Plan P

Parenting is a relationship. A relationship which parents do not want to detach from!  

Letting a child hit “rock bottom”, “suffer the consequences” or many of the other “tough love” practices (which have been debunked but are very much still out there and are often suggested by friends and family who feel at a loss as to how to help and who often feel the pain themselves).

What we suggest in this episode isn’t radical, it just fee...

How to Care, not coddle.

In this episode we discuss what is no secret- there is a generation who are struggling, and parents are concerned. It makes total sense that conscious parents and educators who were aware of the significant spike in poor mental health starting to be observed in 2012 and continuing upward wanted to protect their children from pain.  

Jonathan Haidt, in his book The Coddling of the American Mind, suggests tha...

Social Media

We talk with parents A LOT about social media.  How do you navigate this social media world?  How do you navigate your relationship with your children’s relationship with social media?  It’s a lot!

Social Media is…..social! We all want to belong and feel significant, at every age, and this is an even more intense yearning during adolescence.  There are so many more places to connect and belong on social media, and unde...

In this episode we discuss Kim Scott’s book Radical Candor. Her book will not be found in the family section, because it’s a business book, but stay with us here, radical candor is basically being honest. Doesn’t sound radical, but being honest isn’t always easy. Caring is easy, as parents we care.  What Scott talks about is challenging ourselves to get outside our comfort zone or care, and also challenging the individual we love t...

Resilience support

How good are you at moving on after being disappointed or hurt or making a mistake? Resilience is not always easy. It is learned.  When our children were younger, they built resilience when they were learning to ride a bike and they fell.  Some kids got right back on, some kids cried and wanted to be held while they cried. We met them where they were, trusting that they would learn.   The adolescent years are dif...

Everyone knows that practice makes perfect, right?  Yeahhhh. And, no! What if you could get away from the pressure of that illusion that perfection is possible? How does this notion of perfection impact our beloved preteen, teen and young adult children, because everywhere you  look, they are feeling the pressure. How can we as individuals get away from that terrible weighty notion that we are striving for perfection?

Join us as we...

Personal Care

Taking care of yourself when parenting preteens, teens and young adults can be challenging.  We talk honestly about how hard it can be to take care of yourself from the very beginning of the parenting journey, and just when you think you might catch a break-and take a bath or read a book, get a mani-pedi or a massage….” just kidding” say the adolescent years.

In this episode we talk about not just the importance of se...

Planning Party Planning

The luck of the Irish? Yeahhh, St. Patrick’s Day, as the parent of a teen? Doesn’t always make parents feel so lucky. The kids are growing up and the wearing of the green is oft accompanied by the drinking of the green beer, the green jello shots and well, goodness knows what else they’ve figured out to dye green besides the Chicago River. Everyone loves this holiday? No, not really. In the episode we want t...

Paradoxes

Tap into the wisdom of Socrates, the Tao, Rumi and Erykah among others, as we help parents understand how to accept and apply the paradoxes presented by these wise people to parenting teens!  If we know that we know nothing about anything, then what could we possibly teach our children?

Ah, the wisdom of the ages is here to help and we are here to help you understand how to embrace it, and embrace your kids who are squi...

The Power of Pollyanna Perspective

There is much power to be found in positivity WHEN used properly!  Pollyana can get a bad rap. We understand why.  The ability to genuinely understand how to use, and not abuse or misuse, positivity is complicated. The reason we talk about it in this episode is because it can change interpersonal relationships for the better, which is what parents of adolescents want.

In this episode we’ll teach y...

Understanding how to find balance while transitioning from boss of a child, to staying on as the trusted consultant to a young adult deserves a transition team!  Sarah and Quin have got you!  Parenting adolescents is for many the hardest part of the parenting journey.  Staying positive can feel like a challenge but knowing that you have something positive to practice can make a huge difference.

On this week’s episode Quinn and Sara...

Pondering our part is parenting pertinent and also entirely possible.  Accountability is the tune this week on the podcast and is a central tenant of secure parenting. Listen to Sarah and Quinn as they discuss listening and understanding where your part begins and ends. How do you find a place to hear different points of view, which your adolescent children are sure to offer!

Learning how to slowly become accountable to ourselves, ...

Parents understand the importance of paying attention to and listening to their children. This is a vital part of any healthy relationship. Listening is hard! In this episode Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison discuss and dial into how to take listening to the next level. Listening to understand is next-level listening.  One step forward is repeating back exactly what their child said to them. This parroting is a giant step forward from...

In this episode, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison delve deep into the intricate world of parental perception and its impact on our roles as caregivers. They shine a light on the common tendency to jump to conclusions about our teens' intentions, whether positive or negative, and how this perception can sometimes lead us astray. It becomes evident that our perception can be a confining prison if left unchecked. To break free, the hosts...

What if success was failure and failure was success? In this thought-provoking episode, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison delve into the concept of setting and achieving goals, inspired by a compelling Ted Talk by former NFL player Emmanuel Acho. The discussion challenges conventional wisdom surrounding goals, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and adaptation. While goals can provide direction and motivation, they also have the ...

Happy New Year! In the first episode of 2024, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison dive deep into the topic of trust, the cornerstone of strong parent-teen relationships. After a refreshing break over the holidays, they return to explore the dynamics of trust between parents and their teens. Trust is a two-way street, and the hosts discuss how it involves not only trusting our teens to make mistakes and learn but also trusting ourselves a...

In this special bonus episode, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison bid farewell to 2023 with a heartfelt reflection on the growth and stretching they've experienced throughout the year, marked by new ventures, challenges, and the launch of this very podcast, Plan P!

Sarah and Quinn also unveil exciting plans for 2024, offering listeners a sneak peek into what's to come:

• "Potty Training to Pot Training" eBook Release: A valuable r...

 In this final episode of the year, hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison guide parents through the unique challenges of the holiday season's grand finale: New Year's Eve. While Christmas often leans towards family-focused tranquility, New Year's Eve, particularly with teenage and young adult children, requires a different approach.

Sarah and Quinn emphasize the importance of candid conversations with teens and young adults about t...

In this heartfelt episode of Plan P, hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison dive into the importance of being truly present, both emotionally and mentally, during the holiday season. Beyond the physical presence, they advocate for intentional mindfulness amidst the hustle and bustle that often engulfs this time of year.

As the rush of holiday preparations can overshadow the true meaning of the season, Sarah and Quinn inspire listene...