I routinely do public speaking engagements on the following topics to help parents deal with challenging teen behaviors. The kinds of organizations that hire me to deliver this material include:

• Religious Organizations
• Schools
• PTA’S
• Police Departments
• Community Social Service Agencies
• Corporations that want to offer their employees additional practical support on how to be more successful at home (and hence at work).

Email me at joshua (at) yoursuccessfulteen (dot) for booking info.

ELIMINATE W.M.Ds (WHINING, MANIPULATION, AND DISRESPECT) IN YOUR HOME: LEARN TO DIFFUSE POWER STRUGGLES WITH YOUR TEEN!

One of the most frustrating experiences a parent endures is fighting with their teenagers and getting caught in a power struggle.  Fights at home erupt for many reasons.  Sometimes it’s over small stuff like cleaning up a bedroom or asking to put aside the cell phone while doing homework or to turn off the TV at night.  Other times a teen might be outright manipulative, deceitful and disrespectful – and send her parents into a real tailspin in the process.

There is an old saying that “Children don’t come with an instruction manual”.  While this may be true, it doesn’t mean there aren’t incredibly useful tools parents can learn to help eliminate these frustrating, difficult – and often exhausting – attitudes and behaviors in their teenagers.

In this training Family Coach and Youth Mentor Joshua Wayne, MA will give parents 5 incredibly effective, battle-tested tools for gently and effectively ending the power struggle with their teens.

Parents will learn:

• How to eliminate unpleasant behaviors like whining, manipulation and disrespect.
• How to train their teens to be calm, reasonable and respectful in all their interactions at home.
• How to remain in full control, no matter how ‘hot’ an argument gets, and end the conflict in a matter of seconds.
• The 5 words that will restore calm and balance in your home.
• How to feel in control of their relationship with their teen – while strengthening their relationship with him or her.
• How they can use challenges with their teen to strengthen the marital relationship rather than allowing it to cause more stress.
• How to properly use consequences in a way that works and will make a lasting difference.
• How to play the most effective role possible in giving their son or daughter the tools they need to grow into a happy, successful adult.
• How to “pick their battles” in a way that will yield the best results.

How to Communicate with Your Teen About Drugs and Alcohol

When I go into the public schools to work with students, the feedback I get consistently suggests that 80% of high school students drink on a regular basis by their junior year, and 50-60% smoke marijuana in the same time frame.

These are the same kids that have inculcated since 1st or 2nd grade to “Just Say No” and build healthy self-esteem so that they will be able to successfully refuse drugs and alcohol. What went wrong?

As a society- and as parents- we just don’t know how to effectively talk to our kids about this issue in a way that is based in reality. Collectively, we don’t know how to come out of our own frame of reference- and all the anxiety and fear that comes with it- to be in reality with them given the decisions they are already making.

We don’t know how to have this conversation with them while simultaneously empowering them to grow as people. And most importantly, doing so in a way that actually strengthens our relationship with them- which undoubtedly is the absolute key factor influencing healthy decision making over the long haul.

This is a thought-provoking talk that will address parents most challenging questions on the topic such as:

• What can I do to keep my child from using drugs and alcohol?
• How should I handle it if I find out they are using?
• What should I do if they get in trouble with the police for using?
• Should I let them use in the house as long as I am supervising?
• If they are using, how can I get them to make the best decisions possible about their use?
• Should I tell them about the things I did in high school or college?