Reframing Me
So many prepare us for the transition to motherhood, but no one prepares us for how hard the transition out is, and once our kids become teens, it also can feel very solitary. The issues we face with teens are often ones we need to talk about, yet feel we can't or shouldn't. Together, we can create a community of women who, faced with growing children and changing families, are relearning how to mom, and relearning who they are as women. Grounded in family communication theory, join Dr. Jennifer Brubaker to have those conversations to help you better understand this new chapter of your life. Episodes focus on both family communication with our teens and reflection and self discovery. Dr. Brubaker has her Ph.D in Communication Studies and is an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she has taught for 17 years. Prior to UNCW, she taught at The Ohio State University, Kent State University and the University of Toledo. Originally from Ohio, Jen lives in Wilmington, NC, with her husband, three children, three dogs, cat and a menagerie of small animals. She loves spending time with her family, traveling and all things fitness, sports and wellness. Reach out with your questions, issues or experiences to begin the conversation. Or reach out to say hi and let me know you’re listening :) Join the Reframing Me: The Podcast Community Facebook group to connect with others who are looking to relearn how to parent, now that their kids are teens, and rediscover who they are as women, beyond the framework of motherhood. Send emails to jen@reframing-me.com; or on socials: Reframing Me on FacebookAND join the Facebook group Reframing Me: The Podcast Community; @reframingme on Instagram; Reframing Me on YouTube @reframingme on TikTok
Reframing Me
Snow Day! The Bittersweet Push-Pull of Letting Go
Thank you so much for being here!
We had a rare snow week that has felt a bit bittersweet, so we're having a conversation about changes in family dynamics as children grow and leave home, and we're up in our feelings.
I'll highlight some key theories—Family Systems Theory, Developmental Stage Theory, and the Stability-Change Relational Dialectic—to help parents understand and navigate these transitions. We'll also talk about how we can handle it, including removing guilt from teens, creating new traditions, open communication, and leaning into personal growth during this phase of life.
This episode is a must-listen for parents adjusting to evolving family connections and looking to find balance, empathy, and new meaning in this stage of life. Embrace the changes and discover how to reframe family moments while rediscovering yourself.
Keywords: family dynamics, letting go, parenting transitions, college-age kids, snow day reflections, personal growth, family systems theory, stability-change dialectic, Dr. Jennifer Brubaker, Reframing Me.
Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook, on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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