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how to encourage teens to talk about food
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How to Encourage Your Teen to Talk About Food

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How to encourage your teen to talk about food-there are some helpful tips……..Talking to your teen about food can feel like walking on eggshells. You want to encourage healthy habits, but every time you bring it up, they shut down—or worse, the conversation turns into a battle. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many parents struggle with this, and the good news is, there are ways to foster open, productive discussions without making food a point of tension. I’ve Been There Too… I remember working with a mom who was deeply concerned about her teenage daughter’s eating habits. Every time she asked about what her daughter was eating, the conversation either ended in silence or frustration. “I just want to make sure she’s healthy,” she told me. “But the more I try to talk about it, the more she pulls away.” This is such a common struggle. Parents come from a place of love and concern, but teens often interpret these conversations differently. That’s why finding the right approach is key—it’s not just what you say, but how you say it. Why Teens Shut Down Around Food Conversations There are many reasons a teen might avoid talking about food and eating habits: How to Encourage Healthy Eating Without Pushing Them Away 1. Make Food a Neutral, Low-Pressure Topic Instead of asking, “Did you eat enough today?” or “Are you sure that’s a healthy choice?” try shifting the focus. Talk about food in a relaxed, everyday way—mention a new recipe you’re excited to try, ask if they want to help plan meals, or invite them to cook with you. 2. Lead by Example Teens watch what we do more than they listen to what we say. If they see you enjoying a variety of foods, eating without guilt, and focusing on overall well-being instead of weight, they’ll absorb those messages over time. 3. Give Them Autonomy Instead of micromanaging their food choices, offer guidance and let them take the lead. Try phrases like, “Would you rather have eggs or yogurt for breakfast?” instead of “You should eat more protein in the morning.” This gives them a sense of control while still encouraging balance. 4. Focus on the Bigger Picture Rather than emphasizing weight or specific foods, talk about how food supports their life. If they’re an athlete, discuss how good nutrition fuels performance. If they struggle with focus, mention how balanced meals can help with energy and concentration. Keep the conversation positive and relevant to their interests. 5. Create an Environment That Supports Healthy Choices Actions speak louder than words. Keep nutritious foods easily accessible, make family meals a positive experience, and normalize variety. If your teen sees these habits as part of everyday life rather than a “should” or “must,” they’re more likely to adopt them naturally. How to Encourage Your Teen to Talk about Food: When to Step Back If your teen continues to resist talking about food, forcing the issue can do more harm than good. Instead, focus on building trust and creating a safe environment where they feel comfortable opening up when they’re ready. If you’re concerned about their eating habits or suspect deeper issues, consider reaching out to a professional for guidance. How to Encourage Your Teen to Talk about Food: Final Thoughts & Next Steps Conversations about food don’t have to be stressful. By making small shifts in how and when you talk about eating, you can support your teen in developing a balanced, lifelong relationship with food—without the power struggles. Download my FREE guide here: 4 Step Guide: How to Talk to Your Teen about Their Eating Habits….without making it worse. If this is something you’re struggling with, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I work with parents to help them feel confident in supporting their teen’s health and well-being—without conflict or shame. Visit my website for expert guidance and resources to help families implement healthy habits for both mental and physical well-being 📆 Let’s chat! Book a free consultation to explore how I can support you and your teen. Click here to schedule a time.

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Redefining Success in a World of Unreal Expectations

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In today’s world, the definition of success is often unclear, especially for young people. Redefining success in a world of unrealistic expectations can provide a strong foundation for your entire family’s growth and future. Social media’s unrealistic portrayals of success can further complicate things by masking the struggles behind achievements. Society tends to value high grades, athletic success, and excellence in extracurricular activities, but these markers of success don’t always reflect what’s truly important to families. Many families I speak to don’t even realize that these societal pressures are contributing to stress and feelings of inadequacy. Instead of focusing on external expectations, redefining success based on your family’s values, and your child’s individual strengths, passions, and interests, can be a refreshing and healthy path forward. This approach fosters resilience, reduces stress, and supports better mental health. Have you ever taken a moment to define success for yourself or your child? Understanding what success means to both parents and kids can be an eye-opening exercise. In parenting workshops I offer, I ask parents and children to define success. Many parents were surprised to see that their kids valued achievements like good grades, college acceptance, athleticism, and popularity more than qualities like kindness or giving back—values parents often prioritize. This difference in perspectives is an opportunity for families to connect, communicate, and align their values. Here’s a simple activity you can do to define or redefine success with your child: How to Define/Redefine Success with Your Child: While it’s great when the lists align, differences can spark important conversations. One mother shared how her daughter ranked straight A’s and attending a “good” college as her top measures of success. The mother, however, valued traits like kindness, self-confidence, and a strong work ethic above academic achievements. This discussion helped both of them redefine success. The daughter felt relieved when her mom emphasized finding a college that matched her interests and personality rather than focusing on prestige. Navigating Unrealistic and Realistic Expectations for Success Conversations about success can be a real eye-opener for parents. One mother realized that without ongoing discussions about what success truly means, outside influences—such as peers, coaches, teachers, and social media—might define it for her child. Another parent reflected on how she placed the highest value on grades and athletic achievements as markers of her daughter’s success, a mindset shaped by societal values like financial status, prestigious job titles, and elite colleges. While these external measures aren’t inherently wrong, relying solely on them can overshadow what truly matters to a family. Redefining Success Based on Strengths and Interests It’s crucial for families to reflect on their own values and align them with their child’s unique strengths and interests. Doing so fosters a healthier, more resilient mindset for both parents and children. This shift helps reduce feelings of failure and replaces them with a sense of empowerment, recognizing that success looks different for everyone. In a world that often prioritizes external markers of achievement, such as grades and job titles, redefining success is especially important for developing brains. External pressures can harm self-esteem, increase stress, and contribute to mental health challenges. By valuing personal strengths and individual interests, families can build a foundation for lifelong resilience and well-being. Empower Your Child to Redefine Success to Fit Their Individual Path As your child grows, it’s crucial to keep an open dialogue about what’s truly important. By understanding each other’s perspectives, parents can guide their children toward becoming lifelong learners rather than focusing solely on climbing the success ladder. This helps build resilience, as children feel empowered to define their own path in a complex and sometimes overwhelming world. Encouraging your child to think critically about success, and aligning their values, is a powerful step toward fostering both resilience and good mental health in today’s challenging world. Adapted from the book, Persuasive Push vs. Shameless Shove: A New Parenting Paradigm. Find our more about this book here

enforced laws, healthy kids, kids mental health, public health, social media, warning labels

Dangers of social media on adolescent mental health could lead to a warning label….

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Warning labels & enforced laws impact public health.The National Safety Council, National Highway Safety Admin, says enforcement of the seatbelt law has saved numerous lives. Warnings on cigarettes & alcohol contribute to reduction of related harm.The United States Surgeon General states a need to add a warning label on social media due to association with mental health dangers for adolescents.

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