Healthy Family Connections

What do you do when you move to a new country, work to put a roof over your child’s head, only to have them say that they hate you? This week, I answer a question from a mom who is facing a challenge with her daughter after moving to a new country, and in turn, a whole new culture. The expectations of teens and the journey of adolescence vary widely among cultures. Many parents who make a move to a new country find themselves stuck in a control battle with her teens and young adults. This mom is no different. So, what can she do to mend the relationship and open up communication? Listen in for: → The difference between surviving and thriving → How to bridge the gap of understanding between you and your teenager → How culture plays a role in parenting ...and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/parenting-in-a-new-culture/    Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/nei

What do you do when you fall in love with someone who has a young adult child at home, and they don’t like you upsetting their very comfortable, dysfunctional lifestyle? This week, I address a question from a gentleman named Christopher who is dating the mother of a 20-year-old son. Christopher is concerned that his girlfriend is enabling her young adult son who abuses cannabis and doesn’t work or help around the house. He cares about her son and wants to help him grow into a capable young man. But, how can he do that without becoming “the bad guy”? Listen in for: • How to know when the situation is right for getting involved in a romantic relationship with a parent • Why it’s hard for parents to end their enabling behaviors in parent-young adult relationships • How to have an open and constructive conversation with a parent about their young adult child ...and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/my-son-doesnt-like-it-when-youre-around/    Follow us

What do you do when your kids won’t own up to a problem and you don’t know whom to hold responsible? In this week's episode, I answer a question from a mom who is trying her best to teach her sons responsibility, but is struggling to get the message across. Taking responsibility is an important value to learn. While this mom's intention and her plan is great, she's facing challenges with getting cooperation from her sons. What are her opportunities here? Listen in for: → Tips for identifying whether or not parental burnout is undermining your parenting → How to adjust the execution of your strategy → Learning whether your self-esteem injury plays a role in your parenting ...and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/i-didnt-do-it/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do when you have a Special Needs Child throwing fits while you are struggling to make a living and be a good mother to all your kids? This week on the podcast, I answer a question from a mother of 3 kids, one of whom has special needs. She is struggling to manage the household, work a full-time job, and teach her remote-learning children. She's facing particular challenges with her youngest son. This mom is stuck in a control battle and experiencing Pandemic Parental Burnout. Most people parenting during the pandemic can recognize and appreciate these challenges. Listen in for: → How to find solutions to parental burnout → Strategies to get everyone to do their part in the household → Tips for teaching self-regulation and ending tantrums ...and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/i-cant-do-everything/    Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownl

What do you do when you’ve tried to get your college graduate son, who’s sheltering at home, to get a job and all you’ve gotten is a toxic relationship? This week on the podcast, I address a problem from a mother with a young adult son, a problem that I've been hearing a lot about lately. This mother has a young adult son who has just graduated college, is living at home due to the pandemic, and is not putting in the effort to get a job. Mom and son are stuck in a Control Battle and she needs advice on how to rectify what has turned into a toxic relationship between them. Listen in for: • What it looks like to be in a Control Battle with a young adult child • How to draw the line between helping your young adult and enabling them • Tips on getting to the root of a Control Battle that's been going on for a long time ... and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/fixing-a-toxic-mother-son-relationship/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/Neil

Have you ever wondered how to get your teenager to cooperate and be positive when you have to fight with them to do anything? This week on the podcast, I answer a question from a dad with a 15-year-old son whose contrary attitude is affecting the whole family. This father is in a Control Battle with his son. It will take effective communication to help this family turn things around. Listen in for: Tips on ending the Control Battle The power of communicating a healthy vision of your teenager Words that will motivate your youth ... and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/our-contrary-son-is-making-family-life-miserable/    Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

How do you get your husband to stop parenting with anger when your therapist and your husband have convinced you that you’re too critical? This week, I answer a question from a mom who worries she's too controlling and wants to know how she can effectively support and encourage change in her home. Listen in for: A critical shift in parenting strategy as your child gets older Tips on how you and your spouse can become a stronger parenting team What the two different kinds of relationships mean for parents  ...and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/am-i-too-controlling/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

How do you start an online school year with a daughter who’s hard to motivate and has been on her phone all summer? In this week's episode, I answer a question from Mandy, a mom who is facing a challenge that many other parents can relate to right now. Mandy is in a control battle with her teenage daughter and needs to set new boundaries as they prepare for online school this semester. Listen in for: How to re-establish benevolent parental authority Methods to help your teen manage independence and responsibility Tips on having "The Talk" with your teen to create change ... and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/let-the-start-of-school-end-your-control-battle/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do when your adult daughter calls you with the horrible details of her abusive relationship? In this week's episode, I answer a question from Denise, who is struggling with how best to help her daughter.   It seems that no matter what advice Denise offers, her daughter doesn't take it. In turn, the daughter blames her mother for her problems. Listen in for: The difference between support and advice Why it's important to offer emotional support Tips on leading an effective and supportive conversation ... and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: http://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/dont-give-your-daughter-any-advice/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do when your two sons ignore your very reasonable requests and your husband covers for them? This week on the podcast, I answer a question from Terri, a mom who doesn't feel like she's being listened to by her sons and undermined by her husband. As the only woman in a house full of boys, I suspect Terri is being taken advantage of and that's sending her sons a dangerous message. Terri, and all moms and women, deserve to be respected. In order for her sons to learn this, she and her husband must show them. Listen in for: Why it's important for a family to operate as a team How teaching good skills is imperative to raising our children Ways parents can work together to teach their children to respect women ... and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/teach-your-sons-to-respect-women/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.lin

What do you do when your 20-year-old son won’t spend time with you, a caring Dad, because he’s afraid of his mother’s wrath? This week on the podcast, I answer a question from Michael, a dad who has had a strained relationship with his son going on six years now. His ex-wife has alienated their son from him. Michael wants to know what he can do to mend the relationship with his young adult son and I provide guidance on how he can start the process. Listen in for: What it looks like to be an independent young adult Why looking into the past can reveal where things went wrong Tips for having a discussion when the lines of communication are already strained ... and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/my-young-adult-son-is-controlled-by-his-mother/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do when your 17-year-old son shouts at, swears at, and berates his girlfriend? In this week's podcast episode, we answer a question from Margaret, a mother who can't understand why her son is exhibiting abusive behavior towards the people he loves and wants to learn how to put a stop to it. Listen in for: The importance of teaching our children emotional management skills Why parents need to get out of their comfort zone to tackle difficult situations How to frame a discussion with your child that requires action on their part ... and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/we-didnt-role-model-abusive-behavior/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

How do you fight it when your 16-year-old son has several reasons to justify his smoking weed? In this week's podcast episode, Linda from LA shares her concern about her son's marijuana use and how he wants to keep using it because of it's perceived benefits. Listen in for: An examination of the Control Battle between Linda and her son Some advice for starting the conversation about weed with your teen How to make decisions as an empowered parent ... and more!   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/3-reasons-my-16-year-old-smokes-weed/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do when your husband criticizes you when you set limits with your teenage daughter? In this week's podcast episode, Denise from Kentucky writes to ask if her daughter will end up with an unhealthy view of marriage and is there something she should do about that. So this week on the podcast, I examine: How to become an empowered parent that's focused on your child's needs How to have an empowered conversation with your partner The importance of becoming an empowered leader in your family so that you can initiate and lead important conversations ... and more! For full show notes, visit our website: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/my-husband-pits-my-daughter-against-me/

What do you do, when your 15 year old son, turns even a simple request into an argument? Before we get to the question we’re answering today, I want to acknowledge the unbelievably difficult time we’re in. Between COVID-19 and the limitations it’s placing on our lives and the havoc it’s wreaking on the economy and the latest evidence of gross police brutality against Blacks, and the divisive behavior and lack of leadership from the President, it’s a horrible time. There’s lots of opportunity here to engage your teenagers and young adults in discussions of racism, institutional racism and with the whole subject of coping with crisis. Since we all know that it’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness, talk with your teenagers about lighting a candle. Is there a way they can reach out and help someone? Do they want to join the protest and how? What experiences have they had with racism? All white people need to know that being Black in America, means being seen suspiciously by Whites virtually

What do you do when your teenage daughter abuses everyone in the family and puts herself at serious risk? This week, I answer a question from a mom who is in a very dire situation with her teenage daughter. Her daughter, who is the oldest of four, is abusing everyone in the family and makes for a very uncomfortable living situation. No matter what Mom does, nothing seems to be working and she's at a loss for her next steps. Listen in for:  How to address abuse in the home How one person's behavior can put the whole family at risk Tips on how to make changes that last   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/abuse-trauma-and-risk/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do when your teenage daughter comes home from school one day and, says, “Don’t call me Janet. I’m a boy and my name is Jack”? This week, I answer a question from a psychiatrist who has had a handful of parents come to her sharing that their child has revealed they are transgendered. She sought out my advice on how to work with these parents and families. Listen in for:  Why coming out as transgender is a realization, not a choice Tips for how parents can react to this news in a positive manner   How to avoid the wrong kind of therapy and get it right   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/dont-call-me-janet-im-a-boy-now/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do when your autistic teenager wants to help anyone who comes up to him, breaking social distancing and putting himself at risk? This week, I answer a question from a mom who taught her son to be kind and generous. With the current pandemic, Mom is struggling to get her autistic son to understand why he can't help everyone and to keep himself safe. Listen in for:  How to teach kids to keep themselves safe Tips for explaining why social distancing is important How to use role-play to prepare your teen to set limits and stay safe    Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/my-special-needs-teenager-isnt-safe/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

Given the current pandemic, counselors and counseling agencies are using video platforms rather than seeing clients in the office. But, is video counseling a less pleasant, compromised experience? For many years now, in addition to seeing folks in my office, I’ve been seeing people all over the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond. This week on the podcast, I share how video conferencing can be beneficial. Listen in for:  What the ultimate goal is for attending family counseling The advantages families have in using video How to overcome challenges with video counseling   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/does-zoom-therapy-really-work/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do, when your 12-year-old son has an undiagnosed neurological disorder that causes him to be angry, hostile, and has everyone in the household walking on eggshells? Today, we answer a question from a dad who is feeling defeated after trying everything he can think of to resolve the issue. Listen in for:  Understanding why humans thrive in a safe environment  The biology behind Control Battles How childhood trauma affects parenting and how to resolve it   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/your-control-battle-is-in-your-dna/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw