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Parenting Teens: Advice Redefined for Today's Complex World

Parenting Teens: Advice Redefined for Today's Complex World

Written by: Cheryl Pankhurst
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"Discover ''Parenting Teens : Advice Redefined for Today's Complex World" with Special Education Specialist / Educator Cheryl, as we dive into real and raw conversations about sex, drugs, screens, social media, LGBTQ+ issues, mental health, and more. This podcast is your guide to reimagining better relationships with teens by doing the essential inner work. Join us for engaging, vibrant, and empathetic discussions that foster trust and understanding in today's complex parenting landscape. Embrace the change,we just can’t parent the way our parents did”

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I am so grateful for you taking your time to listen and I would love your input, feedback , suggestions for topics. We are in this together.

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https://open.spotify.com/show/4QwFMJMDDSEXJb451pCHO9?si=9c1a298387c84e13

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYv9FQy1X43wwoYg0zF8zAJw6-nCpHMAk&si=7p-e4UlU2rsG3j_t

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https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/teen-minds-redefined-podcast

How to work with me!

https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/consulting

Editing credit Gabbi Greco

Parenting Relationships
Episodes
  • ~145~"Confident Parents Raise Confident Teens" with Chantal Dempsey

    ~145~"Confident Parents Raise Confident Teens" with Chantal Dempsey
    Jan 21 2026
    So many parents are quietly asking themselves the same question: “Am I doing this right?”In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Chantal Dempsey to talk about something that rarely gets addressed directly — confidence in you as a parent, and how deeply that confidence shapes your teen.Because here’s the truth: You cannot build confidence in your teen if you don’t trust yourself first.We explore why teen confidence isn’t built through praise, pressure, or “fixing,” but through felt safety, consistency, and a parent who is grounded in their own values. Chantal shares practical insight into how parental self-doubt, people-pleasing, and fear of getting it wrong can unintentionally erode connection — and what to do instead.In this conversation, we discuss:Why so many capable parents feel unsure and second-guess themselvesThe link between parent confidence and teen self-trustHow teens actually develop confidence (and what doesn’t work)What to do when your teen appears insecure, withdrawn, or overly dependent on external validationHow to model confidence without perfection or controlThis episode is especially important if you’re parenting a teen who is struggling with identity, anxiety, or self-esteem — or if you feel like you’ve lost your footing along the way.Teen confidence starts at home. And it starts with you believing in yourself again.🎧 Listen in for a grounded, compassionate conversation that will help you come back to yourself — and show up as the parent your teen truly needs.Chantal Dempsey is an Award-Winning Mindset and Confidence Coach, NLP Expert and Master Hypnotherapist, known for her transformative impact in the field of confidence and personal development. She is passionately dedicated to empowering both men and women to overcome their challenges and unlock their highest levels of confidence.Important Links / How to find Chantalhttps://www.skool.com/getconfident/aboutConnect with Cheryl!The Good Divorce Show Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hIILoayZV2oQu5zEzJdcP?si=wl8O0S9YSCCwkUSJQAYcrQLet’s Chat https://tidycal.com/cherylpankhurst/consultation-chatSleep supportDIRECT LINK TO COACHING WITH CHERYL email : support@cherylpankhurst.com Website cherylpankhurst.comSOCIALS:linkedin.com/in/l. R.cheryl-ann-pankhurst-1b611855https://www.instagram.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst/ https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.a.pankhurstPODCAST- “PARENTING TEENS ADVICE REDEFINED FOR TODAY’S WORLDTHE PODCASThttps://open.spotify.com/show/4QwFMJMDDSEXJb451pCHO9?si=9c1a298387c84e13https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYv9FQy1X43wwoYg0zF8zAJw6-nCpHMAk&si=7p-e4UlU2rsG3j_tOptin-podcast subscriberhttps://www.cherylpankhurst.com/teen-minds-redefined-podcastJoin our Podcast Private Facebook Group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpswww.facebook.comgroups1258426648646523What’s it like to work with me!MINI-COURSE
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  • ~144~Parents/Teens "New Semester: New Start"

    ~144~Parents/Teens "New Semester: New Start"
    Jan 14 2026
    #HighSchoolSemester #ParentTeacherConferences #StudentVoice #IEPAccommodations #SpecialEducation #Advocacy The new semester is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect moment to reset, refocus, and give your teen a genuine voice in their education. In this episode Cheryl breaks down:Why “it’s not them, it’s you” matters and how shifting the focus to your own triggers unlocks real change.How to turn the inevitable parent‑teacher meetings from a “he‑said/she‑said” nightmare into a collaborative, “speed‑dating” experience where your teen is 10 % of the conversation.Practical steps to co‑create a partnership with teachers, set up weekly check‑ins, and keep the IEP (or any accommodation plan) front‑and‑center from day 1.The delicate balance between guidance and helicopter parenting—and how to hand the reins back without sacrificing support.Real‑world tools for parents who feel stuck: when a new diagnosis lands on the table, how to find an advocate, decode assessment reports, and move from overwhelm to action.Whether you’re a single parent juggling work, a busy family, or simply looking for a fresh strategy to empower your teen, this episode gives you a step‑by‑step roadmap to start Semester 2 on the right foot—together.Connect with Cheryl!The Good Divorce Show Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hIILoayZV2oQu5zEzJdcP?si=wl8O0S9YSCCwkUSJQAYcrQLet’s Chat https://tidycal.com/cherylpankhurst/consultation-chatSleep supportDIRECT LINK TO COACHING WITH CHERYL email : support@cherylpankhurst.com Website cherylpankhurst.comSOCIALS:linkedin.com/in/l. R.cheryl-ann-pankhurst-1b611855https://www.instagram.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst/ https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.a.pankhurstPODCAST- “PARENTING TEENS ADVICE REDEFINED FOR TODAY’S WORLDTHE PODCASThttps://open.spotify.com/show/4QwFMJMDDSEXJb451pCHO9?si=9c1a298387c84e13https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYv9FQy1X43wwoYg0zF8zAJw6-nCpHMAk&si=7p-e4UlU2rsG3j_tOptin-podcast subscriberhttps://www.cherylpankhurst.com/teen-minds-redefined-podcastJoin our Podcast Private Facebook Group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpswww.facebook.comgroups1258426648646523What’s it like to work with me!MINI-COURSE
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  • ~143~“Access Over Grit: Redesigning Learning for Neuro‑Diverse Teens” with Richard Comeau

    ~143~“Access Over Grit: Redesigning Learning for Neuro‑Diverse Teens” with Richard Comeau
    Jan 7 2026
    #NeurodiversityEducation #ADHDLearning #StudentEngagement 1. Introduction & Podcast PurposeParenting Teens Advice Redefined – raw, real‑talk formatGoal: help parents raise “amazing human beings,” not just “kids”Guest introduction: Richard Comeau, founder of Above the Maze2. The Problem with the “Mindset / Grit” NarrativeOver‑emphasis on willpower, grit, and routine fixesHow this approach damages motivation and emotional energyKids internalise “I’m lazy / I can’t learn” instead of seeing systemic issues3. Understanding Diagnoses & AssessmentsLabels vs. lived experience (psychology jargon, psycho‑educational reports)What assessments actually reveal: visual discrimination, information overload, executive‑function gapsImportance of starting with observable behaviours (shutting down, cluttered pages)4. Core Learning Barriers in Traditional EducationVisual clutter & information density – “too much on the page”Lack of guided eye‑movement and clear focal points“Pace dump” lecture slides that leave no meaning‑making traceabilityThe inference burden placed on students to decode professor’s mental model5. Why Common Accommodations Often Miss the Mark17,000‑plus accommodations list – surface fixes, not state changesAccommodations don’t create a feeling of “I can do this”They force students to re‑organise incoherent info without providing context6. Sequential Disengagement & the “Threat vs. Play” SpaceDefinition of Sequential Disengagement – repeated barriers leading to avoidanceThe Threat Space: confusion → shame → “I can’t learn”The Play Space (Magic Circle): safe to fail, immediate feedback, intrinsic motivation7. The Need for Meaningful Context & Sense‑MakingBrain needs active sense‑making in a short time windowProviding real‑world context creates “shelves” for new info in memoryPartial understanding + rapid feedback = stronger retention8. Redesigning a Sample Lecture (Accounting Example)Original slide: dry objectives (“Explain how to account for current liabilities”)Problems: no relevance, heavy jargon, no connective narrativeRevised approach:Break down to the two pillars – debt vs. equityUse a single guiding question for every transaction– Turn abstract concepts into a story/real‑world scenario (hardware store purchase)Outcome: clarity, immediate relevance, actionable mental model9. Teaching Strategies & the “Three Core Questions”What do I need to know / be able to do?How do I know that I know it? (self‑check, evidence of mastery)What is the best way for this information to enter my brain? (mode of delivery)Aligns learning tasks with assessment of understanding, not rote recall10. Leveraging AI as an “Externalizer”AI externalises context that learners can’t generate themselvesGenerates simulations, podcasts, primers tailored to the student’s struggleTurns inaccessible material into play‑space affordances (feedback loops, instant results)11. Game‑Based / Serious‑Game LearningVideo‑game principles: immediate, intrinsic feedback; safe to failSimulated environments (e.g., “accounting office at Riverton Metalworks”)Engages the ADHD/ neurodivergent brain by activating interest & motivation12. The “Engagement Triangle” – Sustaining MotivationWay‑in: a meaningful entry point (clear “why”)Reason‑to‑stay: ongoing relevance, feedback, sense of progressWay‑back‑on‑track: tools/strategies to recover when engagement slips13. Richard's Coaching ProcessFour phases (2–3 sessions each) – rapid, dependency‑freePhase 1: intake, diagnosis of barriers, selection of a single coursePhase 2: building a learning workflow/engine for that coursePhase 3: testing, tweaking, handing over control to the studentPhase 4: scaling the system across other subjects14. Resources & Call‑to‑ActionWebsite: abovethemaze.ca – book an appointment, learn moreShow notes will contain links, contact info, and supplemental material15. Closing Remarks (Host – Cheryl)Introduction to Insight to Impact Coaching & ConsultingEmphasis on parent transformation as the foundation for teen successInvitation to a no‑pressure discovery call (90‑day life‑change promise)Richard Comeau is an educational systems designer and learning strategist who works with teens and university students who are capable but chronically overwhelmed, disengaged, or shut down by school. His work focuses on rebuilding a student’s trust in their own thinking by removing cognitive overload, clarifying what they are actually supposed to be doing, and creating learning environments where understanding becomes possible again. Rather than tutoring content, Richard designs personalized learning systems that help students move from confusion and avoidance to confidence, agency, and sustained engagement.Website: https://abovethemaze.ca Email: richard@abovethemaze.ca https://...
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