20 | Parenting Teens: How to Create Safe Spaces for Honest Conversation—Insights From My Daughter Bre

Moms, when your teen pulls back, it can feel discouraging and even scary. But what if behind the silence is a longing to be known?

In this powerful conversation with my daughter Bre, now 35, you’ll hear straight from her heart about her experiences as a teen and young adult — what made it hard to talk openly with us, what shifted when we learned new communication skills, and what she wishes moms understood about holding a safe space.

In her early twenties, she spent four years in youth ministry, so she has a unique view on how teens think and what challenges they face in communicating with parents. 

This episode is full of parenting teens insights that will encourage you to slow down, set aside the agenda, and use gentle conversation starters that build trust instead of shutting it down.

We talk about:

• Why teens often believe the pattern of past reactions more than the parent in front of them
  
  
  
  


• How “unexpected kindness” made a bigger impact than any correction
  
  
  
  


• The difference between talking to your child vs. connecting with a person
  
  
  
  


• The power of invitations: “I’m here to hold your story”
  
  
  
  


• Why vulnerability as a mom builds trust more than perfection ever could
  
  
  
  

💡 Questions to reflect on as you listen:

• Do you know what patterns your teen has come to expect from you?
  
  
  
  


• How do you usually respond when you see your teen holding back?
  
  
  
  


• What would it look like to lay aside an agenda and enter the conversation with openness?

✔️ Want more support?

✨ Join the FB Community: www.facebook.com/groups/connectwithyourteens/

✨ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider: https://riseabovethesilence.com/opt-in-connect-with-your-teens-insider-newsletter

✨ Instagram: instagram.com/terricommunicationcoach

✨ Contact: [email protected]

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