A question I frequently get is, “Did you take the summer off?” And while I understand the curiosity—summer does have a way of suggesting rest and relaxation—the truth is, “no, not even close.” This summer, I leaned into the very heart of what I love: working with teens and their parents to help them grow, connect, and succeed. It was a season of deep reflection, renewed vision, and active engagement with the families who have entrusted me with a window into their lives.
What I’ve come to understand more fully this summer is that helping teens discover their pathway to success is not a job that pauses with the seasons. It’s a journey that constantly evolves. I spent the last few months meeting with new clients, reconnecting with longtime ones, and revisiting the mission that gave birth to Encouraging Teens in the first place. I didn’t just keep the work going—I invested time in refining it, learning from it, and assessing how to do it even better.
One of the most powerful parts of this summer was reflecting on the teens I’ve worked with—some for a handful of sessions, others over the course of years. Each teen brought something different to our sessions. Some struggled with identity, some with study habits, and many wrestled with time—how to balance gaming (often enthusiastically) with schoolwork (less so). And yet, beneath each challenge was a shared thread: a desire to grow, to achieve, to figure out what success meant to them and how to get there.
And get there they did. One of the great privileges of this work is the long view—watching teens go from awkward, uncertain high schoolers to confident young adults stepping into college, the workforce, or even graduate programs like med school. Even more rewarding? When I receive updates from past clients. They often write to share a new promotion, a personal win, or simply to say, “I wrote a new personal mission statement this week and thought you’d be proud.” I always am.
These updates remind me of something essential: the work we do together doesn’t end when coaching sessions conclude. The seeds we plant—around responsibility, mindset, and communication—continue to grow long after. And in many ways, that’s the best possible outcome.
What also stood out to me this summer is how much progress I’ve seen in the parents I’ve coached. Over the years, I’ve worked with parents on improving their communication, understanding the emotional landscape of teen life, and building stronger, more respectful relationships with their children. Each conversation is a reminder that parenting is a dynamic process—not a one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one teen may completely miss the mark for another. And that’s okay. The goal is not to be perfect; the goal is to stay engaged.
Sometimes, the best thing a parent can do is recognize that their teen is responding to the world based on what they’ve learned and are still learning. Our job as parents, mentors, and coaches is to help them evaluate, reflect, and adjust. I always remind parents: your teen is not a finished product. They are a work in progress—and so are you.
Encouraging Teens was born out of my desire to help my own daughters grow into strong, thoughtful, capable young women. From the beginning, I worked hard to make sure I wasn’t living vicariously through them. Of course, I had my moments—we all do—but I always circled back to the truth: this was their journey, not mine. Their dreams, not my second chance. And because of that, I had to let them define success for themselves and support them as they worked toward it.
That original goal—to help my own children—naturally expanded. As other teens came into our lives, I found myself offering the same guidance, asking the same questions, encouraging the same reflection. The more teens I coached, the more I realized the tremendous value in helping young people explore who they are and where they want to go. We didn’t just talk about school or grades. We dove into principles, values, bias, and perspective. We explored identity, voice, and purpose. And the teens responded—beautifully. They weren’t afraid to be honest, and they weren’t afraid to grow.
Watching them gain critical thinking skills, articulate their thoughts, and question their assumptions was one of the most rewarding aspects of the work. When teens discover their voice and learn to trust it, incredible transformation occurs. And it all begins with communication.
Communication is the foundation of every relationship, especially the ones we have with our teens. Over time, I’ve built relationships with dozens of teenagers—some short and impactful, others long and deeply rooted. What each relationship taught me is this: teens want to grow into the best version of themselves. They just need space to reflect, tools to navigate challenges, and someone who believes in their ability to get there.
One of the tools I’ve developed over the years is the personal mission statement. At first, I introduced it as a reflective exercise, something that could help teens organize their thoughts and set goals. But it has become so much more. Writing a personal mission statement has turned into a defining moment for many teens—a way to capture who they are, what they value, and where they want to go.
In the early years, a mission statement wasn’t meant to be a lifelong motto. It was a snapshot of where the teen was in that moment and what they hoped to accomplish in the near future. And that’s the beauty of it—it evolves. Every six months to a year, we revisit those mission statements. What once felt urgent may no longer matter. What once seemed impossible may now be second nature. And always, there’s room to grow.
Some mission statements are powerful calls to action: “I will speak up even when it’s uncomfortable.” Others are quieter but no less impactful: “I want to learn how to manage my time so I can turn my homework in on time.” In each case, the mission statement is personal. It reflects not only where the teen is, but where they hope to go.
As a coach, I have the privilege of helping them revise these statements over time. Together, we celebrate the strengths they’ve built and identify the new skills they want to develop. I ask the tough questions, the ones that push them to go deeper, to examine their habits, their fears, their goals. And in doing so, we create a new roadmap—one that’s grounded in self-awareness, responsibility, and hope.
This summer, as I reflected on the many teens and parents I’ve worked with, I felt a deep sense of purpose. I realized how far Encouraging Teens has come—and how far I want it to go. I’m not done. Not even close. In fact, I feel like I’m just getting started.
The truth is, I learn just as much from my clients as they do from me. Every session, every conversation shapes me, challenges me, and makes me a better coach. I carry lessons from each teen and parent into my next session. And that continuous cycle of growth is what keeps me inspired.
This summer, I also made space for professional growth. I read new books, engaged in conversations with other coaches, and reflected deeply on how to make my programs stronger. Teen life today is vastly different than it was even five years ago. Social media, mental health awareness, academic pressure—it’s all evolving. My programs have to evolve too. They need to be flexible, relevant, and responsive to the world teens live in today.
So I’ve been reimagining what I offer. Not by throwing everything out and starting fresh, but by refining, updating, and making sure every tool, question, and session has a clear purpose. My goal is not to have a rigid curriculum—it’s to meet each teen where they are and give them what they need to move forward.
And yes, I’m excited. I’m energized. I’m grateful. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a calling. And I am deeply committed to doing it well.
As I look ahead, I see new opportunities to connect with teens, to support parents, and to expand the reach of Encouraging Teens. I want to share the insights I’ve gained not only through coaching but through lived experience—as a mom, as a mentor, as a learner.
Parenting is hard. Teen life is hard. But with the right tools and a willingness to grow, both can be incredibly rewarding. That’s the message I hope every family walks away with.
So no, I didn’t take the summer off. I worked. I reflected. I dreamed. And most importantly, I stayed true to my mission: to help teens discover who they are, where they’re going, and how they’re going to get there—one personal mission statement at a time.
Here’s to the next chapter. Let’s grow together.