Mike The Parent Coach

Mike The Parent Coach Build connection, trust, & presence with your teen by beating overwhelm & getting balance as a parent

There’s a particular kind of panic that hits when your kid starts getting closer to adulthood.You start noticing all the...
09/21/2026

There’s a particular kind of panic that hits when your kid starts getting closer to adulthood.

You start noticing all the things they DON’T know yet.
And suddenly you’re looking at the next few years like you have 900 lessons to cram in before the clock runs out.

But your job was never to make sure your kid leaves your house knowing exactly what to do in every situation.
That’s an impossible task.

They’re going to encounter relationships you didn’t warn them about. Make mistakes you never saw coming. Have decisions to make that you never specifically taught them how to make.

So zoom out.

Instead of asking, “What else do I need to teach them?”

Ask:
“Who do I want them to be when I’m not there to tell them what to do?”

Because if they know what they stand for…

If they can own a mistake without believing it makes them a failure…

If they know how to choose good people…

If they can recognize when they’re in over their head…

And if they know they can call you when things go sideways, even when they know you’re not going to love what they have to say…

You’ve prepared them for a lot more than you think.

You don’t have to finish parenting them before they turn 18. You’re trying to build the kind of foundation they can keep standing on long after they do.

If you’re looking at your teenager right now wondering where to start, don’t start with everything they still need to learn.

Start with the kind of adult you hope they become.

What’s one thing you can do this week to help build that?

The closer your teenager gets to 18, the easier it is to start parenting the future instead of the kid standing in front...
09/18/2026

The closer your teenager gets to 18, the easier it is to start parenting the future instead of the kid standing in front of you.

Every mistake starts to feel like evidence.

They’re not ready.
I haven’t taught them enough.
We’re running out of time.

But 18 isn’t a finish line for development.

Your teenager will become an adult with things they still need to learn, mistakes they still need to make and parts of themselves they’re still figuring out.

So when a small problem suddenly feels enormous, come back to today.

What does my teenager actually need from me right now, and how much of my reaction is about the future I’m afraid of?

If you want some help staying connected with your kid through the teen years and beyond, comment CONNECT and I’ll DM you a bunch of helpful (and free) parenting resources.

Sometimes helping your teenager too much actually keeps them from getting better at the thing you’re worried about.But l...
09/16/2026

Sometimes helping your teenager too much actually keeps them from getting better at the thing you’re worried about.

But leaving them to struggle doesn’t automatically teach the skill either.

The goal is to give them enough support to practice doing it themselves, then slowly step back as they get better.

Don’t become their system. Help them build one.

Comment WIN below and I’ll send you my number one resource for helping your teen build that system!

Understanding what’s underneath your reaction doesn’t mean ignoring your teen’s behavior. It means responding to them in...
09/12/2026

Understanding what’s underneath your reaction doesn’t mean ignoring your teen’s behavior. It means responding to them instead of reacting to what their behavior brings up in you.

Send this to your partner and save this post for the next time you need a few timely teen parenting reminders.

09/06/2026

You already know how to handle hard conversations.

You know getting louder doesn’t make someone listen.

You know behavior usually has something underneath it.

You know people respond better when they feel heard before they feel corrected.

But somehow, those things are a whole lot harder to remember when it’s your own teenager slamming the door.

The goal isn’t to ignore disrespect or let your teen do whatever they want. It’s to get curious about what’s happening underneath the behavior before deciding how to respond to it.

You can hold the boundary AND help them learn how to handle the emotion.

You already know how to lead people through hard moments.

Bring that leader home.
ParentingTeens | ParentingTeenagers | ParentCoach | Parenting Advice | ParentingTips

Sometimes you need a little perspective when parenting a teenager. 😅Consider this your friendly reminder to stop grading...
09/03/2026

Sometimes you need a little perspective when parenting a teenager. 😅

Consider this your friendly reminder to stop grading yourself based on your teen’s worst day (or current mood).

Save this for the next time you need some parenting perspective and follow for more tips on how to stay connected with your kid during the teen years and beyond!

09/01/2026

You don’t need to vet every friend your teen brings around. You do need to watch who they become when those friends are near.

That’s the shift. Stop grilling your kid in the car about who they’re hanging out with. Start noticing if they come home more open or more shut down, more like themselves or less.

So invite the friends over. Feed them. Let them land in your kitchen. You’ll learn more watching a kid eat at your table than you ever will interrogating your own in the car.

And if something actually scares you, secrecy, big changes, pulling away from everyone, trust that instinct and step in. You’ve got good instincts, so trust them!

Send this to your partner so you’re on the same page next time a new friend shows up.

08/28/2026

Teenagers might communicate in a hundred different ways that they don’t want you in their business.

But that doesn’t mean they don’t want to be known.

Everyone likes to be thought of. Everyone likes when someone remembers the little things they love. And everyone likes to be surprised every once in a while.

So know your teen’s favorite snack. Know their drink order. And every now and then, have it waiting for them after school for no reason other than you thought of them.

Not as a bribe. Not because you messed up. And definitely not in place of an apology or repair when one is needed.

Just because.

It’s a small way to remind your teen: I think about you. I pay attention. I know you.

This is consideration: showing your teen that they’re on your mind and that what matters to them matters to you. And it’s one of three important parts of growing a healthy relationship with your teen.

I’ll get into parts two and three next.

Parenting teenagers comes with a lot of uncertainty, and not every hard moment needs an immediate response.Sometimes you...
08/26/2026

Parenting teenagers comes with a lot of uncertainty, and not every hard moment needs an immediate response.

Sometimes your teen needs you to step in. Other times, they need you to stay close, listen, and give them space to figure things out.

And it can be really hard to know which one your teen needs, especially amidst the eye rolls, slammed doors, and harsh words that can come out while they’re still trying to sort through their own feelings.

So here’s my #1 teen parenting tip before reacting:

Does this need my action right now, or does it need my attention?

Learning when to step in and when to wait is a huge part of building trust, communication, and connection with your teenager.

For more practical tips to stay connected with your kid during the teen years and beyond, comment CONNECT and I’ll send you some of my best free resources.

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