“Whatever is happening in your home with your teen is fixable.” That powerful message comes from Jeanine Mouchawar, a parenting coach and Stanford graduate who helps parents transform chaos and conflict into connection and calm.
In this episode of The Second Chance Podcast, Jeanine joined Jeff Robertson to dive deep into the challenges and transformations that come with parenting teens—especially when it feels like the relationship is slipping away.
As a mother of three, Jeanine faced her own moment of reckoning when her teenage son began pulling away, failing classes, and shutting her out. “The more I tried to control things,” she said, “the more disconnected we became.” It was a turning point—and one that led her to a set of communication strategies grounded in deep listening, emotional regulation, and mutual respect.
What followed wasn’t just a repaired relationship—it was a reinvention of what parenting could look like.
5 Key Parenting Shifts Jeanine Teaches:
- Regulate Before You Respond
Manage your own fears, frustration, and anger before entering the conversation. - Stick to the Facts Without Judgment
Instead of accusations, simply state what you’re noticing in a calm and clear way. - Lead with Curiosity, Not Control
Ask open-ended what questions to draw your teen into dialogue. - Validate Their Emotions
Normalize their feelings and make them feel seen and understood—even when you disagree. - Empower Their Problem-Solving Skills
Help your teen come up with their own solutions instead of always telling them what to do.
Jeanine’s story is more than a personal turnaround—it’s a blueprint for any parent feeling like they’re out of options. “You’re not broken,” she reminded listeners. “Your kid isn’t broken either. You just need new tools.”
Jeff echoed the message: “There’s no manual for this. We’re all trying to figure it out, and people like Jeanine are helping us do it better.”
👇 Grab Jeanine’s Free Guide:
Download the 5 Conversation Starters That Help Teens Open Up
Perfect for parents who want to rebuild trust and actually talk with their teen—not just at them.
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode:
