Raising Boys Building Men ®/Parenting Solutions For Moms And Boys

83. 4 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Teenage Son Left Home

This week’s episode is personal, heartfelt, and a little emotional.
Heidi shares what she’s learning as her youngest son graduates from high school, her fifth and final boy to reach this milestone. As one chapter closes and another begins, she reflects on the lessons she wishes she could go back and tell herself 10 years ago, when all five boys were still under her roof.
In this episode, Heidi talks about trusting that your teenage son is absorbing more than he shows, why his hard season does not mean you are failing, and how laughter builds connection in powerful ways.
You’ll also hear why moms need to stop waiting for their sons to validate their motherhood and start appreciating their own effort.
If you are in the thick of raising teenage boys, wondering if anything you’re doing is working, this episode will give you hope.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why your son is listening more than you think
Why his struggles are not proof that you failed
How fun and laughter build connection with teenage boys
Why you do not need your teen’s validation to know you’re doing a good job
What worries matter most when raising boys into men
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE
 
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook

82. How to Create a More Connected Summer With Your Teenage Son

Summer sounds easier until your teenage boys are home all day. More screens. More messes. More arguing. More wondering if you are doing any of this right.
In this episode, Heidi talks honestly about why summer can feel so hard for moms raising teenage sons and how a little intention can completely change the next few months. You will learn how to stop reacting all summer long and start creating more connection, more peace, and more fun with your son.
Heidi shares simple mindset shifts to help you manage expectations, reduce power struggles, and focus on what actually matters. She also talks about why the best summer memories are usually the unplanned moments that happen when you slow down and stop trying to control everything.
If you are excited and terrified for summer break at the same time, this episode is for you.
Download Heidi’s free Summer Guide for Moms of Teenage Boys HERE and create a summer that feels more connected and less overwhelming.
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE
 

81. How to Enjoy Raising Teenage Boys Even When It’s Hard A Conversation With Sue Rigby

Mother’s Day can bring up a lot for moms. Joy, pressure, doubt, and that quiet question in the back of your mind… am I doing this right?
In today’s episode, I sit down with my mom, Sue Rigby, who raised six kids and now has the gift of perspective. We talk about what actually mattered when raising boys and what didn’t.
If you’ve been stressing about grades, behavior, or whether your teenage boy will turn out okay, this episode will feel like a deep breath. We talk about why connection matters more than control, how simple moments create lasting impact, and why you might be doing better than you think.
You’ll hear real stories, simple wisdom, and encouragement you probably didn’t know you needed.
This episode will help you:
Stop overthinking the small things
Focus on what actually builds strong boys
Create more connection without doing more
 
As a gift for Mothers Day I am offering 50% off my instant access workshops - this offer will expire May 16 and will not be offered again. Use code MOM
Stop Arguing with Your Son and Start Talking Workshop HERE
How to Get Your Son to Try in School HERE
 
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE
 
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
 

80. Why You Feel So Frustrated With Your Teenage Son and What to Do Instead

Do you feel frustrated with your teenage son all the time? You are not alone. Whether it is his attitude, silence, or lack of effort, frustration can feel constant when you are parenting teenage boys.
 
But what if frustration is not the real problem?
 
In this episode, Heidi shares a powerful shift that can completely change your relationship with your son. You will learn why frustration is actually a secondary emotion and what is really going on underneath it. More importantly, you will learn how to move from frustration to curiosity so you can reconnect with your teenage boy.
 
If your son won’t talk, pulls away, or seems disconnected, this episode will help you understand what is happening and what to do next.
 
This is about creating connection, building influence, and becoming the kind of mom your son wants to open up to.
 
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
 
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE

79. Why You Feel Overwhelmed as a Mom of Teenage Boys and What to Do About It

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, snapping at your family, or wondering why everything feels so hard right now, this episode is for you.
This time of year gets busy fast. School events, sports, work, home, and everything in between. It can feel like too much. And when your brain starts telling you there is not enough time, overwhelm takes over.
In this episode, I break down what is really causing that overwhelmed feeling. Spoiler alert. It is not your schedule. It is how you are thinking about it.
I also share three simple shifts to help you feel calmer, think clearer, and stay connected to your teenage son. Because when you feel overwhelmed, connection is the first thing to go.
If your teenage boy won’t talk, pulls away, or pushes back, this episode will help you understand why and what you can do differently.
You are not behind. You are not failing. You just need a few simple tools.
 
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
 
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE

78. Why Teenage Boys Pull Away, How to Talk About Tough Topics, and What Actually Builds Confidence: A Conversation with Dr. Matt Bellace

What happened to your sweet little boy?
One day he wants to be with you all the time. The next day he barely looks at you. If you are parenting a teenage son, you have felt this shift.
In this episode, Heidi talks with neuropsychologist, author, and speaker Dr. Matt Bellace about what is really going on in your son’s brain. They break down why boys pull away, why they seem angry for no reason, and how moms can stop taking it so personally.
You will also learn how to talk about substance use without fear, how to help your son find healthy dopamine, and how to build real resilience instead of trying to control behavior.
This episode will help you understand your son better and give you tools you can use right away.
 
Guest Details and Resources:
Dr. Matt Bellace is an author, stand-up comedian, and nationally recognizedspeaker who blends science, storytelling, and humor to inspire healthier choices,build resilience, and reduce burnout.
He holds a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology, with deep expertise in the science ofaddiction and the power of positive psychology. Dr. Bellace is the author of twobooks: A Better High, which humorously and insightfully explores how to achievenatural highs through laughter, mindfulness, and meaningful connection; and Life is Disappointing and Other Inspiring Thoughts, which examines how pain, loss, andfailure can be transformed into fuel for growth and achievement.
Dr. Bellace trained at the National Institute of Mental Health, Mount Sinai Hospitalin New York City, and the Drexel University Counseling Center.
For more than two decades, he has spoken to schools, universities, andorganizations nationwide, promoting wellness, mental health, and self-empowerment in ways that resonate across generations.
He lives in Princeton, New Jersey, with his wife, 16-year-old son and 13-year-olddaughter. A longtime youth sports coach, Dr. Bellace spent over a decade coachingbaseball and flag football, and has served as commissioner of the Princeton JuniorFootball League and a board member of Princeton Little League.
 
To listen to "Better High Podcast" Click HERE
To access Dr. Bellace's books Click HERE
To learn more visit:  Mattbellace.com
 
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE

77. Parenting Teenage Boys: The Emotion That Builds Connection Fast (and The Two That Destroy It)

If your teenage boy won’t talk, you are not alone.
You care. You are trying. You are paying attention.
But what if the way you are showing up is actually creating distance instead of connection?
In today’s episode, we break down three emotions that feel almost the same but lead to very different results in your relationship with your teenage son: curiosity, assumption, and suspicion.
Only one of these builds trust and keeps communication open.
The other two quietly create tension, shutdown, and more of the behavior you do not want.
You will learn:
Why curiosity helps your teen son open up
How assumptions shut down communication
The hidden danger of suspicion (and why it feels so convincing)
A simple tool to stop overthinking and reconnect
If you want a stronger connection with your teenage son, this episode will show you where to shift.
 
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE
 

76. Why AI Parenting Advice Is Hurting Your Relationship With Your Teenage Son

Ever find yourself typing a parenting question into AI… just hoping for the right answer?
When you’re overwhelmed, frustrated, or stuck with your teenage son, getting instant advice can feel like relief.
But here’s the truth no one is talking about:
Just because the answer sounds good doesn’t mean it will actually help your relationship.
In fact, it might be doing the opposite.
In this episode, we’re talking about why relying on AI (or anyone else) for quick parenting answers can quietly pull you further away from your confidence and your connection with your son.
Because parenting teenage boys isn’t about finding the perfect words…
It’s about becoming the kind of mom your son can trust, talk to, and respect.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
Why AI often tells you what you want to hear (and how that keeps you stuck)
The difference between “nice advice” and what actually works with teenage boys
Why scripts and perfect responses fall flat in real-life moments
The hidden cost of outsourcing your parenting decisions
3 powerful questions to help you reconnect with your own wisdom
Listen now and start rebuilding connection with your son today.
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
 
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE
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75. Parenting Teen Boys Without The Mom Guilt: A Conversation With JoAnn Crohn

If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation with your teen son thinking, “I totally messed that up,” this episode is for you.
So many moms of teenage boys carry constant guilt, second-guessing their decisions and wondering if they’re doing more harm than good.
In this episode, Heidi talks with JoAnn Crohn from No Guilt Mom about why mom guilt shows up so strongly in parenting, how control quietly creeps into our relationships, and what actually helps us rebuild connection with our teen boys.
You’ll learn how to shift from pressure and overthinking into calm, confident parenting so your son feels safe coming to you instead of pulling away.
 
Guest Details and Resources:
JoAnn is a mom, a National Board Certified Teacher with a Masters in Education, a certified life coach, an author, a speaker, a podcast host. 
 
Grab JoAnn's book:  The Best Mom is a Happy Mom
Also find JoAnn here:  No Guilt Mom
 
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
 
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE
 
 

74. Why Your Teenage Boy Stops Trying, And the Parenting Shift That Fixes It

If you’re raising a teenage boy, you’ve probably noticed how easy it is to fall into the role of manager.
You remind him about homework.You wake him up for school.You track his schedule, his chores, and sometimes even his friendships.
And before long, it can feel like you're running his life while he simply lives it.
In today’s episode of Raising Boys, Building Men, we’re talking about a powerful shift that can completely change your relationship with your teenage son: moving from manager to mentor.
This shift helps your son begin taking ownership of his responsibilities while strengthening your connection and influence as his mom.
Inside this episode you'll learn:
Why managing your teenage son often backfires
How mentorship builds confidence and responsibility
Three simple shifts that help your son start owning his life
What to do when mistakes happen (and why that’s actually part of the process)
 
If school motivation is a struggle in your house right now, don’t miss my free live workshop TOMORROW (replay available):
How to Get Your Teen to Try in School (Without Nagging, Arguing, or Carrying the Load).
Save your seat HERE
 
Want more conversations like this?
Join our private Facebook community for moms raising teenage boys. We talk about real-life challenges, share strategies, and lift each other up—because you don’t have to do this alone.
👉 Join “Raising Boys, Building Men” on Facebook
 
For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
Schedule a FREE Relationship Reconnection Call with Me HERE
Follow us on Instagram HERE
Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE