Helping Angry Teens Cope During High-Conflict Divorce

Navigating the choppy waters of divorce is tough enough, but when teens are caught in the emotional undertow, it's crucial to have someone like Dr. Unnatti Jain on board. As a certified parenting coach and a seasoned navigator of her own divorce, Dr. Jain joins us to discuss the often subtle and profound ways in which divorce can reshape a teenager's world. Her book "A Parent Teen Journey" and her poignant TED Talk form the backdrop of our conversation, as we uncover the transition from exerting control to forging deep connections with our adolescents.

Our chat with Dr. Jain throws a compassionate light on the emotional landscape of teens during high-conflict separations. The discussion reveals how these seismic family shifts can trigger academic pitfalls, behavioral changes, and mental health concerns in the lives of our teenage children. Dr. Jain doesn't just highlight the problems; she equips us with strategies to combat loyalty conflicts and underscores the vital need for emotional availability, even when the road seems steep and unyielding.

We wrap our talk with Dr. Jain focusing on the avenues available to parents who are struggling to bridge the emotional gap with their teens. She distinguishes the forward-looking nature of coaching from the problem-diagnosing approach of therapy, resonating particularly with teens eager to forge ahead and leave their struggles behind. Finally, the critical importance of addressing emotional neglect is emphasized, leaving us with a powerful reminder: our emotional presence is key to supporting our children's well-being through the toughest of times.