Parenting Teenagers: It’s Not As Bad As You Think | Meet The Spurlocks

Hey friends! Today, we're pulling back the curtain to talk about something we've had quite a bit of experience with: 👉 Parenting teenagers. If you watched our previous conversation about foster care and adoption, you already know that we've fostered and parented more than 40 kids, many of whom were teenagers. And here's something that might surprise you: ✨ Parenting teenagers isn't as bad as you think. The teenage years get a pretty rough reputation. Eye rolls. Attitude. Big emotions. Independence. Conflict. But our experience taught us that these years can also be incredibly meaningful, life-giving, and even a whole lot of fun. So, what made parenting teenagers not only tolerable for us, but genuinely joyful for both us and them? In this episode of Meet The Spurlocks, we're talking about: ❤️ The highs and lows we've experienced parenting teenagers 💞 What we've learned about understanding teens instead of simply managing their behavior 🤝 How connection can change the parent-teen relationship 🌱 Lessons we've learned from parenting and fostering teenagers with very different stories 🏡 How we've worked to create a family environment where teenagers can grow ✨ What we wish more parents knew about the teenage years Parenting teenagers certainly isn't always easy. But these years don't have to be something you simply survive. Our hope is that by sharing what we've learned along the way, you'll walk away encouraged, equipped, and maybe even a little more excited about the season you're in. 👉 Watch the full video now! 💬 What's one area of parenting teenagers that you've struggled with? Leave a comment below. We'd love to support you and continue the conversation in the comments. ❤️ Subscribe to our counseling channel: ‪@lovemycounselor‬ Follow Josh & Cassie: Website: https://joshcassie.com/ Get Counseling: https://mycounselor.online/ LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/joshcassie #MeetTheSpurlocks #ParentingTeenagers #ParentingTeens #ChristianParenting #TeenParenting #ParentingTips #RaisingTeenagers #FamilyRelationships #JoshAndCassie #Parenting #MyCounselorOnline #TeenYears #FosterCareParenting #raisingteens Video Chapters: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 01:08 - Parenting 40 Kids! 02:08 - Parenting Teens Is Different 04:58 - Parenting Fostered Teenagers 05:49 - Josh's Perspective of Cassie Parenting 07:23 - Creating Safety 10:12 - 5 Developmental Domains 11:11 - Connection 12:18 - All Cause Mortality Studies 14:56 - Parenting With & Without A Background 17:58 - Josh's Parenting Experience 21:33 - Negative Messaging & Cassie's Endurance 24:01 - Josh's Sadness & Gratitude 24:51 - Balance of High Standards & Warmth 26:37 - The Growing Pains of Parenting 26:19 - Our Parenting Approach 35:35 - Family Jams, Discipline, & The Reality Domain 38:42 - 5 Developmental Domains Revisited 39:47 - Facilitating Repair 45:14 - The Parenting Process = Maturity 47:00 - Our Message to Parents 51:01 - Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud