It’s one of those thoughts we don’t usually admit. Not to our friends. Not to our family. Sometimes, not even to ourselves.

But if you’re raising a struggling teen, you know how heavy life can become.

Your mind is almost always on your child. You’re thinking about them while you’re working, having dinner with your family, or lying in bed at night hoping tomorrow will be just a little bit different.

Then something else happens.

Another phone call from school. Another broken promise. Another difficult moment, or simply one more hard day after months of hard days.

And suddenly you find yourself thinking:

“I just don’t like you right now.”

Then the guilt arrives.

In this episode of Empower My Teen, I want to talk openly about that guilt and the shame that can follow it.

Because I don’t believe having these thoughts means you’ve stopped loving your child.

In fact, I think the shame often shows up because you care so deeply.

I believe you can love your teen with every part of your heart and still have moments when you don’t like who they are in that moment. Those two feelings can exist at the same time, and having them doesn’t make you a bad parent.

In this episode, I’ll talk about:

• Why difficult thoughts can surface when parenting becomes overwhelming
• The guilt and shame we can experience when we feel frustrated with our children
• The difference between loving your teen and liking their behavior in a difficult moment
• Why having these feelings does not mean you’ve failed as a parent
• Giving yourself grace during some of the hardest seasons of parenting
• Why one difficult thought cannot erase years of loving and caring for your child

If you’ve been quietly carrying these feelings and wondering what they say about you as a parent, I hope you’ll listen.

I want you to hear this:

One guilty thought doesn’t get to define years of loving your child.

Give yourself a little grace. Hang in there. Keep breathing.

And remember, you are not alone.

Need Support?

If your teen is struggling and you’re unsure what to do next, I invite you to visit EmpowerMyTeen.com and schedule a complimentary consultation so we can talk about your situation and explore possible options for your teen and family.

Support. Connection. Encouragement. Hope.

You are not alone.

Connect with Mary Warren at https://empowermyteen.com
 

In this episode of Empower My Teen, we explore the pressure and fear that often surrounds this milestone, for both parents and teens. Society tells us that 18 is the moment everything clicks… but for many families, it doesn’t feel that way at all.

If anything, it can feel heavier.

We talk about the quiet anxiety parents carry as the clock seems to tick faster, the grief of unmet expectations, and the reality that emotional growth doesn’t follow a calendar. For teens, the pressure to suddenly “be an adult” can feel overwhelming, and that fear often shows up as anger, shutdown, or pushing parents away.

This episode offers a grounded, compassionate perspective on what turning 18 really means. You’ll learn why structure still matters, how to balance boundaries with connection, and why this stage is less about letting go, and more about recalibrating your role as a parent.

Because adulthood isn’t created overnight… it’s built over time.

There is no deadline for growth, only a path, and you’re still on it.

Connect with Mary Warren at https://empowermyteen.com
 

In this episode of Empower My Teen, we explore a delicate but powerful truth: sometimes, our empathy can unintentionally turn into rescuing, and that shift can impact our child’s growth in ways we don’t realize.

When your teen is hurting, overwhelmed, or struggling, your instinct is to step in, fix it, and make the pain go away. That instinct comes from love. But over time, constantly rescuing can prevent your child from developing resilience, confidence, and the ability to navigate hard moments on their own.

In this episode, we break down the difference between empathy and rescuing, how fear can quietly drive our reactions, and why staying present, without trying to fix everything, is one of the most powerful things you can do as a parent.

You’ll learn how to hold space for your child’s emotions, stay grounded during difficult moments, and support your teen in a way that builds long-term strength and trust.

Because sometimes, the greatest gift you can give your child… is not removing the struggle, but standing beside them as they move through it.

Presence teaches more than protection ever could.

Connect with Mary Warren at https://empowermyteen.com
 

In this episode of Empower My Teen, we talk about something many parents feel, but rarely say out loud: the quiet heartbreak of comparing your child’s journey to others. From social media milestones to school achievements, it can feel like everyone else’s life is moving forward… while your family is struggling just to stay afloat.

This is what I call “compare and despair.”

Together, we explore the emotional toll of comparison, the grief, the fear, and the loneliness that can come with raising a teen who is on a different path. We talk about the unseen reality behind those polished moments, the invisible emotional labor parents carry, and the pressure of feeling like your child is falling behind.

But here’s the truth: your child is not behind. Your family is not failing.

This episode is a gentle reminder to step out of comparison and into compassion, for your child, your journey, and yourself. Because different doesn’t mean broken… it simply means different.

There is no race. There is only your child’s path, and your love guiding them through it.

Connect with Mary Warren at https://empowermyteen.com
 

In this episode of Empower My Teen, we talk about the stress, overwhelm, and emotional weight that can come with raising a struggling teen. While we all imagine the early years, babies, milestones, and sweet moments, very few of us are prepared for the challenges that come later.

The teenage years can bring emotional storms, uncertainty, and moments that leave you questioning everything. You may feel lost, alone, or even like you’re failing, but you’re not.

In this episode, I share a powerful reminder: what you’re feeling is not a sign of failure. It’s a sign that you’re navigating one of the hardest chapters of parenting, one that no one taught you how to handle.

We’ll talk about the hidden pressures teens face today, the emotional toll it takes on families, and why so many parents silently carry guilt, fear, and heartbreak. Most importantly, you’ll hear this truth, you are not alone, and you are doing better than you think.

This is a space to breathe, to feel seen, and to remember that support is always available.

You’re not failing. You’re facing something incredibly hard, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Connect with Mary Warren at https://empowermyteen.com
 

In this episode of Empower My Teen, we explore one of the most powerful mindset shifts a parent can make: the difference between connection and control. When fear and frustration take over, it’s natural to tighten our grip, but for teens, control often feels like pressure, judgment, or lack of trust… and it pushes them further away.

Instead, what they’re truly seeking is connection.

I’ll walk you through how shifting from control to connection can transform your relationship with your teen, reducing power struggles, increasing openness, and creating emotional safety. You’ll hear simple, real-life examples of how to respond differently in challenging moments, and why connection is a long-term approach that builds trust over time.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present, intentional, and willing to try a new way.

Because when your teen feels seen, heard, and safe… everything begins to change.

Connection first. Structure second.

Connect with Mary Warren at https://empowermyteen.com
 

Why? Because we unintentionally make it about us.

We dive into one of the most common communication habits parents fall into and how it impacts your child’s willingness to share. More importantly, I’ll show you a simple way to keep the conversation open, so your teen feels heard, understood, and supported.

This episode is about learning how to pause, listen with intention, and create space for your child’s experience, without rushing in to fix, compare, or redirect.

Because sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do… is simply be there.

Small shifts in how you listen can create big changes in your connection.

Connect with Mary Warren at https://empowermyteen.com
 

In this episode of Empower My Teen, I walk through one of the most common-and most stressful-questions parents face. When attitudes shift, boundaries are pushed, and connection starts to fade, it can be incredibly difficult to know what’s “normal” and what might require deeper attention.

Together, we explore key behaviors to look out for, including changes in attitude, isolation, shifting friendships, dishonesty, substance use, and loss of interest in things your teen once loved. But just as important, we look at something many parents overlook, how your child’s behavior is impacting your home, your relationships, and your own well-being.

This isn’t about labeling your teen. It’s about gaining clarity, trusting your instincts, and understanding when it might be time to seek additional support.

If you’re lying awake at night wondering what to do next, this episode will help you begin to sort through the confusion, and remind you that you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Connect with Mary Warren at https://empowermyteen.com
 

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice, unsure where to turn, or alone in your experience… you’re not alone. In this podcast, I’ll guide you through the complex world of parenting struggling teens, exploring topics like therapeutic programs, treatment options, communication, and how to support your child while taking care of yourself.

This is a space for real stories, honest conversations, and practical guidance, so you can find clarity, hope, and the best path forward for your family.

You don’t have to do this alone anymore.
 

Connect with Mary Warren at https://empowermyteen.com