Raising Boys Building Men/Parenting Solutions For Moms And Boys

60. How to Stop Your Teen Boy's Complaining Without Starting a Fight (5 Strategies That Actually Work)

Discover the real reason your teenage son complains more during busy seasons (hint: it's not ingratitude), plus 5 practical strategies to respond with connection instead of combat. We're breaking down the neuroscience behind his pushback, when complaints spike the most, and exactly what to say when he's melting down over something that seems ridiculous.
Why You Care
Because you're working so hard to make things special for your family, and when your son complains about dinner or the WiFi going out, it feels personal. You're tired of the same arguments every day, walking on eggshells, and wondering why he can't just appreciate what you're doing. You want connection with him, not constant conflict.
How This Episode Helps You
This episode gives you a completely different lens to see his complaining, not as defiance or ingratitude, but as communication from an overwhelmed nervous system. You'll learn the 5 hidden reasons behind his complaints (overstimulation, lost independence, brain development, poor communication skills, and lack of ownership) and get specific scripts to de-escalate tension in under 5 minutes. No more resentment. No more taking it personally. Just practical tools that create lasting change.
 
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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.
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For Additional Support:
Visit our website Raisingboysbuildingmen.com HERE
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Grab 8 tips to connect with your son today HERE

59. When Motherhood Doesn’t Go as Planned: A Conversation with Margo Fordonski

Every mom has a picture in her mind of how motherhood will feel… and then real life shows up. Today’s conversation goes deep into something most moms of teenage boys feel but rarely name: grief in motherhood, specifically, the kind that comes from expectations not matching reality.
In this episode, Heidi sits down with Margo Fordonski, a master-certified life coach and grief educator, to talk about non-death grief, the grief that comes when your son makes choices you didn’t expect, when connection feels harder than you thought it would, or when you miss the little boy who used to curl up on your lap.
You’ll learn why this grief is normal, how it silently affects your relationship, and how to move through it so you can reconnect with your teenage son without shame, panic, or over-controlling. You’ll hear practical, compassionate strategies for creating connection, holding boundaries, and staying grounded even when your heart aches.
 
Guest Details and gift:
Margo Fordonski is a Master Certified Life Coach, Certified Grief Educator, and a twice-bereaved parent. After losing both of her children—most recently her son Andrew, who lived with brain cancer for 24 years—Margo has walked the long, complex path of grief firsthand. Her personal journey led her to a powerful calling: to support other mothers navigating life after the unthinkable.
Margo helps grieving moms find peace, resilience, and renewed hope—not by “moving on,” but by learning how to carry their grief with love. Her 1:1 coaching approach is deeply personalized, meeting each mother where she is with compassionate guidance and tools that support nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and holistic healing. She guides her clients in healing at their own pace, rediscovering who they are now, and gently rebuilding a life that honors both their child and their continued growth.
Her work is trauma-informed, heart-led, and rooted in the belief that grief is not something to fix—it’s something to tend to with care, courage, and support. Through her coaching, writing, and lived witness, Margo offers a safe and understanding space for grieving moms to feel less overwhelmed, more connected to themselves, and begin to rebuild a life that holds both sorrow and joy
 
Make sure to grab Margo's FREE Holiday Grief Support Guide 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

58. The Self-Care Lie We’ve Been Sold: And What Actually Works for Boy Moms

If one more person tells you to “just practice more self-care,” you might lose it, and honestly? Same.
This week’s episode of Raising Boys, Building Men takes that guilt-filled phrase and flips it on its head.
In today’s conversation, we dig into why traditional self-care often feels impossible for moms of teenage boys and why it’s NOT the answer you actually need. Instead, we talk about self-awareness,  the simple, doable shift that keeps you from drowning, even during the busiest seasons of motherhood.
You’ll hear the story of the moment Heidi realized she had completely lost herself (yes… the crying-in-the-car moment) and the three self-awareness practices that helped her take her power back:
This episode will help you breathe again no spa days required.
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

57. What to do When Parenting Your Teen Doesn’t Feel Fun Anymore - and How to Change That

Parenting your teenage son used to be fun, the laughter, the easy connection, the hugs. Now it feels like silence, arguments, or distance. You wonder if you’ve messed something up.
In this episode, Heidi unpacks why parenting stops feeling fun and how uncertainty steals your joy. You’ll learn the one mindset shift that will change everything, plus three ways to bring joy and connection back into your relationship right now.
You’ll hear real client stories, science-backed insight, and a heart-to-heart reminder that you and your son really are going to be okay.
👉 Listen in to discover how to bring fun and freedom back to motherhood, even when your teen’s behavior feels unpredictable.
 
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

56. Finding Balance as a Working Boy Mom: A Conversation with Denise Tallcott

Balance sounds amazing, but it often feels impossible. Between work, schedules, and trying to actually sleep, most moms feel like they’re failing somewhere. In this episode, Heidi talks with leadership coach Denise Tallcott, founder of Working Moms Redefined, about what balance really looks like and how to stop beating yourself up for not “doing it all.”
They unpack the truth behind mom guilt, how to give yourself permission to parent differently than your mom did, and why defining your own version of success brings peace and connection at home (especially with teenage sons).
Denise also shares her simple “9 Minutes a Day for a Lifetime of Connection” framework;  three small moments that can change everything - Grab it HERE
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or “not enough,” this one’s for you.
 
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
 
More about Denise:  
For more information about Denise visit:  Workingmomsredefined.com

55. Spoiled Boys Make Weak Men: 3 Ways to Raise Strong, Resilient Sons

What happens when we make life too easy for our boys?
In this episode, Heidi shares the powerful truth behind a phrase her husband told her years ago: “Spoiled boys make weak men.”
This isn’t about judgment or shame it’s about awareness. Heidi walks through the research on how overindulgence, overparenting, and avoiding conflict weaken a boy’s ability to grow into a capable, resilient man. You’ll learn three practical ways to help your son develop strength and responsibility whil
e keeping connection front and center.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I helping too much?” or felt guilty saying no, this episode will give you clarity, encouragement, and permission to raise a boy who can handle life with confidence.
Listen now to get your courage back and rediscover the joy in raising strong sons.
 
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
 

54. The Confidence Crisis in Teen Boys: Why Your Son Doubts Himself (And 3 Ways to Build Him Back Up)

Do you ever look at your teenage son and think, “He’s capable of so much more, what’s stopping him?” You’re not alone.
In this episode of Raising Boys, Building Men, Heidi shares the truth about confidence.  And it’s not built by pep talks or praise. It’s built through experience. You’ll learn three powerful ways to help your teenage son strengthen his confidence and self-esteem without nagging, rescuing, or pushing:
Let him struggle safely (and why that matters)
Give him meaningful responsibility
Encourage him to serve others
These small but powerful shifts will help your son develop grit, self-trust, and a sense of purpose which is the real foundation of confidence.
 
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

53. Raising Tech-Healthy Teens in a Digital World: A Conversation with Andrea Davis from Better Screen Time

If you’ve ever taken your son’s phone away and watched him lose it, you are not alone.
In this episode of Raising Boys, Building Men, Heidi sits down with screen-time expert and mom of five, Andrea Davis, founder of Better Screen Time. Together, they talk about what healthy tech boundaries really look like, how to know if your son is ready for a phone, and how to stop parenting from fear when it comes to screens.
You’ll learn practical ways to set limits, build trust, and create a family tech plan that actually works. Plus, Andrea shares a free self-evaluation tool for parents and teens to decide if now is the right time for a device.
This isn’t about control it’s about connection, confidence, and protecting what matters most.
 
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
 
More about Andrea:
For more information about Andrea and Better screen time, to grab your free pintable's, and to join "The Hub" click HERE 

52. 5 Truths About Raising Teenage Boys Every Mom Needs to Hear

One year ago, Heidi hit “record” on the very first episode of Raising Boys, Building Men with one goal: to give moms of boys a voice of truth and hope. Since then, she’s talked with psychologists, educators, and hundreds of moms who are all asking the same question: Will my son be okay? Am I doing enough?
In this special anniversary episode, Heidi shares the five biggest lessons she’s learned after a year of podcasting. You’ll hear why boys are struggling, what moms often misunderstand, and how much power you actually hold in your son’s life.
If you’ve ever blamed yourself for your son’s struggles, wondered if you’re doing it right, or simply needed a reminder that you’re not alone, this episode is for you.
Listen now to hear the truths every mom of boys needs to know.
 
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
 

51. Does Your Teenage Son Keeps Saying “I Don’t Care”? Here’s What It Really Means

Does your teenage son shrug his shoulders and mutter, “I don’t care” whenever you ask about school, friends, or the future? You are not alone and it’s not as hopeless as it feels.
In today’s episode of Raising Boys, Building Men, Heidi unpacks what’s really happening when your son seems totally checked out. Spoiler: it’s almost always one of two things. You’ll learn how to tell the difference, and more importantly, how to respond in a way that draws him closer instead of pushing him further away.
Heidi also shares three practical “mom moves” that help you connect with your son without nagging, pressuring, or fueling power struggles.
If you’ve ever felt rejected by your son’s indifference, this episode will help you breathe easier and rebuild the connection you’re craving.
👉 Links mentioned in today’s episode:
DO NOT miss out on our new 6-week group, "Unlock His Motivation".  Click HERE to register.  This group will be kept small and is first come, first served.
 
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