Shift your parenting to stay connected.
When the teen stage of parenting looms on the horizon,
it can feel ominous!
Are you doomed to be separated from your child by their mood swings and rejection of your authority?
Everywhere you turn, people warn you that it’s going to get tough. Meanwhile, the danger from poor decisions increases while your influence seems to decrease.
You would love to feel prepared for this new season, so you can respond with confidence rather than react with emotion. You want to feel hopeful and equipped - not foggy and afraid.
You have valid fears like:
>> What if you haven’t prepared them enough for all the dangers of drugs, alcohol, internet bullying, porn, unwanted sexual contact, etc?
>> What if you won’t know what to do with their drama because your own mom struggled to tolerate you at this age?
>> What if you lose your influence on them when they need it most?
>> What if they turn into some unrecognizable eye-rolling, rude jerk or get swept up into a bad crowd?
>> What if they pull away from you ending the closeness you’ve worked so hard to create?
Your snuggly child is leaving the warm safe bubble of your home and you aren't sure how to protect them.
You don't have to be caught off guard!
This course will help you:
+ Choose helpful language and a tone of voice that lowers the tension when things heat up.
+ Be better prepared than your mom was for the stressful moments of adolescence.
+ Understand your changing role so you don't make the drama worse.
+ Find your calm, even when your child is serving up a disrespectful attitude.
+ Be at ease with the separation your child is demanding because you know what behavior changes are normal and expected.
+ Know how to approach a teen so they feel more open to your influence.
What’s included:
>> An overview of the developmental stages of teens (and their parents) with realistic examples and specific strategies.
>> Encouragement from a parent educator who’s successfully used gentle respectful parenting skills to raise real-live young adults.
>> Wisdom from other parents who have navigated the mood swings, risky behavior, and attitude that comes with teenagers.
>> Communication tips and scripts to help your child listen to you and keep sharing their life with you.
>> An approach for dealing with your child’s more disrespectful moments.
>> How to be a safe place for their big feelings and hard times.
This workshop is most helpful for…
>> Parents of 10-12-year-olds who are wondering how to transition to this next parenting stage.
>> Parents of 13-16-year-olds who have faithfully practiced gentle parenting throughout the elementary years, but are struggling to make the shift needed to show up well for this stage.
Heads Up: If you are brand new to the idea of responsive, respectful parenting, welcome!! Please note that I will not cover the foundational concepts of gentle parenting during this class (that’s found in KIND Class).
If your child is already over 12 years old and your gentle parenting journey is just beginning, TWEENS & TEENS class may not be comprehensive enough. Take KIND class to further support your journey. I also highly recommend you work with a family therapist to trouble shoot your unique situation and help with repair.
about your instructor
Hi, I’m Mary Van Geffen, and I’m a mom just like you.
Let’s be clear that calmly parenting my children did not come naturally to me. I had no idea what it looked like to stay grounded in the midst of defiance and unexplainable explosive emotions. In the early years, there was a lot of yelling, disrespect, and anger… from both of us.
Then, when my Spicy One® turned 5, I started a life-changing spiritual journey to see the goodness of my child. I was determined to stay calm, kind, and firm no matter what they were doing. This deep work into my own childhood wounding and non-violent communication techniques allowed me to make space for the exceptional young adults my children have become.
Now, my great joy is to serve families that are struggling like mine once did and support them in their own healing journeys. I’ve helped thousands of moms across the globe to transform the relationship they have with their larger-than-life kids.
Most importantly, I’ve developed connected relationships with my well-adjusted 20 and almost 18 year olds.
What other parents are saying about my classes:
"I absolutely, 1000% would recommend this class. I found it very well organized, and I think everything Mary taught us in the class was modeled so well by her during the class and also on her Instagram account - remain calm, soft and open. Have a sense of play and give encouragement generously. Thank you!”
—Cara
"I would highly recommend this course. It offers incredible insight that shows all parents practical and easy ways to improve relationships with their children. What we all want. It shows how to have grace and a quiet strength to disarm “spicy” children. I love that she includes play as a child’s/teens love language.”
—Kate
"Mary teaches this in such a non-judgemental way and emphasized the parents role in keeping things calm and staying in control but ways to do this that were concrete, actionable, and doable. Great ideas, easy to pick one and start with, and lots of great examples and resources for further information and reading. THANK YOU MARY!”
—Jennifer
"Yes, I would recommend it. This class helped to clarify some specific actions and words that I can implement so that I am showing my son that our relationship matter most.”
—Tiffany
Here’s what’s included:
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On-Demand Curriculum
8 accessible easy-to-watch video modules with concrete, actionable instruction available at your convenience. Take your time to work through the videos or binge them all in one day.
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Helpful Worksheet
A printable worksheet for note-taking and guided personal reflection.
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Join Community
Graduates of Tweens & Teens are eligible to join Chili Pepper Parenting Club.
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Q&A Session Recording
The recording of a live group coaching from the Chili Pepper Parenting Club where parents asked the hard questions.
Imagine a Future Where:
>> Your child honestly shares details of their whole self with you and is open to your counsel.
>> Your child turns to you when they make mistakes or are upset because you are a safe person.
>> You feel confident about how you handled tense situations and tough times.
>> You are proud of the good human your adult child has become.
>> Your adult child loves to visit home long after they move out because it feels good to be with you.
>> Your adult child enjoys being around you and includes you in their interesting life.
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Now... Exhale.
You're one step closer to a lifelong connection with your growing child.
"Yes I recommend this class! Tremendously helpful to know the teen developmental stages and the parental roles to parallel that development. TLDR - My kiddos are normal I just didn't have the info to recognize the "push off"
—Moyosola
Frequently asked questions:
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This class is comprised of 8 modules that range in 6 minutes to 15, Total time investment is approximately 2 hours.
Plus a LIVE Q&A call hosted on November 16th at 9am Pacific.
A recording will be provided following the call.
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This class is for:
Parents of 10-12 year olds who are wondering how to transition to this next parenting stage.
Parents of 13-16 year olds who have been attempting gentle parenting throughout the elementary years, but are struggling to make the shift to show up well for this new stage.
If you are brand-new to the idea of responsive, respectful parenting, welcome!! Please note that I will not cover the basic concepts of gentle parenting during this class - find that info KIND Class.
If your child is already over 12 years old and your gentle parenting journey is just beginning, this class will not be as comprehensive as you will need to support your young adult.
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Yes, they are welcome to view the class with you!
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Nope. While I personally identify as a deconstructing, radically affirming Christian, no religious affiliation is needed to vibe with this class. I do believe parents need the benefits that come with opening up to a higher power, but how you define that is up to you.
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Lifetime access: All class content will be viewable as long as I run this business, so you have plenty of time to view and review the material.
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You can ask questions and participate in group coaching by joining the Chili Pepper Parenting Club - a bi-monthly Zoom meeting only for folks who have purchased Tweens & Teens Class and want help using the concepts in real life.
Have further questions? Send the team an email here.