So you waved goodbye . . .to your "just flown" child . . . and to all the parent friends you met along life's journey. 

Or did you?

Your child just left for that job, college or any number of other situations, leaving you wondering what just happened.  Today's episode is going to answer that. 

While nearly all of our episodes are centered around educating our "nearly grown" kids, this episode is dedicated to YOU... the parent/grandparent.

You want to stay in touch with them.  You want to walk by their room and not start the next tsunami, as well.  You want to resist the temptation to call them 24/7 and catch up.  It's hard to wade through this new phase you are in.  But you CAN make forge a new way to stay in touch.  

How?

Be a trend setter and set up "stay in touch" parties, or put another way, set up a boxing party.

It's a terrific two-fer way to stay in touch with your "just flown" child, their friends, AND the parent-friends you met...

You know the parent-drill.  You explain something to your almost-grown child in what you think is a calm and rational manner and might you get back?  A burst of emotion.  What is going on?

We bet you occasionally have an unrecognizable young adult running around calling you Mom and/or Dad.  Right?

Today, we cover where that emotion just might really be coming from and how you can help your "mini-you" grow into a more rational and balanced human being.  Scientists (many) cite what is going on and yes, it brings us good news on this front!

Today's podcast explains this phenomenon and we give you 5 strategies to use this in your parenting skills.

SCIENCE REVEALS

[1:19] Myth busted.  Full disclosure, this one surprised me.

[2:39] What DO young adult brains have?

[3:57] Their brain vs. our brain.  (hint:  they are not the same)

FIVE GREAT PARENT STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER: 

[5:09] First: The expectation bar. Our kids still need to know what is...

Today's Podcast (click above) delivers HELP for the weary parent!

So how DO you get your teen from a slug-bug sleep till noon vacation syndrome TO thinking and learning - almost without knowing it?

That's our topic for today.  School's out and it's a HUGE opportunity for them to associate learning with FUN and how it fits in the "real world".  

When you are done, you will have 2 SUPER ideas both stealthy, yet educational.   They are great for say . . . age 8th grade thru the college ages.  

Note: they don't have to involve you as a helicopter parent but I've thrown in a twist or two that will have you WANTING to participate!

SUMMARY OF PODCAST

#1. Fun/Educational Move - Be a Stock Jock

[1:34].  How to pick a stock, set up fun competition among family and even friends (zoom anyone?) and declare a stock tycoon winner in the end.  No stock broker background required.  Learn how to easily set this up.     [5:00] Up the...

Does your teen need help in communicating with others - especially when a potential conflict is involved? 

Of course.   In fact, most of us can say the same thing.  

Then today's episode will be just for you.  When you finish, you will have an easy technique to show your teen about how to handle potential communication challenges.  It's usable, workable, and can be put into action quickly.

I know that all of us are working through how to handle quarantine.  This morning I walked to the park near me.  As I was leaving I heard a lady shouting.  She was standing by her car along with her dog.  What was she yelling at?  It wasn't a "what", it was a "who".  A second car drove up, parked a safe distance away, and 3 cute little kid's heads shot up thru the sun roof.  Turns out, the lady with the dog was shouting excited greetings to her daughter and 3 grandkids. It was so sweet.  I waived to the grandmother and...

Welcome to JellyGeneration's Parent-52 Series

You don't intend to.  But you compare your teen to others. It causes you to worry "why isn't my teen like so-and-so" OR "can my teen do what their teen does?" 

As parents we WANT to STOP the comparison game.  But how?

This is a special Parent-52 Episode.  It's JUST FOR PARENTS.

In the above episode(video), you will learn:

• How we end up on the "envy rat race", an endless cycle
• Why your teen is just as amazing as the teen down the street
• Learn 3 strategies to retrain your brain to reduce comparisons and envy
• BONUS:  these very techniques can be taught to your teen as well.  They need this even more than we do.  

Experience Joy

The above techniques can help you experience parental joy.  You can push those negative thoughts out and replace them with better ones.   The "envy trap" gifts us the gift of angst.  Let's replace that with joy!

If you have a teen and want teaching...

First:  Full transparency here.  After you ask this question, you might not like the answer, but then again, you might love it.  After asking you will learn so much that you will be glad you asked.

Second: You can modify this question to cover an unlimited supply of topics.  You can re-purpose it at nearly any time you’d like.

Third: Few parents have probably ever asked this type of question before.  It’s rather simple in concept.

Fourth: Our teens (though this question can work at any age) are already “conditioned” to respond.

The question? 

“Honey, what grade would you give me on ___________?”

Our teens receive/earn grades every week day, and probably several times per day. They understand the concept of grades. They probably don’t like getting them, but it shows them where they are with respect their mastery of the topic involved.

Wouldn’t we parents like to know how we are doing on a...

Well, it is here.  Lists. Gifts. Shipping. Traffic.  Returns.  Receipts.  That busy shopping season.  The evergreen dilemma of "what do I get them".  We all look for meaningful gifts for our "nearly-flown" kids.  They are almost "gone" and you have so much you still want to teach them.  But hold on.  

Here's a fun .  . . and dare we say it . . . slightly sneaky way to slip in a bit of knowledge AND give them something they will enjoy.  We certainly don't want to break the bank either. 

What about giving something worth 2x or 3x or priceless?   Amazing gift ideas are below that won't cost you that arm and a leg - but will deliver a powerful parent punch.  (Note: JellyGeneration is not affiliated nor compensated for any website, company, or product we list below. These are suggestions on where to start your gift process – not specific recommendations)

 #1. Why not give $ and for part-time...

JellyGeneration knows parents & students have more “need to know” than time. Join them on their journey as they break down financial and legal issues into practical and usable information.

Never Let a Good Crisis Go To Waste

Even a political phrase can be used in our daily lives. In fact, the upcoming holiday season offers high school and college-aged students just such an opportunity. We all crave control over our own financial destiny and the last two months of the year present not only a large need to get that control, but unparalleled possibilities in how to achieve it. Everyone faces how to avoid a cash crunch during the holidays. Time Inc., reminded us of why millennials see even more enticing advertising than other buying groups: The 4 Most Sought After Shoppers

The millennial generation gets a lot of attention from retailers. Americans in the mid-teens to late 20s represent the country’s largest demographic, so it’s understandable that...

After working with countless high school students on potential career research, here is what I can report to we parents:

• Our kids do have amazing career dreams
• They have no idea what that potential career really requires
• They are often shocked when they find out

 What happens then?

• Are they heading in the wrong career direction?
• Can they afford the career they are aiming for? (from the salary to the yrs of school ahead)?
• Do they waste 2-4 years at the wrong college?

 What’s a parent to do?

Getting your child to research potential careers pays huge dividendswhen you place it on your “to-do” list for your...

Show Notes/Links Mentioned:

2. FYI:  If you want help on what to teach your "nearly flown"?  Here's an 8-STEP Parent Guide downloadable .pdf (free by the way) chock full of 8 teaching points with links and tips - created by and for parents previously in your shoes.  Just tell us where to send it.

See you next time!

Pam