In the Middle of It with Amy Kelly, The Ish Girl

40th Episode Show Notes

Biggest Takeaways:

• Our teens pick up on our energy – they watch what we do and take in all our non-verbal cues.
• They see and feel and pick up on so much more than we can ever…

Biggest Takeaways

This episode kicks off Season 2 of the podcast!

We’re adding teachers to the mix – because they are fiercely dedicated to teens too.

When it comes to parent-teacher relationships, i…

Biggest Takeaways

It can be hard to go beyond gift cards and cold hard cash and find more meaningful gifts for teens. If you're like me, you want to get your teen what they want - but you also want t…

Biggest Takeaways

Dumplin’, by Julie Murphy, is laugh-out-loud-funny and tears-slipping-down-your-face-unexpectedly-sad. The story of how Willowdean “Dumplin’” Dickerson enters the famous Clover City…

• There’s no prescribed timeframe for how teens move from being a kid into being an adult. There are a couple of tasks they need to do to become a whole individual person who chooses how they’re going…

Biggest Takeaways:

• Many times, our teen’s behavior does not have the intentionality we give it.
• Seeing our teen’s behavior as developmentally appropriate can help us reframe it and respond, rather t…

Biggest Takeaways

• The Hate You Give is a powerful story about a young black girl who witnesses the murder of her childhood friend at the hands of a police officer.
• The book is always, always better …

Biggest Takeaways:

Teens struggle in unique ways in different seasons of their development. Sometimes it’s about the relationship between the teen and the parents, others it’s about the teens relatio…

Biggest Takeaways:

• Just in case you missed it, an Ish Girl is: One who has humorous grace with herself when discovering she’s messed up or flaked out. Again.
• The Rule of One is a dystopian novel abo…

Biggest Takeaways

• Some parenting schools of thought advocate “connection before correction” – but this concept rubs me the wrong way. It feels a lot like like manipulation.
• I connect with my teens s…

Biggest Takeaways:

• When life gets tough, it’s important to reach out to trusted friends for support and encouragement.
• Some days it’s a struggle to want to connect with your teens, and it's especial…

→ Scott Westerfeld is a seasoned pro in the world of young adult literature (and one of my favorite ya authors!)

→ His new series that begins with Imposters is set in the same worl…

Biggest Takeaways:

• Building a community is important when your raising your kids – especially when they’re teens.
• You have to be intentional about building a community.
• Show up, even when it’s hard …

Biggest Takeaways:

• You might be thinking: What does a podcast on the benefits of self-care have to do with connecting with my teen? My answer is: EVERYTHING.
• When you practice good self-care EVERYON…

Biggest Takeaways:

• Everyone loves a good story - the human brain is literally wired to pay attention to stories, and to absorb the experiences of a story as its own.
• EVERYONE has a story to share – …

Biggest Takeaways:

• Children of Blood and Bone is an epic adventure with a new twist – it’s set in a world inspired by West African mythology.
• The world-building is beautiful and exotic, the adventur…

Biggest Takeaways:

• Teen stress and anxiety are very real issues (just check out the articles I’ve shared below.)
• School today is not the same as it was when we were kids.
• It’s our job as parents t…

23rd Episode Show Notes

Biggest Takeaways:

• Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu is a great book to read if you want to engage your teen in a conversation about feminism and what that looks like in your own, ev…

Biggest Takeaways:

• We all have bad days in parenting our teens.
• It helps to let go of expectations and ditch perfectionism.
• It’s Amy’s passion to encourage, equip and entertain parents of teens with…

Biggest Takeaways:

• There are several life skills your teen won’t learn in school (i.e. taking the initiative and being resourceful.)
• It’s best to be deliberate and intentional about teaching your te…