Should you make your teen attend family holiday gatherings and events, even if they don’t want to? In this episode, licensed therapist Roya Dedeaux explores one of the most common parenting struggles during the holiday season: balancing family traditions with a teenager’s growing need for independence.

Roya shares why forcing your teen to participate often backfires, and how to instead focus on building a strong, trusting relationship long before the holidays arrive. You’ll learn how to:

• Understand where your teen is coming from when they resist family events
• Recognize that differentiation (your teen pulling away or wanting space) is a normal and healthy part of development
• Create family traditions that teens actually want to join
• Foster connection and trust so participation feels natural—not forced

Whether you’re navigating Thanksgiving dinner, holiday parties, or family reunions, this episode will help you handle the season with less stress and more connection.

👉 Tune in now to learn how to strengthen your relationship with your teen and create meaningful holiday memories—without power struggles.

Are you the parent of a teen who does not want to open up and share their feelings?
Join licensed therapist Roya Dedeaux for this podcast episode where she talks about how to manage and navigate your teenagers reluctance to open up and communicate.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Free guide to navigating the teen years

Online Art & Writing Group for Teens

Music: Aime

Is your teenager struggling with big feelings? Do you wonder how to help them through these intense emotions? Is it hard to feel like you've got perspective when they are on an emotional rollercoaster?

Join license therapist Roya Dedeaux for this episode of the Launch Anxiety
Podcast as she helps parents go through managing the ups and downs of raising teenagers!

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Online Art Group for Teens
Free parenting workbook

Music: Aime