking them to church, and trying to fix their behavior. But instead of building connections it only led to frustration, distance, and feeling like my words didn’t matter. I realized that to have deep, lasting connections—both now and after my kids left home—I needed to change how I communicated. So, I did. I learned to listen without criticism, speak in a way my kids felt safe, and build thriving relationships. Now, I help moms do the same, and I can’t wait to share it with you! If you’re looking for practical ways to talk to your teen, build a relationship based on mutual respect, and get them off their phones long enough to connect—this show is for you. Grab your latte and let’s dive into it. Want to stay connected? ✨ Join the FB Community: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group ✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly tips, encouragement, and be the first to know of upcoming events: Weekly Newsletter ✨ Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach ✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com

  1. 2D AGO

    54 | Is This Silent Parenting Habit Stealing Your Health and Connection?

    You love your teen. You want connection. You want peace in your conversations. You want to build trust, not tension. So why does it still feel hard? What if the struggle isn’t just communication skills… but the pace your family has been living at? In this honest, heart-to-heart episode of Connect With Your Teens, we’re talking about a silent parenting habit that quietly affects your health, your emotional and spiritual well-being, and your ability to build connection with your teenager.  You’re doing your best. You’re giving opportunities. You’re managing school, sports, activities, work, and responsibilities. But this habit may be shaping your family more than you realize — and it could be impacting your patience, your nervous system, and your communication. When you’re constantly running, meaningful conversations feel harder. Emotional depth requires margin. Anchored communication requires calm. And when moms are stretched thin, even the best parenting tips can feel impossible to apply. You’ll learn: How busyness becomes a hidden cause of family disconnection Why emotional conversations require slowness to grow How to recognize when you’re operating in survival mode Simple, Spirit-led shifts that help you build connection through calm, anchored communication skills And if you’re listening today and thinking, “I want connection. I want peace in our conversations. I don’t want to keep guessing what to say,” you don’t have to figure that out alone.  My 1:1 Communication Coaching Session is a safe place to pause, pray, and get clear on how to move forward effectively so you can rebuild trust with your teen in a Spirit-led, practical way. You can book your 1-hour session at https://connectwithyourteens.com/1-hour-communicationcoaching Want more support? 🤍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 💌Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly parenting tips, encouragement, and support straight to your inbox Weekly Newsletter ✨Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach ✨Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com 🎧Anchoring Spotify Playlist for encouragement in who you are and how much you're loved: https://bit.ly/AnchoringPlaylist 💬 I’d love it if you’d leave a Review so more moms can find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. Listen on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you catch podcasts: https://bit.ly/ConnectWithYourTeensPodcast

    17 min

  2. FEB 20

    53 | From “We Need to Talk” to Real Conversations That Build Connection (Part 4)

    “I want you to know where I’m coming from — not because I’m trying to control you, but because I love you. And I’m going to love you no matter what you decide.” What if that’s how your next hard conversation ended? In this final episode of the series, you won’t just learn the framework — you’ll hear it. Because knowing communication skills that build connection is one thing. Hearing what they actually sound like in real life is another. Today, Terri walks you through real anchored conversations — including a phone boundary discussion and a high-stakes situation involving a boyfriend sleepover. You’ll hear how tone, posture, and ownership shift a conversation from control to collaboration. In this episode, you’ll learn: What anchored talking sounds like in real conversations How to address screen time without escalating conflict How to express concern without control How to use “I want” statements to build trust This is where theory becomes practice. ✨ Ready to stop repeating the same conflict cycles? Book a Communication Coaching Call and we’ll map out one real conversation you’re facing — step-by-step — so you can build connection instead of tension. 👉 https://connectwithyourteens.com/1-hour-communicationcoaching Want more support? 🤍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 💌Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly parenting tips, encouragement, and support straight to your inbox Weekly Newsletter ✨Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach ✨Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com

    16 min

  3. FEB 19

    52 | From 'We Need to Talk' to Restoring Connection With Grace (Part 3)

    You’ve said the hard thing. You’ve shared your concerns. You’ve owned your feelings. But the conversation still feels unfinished. Why? Because most of us were never taught the communication skills needed to have “the talk” in a way that truly builds connection instead of distance. In this third episode of the series, we walk through Step 7 — the next piece that shifts your “we need to talk” moment from correction to collaboration. Instead of demanding change, you’ll learn how to express what you want in a way that invites your teen into partnership. And that’s where grace enters. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why traditional confrontation often creates compliance without connection How to move from problem-focused to possibility-focused communication What it sounds like to express “I want” without control or pressure How casting vision builds trust and emotional safety A powerful biblical example of appealing instead of commanding This is where anchored communication becomes transformational. ✨ Ready to begin healing your relationship? Schedule a Communication Coaching Call with me—we’ll talk through where you’re feeling stuck and what it could look like to finally start creating lasting connection with your teen as you partner with God in the journey.  👉 https://connectwithyourteens.com/1-hour-communicationcoaching Want more support? 🤍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 💌Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly parenting tips, encouragement, and support straight to your inbox Weekly Newsletter ✨Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach ✨Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com 🎧Anchoring Spotify Playlist for encouragement in who you are and how much you're loved: https://bit.ly/AnchoringPlaylist 💬 I’d love it if you’d leave a Review so more moms can find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. Listen on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you catch podcasts: https://bit.ly/ConnectWithYourTeensPodcast

    17 min

  4. FEB 14

    51 | From “We Need to Talk” to Speaking Your Heart So They Receive It (Part 2)

    You’ve been replaying the conversation in your head for days. You care deeply. You see things that concern you. You want to build trust, not create distance. But every time you try to bring it up, your teen shuts down… gets defensive… or walks away. And suddenly “we need to talk” turns into conflict instead of connection. In Part 2 of this 3-part series, I’m giving you the exact words and simple structure to help you build connection, strengthen your communication skills, and speak your heart in a way your teen can actually receive. Because parenting teens isn’t just about what you say — it’s about how you say it. If you’re a Christian mom who wants practical parenting tips rooted in identity and wisdom — this episode will show you how to move from reaction to intentional conversation starters that create safety instead of shutdown. In This Episode You’ll Learn: The 3 biggest mistakes moms make when confronting hard topics How to use “I see / I hear” instead of leading with judgment How to share your thoughts without presenting them as facts How to express real emotions in a way that softens your teen instead of triggering them A simple conversation structure that helps your teen feel heard, not attacked And if you're ready for more support and connect with other moms, join our private How to Connect With Your Teen Facebook group. This is where we’re building community, sharing wins, and helping each other navigate hard conversations in a way that builds connection and trust. When you join, you’ll receive a free set of conversation starters you can use right away. Click here to join:  Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group More Resources:  💌 Want weekly encouragement and communication tips straight to your inbox? Sign up for the newsletter and get practical tips, stories of how this works in real life & hope sent to you every week. Weekly Newsletter ✨Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach ✨Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com

    17 min

  5. FEB 11

    50 | From 'We Need to Talk' to Honest Conversations That Build Connection (Part 1)

    Every mom knows that moment—you say "we need to talk" and watch your teen immediately shut down, get defensive, or walk away. You enter these conversations with the best intentions, wanting to address their behavior and restore peace. But the way most of us were taught to handle conflict is just a bandaid to a deeper issue, and it ends up creating more distance. Have you been listening more? Reflecting back what you’re hearing your teen say? Inviting them to share more? Then you’ve been laying a foundation of connection. Now how do you talk so they’ll listen?  Stay tuned. In this first episode of a three-part series on parenting teens we’re talking about how we can build connection through the words we speak even in conflict. Terri will be sharing a game-changing framework that’s transformed how she communicates with her kids.  What You'll Learn: The #1 reason your teen shuts down when you try to have hard conversations (and how to fix it) How to choose connection as your goal instead of confrontation The power of truth-telling with yourself before speaking to your teen Why anchoring in Christ's peace is the secret to transforming your communication skills Before you go, if this episode helped you, I'd be so grateful if you'd leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It takes just a minute and it means the world to me—plus it helps other moms find their way to this community. Thank you for being here.  Leave a on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen: https://bit.ly/ConnectWithYourTeensPodcast Want more support? 🤍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 💌Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly parenting tips, encouragement, and support straight to your inbox Weekly Newsletter ✨Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach ✨Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com 🎧Anchoring Spotify Playlist for encouragement in who you are and how much you're loved: https://bit.ly/AnchoringPlaylist

    17 min

  6. FEB 7

    49 | The Power of God’s Acceptance to Turn the Heart of Your Teen

    What if the way you see and love your teenager could mirror the moment you first felt fully loved and fully accepted by God?  In this episode, Terri shares an experience during her kids' teen years but didn't have the language for at the time. Through prayer and reflection, God showed her a deeper truth about acceptance, love, and how to build God breathed connection with our teens—no agenda, no strings attached.  If you've been searching for parenting tips that go beyond managing behavior and outcomes to creating bridges to your teen's heart, this episode will shine light on how you can do this from your own experiences with God. Stay with me—this isn't another strategy. It's a heart transformation. What You'll Learn: How to love your teen the way God first loved you—with no strings attached   Why your teen can sense your agenda (and what to do instead)   A reflective exercise to reconnect with your own teen years and build connection   How God's acceptance of you can transform your parenting approach   Want simple, practical ways to start connecting with your teen today?  Download my Building Connection Beyond Screen TimeInside—a free guide with 15 conversation starters and parenting tips to help you show up with no-agenda love and build real connection. Download here: connectwithyourteens.com/build-connection-screentime Want more support? 💌Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly parenting tips, encouragement, and support straight to your inbox Weekly 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 ✨Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach ✨Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com 🎧Anchoring Spotify Playlist for encouragement in who you are and how much you're loved, adored, and delighted in: https://bit.ly/AnchoringPlaylist

    16 min

  7. FEB 3

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

    Struggling to communicate with your teen? Feel like every conversation ends in frustration, conflict, or silence? What if the breakthrough you're looking for has nothing to do with finding the perfect words—and everything to do with what you do before you open your mouth? In this episode, we're diving into the #1 sign that your communication skills are about to start transforming your relationship with your teen.  We'll unpack the story of David in 1 Samuel 30—when everything fell apart and he was under crushing pressure (sound familiar?)—and discover what he did that changed everything. Spoiler: He didn't try to fix the problem first. What you’ll learn: Why trying to "fix" the conversation is keeping you stuck The 3-step framework to communicate with confidence and peace How to let go of the agenda and invite the Holy Spirit into your conversations Ready to let go of the weight and step into breakthrough? Here’s practical help starting these conversations? Grab the free guide 'Building Connection Beyond Screen Time' with 15 easy conversation starters you can use today:  https://connectwithyourteens.com/build-connection-screentime 🤍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 💌Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly parenting tips, encouragement, and support straight to your inbox? Weekly Newsletter ✨Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach ✨Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com

    16 min

  8. JAN 31

    47 | Why Your Teen Chooses the Phone Over You (And How to Change It)

    If you've ever felt like the last person your teen wants to talk to, this episode is for you.  We're going beneath the surface to understand what's really happening in your teen's brain and heart when they choose the screen over real conversation. You'll discover why they're willing to risk the drama and pain of social media—and what that reveals about what they're actually searching for. More importantly, you'll learn how to respond with compassion and strategy instead of control. We'll talk about how to build connection that makes them *want* to put the phone down and open up to you—without forcing it or feeling like you need to have all the answers. This isn't about managing screen time. It's about becoming the safe place they choose to come to. If you're ready to stop reacting out of fear and start connecting with confidence, this episode will show you how. What You'll Learn: What's really driving your teen to their phone (it's not what you think) Why the risk of social media feels safer to them than talking to you Communication skills that open doors instead of shutting them down Parenting tips for creating connection that feels safe, not threatening Conversation starters that invite them in without pressure Want more support? 🤍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 💌Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly parenting tips, encouragement, and support straight to your inbox? Weekly Newsletter ✨Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach ✨Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com 🎧Anchoring Spotify Playlist for encouragement in who you are and how much you're loved: https://bit.ly/AnchoringPlaylist 💬 I’d love it if you’d leave a Review so more moms can find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. Listen on Apple Podcasts here or wherever you catch podcasts: https://bit.ly/ConnectWithYourTeensPodcast

    15 min
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5
out of 5
78 Ratings

About

*****TOP 2.0% GLOBAL PODCAST***** The go-to podcast for Christian moms who want deeper connection with their teens. Are you tired of feeling dismissed every time your teen pulls out their phone mid-conversation? Do conversations with your teen feel more like nagging sessions than real connection? Is your teen shut down, distracted, or glued to a screen… while you’re desperate to build trust and keep your relationship strong? I’m so excited you’re here! This podcast will help you move from walking on eggshells to having real, trust-building conversations—without the nagging, misunderstandings or push-back. My mission is to equip you to communicate with tools that replace frustration with understanding, turn tension into trust, and help you become the mom your teen feels safe opening up to. Hi, I’m Terri Lee. A wife, mom, tutu, and communication coach. For years, I thought the key to raising my kids well was teaching the right lessons, taking them to church, and trying to fix their behavior. But instead of building connections it only led to frustration, distance, and feeling like my words didn’t matter. I realized that to have deep, lasting connections—both now and after my kids left home—I needed to change how I communicated. So, I did. I learned to listen without criticism, speak in a way my kids felt safe, and build thriving relationships. Now, I help moms do the same, and I can’t wait to share it with you! If you’re looking for practical ways to talk to your teen, build a relationship based on mutual respect, and get them off their phones long enough to connect—this show is for you. Grab your latte and let’s dive into it. Want to stay connected? ✨ Join the FB Community: Connect With Your Teens Facebook Group ✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider for weekly tips, encouragement, and be the first to know of upcoming events: Weekly Newsletter ✨ Instagram: @terricommunicationcoach ✨ Contact: support@connectwithyourteens.com

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