Welcome to The Heart of Parenting Podcast, where we’re on a mission to create deeper connections with our kids. In this episode, host Aimee Byrum dives into a personal and relatable topic: social anxiety. From the efficiency of the “Irish Exit” to the profound impact of social isolation during adolescence, this episode unpacks how social anxiety shows up, why it matters, and how parents can help their kids navigate it.

Practical Ways to Support Your Teen Struggling with Social Anxiety:

• Normalize and Validate: Create a safe space to discuss feelings without judgment.

• Encourage Gradual Exposure: Help them set small, manageable goals for social situations.

• Model Social Behavior: Show them how to connect with others by doing it yourself.

• Use Visualization Techniques: Prime their brain for success by imagining positive outcomes.

• Focus on Internal Growth: Teach resilience and how to embrace imperfection.

• Challenge Negative Thoughts: Help them reframe intrusive thoughts and misinterpretations.

• Teach Calming Techniques: Introduce tools like box breathing to manage physical symptoms.

When to Seek Help:

• How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help overcome social anxiety.

• Why asking for professional support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Resources Mentioned:

• Box Breathing Techniques

• Research on the impact of adolescence and social isolation

• Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Join Us Next Episode::

Calling all control freaks—our next episode explores The Circle of Control, a transformative concept for anyone feeling overwhelmed by life. Don’t miss it!

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Produced by InspireHer Teen Coaching. Written and hosted by Aimee Byrum.

Episode Overview:

In this episode, we dive into the power of connective communication—a framework that transforms how we interact with our kids to build trust, connection, and deeper relationships. Drawing parallels from ethical sales practices, Aimee Byrum shares how listening, curiosity, and presence can bring down walls and create an environment where teens feel truly seen and heard.

Key Takeaways:

• The Importance of Listening: Use the 70/30 rule—listen 70% of the time, talk 30%. Let your kids share their world while you actively listen.

• Ask Thoughtful Questions: Open-ended questions like, “What’s been on your mind?” can encourage meaningful conversations.

• Show Appreciation: Acknowledge their thoughts and reward their openness with affirming responses like, “That makes sense. Go on.”

• Stay Curious: Teenagers misread emotions and instructions 40% of the time. Instead of reacting, stay curious and explore their perspectives.

• Flip the Narrative: Help your child reframe situations by sharing your experiences and asking how your insights resonate with them.

• Let Them Fail: Failure is a teacher. Focus on being a reliable source of acceptance rather than solving every problem.

• Connection Takes Time: Building trust and encouraging openness is a process. Be patient, consistent, and ready to model grace during tough moments.

Practical Tips:

• Plan regular one-on-one time with your kids outside the house to strengthen your bond.

• Tone and delivery matter—be mindful of how you communicate.

• Remember, parenting is about progress, not perfection.

Next Week:

We tackle social anxiety—how to recognize it, address it, and support your child through it.

About the Podcast:

The Heart of Parenting, hosted by Aimee Byrum and produced by InspireHer Coaching, is on a mission to cultivate deeper connections between parents and their children.

Tune in weekly to explore fresh strategies and insights that strengthen relationships and promote healing, understanding, and love.

PODCAST RESOURCES:

Aimee's Website

Email Aimee: hello@inspirehercoaching.com

Every thought we have is like a seed, taking root and growing into how we feel and how we act. When the seedlings are full of creativity and seeing the world through a positive lens, we feel calm and open to new experiences. But when those seeds are full of self-criticism and unchecked anxiety we feel overwhelmed and stuck and small.

In today's episode, we talk about the 5 things we can do as parents when we notice our kid becoming limited because of they way they treat themselves. We discuss where this comes from and how we can help free them (and ourselves) from the destructive nature of a harsh inner critic.

We talk about how to instead, help our kids to access that still small voice within.

PODCAST RESOURCES:

Aimee's Website

Email Aimee: hello@inspirehercoaching.com

Today's teens are being hit hard with the compulsion to constantly compare themselves to increasingly unrealistic beauty standards. It has caused an alarming increase in body image related anxiety and shows no real signs of stopping. It is pervasive, spilling over into every aspect of a young person's life and has the potential to cause lasting damage to a young woman's self-esteem.

The good news is .. There are things we can start doing now to reverse it.

PODCAST RESOURCES:

Aimee's Website

Email Aimee: hello@inspirehercoaching.com

I'm no expert. But in the words of Ray LaMontagne, I've learned some things worth telling.

In this first episode, I tell you who I am, what I'm about and what I've come here to do.

I'd love to hear from you too.

Connect with me here: https://inspirehercoaching.com/

Share your stories and opinions by emailing me here: hello@inspirehercoaching.com