Parenting Post-Wilderness: Parenting a Struggling Teen Before, During and After Treatment

175. Stuck in Repeating Patterns With Your Teen or Young Adult? Our #1 Parenting Advice

Beth Hillman | Parent Coach for parents of struggling teens & Seth Gottlieb Episode 175

✨ 6-week Boundaries Masterclass ✨
Starting January 13th -- Early Bird price until December 31st!

👉🏼 Click here to sign up, or go to bethhillmancoaching.com/boundariesmasterclass

I hope to see you there!


When your kid keeps struggling and nothing seems to change, it’s natural to focus all your energy on them. Their choices. Their behavior. Their refusal to do things differently. But have you ever tried looking at your own part? Because even though it might feel unfair, change in families often starts with the parents.

In this episode, Seth and I talk about what happens when families feel stuck in repeating patterns with your teen, even maybe after therapy, treatment, boundaries, and countless conversations. We explore why change rarely comes from doing more of the same, and why the most meaningful shifts often begin in places parents aren’t taught to look: their reactions, beliefs, and sense of safety in the home.

We unpack the difference between supporting and rescuing, structure and control, belief and fear. And we talk honestly about the discomfort parents face when they start asking themselves, “What is my part in this dynamic?”, especially when their teen is the one making risky or painful choices.

This episode is not about blaming parents or letting teens off the hook. It’s about understanding how family dynamics shape behavior, why repeating cycles persist, and how parents can become the catalyst for change, without lecturing, rescuing, or giving up.

In this episode on what to do when you feel stuck in repeating patterns with your teen or young adult, we discuss:

  • How fear, control, and rescue can unintentionally keep cycles going;
  • What it really means for parents to “look at their part”, and why it’s so hard;
  • The messages teens receive from you about safety, capability, and trust;
  • Why change in families often starts with parents, even when it feels unfair;
  • How shifting beliefs creates space for real change in your family;
  • And more!


Looking for support?

🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.


Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com


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And remember parents, the change begins with us.

✨ 6-week Boundaries Masterclass ✨

Starting January 13th -- Early Bird price until December 31st!

👉🏼 Click here to sign up, or go to bethhillmancoaching.com/boundariesmasterclass

I hope to see you there!