Teen boys are… a mystery. One minute sweet, the next minute grunting, eye-rolling, or insisting they’re “fine” while their world is clearly on fire.

In this week’s Mothers of Boys Survival Guide podcast, I’m joined again by psychologist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, and we dig into what’s actually happening inside the brains and hearts of our pre-teens, teens, and young men.

We talk about: ✔️ Why communication gets harder ✔️ Power struggles (and how to survive them) ✔️ Lying, embarrassment, and shutdowns ✔️ Teen risk-taking (hello, cliff-jumping 😳) ✔️ Rituals that help boys open up ✔️ How to stay connected—even when they’re off at college, ignoring your calls

If you’re raising a teen boy, this episode is your emotional life raft. Give it a listen and share it with another boy mom who needs a little solidarity today.

Why do young boys sometimes shut down or struggle to express what they feel? Psychologist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst joins the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide to explore the emotional world of boys and how parents can help young boys use their words instead of their fists or feet.

Dr. Vanderhorst explains how boys develop emotional intelligence differently from girls, why they often communicate through action rather than language, and how small changes in our responses can build lasting trust and confidence. From classroom frustrations to grocery store meltdowns, this episode offers real-world parenting advice and a deeper understanding of how to raise emotionally strong, self-aware young men.

Perfect for any parent who’s ever wondered what’s really going on behind their son’s silence—or his shouting.

Divorce isn’t just a legal process — it’s an emotional earthquake. And when you’re a mom trying to protect your kids (especially boys, who are more emotional than you think), the pressure can feel next-level.

In this week’s episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide, I sat down with Lisa Johnson, a certified domestic-violence advocate and co-founder of Been There, Got Out. After a decade fighting through a high-conflict divorce, she now helps parents stay grounded, protect their kids, and navigate toxic co-parenting dynamics without losing their sanity.

We talk about:

• Early red flags of a high-conflict divorce
• How to protect your kids from emotional manipulation
• The 10-minute connection rule every mom should know
• Supporting boys who internalize stress and anger
• Smart communication & documentation strategies
• Finding the right support — for you and your kids

This episode isn’t doom-and-gloom. It’s truth, strength, and real tools for moms who are fighting to stay strong and raise resilient boys through messy chapters of life. You are not alone in this. 💛

🎮 Is your son obsessed with Roblox, Minecraft, or Fortnite?

You’re not alone! In this week’s episode of The Mothers of Boys Survival Guide podcast, Suzy and Cheryl talk with Matt Highland, former teacher and co-founder of Hackingtons.com, about what every mom should know about gaming.

From screen time limits and online safety to turning gaming into real-world coding skills, this episode is packed with insight (and a few laughs).

• Gaming isn’t the enemy — It’s today’s playground for creativity, problem-solving, and social connection.
• Roblox is a platform, not a game — Kids can build, code, and even earn money creating games within it.
• Screen time ≠ wasted time — With guidance, gaming can develop real-world skills like coding, teamwork, and strategy.
• Safety starts with connection — Talk openly with your kids, set boundaries, and model healthy tech habits.
• Encourage creators, not just consumers — Help your kids channel their love of gaming into learning, building, and innovating.

👉 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or at MothersOfBoys.life.

Childhood vaccines raise some of the biggest questions parents face. In this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide, host Suzy Shaw welcomes back retired pediatrician Dr. Barnaby Starr, who spent decades guiding families with trusted, practical advice. Together, they cover everything from newborn vaccines like Hepatitis B to school and teen immunizations including MMR, HPV, meningococcal, flu, and COVID-19.

Dr. Starr explains how vaccines work, what side effects parents should expect, and why herd immunity is so critical. Packed with clarity and compassion, this conversation helps parents feel more confident navigating vaccine decisions for their children.

Adoption isn’t the finish line—it’s the beginning of a lifelong journey. In this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide, Suzy Shaw and Cheryl Bohn sit down with Ryan Hanlon, PhD, President & CEO of the National Council for Adoption, to talk about what happens after a child comes home. From building attachment and supporting siblings to navigating schools, subsidies, and long-term resources, this conversation unpacks both the challenges and the joys of life after adoption. Whether you’re preparing to adopt or already parenting, you’ll find practical strategies, encouragement, and expert insight to help guide your family.

Thinking about adoption but not sure where to start? Suzy Shaw and co-host Cheryl Bohn sit down with Ryan Hanlon, PhD—President & CEO of the National Council for Adoption (NCFA)—to cover what every mom should ask before adopting. We get real about eligibility, timelines, costs, open vs. closed adoption, medical info, choosing an agency, and how to know if your family is truly ready. Clear, practical, zero fluff.

Guest: Ryan Hanlon, PhD (NCFA) — adoptioncouncil.org

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Eligibility criteria by adoption type and state
• Foster care vs. private domestic vs. international: timelines & costs
• What “open” adoption actually looks like today
• Medical/background info you can expect—and how to evaluate it
• Questions to decide if you’re ready (as a couple and as a family)
• How to find an ethical, well-matched agency

If this helped, share it with a mom who’s considering adoption—and follow the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide for next week’s part two on life after the adoption.

From high school practices to college recruiting, the demands on our boys (and us moms!) ramp up fast. In our latest episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide, Coach Matt Hogan shares what every parent needs to know about: ✔️ The real time commitment in high school sports ✔️ When recruiting actually starts (hint: later than you think) ✔️ Highlight reels, prospect camps & how not to waste money ✔️ Balancing academics and athletics for the long game

Matt’s a former college and high school coach, sports dad of two, and the leader of the Annapolis Hawks Club Lacrosse Program.

💬 Drop a comment if your son is navigating high school sports—we’d love to hear your experience!