Podcast · Kids & Family

Raising Boys Building Men ®/: Reconnect with Your Teenage Son

by Heidi Allsop - Certified Life & Parenting Coach, Master Coach Certified, Social Worker, Mom of 5 Sons · English · Kids & Family

The Go-To Parenting Podcast for Moms Raising Sons from Middle School to Manhood Are you a mom caught in the whirlwind of raising sons? Do you find yourself: • Wishing the arguments would just... stop? • Frustrated by the constant battle with screens, schoolwork, and indifference? • Longing for thos

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 24 min
Latest: 12 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026 · 18 minNew

104. Disrespectful Teenage Son? What to Say in the Moment (And How to Repair After)

“Why can’t you take a joke, Mom?” If your teenage son has been disrespectful lately, this one is for you. Maybe you reminded him to take out the trash and he said, “No.” You pushed back, and he grinned: “Just kidding.” Or he snapped a salute and said, “Yes, ma’am,” like it was the funniest thing in the world. And you were left wondering when your sweet boy started talking to you like this. In this episode, Heidi shares 4 simple shifts for the next time it happens: what to do before you say a word, exactly what to say in the moment, and how to repair after. Disrespect is fixable, and it…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

5 Oct 2026 · 22 min
103. How to Enjoy Your Teenage Son Again: A Simple Challenge for Frustrated Boy Moms
When your teenage son is struggling, it's easy to spend all your energy on the problems. The eye rolls, the arguing, the slammed doors. In this episode, Heidi does something a little different. She shares the five things she loves most about raising boys, the ultrasound moment that changed everything, and a simple challenge that will help you enjoy your son again, even on the hard days. Takeaways: The surprise at the ultrasound that taught Heidi her experience as a mom comes down to a choice. Why your 14-year-old still loves you, even when it sure doesn't feel like it (and the small ways…
28 Sep 2026 · 22 min
102. Is Your Teenage Son Lazy or Unmotivated? 3 Ways to Help Him Get Moving
He says he cares, but nothing changes. He says the homework is done, and it isn't. And before you know it, your mind has jumped ten years ahead to a future that scares you. In this episode, Heidi shares a different way to look at your son's "lack of motivation," plus three points that will help you meet him where he is and guide him forward with more calm and less fear. Takeaways: A simple mental shift that helps you stop seeing your son as "the problem," and why it changes how he responds to you. What Mel the turtle can teach you about what's really going on underneath your son's behavior.…
21 Sep 2026 · 20 min
101. The Self-Care Lie Every Mom of Teenage Boys Has Been Told (And the Cost of Believing It)
Heidi's last son just left home, and it cracked something open in her. In this episode, she shares three honest, unconventional truths about self-care and motherhood, things she wishes she had leaned into more, so that instead of losing yourself in these years, you come out the other side having become someone even better. Takeaways: Why the phrase "losing yourself in motherhood" rubs Heidi the wrong way, and the shift in mindset that changes the whole story. A simple weekly practice that helps you generate your own joy instead of waiting for your family to hand it to you. The sneaky habit…
14 Sep 2026 · 29 min
100. 100th Episode Special: The Top 10 Parenting Mistakes Moms of Teenage Boys Make
Heidi is celebrating 100 episodes with something a little different. After over 30 years raising her own five sons and years of coaching moms of teenage boys, she is sharing the top 10 parenting mistakes she sees most, including ones she has made herself. None of them make you a bad mom. They just do not work in the long run. Takeaways: The number one mistake almost every mom makes without realizing it: managing her son instead of mentoring him. It feels like love, but it teaches him the wrong lesson. Keeping your son comfortable at all costs feels kind in the moment, but it quietly strips…
7 Sep 2026 · 22 min
99. How To Be the Mom, Not the Bro: What Your Teenage Son Really Needs
Your teenage son does not need another friend, he needs a mom. In this blunt but hopeful episode, Heidi shares research from Dr. Leonard Sax along with a story from her own life to explain why so much parenting information is leaving moms more confused, not less. She walks through three things research shows our boys need most right now, and why none of it is too late to start. Takeaways: Information overload is making parents feel less confident, not more. Sticking with a few trusted sources beats searching everywhere for the perfect answer. Nothing has gone wrong. Parenting a teenage boy…
31 Aug 2026 · 24 min
98. The One Word Answer, the Morning Scramble, and 3 More Back to School Moments Every Boy Mom Knows
Back to school season brings out five moments every mom of a teenage boy knows well: the one word answers, the morning scramble, the silent car rides, the "I don't need help," and the overwhelming schedules. In this episode, Heidi shares personal stories from raising her five sons and gives you simple mindset shifts to make this season feel lighter, whether it makes you laugh, cry, or both. Takeaways: One word answers are normal for teenage boys. Give him a minute to decompress before you ask questions, and try side by side conversations in the car, on a walk, or on the couch instead of a…
24 Aug 2026 · 38 min
97. Conflict, Co-parenting, and Raising a Connected Son; A Conversation with Amy Armstrong
Does your son save his worst attitude for you? You're not imagining it, and you're not doing anything wrong. In this episode, Heidi sits down with conflict resolution coach Amy Armstrong to talk about why moms so often become the target when there's tension at home, especially during a separation or divorce. Amy shares her own story of rebuilding her life and her confidence after her first marriage ended, and the mindset shift that changed how she shows up in every hard relationship. You'll walk away with real tools for the moments that matter most. In this episode you'll learn: Why your son…
17 Aug 2026 · 24 min
96. Is My Son Shy, Introverted, Or Is Something Wrong? 3 Ways to Help Him Feel More Confident
Does your son light up around his close friends but go quiet, flat, or even grumpy in a room full of other people? A mom wrote in with this exact question, and Heidi dug into what is really going on for these boys. In this episode, you'll learn the difference between introversion and shyness, why it's not a problem to fix, and three things you can start doing this week to help your son move through the world with more confidence, on his terms. Key Takeaways: Why your son going quiet doesn't mean something is wrong with him The one question to ask yourself before you try to fix his social…
10 Aug 2026 · 18 min
95. Letting Go: 3 Ways to Support Your Teenage Son When Starting Something New
This week, Heidi said goodbye to her son Dawson. He left for two years to serve a mission in Ghana. It was the hardest goodbye of her life so far, and it got her thinking about every mom who watches her teenage son walk into something new and scary. Whether your son is starting high school, trying out for a team, heading to college, or facing any big unknown, this episode gives you three things you can do to help him move forward with confidence instead of panic. Heidi shares the exact words she uses with her own sons, plus a simple flight attendant analogy that will change the way you react…
3 Aug 2026 · 23 min
94. Reacting vs. Responding: How to Stop Yelling at Your Teenage Son
Ever walked away from an argument with your son thinking, "That is not how I wanted to behave"? You are not alone, and you are not doing permanent damage. In this episode, Heidi breaks down the real difference between reacting and responding, why your son learns more from how you handle pressure than from any lecture, and three simple phrases you can use the next time emotions run high. Key Takeaways: Reacting happens when your nervous system goes into protection mode. Your thinking brain goes offline, and words come out you did not plan to say. Your son is not just watching how you handle…
27 Jul 2026 · 24 min
93. How to Hold Boundaries and Give Consequences Without Losing Your Teenage Son
Have you ever taken away your son's phone... Only to wonder if you just damaged the relationship you've worked so hard to build? A listener recently asked a question I know so many moms have wondered: "When phone access and privileges are limited or revoked, my 16-year-old emotionally explodes and spirals. We are left feeling like we lose all relationship, foundation, and connection. What do I do?" If you've ever felt that fear, this episode is for you. In this episode, I share a personal story from my own family about one of my teenage sons, a frightening night involving our truck, and the…
20 Jul 2026 · 58 min
92. Why Staying Calm Feels So Hard: A Conversation With Nervous System Expert Leah Davidson
Have you ever found yourself thinking, "I know exactly what I should do...so why can't I do it in the moment?" You're not alone. Most parenting advice teaches communication skills, consequences, or mindset shifts. But what if the real reason you keep reacting isn't because you're failing? What if your nervous system is simply trying to protect you? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Nervous System Resilience Coach Leah Davidson to uncover the missing piece that so many parenting conversations overlook. Together, we explore why moms often react before they can respond, why guilt…
13 Jul 2026 · 24 min
91. The Best Question to Ask When Your Teenage Son Shuts Down
Why Your Teenage Son Won't Talk to You (And the One Question That Changes Everything) Has your son suddenly stopped talking? Maybe every conversation ends with: "Fine." "Nothing." Or just a shrug. It can leave you wondering if you've lost your connection with him. In this episode, Heidi shares why silence doesn't always mean rejection—and why chasing conversations often pushes boys even further away. You'll discover one simple question that helps rebuild emotional safety, opens the door for honest communication, and strengthens your relationship—even after arguments. Because the goal isn't…
6 Jul 2026 · 26 min
90. Why You Forget Everything You Know About Parenting During Hard Moments (and How to Change It)
Have you ever promised yourself you would stay calm with your son... only to find yourself yelling five minutes later? You are not alone. In this episode, I explain why this happens and why it has very little to do with knowing more parenting strategies. When your nervous system becomes overwhelmed, your brain shifts into survival mode. That makes it harder to stay patient, ask good questions, and have the conversations you actually want to have. The good news is this. Your calm doesn't just help you. It helps your son. Research shows that children naturally co-regulate with the adults they…
29 Jun 2026 · 24 min
89. 3 Lies Moms Believe About Raising Teenage Boys That Are Hurting the Relationship
Have you ever caught yourself thinking: "I just need to stay on top of him." "If he's struggling now, he'll always struggle." "It's my job to make sure he's okay." If so, you're not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing three common lies that many moms believe about raising teenage boys. These beliefs come from love, but they often create more arguing, more stress, and less connection. You'll learn why trying to control your son usually creates more resistance, how fear about his future can keep you parenting from panic, and why taking responsibility for his emotions can actually prevent him…
22 Jun 2026 · 23 min
88. Why It's So Hard to Enjoy Your Teenage Son (And What to Do About It)
Are you telling yourself you'll really enjoy your teenage son once this phase is over? Heidi Allsop, mom of five sons, breaks down why moms of teenage boys keep delaying joy, and what it's actually costing the relationship. Using her own story from her youngest son's last lacrosse game, Heidi shares the swimsuit metaphor, a simple values exercise, and the one mindset shift that helps moms enjoy these teenage years instead of just enduring them. In this episode, you'll learn: Why moms of teenage boys struggle to feel joy in the moment instead of waiting for the next phase The swimsuit…
15 Jun 2026 · 25 min
87. Raising Boys Who Become Great Dads: 5 Skills That Matter More Than Success
As moms, we spend a lot of time worrying about grades, sports, screens, friends, and motivation. But what if we looked a little further down the road? This Father's Day, I asked my sons who are now becoming fathers a simple question: "What skills are you most grateful you learned growing up that help you as a dad today?" Their answers surprised me. They didn't talk about money, careers, or achievement. They talked about character. In this episode, I'm sharing the five skills they believe have helped them the most as fathers and why teaching these skills now can benefit not only your son, but…
8 Jun 2026 · 30 min
86. Teenage Boys and Dating: What Every Mom Needs to Know
One day your son is building Lego towers, and the next he's asking if he can take a girl on a date. For many moms, dating brings a mix of excitement, worry, and a whole lot of questions. How much guidance should you give? What dating skills actually matter? How do you help him through his first heartbreak? In this episode, Heidi breaks teen dating into five practical sections that will help you feel more confident as a mom while helping your son become the kind of man you hope he becomes. You'll learn why dating is about much more than girlfriends, and how these early relationships become…
1 Jun 2026 · 21 min
85. Feeling Disconnected From Your Teenage Son? Try This Powerful Parenting Tool Today
What if nothing has gone wrong? Many moms see their teenage son pull away and immediately assume something is broken. Maybe he's distant. Maybe he's making choices you don't understand. Maybe conversations turn into arguments before they even begin. In this episode, Heidi shares one of the most powerful mindset tools she teaches her coaching clients: Clean Pain vs. Dirty Pain. You'll learn how to stop adding unnecessary suffering to an already difficult season and start showing up as the steady, connected mom your son needs most. Through a personal story about her son Mitch's medical…
25 May 2026 · 30 min
84. How to Teach Your Teenage Son to Work Without Nagging and Fighting
Does your teenage son avoid chores, drag his feet, or act like unloading the dishwasher is a personal attack? You are not alone. In this episode of Raising Boys, Building Men, Heidi dives into one of the biggest struggles moms face with teenage boys: teaching them responsibility and work ethic without damaging connection. You’ll learn why labeling your son as lazy may actually keep the cycle going, how your mindset impacts his behavior, and practical ways to teach work ethic that build confidence instead of conflict. Heidi also shares powerful research from the Harvard Grant Study showing…
18 May 2026 · 26 min
83. 4 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Teenage Son Left Home
This week’s episode is personal, heartfelt, and a little emotional. Heidi shares what she’s learning as her youngest son graduates from high school, her fifth and final boy to reach this milestone. As one chapter closes and another begins, she reflects on the lessons she wishes she could go back and tell herself 10 years ago, when all five boys were still under her roof. In this episode, Heidi talks about trusting that your teenage son is absorbing more than he shows, why his hard season does not mean you are failing, and how laughter builds connection in powerful ways. You’ll also hear why…
11 May 2026 · 20 min
82. How to Create a More Connected Summer With Your Teenage Son
Summer sounds easier until your teenage boys are home all day. More screens. More messes. More arguing. More wondering if you are doing any of this right. In this episode, Heidi talks honestly about why summer can feel so hard for moms raising teenage sons and how a little intention can completely change the next few months. You will learn how to stop reacting all summer long and start creating more connection, more peace, and more fun with your son. Heidi shares simple mindset shifts to help you manage expectations, reduce power struggles, and focus on what actually matters. She also talks…
4 May 2026 · 37 min
81. How to Enjoy Raising Teenage Boys Even When It’s Hard A Conversation With Sue Rigby
Mother’s Day can bring up a lot for moms. Joy, pressure, doubt, and that quiet question in the back of your mind… am I doing this right? In today’s episode, I sit down with my mom, Sue Rigby, who raised six kids and now has the gift of perspective. We talk about what actually mattered when raising boys and what didn’t. If you’ve been stressing about grades, behavior, or whether your teenage boy will turn out okay, this episode will feel like a deep breath. We talk about why connection matters more than control, how simple moments create lasting impact, and why you might be doing better than…
27 Apr 2026 · 24 min
80. Why You Feel So Frustrated With Your Teenage Son and What to Do Instead
Do you feel frustrated with your teenage son all the time? You are not alone. Whether it is his attitude, silence, or lack of effort, frustration can feel constant when you are parenting teenage boys. But what if frustration is not the real problem? In this episode, Heidi shares a powerful shift that can completely change your relationship with your son. You will learn why frustration is actually a secondary emotion and what is really going on underneath it. More importantly, you will learn how to move from frustration to curiosity so you can reconnect with your teenage boy. If your son…
20 Apr 2026 · 26 min
79. Why You Feel Overwhelmed as a Mom of Teenage Boys and What to Do About It
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, snapping at your family, or wondering why everything feels so hard right now, this episode is for you. This time of year gets busy fast. School events, sports, work, home, and everything in between. It can feel like too much. And when your brain starts telling you there is not enough time, overwhelm takes over. In this episode, I break down what is really causing that overwhelmed feeling. Spoiler alert. It is not your schedule. It is how you are thinking about it. I also share three simple shifts to help you feel calmer, think clearer, and stay connected…
13 Apr 2026 · 47 min
78. Why Teenage Boys Pull Away, How to Talk About Tough Topics, and What Actually Builds Confidence: A Conversation with Dr. Matt Bellace
What happened to your sweet little boy? One day he wants to be with you all the time. The next day he barely looks at you. If you are parenting a teenage son, you have felt this shift. In this episode, Heidi talks with neuropsychologist, author, and speaker Dr. Matt Bellace about what is really going on in your son’s brain. They break down why boys pull away, why they seem angry for no reason, and how moms can stop taking it so personally. You will also learn how to talk about substance use without fear, how to help your son find healthy dopamine, and how to build real resilience instead of…
6 Apr 2026 · 26 min
77. Parenting Teenage Boys: The Emotion That Builds Connection Fast (and The Two That Destroy It)
If your teenage boy won’t talk, you are not alone. You care. You are trying. You are paying attention. But what if the way you are showing up is actually creating distance instead of connection? In today’s episode, we break down three emotions that feel almost the same but lead to very different results in your relationship with your teenage son: curiosity, assumption, and suspicion. Only one of these builds trust and keeps communication open. The other two quietly create tension, shutdown, and more of the behavior you do not want. You will learn: Why curiosity helps your teen son open up…
30 Mar 2026 · 20 min
76. Why AI Parenting Advice Is Hurting Your Relationship With Your Teenage Son
Ever find yourself typing a parenting question into AI… just hoping for the right answer? When you’re overwhelmed, frustrated, or stuck with your teenage son, getting instant advice can feel like relief. But here’s the truth no one is talking about: Just because the answer sounds good doesn’t mean it will actually help your relationship. In fact, it might be doing the opposite. In this episode, we’re talking about why relying on AI (or anyone else) for quick parenting answers can quietly pull you further away from your confidence and your connection with your son. Because parenting teenage…
23 Mar 2026 · 34 min
75. Parenting Teen Boys Without The Mom Guilt: A Conversation With JoAnn Crohn
If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation with your teen son thinking, “I totally messed that up,” this episode is for you. So many moms of teenage boys carry constant guilt, second-guessing their decisions and wondering if they’re doing more harm than good. In this episode, Heidi talks with JoAnn Crohn from No Guilt Mom about why mom guilt shows up so strongly in parenting, how control quietly creeps into our relationships, and what actually helps us rebuild connection with our teen boys. You’ll learn how to shift from pressure and overthinking into calm, confident parenting so your…

About Raising Boys Building Men ®/: Reconnect with Your Teenage Son

Raising Boys Building Men ®/: Reconnect with Your Teenage Son is a English kids & family podcast from Heidi Allsop - Certified Life & Parenting Coach, Master Coach Certified, Social Worker, Mom of 5 Sons. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Heidi Allsop - Certified Life & Parenting Coach, Master Coach Certified, Social Worker, Mom of 5 Sons
Language: English
Category: Kids & Family
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 24 min
Latest episode: 12 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1777320036

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