Hope For Parents With Struggling Teens

Saying No While Staying Supportive

Brandon Joffe, LCSW

Brandon dissects the delicate balance of saying no to your teens while staying supportive. He breaks down how saying no with compassion and consistency can foster accountability and problem-solving. Brandon highlights how parents can validate their teen’s feelings, even when disagreeing with their choices, by offering support. He emphasizes the value of stepping back to allow teens to learn from their choices—even their failures—without shielding them from discomfort. By steering clear of criticism and debates, parents can nurture self-awareness and reduce the chance of teens falling into the "victim coin" trap. Whether your teen is testing boundaries or pursuing "hare-brained ideas," this episode equips you with tools to parent with purpose, compassion, and lasting influence.