I can work a lot of magic when it comes to teens that struggle with motivation and executive functioning. But one thing I can't do? I can't create more hours in the day.

And frankly, that's something that some of the teens I work with need. 

Because their schedule looks something like this:...

Years ago, I bought a book called "The Joy of Family Ritual." I wasn't raised religious (kind of an understatement, if you knew my dad ), but as a kid and a teen, I was obsessed with different religions. As an adult, I was drawn to rituals as a way of creating community and a sense of belonging,...

My therapist could hear it in my voice. The anxiety as I recounted something that my teen was struggling with, and how worried I was for her. She listened, empathized, and then said something that totally changed how I parent my kids through their struggles: "Remember, too, Diane, that this is...

Y'all, I'm obsessed with habits. And for teens that struggle with executive functioning, habits are an incredible tool. 

Because, look--does your teen struggle with...

...working memory? Make the behavior a habit they don't have to worry about remembering it anymore.
 ...task initiation...

I admit it; I'm a little obsessed with habits.

Teaching teens how to build good habits is foundational to my work as a coach, and it's a big part of my Pathway to Independence course. 

Why am I so obsessed with habits? Two reasons, really: 

1. Without a plan, we will never achieve our...

Compassionate inquiry--the practice of replacing thoughts of judgment with curiosity and empathy is a powerful healing tool for us to use on ourselves...and it can be a transformational way of communicating with our children and teenagers.

I first want to acknowledge that many of...

How many of you have a voice in your head that is alway commenting unhelpfully on your every misstep? Do you have a habit of beating yourself when you make a mistake, instead of offering yourself empathy or compassion?

Even though my work focuses on how we can parent our teens through their...

Take a peek at how we've been creative with space in our home to build a great environment for getting stuff done--and how you can do the same. The notion of "one space, one use" has helped me and my teens--and the teens I work with--stay productive and on task when we're trying to do...

A bit about my journey recovering from co-dependency, and how we raise kids to believe their needs deserve to be met, and that it's safe for them to be their authentic selves!