If you're just discovering this podcast, you're finding me at an interesting time. I started Elevated Adolescence pre-pandemic 4 years ago, and I've focused on supporting middle schoolers and parents thrive through these years - in more ways than one. It's been an honor to support all of you! Listen in to find out why I'm evolving this podcast, what this means for you, parents, and your tween/teen, and where you can find me. ____________________ P.S. Three things: #1: If you aren't on my email list you'll want to be. It's where I share more personal stories and wisdom to guide you through the tween and teen years. Head to www.theteenageguide.com on 4/27/23! #2: If you like this episode, thank you for rating, reviewing, and subscribing to Spotify or Apple Podcasts, so other middle school parents like you can learn and support their own families. #3: Be sure to head to The Teenage Guide podcast on 4/27/23 as this podcast evolves to holistically support parents, tweens, and teens throughout the journey of adolescence. I can't wait to see you there!

So, I had something else planned entirely for today's episode, but the mood strikes to talk about something else. The current trending, but archaic trend of the invisible load moms are carrying. I feel it deeply. The way we've been conditioned to hold the space. Check in on others around us. The unequal distribution of labor. If you're ready for a pep talk, and a reminder that the invisible load you're carrying for your tween and teen matters, listen in now. I'm right there with you, Ashley ____________________ P.S. Two things: #1: If you aren't on my email list you need to be. It's where I share personal stories, and the most insights and tips for elevating your middle school experience each week. Join me here, and get a free resource while you're at it! www.elevatedadolescence.com/resources  #2: If you like this episode, thank you for rating, reviewing, and subscribing to Spotify or Apple Podcasts, so other middle school parents like you can learn and support their own families. Episode analytics

I've been patiently waiting to use this nod to Taylor Swift. Genius, I tell ya. You know how parenting your adolescent brings up your worst fears? Your insecurities? 'Am I equipped to handle this' thoughts? You're not alone. This is very common; it happens to all of us. And, it's often rooted in your own adolescent story that's gone unprocessed. In this week's episode, I guide you through 10 questions to get you thinking and making sense of your own story. This is important because... you want your adolescent to live their own life, not a projection of the life you didn't have you want your adolescent to walk out the door feeling confident and trusting themselves and, you want your adolescent to treat you and others with respect All of these wants are valid, and making them real in your life often starts with ensuring your projections are a thing of the past. I hope this helps you get closer to the peace you deserve, Ashley ____________________ P.S. Three things: #1: Send me an email if you're interested in being a Founding Member for my Monthly Membership as I mention in the episode! [email protected]  #2: If you aren't on my email list you need to be. I'm about to release a brand new program - and if you're signed up - you'll be the first to know (and you get a discount) Join me here, and get a free resource while you're at it! www.elevatedadolescence.com/resources  #3: If you like this episode, thank you for rating, reviewing, and subscribing to Spotify or Apple Podcasts, so other middle school parents like you can learn and support their own families.

Four words I want you to always remember when it comes to parenting your tween and teen: All Behavior is Communication. But what is their behavior communicating?  More often than not, what you think is intentional moodiness, disrespect, or laziness is actually something very different. That's why I'm excited to bring you this week's podcast episode. "Is their behavior a can't or a won't?" Listen in to learn:  > what stress has to do with their behavior > a simple framework for you to follow that allows you to detect the cause of their behavior with greater ease > why this work has the power to change you and your adolescent's lives for the better (within moments!)  I hope this helps you feel the ease and peace you both deserve, Ashley ____________________ P.S. Two things: #1: If you aren't on my email list you need to be. I'm about to release a brand new program - and if you're signed up - you'll be the first to know (and you get a discount) Join me here, and get a free resource while you're at it! www.elevatedadolescence.com/resources  #2: If you like this episode, thank you for rating, reviewing, and subscribing to Spotify or Apple Podcasts, so other middle school parents like you can learn and support their own families.

Parenting an 11 to 13-year old is filled with hair-raising questions like,  Should I let her watch 13? Should I let her have a boyfriend?  Should I let them have Snapchat?  The truth is, in order to answer these questions confidently, you've got to do some inner digging and exploration. An expert can never tell you yes or no at a certain point without knowing your unique child.   You need tools you can use right now on your own, which is why I created this week's episode just for you.  Inside this episode you'll learn:  > Where you must begin in order to answer these questions with confidence > Why an expert opinion may or may not fly for you, and how to approach instead > Why these challenges are a huge opportunity for both of you I hope you use my simple formula to approach this whole process with more confidence and less fear. I'm always rooting you on, Ashley ____________________ P.S. Two things: #1: If you aren't on my email list you need to be. It's where I share personal stories, and the most insights and tips for elevating your middle school experience each week. Join me here, and get a free resource while you're at it! www.elevatedadolescence.com/resources  #2: If you like this episode, thank you for rating, reviewing, and subscribing to Spotify or Apple Podcasts, so other middle school parents like you can learn and support their own families.

Do you ever feel like you're repeating yourself, living out the same stressful routines over and over again with your middle schooler? Well, these routines are just the culmination of several habits put together.  If you're ready, listen in to learn:   > the science of habit formation (this is super fun and fascinating to learn, in my opinion)  > how to integrate what the science says of habit formation with the psychology of behavioral change. In other words, how to communicate with your middle schooler around habits so they actually listen to you, make it their own, and take action on forming new habits.  > and, why habits often fail inside home and lives of adolescents You and your middle schooler have the power to change, Ashley ____________________ P.S. Two things: #1: If you aren't on my email list you need to be. It's where I share personal stories, and the most insights and tips for elevating your middle school experience each week. Join me here, and get a free resource while you're at it! www.elevatedadolescence.com/resources  #2: If you like this episode, thank you for rating, reviewing, and subscribing to Spotify or Apple Podcasts, so other middle school parents like you can learn and support their own families.

Welcome!  I had something else planned for this week's podcast, but decided to turn a recent challenge of mine into an episode instead.  Listen in to get an inside look into: *my recent breakdown *what's really at the root *and, how you can use this to make you and your adolescent's life better This episode has me repeating, "Just because it's uncomfortable, doesn't mean it's bad."  I'm always rooting you on ~ AC ____________________ P.S. Two things: #1: If you aren't on my email list you need to be. It's where I share personal stories, and the most insights and tips for elevating your middle school experience each week. Join me here, and get a free resource while you're at it! www.elevatedadolescence.com/resources  #2: If you like this episode, thank you for rating, reviewing, and subscribing to Spotify or Apple Podcasts, so other middle school parents like you can learn and support their own families. 

In the spirit of bringing some light to your day, and as a way to show you part of the 'real' me, I spontaneously hit 'record' as my daughter, Norah, and I were sitting together. I've wanted to do this for so long!  So, here's a glimpse into a piece of our dynamic, my biggest 'why' for why I do this work, and some drops of wisdom from my favorite 11-year old.   Inside this episode you'll hear: what Norah thinks we're doing right as parents, and where we could grow (I think she could've gone even deeper, but this was our first recording, so I'll give her time;) her wisdom around what parents should do if their middle schooler is having a hard time and, me laughing at my own ridiculous jokes (and Norah's classic response)  You don't have to have a podcast to practice this yourself. What if you spontaneously hit 'record' during a conversation with your kid? It could end up being a priceless gem like this. I hope you enjoy! ____________________ P.S. Two things:  #1: If you aren't on my email list you need to be. It's where I share personal stories, and the most insights and tips for elevating your middle school experience each week. Join me here, and get a free resource while you're at it! www.elevatedadolescence.com/resources  #2: If you like this episode, thank you for rating, reviewing, and subscribing to Spotify or Apple Podcasts, so other middle school parents like you can learn and support their own families. 

Consider your time and attention invested in these years like early intervention for all the awareness, skills, and tools you want your kid to build throughout life. Inside this episode, you will learn: What I mean when I say 'middle school' Why this is the optimal time to model and help your kid build social-emotional and executive function skills And, a personal story of how I connected these dots If you're wondering why I focus on these years and why I encourage you to do the same, listen in now. ____________________ As always, if you like this episode, thank you for giving it a 5-star rating, reviewing, and subscribing to Spotify or Apple Podcasts, so other middle school parents like you can benefit. I'm sending you big high-fives and boatloads of peace in this new year. "Highly recommend! A great guide for those living or working with adolescents. Ashley's experience is apparent in the informative yet approachable episodes." In the spirit of kicking off this new year with your middle schooler with less stress, I've recently created a  a FREE PDF List with suggestions for de-stressing that you can print and easily hang on your fridge or in a room you'll see it regularly - www.elevatedadolescence.com/destress Enjoy! 

There's no better way to make you and your adolescent's 2023 dreams come true than to make de-stressing a part of your daily practice. The impacts for both of you and your bodies and brains are profound.  Inside this episode, you will learn: About the stress-mind-body connection What stress does to the brain (and the impacts on your middle schooler's developing brain) And, Essential stress reduction strategies to practice so when stress builds during this next term of the school year, you have simple practices in place. As you listen to this episode, I invite you to be aware of your own thinking. Where can you keep the practice of de-stressing really simple? Where can you say no more? Or, take less on? Sometimes we overcomplicate problems and really there can be simple solutions that are often linked to pausing, and de-stressing where we can. Just for you, (I've created a  a FREE PDF List with suggestions for de-stressing that you can print and easily hang on your fridge or in a room you'll see it regularly - www.elevatedadolescence.com/destress - it's also linked in the show notes.) Let 2023 be your year to heal and make living fully your top priority!  Cheers to YOU. P.S. If only you wonder what's actually needed to help your middle schooler do what they need to do, and build solid executive function skills, I've got something for you!  I created a brand new FREE class just for you: 'The Essential Path to Your Middle Schooler's Executive Function Success' Register TODAY to get a jump start and relieve some stress right now. Simply head to www.elevatedadolescence.com/efclass  I can't wait to see you there! ____________________ As always, if you like this episode, thank you for giving it a 5-star rating, reviewing, and subscribing to Spotify or Apple Podcasts, so other middle school parents like you can benefit. I'm sending you big high-fives and boatloads of peace in this new year.