I know building trust with my teens is crucial in staying connected with them. Sometimes it is easier said then done.

I am over here in the midst of “trying to loosen my grip” and trust my teen as she wants to be way more social than my older teens ever were. This is something new I am experiencing and I wanted to share my thoughts and how I am working through this with my teen in hopes to help if you are experiencing something similar. My goal is to develop a trusting relationship with my teen. Navigating my thoughts is key in reaching my goal.

Building trust requires time, effort, and commitment from us and our teens.

I grew up with parents that I perceived as strict when it came to going out on weekends. I was told only bad things happen when a group of teenagers get together. I was permitted to go out one night a weekend and the details of where I was going was of course a must. I adopted the thought: only bad things happen when teens get together. So I can now see why my first response when my teen wants to go out with a bunch of friends is a big fat NO.

My uneasiness comes from my thought: Only bad things happen when teens get together.

A big part of being a teen is learning about relationships!

Some questions that we reflect on during my coaching sessions are:

How do I show up when I am in a relationship? How am I being treated? What does an ideal relationship look like to me? How do I show up in friendships different from romantic relationships? Why?

I teach teens that relationships are simply our thoughts about another person. Relationships are thoughts!!!! The good news is that once we grasp that our thoughts create how we feel, it is a game changer for us!!

I talk to my teens about being intentional with what they are thinking. We must manage the brain or our brain will take over and provide us with a ton of rubbish, negative thoughts. We need to spend intentional time loving, encouraging, and acknowledging ourselves. It is so much more fun than the alternative!!

It is important to focus on your relationship with yourself. How you treat you is how others will treat you!

Your relationship with yourself is based on your thoughts about YOU!! How you treat yourself reflects your thoughts about yourself. Having an awesome relationship with yourself is simply a commitment to think amazing things about yourself!

The start of the new year and winter season is a wonderful time to set intentions and get crystal clear on WHAT YOU WANT. I know we all want a deeper parent-teen connection. Last week we spent time tapping into what your ideal life looks like with using manifestation. This week we will focus on the relationship with your teen

Building a strong and positive relationship with your teenager is crucial for their emotional well-being and overall development. Manifestation, the practice of bringing positive energy and intention into your life, can be a powerful tool in fostering a deeper connection with your teen.

Let’s explore practical tips on how to manifest the relationship you want with your teenager.

LET"S GOOOOO!!!!

Set Clear Intentions

Practice Listening

Visualize Positive Interactions

Create Quality Time

Be a Positive Role Model

Celebrate Milestones

January is a perfect month to cozy up on the couch and start manifesting!!!

The start of the new year and winter season is a wonderful time to set intentions and get crystal clear on WHAT YOU WANT. Last week we spent time creating a manifestation list of all that you desire. This week we are going to tap into what your ideal life looks like.

You get to decide where you are going and the energy you want to be from this moment forward.

Manifesting is the act of bringing a tangible desire or goal into reality, by putting intentional energy into bringing these desires to life.

IT IS TIME TO CLAIM IT

It is time to get crystal clear on what you want. Only you know what it is you desire. No need to set timelines on your goals or desires. Just let the ideas flow in your journal and get very clear on what you want your life to look like.

This month is all about dreaming, planting seeds, and claiming where you are going

One of my biggest manifestations was about five years ago. I was working full time outside the home with a long commute. I would walk in the door after picking up the kids from aftercare and start with the dinner, bath, and then bed routine. I was constantly on the go until I hit my bed each night. I felt disconnected to my family and had zero time for myself. I was a task master and checked everything off my to do list.

I remember getting crystal clear that year, wanting to work from home but have the ability to still work with others. I liked being with people but did not like the typical 9-5 hours with an hour commute each way. I dreamed of having a chef to cook healthy meals for the family.

Now, of course, I had no idea HOW this would happen, but I claimed my intentions because I really wanted to spend more time with my family and thought if I could free up my commute time and not have to make a meal, it would afford me hours of family time!!!

I practiced visualizing my new life, working and collaborating with people, spending more time with my family, taking more care of myself. I would feel energized, happy, and a huge sense of freedom!!

About a year later, an amazing opportunity came my way!! One that I could never have imagined. It was a job to live on a school campus and work in the health center. I would actually have NO commute but would be working with others! And one of the perks of living on campus is that my family and I would have access to the dining hall for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. WHAT!!!! Literally a chef, cooking my meals for me and my family. This is when I became a full on believer that I can create the life of my dreams!!!

I would have never in a million years been able to experience this manifestation if I did not get crystal clear on what I wanted. This is why I want you to take time this month spending time dreaming and asking for what it is you want. Be open to the possibility.

I am a total sucker for all the New Year Feels!

I love new beginnings, fresh starts, a clean slate..... I love the feeling of newness and change! Maybe it's because I just hibernated for the last two weeks and now I am wide awake and ready to receive all the goodness 2024 is going to deliver! My soul needed rest and I am thankful that I had two weeks off and was able to spend quality time with family and had plenty of time to rest and rejuvenate.

I want to take the month of January (one of my most favorite months) and share insight on all things Manifestation. I am absolutely obsessed with manifesting and have been teaching my clients bits and pieces of my process for years and now want to expand and share with all of you!!

Roxie Malfousi states what manifestation is perfectly:

Manifesting is about becoming so empowered and full of self belief that you make things happen. It is taking empowered action towards your dreams.

Manifesting is not just sitting and dreaming of what you want. You have to take aligned action towards it.

January is a perfect month for Intention Setting.

Intention setting is the first step in the manifestation process. It is about getting crystal clear on what YOU want, and on who you are becoming! Getting clear on what you want helps you achieve it.

Intentions are POWERFUL

When you claim something, you are essentially planting the seeds for it to grow. Deciding where you want to go is the most important step in this manifestation process.

Writing down your goals significantly improves your chances of achieving them.

Get out a pen and paper and start brainstorming all the things you want in your life.

Studies show that anywhere from 50-80% of people who have their goals written down, achieve them. Only 10% of people who are not writing their goals down achieve them.

This month is all about dreaming, planting seeds, and claiming where you are going

This week as we continue to prioritize a generous spirit, we will focus on using our natural gifts and talents to serve others! How fun is this!!

In our society, we often emphasize individual success and achievement, the true beauty lies in the act of generosity! We all possess unique natural talents and gifts, and when we choose to share them with others, we not only enrich their lives but also contribute to a more compassionate and interconnected society! Wooohooo!

This week we will explore the power of being generous with your innate abilities and how it can create a ripple effect of positivity in those around us.

Let’s begin by reflecting on your own strengths and abilities. What comes naturally to you? Whether it's a talent for writing, a knack for problem-solving, an organizing master, or a gift for making others feel seen and heard, acknowledging your unique skills is the first step toward embracing generosity!!! Each and everyone of us were born with God given gifts, sometimes we just need to take time to re-discover what they are.

Next, dive into the joy that comes from sharing your gifts. When you give freely of your talents, you not only uplift others but also experience a profound sense of fulfillment and purpose.

By sharing your talents, you create a sense of unity and collaboration which builds meaningful connections. And as humans, we all crave being seen, heard, and connected!

To support our generous spirit this week I recommend journaling daily and repeating the affirmation. These are simple but effective ways to help with our monthly intention.

Generosity is one of the many mindfulness tools I teach my teen clients as a way to refocus their thoughts from constantly thinking about themselves and putting energy into doing good for others.  When we give or do something for someone it actually gives us a sense of satisfaction and makes us feel more positive about ourselves. The mere act of giving fills a person’s life with joy and their own happiness multiplies. A win-win in my book!

Generosity rarely happens by chance. Instead, it is an intentional decision that we make in our lives. But it does not need to be as difficult as many people think. Week one we focused on generosity with our words.  We learned that our words are powerful and being intentional and generous with our words to uplift those around us (and our own spirits too) is a simple yet impactful way to give to others.  

For our SECOND week of giving with a generous spirit we will concentrate on:  Generosity of TIME.

“When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.”  Rick Warren 

We all know that our time is a precious gift but we don’t always use it to benefit others. Instead, we use it up with an endless to-do list and we get so busy, there is little left time to give away.  I challenge you to look at your schedule each day and be more intentional in finding ways to use your time to benefit others.    

Time and presence is often the greatest gift we can give to people 

Being generous with our time can be as simple as spending quality time with people. For example, going on a date with your spouse, hanging with your teens, meeting friends face to face, or putting down your phone when talking with others!!!    

To support our generous spirit this week I recommend journaling daily and repeating the affirmation. These are simple but effective ways to help with our monthly intention. 

The Affirmation to practice for the week: I am a loving, generous, kind person.

The journal prompt for the week: How can I create time today, to be present with a loved one?  What would this look like? 

I usually write my affirmation on several index cards and leave them in different places.  Every time I see it, I repeat it. You can also add as your screensaver, or set an alarm or reminder several times a day with the affirmation written.   

I would love to hear from you!  Let me know how your week of generosity is going.Always remember, the act of giving is an energy and when we give, we also receive. Be open to receive this week as well. Be open to giving and receiving and see all the goodness that comes into your life! 

Did you know practicing generosity could be the very key to a happy and healthy life? 

Giving to others always feels good, This month, I want to hyper focus on giving and make it a priority in my life!It is way more fun to do this together and I know our generosity will multiply and impact so many more people!  Thanks for joining me with getting into a giving conscious.

Deepak Chopra writes that the intention behind our giving is the most important thing. When the act of giving is joyful, when it is unconditional and from the HEART, then the energy behind the giving increases many times over!  

Be mindful over this month as we practice giving, that we do not give grudgingly, there is no energy behind that giving. If we feel we have lost something through the act, then the gift is not truly given and will not cause an increase.

This week we will practice: GENEROSITY of WORDS.  Being generous with words means expressing kindness, appreciation, and support through your words. 

Our words are powerful and we will execute being intentional and generous with our words to uplift those around us (and our own spirits too). A double win in my book!

This simple but powerful way to give is an excellent way to start off the month of November. I challenge you to give the gift of your words in kind, loving ways. Sometimes these are the most precious gifts you can give and they do not cost a thing.

As a life coach, my role is to support and guide your teen in various aspects of their lives to help them achieve their goals, navigate challenges, and develop important life skills!!

 Here are all the ways I can help your teen:

Goal Setting and Planning: Work with your teen to identify their short-term and long-term goals. This can include academic, career, personal, and social goals.

Building Self-Confidence: Assist your teen in recognizing their strengths and building self-confidence. Celebrate their successes, no matter how small!!

Time Management and Organization: Teach time management skills and organizational strategies to help your teen balance school, extracurricular activities, and personal life. 

Communication Skills: Work on improving your teen's communication skills, both with peers and with parents. Effective communication is vital for resolving conflicts and building healthy relationships.

Emotional Intelligence: Teach your teen to recognize and manage their emotions, as well as how to empathize with others. Emotional intelligence is crucial for building strong relationships and coping with stress.

Problem Solving and Decision-Making: Guide your teen in developing critical thinking skills, which can aid them in solving problems and making well-informed decisions.

College & Career Exploration: Help your teen explore different college & career options and provide guidance on choosing the right educational path.

Stress Management: Teach stress reduction techniques, such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and time management, to help your  teen manage the pressures of school, extracurricular activities, and family life.

Relationship Building: Support your teen in developing healthy relationships, including friendships and romantic relationships. Discuss boundaries, respect, and effective communication within relationships.

Healthy Habits: Encourage your teen to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, such as nutrition, exercise, and sleep routines.

Resilience and Coping: Help your teen develop resilience and coping strategies for dealing with setbacks and challenges.

Accountability: Encourage your teen to take responsibility for their actions and decisions.

Personal Values and Ethics: Discuss the importance of personal values and ethical decision-making.

Mindfulness and Well-being: Teach mindfulness techniques to help your teen stay present and manage anxiety or stress.

Holistic Well-being: Focus on your teen's overall well-being, including physical, mental, and emotional health.

I recently had an amazing opportunity to speak in front of 250 high school athletes about the benefits of sleep and how it impacts performance. I wanted to share the highlights with you to help unlock your teens potential and provide a guide for peak performance.

Sleep is totally underrated. It doesn’t get the fanfare it deserves. Most of us don’t make sleep a priority and it can be the one thing we all need to take our health, our mind, our athletic and academic performance to the NEXT LEVEL.

Studies have shown that sleep improves fine motor skills, reaction time, muscular power and endurance, and problem solving.

Here are some top benefits of sleep to gain the academic and athletic performance your teen and YOU are striving for!

It is important for teens to prioritize sleep and aim for 8-10 hours of quality sleep per night. Good sleep hygiene practices, such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and minimizing screen time before bedtime, can contribute to better sleep quality and overall peak performance.