110. How Resentment Builds Between Parents and Teens & What to Do About It

Parenting Post-Wilderness: Parenting a Struggling Teen Before, During and After Treatment

We all know that feeling when something doesn’t sit right, but we shrug it off, telling ourselves, “It’s not a big deal.” Yet, over time, those little moments of unspoken frustration build up, slowly shrinking our emotional bandwidth until we snap over the tiniest thing. Whether it's a parent feeling taken for granted or a struggling teen wondering why they’re the only one doing all the hard work, resentment can do a lot of harm when left unchecked.

In this episode, Seth and I tackle the tricky topic of resentment, how it sneaks up on us as parents and what we can do about it before it takes over, as well as the resentment our struggling teens might feel, especially those who have been in treatment.

“A lot of my resentment comes from an unrealistic expectation that I have of somebody else that I have not yet expressed.” - Seth Gottlieb

The truth is, resentment often grows from unspoken expectations and emotions. I share my journey of being the passive parent until my resentment boiled over, and Seth explains why teens, too, feel resentful when they’re the only ones expected to change or feel like they’re the only ones putting in all the work.

In this episode on resentment between parents and teens, we discuss:

• How resentment builds and why we often ignore it until it’s too late;
• The importance of being emotionally honest with ourselves and our loved ones;
• Why struggling teens may feel resentment towards us, especially those who have been in treatment;
• How resentment can be an indicator that you’re not staying true to your values as a parent;
• Strategies to prevent resentment by communicating expectations clearly and consistently;
• And much more!

Need support?
🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

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Related podcast episodes:
102. Why Your Teen Isn’t Acting Like an Adult
66. How To Bring Up Backburner Issues With Tanya Hale

And remember parents, the change begins with us.

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