Have a comment or question for Crystal? Send it in here!

It’s easy to get swept up in our teen’s emotions—especially when they’re intense, unpredictable, or seem to come out of nowhere. As a mom of two neurodivergent daughters, I’ve had to learn (and relearn) how to stay grounded in the middle of emotional storms. The idea of being a thermostat instead of a thermometer changed everything for me.

In this episode, I share what it means to stay calm when conversations with your teen get tense. We’ll explore why mirror neurons make emotional regulation contagious, how empathy can make it harder to stay steady, and simple grounding techniques that help you find your center again.

As you listen, I hope you’re reminded that staying calm doesn’t mean being perfect. It means creating safety, connection, and trust—one moment at a time.

Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Letter from Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• The Neuroanatomical Transformation of the Teenage Brain Jill Bolte Taylor
• Tired of your emotions running the show? Take control of them today with the Thermostat Approach.
• Brick by Brick: Finding Your Calm, LEGO® Serious Play® events for moms

Let’s connect:

• Subscribe to my email newsletter
• Website

Here are three ways I can support you on your journey:

1. Join a Workshop
Experience calm, creativity, and connection in a hands-on setting. Each month, I host a live workshop where you can slow down, reflect, and explore your relationship with your teen in a supportive space.
See upcoming events.

2. Pivot Points Group Coaching Program
Join a small-group experience to strengthen your listening skills and connection. In the Pivot Points Group Coaching Program, you’ll learn simple, powerful ways to shift how you communicate with your neurodivergent teen or young adult.
Learn more about Pivot Points Group Coaching.

3. 1:1 Life Transitions Coaching
Get personalized support for your season of transition. In private coaching, we focus on your unique challenges—whether that’s redefining your role, rebuilding connection, or finding your next step as your teen becomes more independent.
Learn more about 1:1 Coaching.

Have a comment or question for Crystal? Send it in here!

Belief is powerful. Henry Ford once said, “Whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right.” While there are limits to that idea, there’s also a deep truth in it, especially when it comes to parenting our neurodivergent teens and young adults. What we believe about their abilities shapes how we respond, how we support, and ultimately how they see themselves.

In this episode, I share how shifting my mindset from “Can they do this?” to “I believe they can” changed the way I show up for my daughters. I talk about the balance between offering support and stepping back, how to create a safety net that builds confidence rather than dependence, and why giving our kids ownership helps them grow stronger.

As you listen, I hope you’ll reflect on where you might need to hold space for your teen’s growth and trust that God is working in both of you through the process.

Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Want to help your teen shine during interviews? Grab the free parent guide.

Let’s connect:

• Subscribe to my email newsletter
• Website

Here are three ways I can support you on your journey:

1. Join a Workshop
Experience calm, creativity, and connection in a hands-on setting. Each month, I host a live workshop where you can slow down, reflect, and explore your relationship with your teen in a supportive space.
See upcoming events.

2. Pivot Points Group Coaching Program
Join a small-group experience to strengthen your listening skills and connection. In the Pivot Points Group Coaching Program, you’ll learn simple, powerful ways to shift how you communicate with your neurodivergent teen or young adult.
Learn more about Pivot Points Group Coaching.

3. 1:1 Life Transitions Coaching
Get personalized support for your season of transition. In private coaching, we focus on your unique challenges—whether that’s redefining your role, rebuilding connection, or finding your next step as your teen becomes more independent.
Learn more about 1:1 Coaching.

Have a comment or question for Crystal? Send it in here!

There was a season when I found myself getting frustrated with my daughters’ choices, wondering why they couldn’t just figure things out. Then a friend described her young adults as “baby adults,” and something in me softened. That phrase helped me remember how much learning happens in every new stage of life. It gave me a lens of compassion and reminded me that adulthood, like walking or driving, takes practice.

In this episode, I share how this simple mindset shift changed the way I approached parenting my neurodivergent teens. I talk about what it means to see them as learners instead of expecting instant independence, how that perspective reduced frustration in our home, and why patience, celebration, and grace matter so much in this stage.

As you listen, take a moment to reflect on the stage your teen is in and how you might bring a little more compassion—to them and to yourself.

Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Want to help your teen shine during interviews? Grab the free parent guide.

Let’s connect:

• Subscribe to my email newsletter
• Website

Here are three ways I can support you on your journey:

1. Join a Workshop
Experience calm, creativity, and connection in a hands-on setting. Each month, I host a live workshop where you can slow down, reflect, and explore your relationship with your teen in a supportive space.
See upcoming events.

2. Pivot Points Group Coaching Program
Join a small-group experience to strengthen your listening skills and connection. In the Pivot Points Group Coaching Program, you’ll learn simple, powerful ways to shift how you communicate with your neurodivergent teen or young adult.
Learn more about Pivot Points Group Coaching.

3. 1:1 Life Transitions Coaching
Get personalized support for your season of transition. In private coaching, we focus on your unique challenges—whether that’s redefining your role, rebuilding connection, or finding your next step as your teen becomes more independent.
Learn more about 1:1 Coaching.

Have a comment or question for Crystal? Send it in here!

I used to think so, too. When my daughters were younger, I kept waiting for things to get easier—when they could dress themselves, drive, or manage life more independently. But the truth is, parenting neurodivergent teens and young adults doesn’t get easier…it just changes.

In this episode, I talk about what that shift has looked like for me, how I’ve learned to stay present instead of rushing past the hard parts, and why I try to find something to appreciate in every stage. I hope that this conversation helps you feel less alone and more grounded in the season you’re in.

Take a deep breath, pause with me for a moment, and think about what you can celebrate about the stage you’re in right now.

Resources mentioned in the show:

• The days are long, but the years are short. Video by Gretchen Rubin

Let’s connect:

• Subscribe to my email newsletter
• Website

Here are three ways I can support you on your journey:

1. Join a Workshop
Experience calm, creativity, and connection in a hands-on setting. Each month, I host a live workshop where you can slow down, reflect, and explore your relationship with your teen in a supportive space.
See upcoming events.

2. Pivot Points Group Coaching Program
Join a small-group experience to strengthen your listening skills and connection. In the Pivot Points Group Coaching Program, you’ll learn simple, powerful ways to shift how you communicate with your neurodivergent teen or young adult.
Learn more about Pivot Points Group Coaching.

3. 1:1 Life Transitions Coaching
Get personalized support for your season of transition. In private coaching, we focus on your unique challenges—whether that’s redefining your role, rebuilding connection, or finding your next step as your teen becomes more independent.
Learn more about 1:1 Coaching.