Send Lauren a text!

In this episode, I’m diving into routines and predictability—how they can help (and sometimes hinder) your anxious tween or teen—and exploring the joy and connection that holiday traditions bring. I’ll also share a peek into my family’s Christmas traditions, both past and present.

Traditions are powerful—they create connection, foster joy, and give us something to look forward to ☺️

💬 Stay Connected:

• Visit yourzenfriend.com for more resources.
• Join our private Facebook group, Your Zen Friend! 💌
• Follow me on Instagram @yourzenfriendpod.

Enjoy the episode and share it with a friend—it’s the best way to help the podcast grow! 🎙️

Parenting an anxious tween or teen is challenging, so I hope you'll take some time today and every day to do something kind for yourself ✨

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.

Send Lauren a text!

Feeling overwhelmed with all the holiday to do's? Guest and friend of the pod, Vicki Smith will help us to clear our schedules of the stuff that doesn't serve us so that we have more time to do the things we enjoy. Self care isn't just about lighting candles and wearing cozy socks. One terrific way to care for yourself, especially during the holidays is to set healthy boundaries. Vicki is here to help us do that!

It's not always easy to distinguish between a 'hell yes' and a 'no' when it comes to invitations or requests. Vicki tells us how we can feel into our body to better guide decisions. Vicki talks about how we often make decisions from a place of fear, obligation and guilt. She helps us identify when we are acting from these emotions and how we can make choices that we don't later regret.

For any of us with people pleasing tendencies, saying no can be super uncomfortable. Vicki helps us to decrease and manage our uncomfortable feelings. This starts with knowing how to politely decline an invitation. Vicki will give us a strategy for this that she calls, "a boundary sandwich." We'll also explore how having more time for yourself to do what you enjoy, will improve your overall holiday experience. This is your chance to create a holiday season that is truly merrier, without some of the unnecessary stress and pressure.

Also check out my previous episode with Vicki Smith: Ep#41 - People Pleasing and Perfectionism with Vicki Smith
https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/people-pleasing-and-perfectionism-with-vicki-smith/id1646833026?i=1000619209880

Here's where you can connect with Vicki:

• Website - https://powertothepleasers.com
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075839538976
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/power.to.the.pleasers/

Viki's Bio:
Vicki Smith is a licensed psychotherapist and a coach who specializes in people pleasing and perfectionism. She enjoys working with these issues because she loves seeing people discover their true nature and then share it with the world. Vicki brings both her personal and professional experience into her work with clients. Blending her experience as a mindfulness meditation teacher with her background in body-centered yoga therapy to help clients get to know the whole of their being. Her mission is to help folks not just TALK ABOUT the life they’ve always wanted, but to actually start LIVING IT OUT! When she isn’t working, she is hiking in the woods with her husband and two dogs or traveling to National Parks to explore outside her hometown of Atlanta Ga.

I'd love to hear from YOU! Here's how to connect with me:

💬 Stay Connected:

• Visit yourzenfriend.com for more resources.
• Join our private Facebook group, Your Zen Friend! 💌
• Follow me on Instagram @yourzenfriendpod.

Happy Holidays! 🎁✨

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.

Send Lauren a text!

In this festive episode, I’m sharing how I’ve shifted my holiday traditions to create more peace and joy during this busy season. Whether you're juggling the magic-making or supporting an anxious tween or teen, it can feel like a lot (especially for us moms 🫠

🎧 Tune in for:

• The traditions I’ve let go of (goodbye, elf shenanigans and cookie parties!)
• What I’ve said YES to, like ordering Chinese food for Christmas dinner 🍜🎄
• How I set boundaries and prioritize meaningful moments with family and friends ❤️
• Tips for embracing imperfection and finding time for self-compassion ✨

If the holiday hustle has you feeling overwhelmed, this episode is here to help you take a breath, let go of the pressure, and enjoy what really matters.

💬 Stay Connected:

• Visit yourzenfriend.com for more resources.
• Join our private Facebook group, Your Zen Friend! 💌
• Follow me on Instagram @yourzenfriendpod.

Happy Holidays! 🎁✨

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.