Plan P

Pathways to Understanding: The Power of “I” in Emotion

In this enlightening episode of Plan P, hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison delve into the intricate world of emotions, exploring the depth and complexity beyond the typical happy-sad-mad spectrum. They emphasize the importance of parents doing the necessary inner work to identify their own feelings and reasons behind them. Recognizing that if expressing emotions is challenging for parents, it naturally becomes difficult for teenagers too. 
 
One key technique discussed is the use of "I" statements, empowering parents and teens alike to express themselves honestly and respectfully. By delving into the nuances of emotions and equipping listeners with effective communication tools, this episode serves as a practical guide to fostering healthier parent-teen relationships. Tune in as Sarah and Quinn unravel the layers of emotions, offering invaluable advice on navigating the often intricate terrain of feelings.
 
This Week’s Practice: Embracing "I Feel" Statements
This week's practice revolves around honing emotional awareness and effective communication. Begin by identifying your feelings, acknowledging them without judgment. For enhanced communication, visit our website's resources page, where valuable tips on formulating "I" statements await. These statements, starting with "I feel," empower you to express emotions assertively and respectfully, fostering healthy dialogue. Practice using these statements in your daily interactions, both with your teens and others. By mastering this skill, you create a bridge of understanding, promoting open and empathetic communication within your family and beyond.
 
CONNECT WITH US
Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor
Join our parenting community & stay connected here
Have a question that you would like Sarah & Quinn to answer? Email us at connect@planp.us
Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

Piercings, Tattoos, and Teens: Conversations Beyond the Needle

In this episode of Plan P, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison tackle the age-old topic of how to talk to your teenager about getting piercings and tattoos. 
 
Let's face it, every generation has its "thing" that shapes their identity, and in 2023, tattoos and piercings are far less taboo than they might have been decades ago. Many parents worry about job prospects and societal judgments, but Sarah and Quinn are here to remind us that these concerns are often generational.
 
Join us as we explore the evolution of self-expression and dive into the heart of the matter: having an open and understanding conversation with your teen. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, but the way you approach this delicate subject can significantly impact the openness of communication with your teenager. Remember - tattoos can be removed or concealed, and piercings can be taken out! 
 
Tune in for valuable insights, practical tips, and the reassurance that your relationship with your teen can remain strong through it all. 
 
This Week’s Practice: Pause & Reflect
Take a moment to reflect on your own teenage years. Think back to something you wanted to do that your parents disapproved of—whether it was a hairstyle, choice of attire, music preference, or experimenting with habits like smoking. The purpose of this exercise is to connect with your own youthful desire for independence and identity. Remember that as teenagers, we all had our rebellious moments, driven by the need to fit in and belong. This reflection helps you empathize with your child's perspective, fostering understanding and open communication. It reminds you that these desires for self-expression are a natural part of growing up, and approaching your teen's choices with empathy and respect can strengthen your relationship and trust with them.
 
CONNECT WITH US
Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor
Join our parenting community & stay connected here
Have a question that you would like Sarah & Quinn to answer? Email us at connect@planp.us
 
Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

A Permanent Commitment: Relentless Devotion to Hope and Truth

Join us for a heartwarming and insightful episode of Plan P as hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison unveil the deeply personal stories behind their tattoos, each symbolizing profound parenting principles they hold dear. Sarah's tattoo, etched in Spanish, embodies her unwavering commitment to "Relentless Devotion to Hope and Truth." Quinn's ink, a collection of math symbols, encapsulates the powerful sentiment that "Change is Constant." Through candid and touching narratives, Sarah and Quinn invite you into their world, where these enduring values serve as guiding lights in their parenting journey.
 
Discover the inspiration behind their tattoos, the significance of embracing hope, truth, and the inevitability of change, and how these principles shape their parenting philosophy. Whether you're seeking inspiration, grappling with your own values, or simply curious about the human stories behind the tattoos, this episode offers a glimpse into the hearts of two dedicated parenting coaches. Join us as we explore the beauty of values-driven parenting and the powerful role of hope and truth in shaping the path of parenthood.
This Week’s Practice: Anchor Your Values
This practice encourages you to delve into your core values, those fundamental principles that hold significant meaning for you. Imagine if you could tattoo one value onto your body—what would it be? This value represents your unwavering commitment and serves as an anchor to keep you grounded, not only as a parent but in life as a whole. The purpose here is to identify the core value that will guide your decisions and actions, providing a strong moral compass for your parenting journey and beyond. By making this commitment, you solidify your dedication to nurturing a family environment aligned with your deeply-held beliefs, fostering a sense of purpose and clarity in your parenting role.
 
CONNECT WITH US
Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor
Join our parenting community & stay connected here
Have a question that you would like Sarah & Quinn to answer? Email us at connect@planp.us
Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

Parental Guidance: How Much Freedom is Too Much Freedom?

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking episode of Plan P where hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison dive headfirst into the age-old parenting question: "How much freedom is too much freedom for your teens?" The resounding answer? It depends. In this candid discussion, Sarah and Quinn explore the delicate balance of giving and limiting freedom for adolescents, emphasizing the importance of trust earned over time.
 
This episode delves into the art of loosening the reins and allowing your teens to explore the world, all while acknowledging that the ideal level of freedom varies from family to family. The duo shares valuable insights into tailoring your approach to what works best for you and your unique family dynamics. Above all, Sarah and Quinn stress the importance of ensuring that your parenting doesn't stem from a place of control but rather from fostering a nurturing environment that encourages growth and independence. Whether you're a seasoned parent navigating the teenage years or just starting this journey, this episode provides a compass for striking the right balance between guidance and freedom in your parenting role. Tune in for wisdom, empathy, and a reminder that there's no one-size-fits-all answer in the art of parenting.
 
This Week’s Practice: Boundary Awareness
This practice revolves around cultivating heightened awareness in your role as a parent. Start by evaluating your communication of clear boundaries to your child, ensuring they balance both freedom and limitations effectively. Reflect on whether you might be setting too few boundaries or not acknowledging boundary adherence sufficiently. Practice open negotiation with your child as necessary, fostering a sense of cooperation and mutual understanding. Understand that establishing and maintaining boundaries is a dynamic, ongoing process, shaped by your unique family values and preferences. This practice underscores the importance of maintaining a delicate balance, promoting a healthy parent-child relationship rooted in trust and respect.
 
CONNECT WITH US
Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor
Join our parenting community & stay connected here
Have a question that you would like Sarah & Quinn to answer? Email us at connect@planp.us
Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

Parenting without Perseverating (Part 2): ACE Your Worries

In this highly anticipated follow-up episode of Plan P, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison extend their insightful conversation on conquering the persistent worry that can often dominate the parenting journey. Building upon their previous discussion, they delve deeper into strategies for putting an end to worry as a knee-jerk reaction and instead fostering a conscious approach to dealing with anxiety about the unknown.
 
Discover their valuable tips to ACE your worries—Awareness, Communication, and Engagement. These essential components form a powerful framework to transform the way you respond to uncertainty, helping you regain control over your thoughts and emotions. Whether you're a new listener or returning for more wisdom, this episode provides practical guidance for every parent striving to navigate the complex terrain of parenthood with grace and confidence. Tune in and learn how to take charge of your worries, forging a path toward a more peaceful and balanced parenting experience.
 
This Week’s Practice: Complete Your ACE Worksheet
To conquer the tendency to worry incessantly, utilize the ACE worksheet available on the Plan P website. ACE stands for Awareness, Communication, and Engagement. This invaluable resource isn't just for personal use; it can be applied in your interactions with your kids, spouse, friends, co-workers, and beyond. The primary objective is to shift from worrying as a knee-jerk reaction to adopting a conscious, proactive approach when faced with anxiety about the unknown. This practice empowers you to navigate uncertainty with a structured and effective strategy, fostering better communication, self-awareness, and engagement with others. It's a practical tool to enhance your emotional well-being and improve relationships across the board.
 
GET THE ACE SHEET NOW
 
CONNECT WITH US
Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor
Join our parenting community & stay connected here
Have a question that you would like Sarah & Quinn to answer? Email us at connect@planp.us
Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

Parenting without Perseverating: Overcoming Fear of the Unknown

*Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide. Listener discretion advised. We understand that these type of conversations can be emotionally challenging and may evoke a range of feelings for our listeners. If you are personally struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please reach out to a mental health professional or a crisis hotline. In the United States, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or 988* 
 
In this enlightening episode of Plan P, hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison delve into the common parental struggle of perseverating (or obsessing) over the fear of the unknown. While every parent worries naturally, it's crucial not to let that fear consume you. Sarah and Quinn provide invaluable insights into breaking the cycle of worry that can lead to unnecessary control, which isn't healthy for either the parent or the child.
 
Tune in as they guide you through practical steps to overcome this challenge. Learn to take a deep breath and understand that excessive worry doesn't change outcomes. Recognize that, statistically, the odds are on your side, and your child is likely to be just fine. Discover that the issues that keep you up at night are often phases your child will naturally outgrow. Embrace their valuable advice to shift your approach from control to genuine concern, ensuring a healthier and more balanced parent-child relationship. This episode is a must-listen for all parents seeking to navigate the path of parenthood with greater peace, clarity, and empathy.
 
This Week’s Practice: Release the Worry
This practice is all about letting go of parental worry and embracing a more centered perspective. Begin by taking a deep breath and acknowledging that excessive worry won't change the outcome. Remind yourself that, statistically, the odds are on your side, and your child is likely to be just fine. Recognize that many of the concerns that keep you up at night are often phases that your child will naturally outgrow. Shift your approach from control to genuine concern. By doing so, you maintain a supportive and empathetic connection with your child, allowing them the space they need to grow and learn, while still being there as a loving and understanding presence in their lives. It's a practice that fosters both your peace of mind and your child's emotional well-being.
 
CONNECT WITH US
Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor
Join our parenting community & stay connected here
Have a question that you would like Sarah & Quinn to answer? Email us at connect@planp.us
Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

Pulling the (Heart) Strings: How to Detach with Love

As your child blossoms into a full-fledged teenager, the art of parenting takes on new dimensions. In this episode, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison, delve into the delicate dance of "detaching with love."
 
Navigating the path from active parenting to fostering independence requires finesse, and Sarah and Quinn have the insights you need. Drawing from their personal and professional journeys, they explore the transformative power of trust—trust in your teenager's ability to make decisions and carve their unique path. But it's not a journey without its milestones.
 
Join us as we uncover the subtle balance between holding on and letting go. Discover how to recognize those pivotal moments when a supportive nudge is needed versus when it's time to step back and allow growth. As Sarah and Quinn share their own stories, anecdotes, and proven strategies, you'll gain practical tools to strengthen your parent-child bond while embracing the changing dynamics.
 
This Week’s Practice: Parenting Assessment
This practice revolves around self-assessment and mindful parenting. Take a moment to assess your interactions with your children. Are you coming from a place of love and support or inadvertently veering into a controlling role? Evaluate your actions and consider whether your guidance is still necessary in certain areas or if it's time to foster greater independence. Specifically, reflect on what your pre-teen, teen, or young adult children can and should be doing for themselves, and identify areas where parental boundaries may need adjustment. This practice prompts you to strike the delicate balance between nurturing and granting autonomy, ensuring your parenting approach evolves alongside your child's growth and development. It's a continuous process of self-awareness and adaptation, nurturing a harmonious and respectful parent-child relationship.
 
CONNECT WITH US
Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor
Join our parenting community & stay connected here
Have a question that you would like Sarah & Quinn to answer? Email us at connect@planp.us
 
Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

Peeling Back the Layers of Mental Health & Recovery from Drug Abuse

It's September, which means it's National Recovery Month!! In honor of this month, Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison are on a mission to break the stigma and get real about the intersection of mental health and substance abuse.
 
Let's face it – life's a rollercoaster, and sometimes, we all need a little help to navigate the ups and downs. That's where the intersection of mental health and recovery comes into play. Many people turn to substances as a way to cope with unaddressed mental health issues. It's a tough cycle, and it's high time we talked about it openly.
 
Join Sarah and Quinn as they take you on a journey of understanding and empowerment. In this episode, you'll learn:
 
Why the mental health-substance abuse connection matters: Unpacking the reasons why mental health struggles can lead to substance use and abuse.
How to start the conversation: Tips and strategies for having those crucial talks with pre-teens, teens, and young adults about substance abuse and mental health.
Real stories, real insights: Heartfelt stories and practical advice from the trenches of recovery and mental wellness.
 
We're here to remind you that it's okay to not be okay sometimes, and it's absolutely okay to seek help. Together, we can break down the barriers and make sure no one feels alone on their journey to recovery.
 
Let's honor National Recovery Month by spreading awareness, understanding, and most importantly, hope.
 
This Week’s Practice: Make One Small Change
This practice centers on self-awareness and gradual self-improvement. Begin by identifying one aspect of yourself, no matter how small, that you'd like to change or improve. It could be something as minor as reducing your social media time or cutting back on caffeine. The key is to heighten your awareness about this particular habit or behavior. Remember, the goal here is not to make grand, instant changes, but to initiate a process of self-reflection and growth. Recognizing that change takes time, this practice serves as a reminder that every step towards self-improvement, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. It's a journey of self-discovery and gradual transformation.
 
CONNECT WITH US
Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor
Join our parenting community & stay connected here
Have a question that you would like Sarah & Quinn to answer? Email us at connect@planp.us
 
Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

Producing Trust: Let Others Voluntarily Evolve

Dive into this week's episode of Plan P as hosts Sarah Pollak and Quinn Faison lead the way into a discussion that's all about nurturing trust in your parent-child relationship. In this thought-provoking episode, Sarah and Quinn serve as your expert guides on the journey to foster deep connections and unwavering trust with your child (and yourself!)
 
Join them as they reveal the vital components that lay the groundwork for a trustworthy relationship: openness, reliability, consistency and understanding. You'll discover how clear communication serves as the cornerstone of trust-building, allowing you to bridge gaps and create an environment where your child feels safe to confide in you.
 
Drawing from real-world examples and their wealth of experience, the hosts emphasize that trust isn't a one-way street; it's a collaborative journey. As you listen in, you'll gain insights into how nurturing trust with your child empowers them to become confident decision-makers while strengthening the parent-child bond.
 
Tune in and equip yourself with invaluable tools to nurture trust that lasts a lifetime. Whether you're navigating the world of early parenting or guiding your teenager through challenges, the wisdom shared in this episode will be your compass to fostering relationships built on a foundation of unwavering trust.
 
This Week’s Practice: Value-Driven Reflection
This practice encourages self-reflection and alignment with your core values. Start by selecting a value that is important to you and consider how your actions and choices reflect that value in your daily life. It's like holding up a mirror to your behaviors, ensuring they resonate with your deeply-held beliefs. Prioritizing self-reflection in this way not only helps you stay true to your values but also fosters personal growth and authenticity. It's a practice that nurtures self-awareness and empowers you to live in alignment with what truly matters to you, both for your own well-being and as a model for your children.
 
CONNECT WITH US
Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor
Join our parenting community & stay connected here
Have a question that you would like Sarah & Quinn to answer? Email us at connect@planp.us
 
Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!

Parenting with Parameters: Pushing, Pulling & Prodding Boundaries

Get ready for an eye-opening episode of the Plan P Podcast that dives deep into the art of parenting with boundaries. Join hosts Sarah Pollak & Quinn Faison as they uncover the secrets to establishing effective boundaries for both kids and parents alike.
 
In "Parenting with Parameters," Sarah and Quinn unveil the key to setting boundaries that truly work – clarity, communication and consequences. Learn how to define limits that are not only understood but also embraced by your children. Discover the power of consequences that are consistent, realistic, and can be upheld, ensuring that boundaries are respected.
 
But here's the twist: boundaries aren't barriers; they're bridges. Sarah and Quinn delve into this empowering concept, emphasizing that boundaries foster healthy relationships and pave the way for growth, understanding, and mutual respect.
 
Tune in to this episode and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to navigate the intricate terrain of parenting with parameters. Whether you're dealing with toddler tantrums or teenage defiance, these insights will guide you towards a harmonious balance between structure and flexibility. Prepare to transform your parenting journey and cultivate connections that flourish within well-defined bounds. 
 
 This Week’s Practice: Define the Parameters 
Creating healthy boundaries starts with yourself. This practice encourages you to establish clear parameters, distinguishing what's within your control and what isn't. Identify an area in your life where you can set a personal boundary, unrelated to others, and define both the consequences and rewards for adhering to it. By mastering self-boundaries, you build a strong foundation for setting effective boundaries with your children and others. This practice teaches self-awareness, self-discipline, and the importance of balancing your needs and responsibilities, ultimately contributing to healthier, more fulfilling relationships and a more balanced life.
 
CONNECT WITH US
Follow Plan P on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @planpisfor
Join our parenting community & stay connected here
Have a question that you would like Sarah & Quinn to answer? Email us at connect@planp.us
 
Visit planp.us to learn more and get access to resources to build healthy relationships with your pre-teens, teens and young adult children!