parentinghacks – Jacquline Njeri

The Role of Shame in Teen Decision-Making

Shame is one of the most powerful and destructive emotions an adolescent can experience. While guilt involves feeling bad about a specific action, shame is the internal belief that the

How Teens Experience Authority on an Emotional Level

Teenagers are often stereotyped as rebellious, defiant, or simply difficult, especially when it comes to authority figures. While it is true that adolescence is a period of pushing boundaries, labeling

Why Teens Test Boundaries They Actually Want

It’s a familiar scene: a teenager pushing back, challenging rules, or outright defying expectations. For parents, it can feel like a personal attack, a deliberate attempt to cause frustration and

How Teens Learn to Hide Parts of Themselves at Home

It is one of the most challenging transitions in the journey of parenthood. The sudden and heavy silence that replaces a once vibrant connection can be jarring. The child who

When a Teen Stops Talking: Understanding Emotional Shutdown

It is one of the most challenging transitions in the journey of parenthood. The sudden and heavy silence that replaces a once vibrant connection can be jarring. The child who

Why Teen Emotions Feel Extreme (Even When Nothing Is “Wrong”)

For parents of teenagers, it can feel like living in a house with a hair-trigger alarm system. A simple question about homework can lead to a door-slamming exit; a minor

The Hidden Message Children Receive When Parents Avoid Conflict

Conflict is an unavoidable part of human relationships. While most parents strive to create a peaceful home environment, an extreme avoidance of conflict can inadvertently send children a powerful, and

How Family Roles Shape a Child’s Sense of Identity

From the moment a child enters a family, they are not just individuals but also participants in a complex system. Within this system, each member often consciously or unconsciously adopts

How Children Internalize Unspoken Family Rules

Every family operates under a complex web of rules. Some are explicit: “No shoes on the carpet,” “Homework before screen time,” or “Always say please and thank you.” But alongside

When Love Feels Conditional to a Child and How It Shapes Behavior

Love is often spoken of as an unconditional force, a bedrock upon which healthy development rests. However, for some children, love feels anything but unconditional. When affection, praise, or even