Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens Into Adulthood

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! Cynthia and Dr. Ken kick off the year by ditching the pressure of New Year’s resolutions and instead encouraging parents to look at their parenting trajectory—if nothing changes, is that a good thing or not so much? Dr. Ken shares three foundational areas parents should revisit as the year begins—places that often create the most tension at home and the most confusion for parents trying to do the right thing. Along the way, they address control, conflict, and the emotional weight parents carry when things aren’t going smoothly with their teens.Today’s show ends with an important reminder: your child’s choices are not a report card on your worth as a parent. Tune in today for a few thoughts on where to focus as we parent teens in the New Year.If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" hereYou can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" hereYou can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here  Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on the show, Cynthia and Dr. Ken dig into the age-old issue of entitlement—how it shows up in American culture and how it shapes our teens. They talk about the everyday behaviors that reveal deeper beliefs about self-respect, responsibility, and personal standards.Dr. Ken explains why raising kids who expect rewards without effort creates long-term problems, especially when it comes to character, resilience, and financial responsibility. Together, he and Cynthia unpack how well-intentioned parents can unintentionally undermine gratitude by giving too much without teaching kids how to earn, wait, or steward what they’ve been given.They also explore the power of perspective—how serving others, seeing real-world needs, and broadening kids’ experiences can dramatically reduce entitlement and build empathy. The episode wraps with a practical reminder: gratitude and responsibility don’t happen by accident—they’re taught, and they stick best when kids see their parents modeling them first. If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" hereYou can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" hereYou can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here  Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on the show, Cynthia and Dr. Ken dive into the often-overlooked world of adult friendship—why it matters for your emotional health and your parenting. They unpack new research on the “friendship recession,” why adults have fewer close friends than ever, and how that loneliness also impacts our parenting. Dr. Ken explains why parents need real community as their teens grow up and leave home, why your marriage can’t be your only source of companionship, and why having your teen as your “best friend” can be a warning sign—not a win. They also tackle what healthy friendships look like while raising teens, why reconciling well matters, and how to model connection in a screen-obsessed culture.Cynthia shares practical encouragement for making and keeping friendships—prioritizing connection, filling the gaps with positive assumptions, and not letting insecurity sabotage community. They wrap up with a conversation on introverts vs. extroverts and why neither gets a pass on building real relationships.It’s honest, insightful, and a much-needed reminder that friendships aren’t optional—they’re foundational. If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" hereYou can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" hereYou can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here  Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on the show, Dr. Ken and Cynthia dig into listener questions. They start with digital monitoring: What do you do when Life360 tells you your teen is speeding or texting while driving? Dr. Ken breaks down when consequences help, when they don’t, and why too much monitoring can accidentally communicate, “Your life is still our life.”Next up: a 21-year-old daughter who wants to stay at her boyfriend’s apartment when she comes home. Dr. Ken tackles how parents can hold to their moral convictions without assuming financial threats will change a child’s heart.Then they move to the rise in occult-ish curiosity—numerology, crystals, spells—and how to talk to teens about what’s concerning, what’s just cultural noise, and how to communicate your beliefs without panic or power struggles.Finally, they take on a question every parent asks at some point (okay fine… at least Cynthia asks it weekly): How do you connect with a teen who barely says three words? Dr. Ken explains why silence doesn’t mean distance, how to keep communication open without pushing, and why sometimes the most meaningful parenting happens when your teen grunts in your general direction.Today’s show is practical, relatable, and filled with answers to the questions you’re asking. Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" hereYou can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" hereYou can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here  Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on the show, Cynthia and Dr. Ken dive into the wild, wonderful, and occasionally mind-numbing world of youth sports. Dr. Ken breaks down what’s really going on inside our teens—whether they’re thriving, quitting, or somewhere in between. He unpacks why control is the number-one issue in teen athletics, why even highly talented kids sometimes walk away from their sport, and how parents can set fair expectations without taking over their child’s identity. There are also discussions on injuries, identity loss, parent pressure, car-ride conversations, and the subtle emotional pitfalls that come with living in a sports-centered family culture. It’s a practical, compassionate, and eye-opening conversation for every parent navigating the highs, lows, and hard lessons of teenage sports. If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" hereYou can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" hereYou can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here  Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy