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What do you do when your child comes out to you?

How do you support a transgender or nonbinary child — especially when it feels unfamiliar, overwhelming, or even scary?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lulu, also known as The Momatrician — a pediatrician, parent coach, gender and sexuality educator, and the proud mom of a transgender child. But her journey didn’t begin with full understanding and acceptance.

Dr. Lulu opens up about:

Her honest, emotional response when her child came out
Growing up queer in a conservative Nigerian Catholic household
Why parental affirmation is life-saving for LGBTQ+ youth
The difference between accepting your child and truly affirming them
How parents can grow, even if they make mistakes

Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone seeking to understand the transgender experience better, this conversation will touch your heart and expand your perspective.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more honest conversations that help you support your child through anxiety, identity, and growth.

📘 Dr. Lulu’s Book: About Your Black Transgender Child: Answers to Most of Your Burning Questions

🎙️ Podcast: Moms for Trans Kids

YouTube Podcast: Moms 4 Trans Kids

📲 Follow Dr. Lulu on Instagram
🌐 Learn more about Dr. Lulu

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
03:10 Dr. Lulu’s story of growing up queer
08:45 How she responded when her child came out
14:20 Understanding gender identity vs. biological sex
22:00 What it truly means to affirm your LGBTQ+ child
30:50 Advice for parents just starting this journey

"Parents! Don’t miss this — Thursday, July 24th at Noon CST, I’m going live with a workshop that’s changing the game: ‘How to Calm Your Teen’s Anxiety Without Triggering Yours.’ It’s only $19, and you’ll learn my Triangle Formula — real strategies that actually work. Spots are filling — grab yours now, link’s in the show notes!"

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
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When should I push my anxious child—and when is it too much?

In this episode, I share a personal story about my grandson learning to swim and the powerful lesson it taught me about supporting anxious kids through discomfort without sending them into panic.

If you're a parent wondering:

“Am I pushing too hard?”

“Should I back off?”

“How do I help my child grow without overwhelming them?”

…this episode is for you.

💡 You'll learn:

The difference between the comfort zone, growth zone, and panic zone

How to recognize your child's limits—and when to gently stretch them

Why anxiety needs baby steps, not big leaps

Practical tools for building your child’s confidence

🎯 BONUS: I’m hosting a live parent workshop this Thursday (July 24 at noon CST) where I’ll go even deeper into anxiety—what causes it, how it shows up, and how to support your child with calm, confidence, and clarity.

👉 Sign up here: https://cheerful-writer-462.kit.com/products/how-to-calm-your-teens-anxiety-witho

🧠 Your child can do hard things—and so can you. Let’s talk about how.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tools to navigate the anxiety maze.

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
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What if helping your teen set just one clear, meaningful goal could shift their entire future?

In this episode, I’m joined by Phylicia Littleton, a National Certified Counselor and career consultant at Pearson Virtual Schools. We dive into how school counselors and parents can help teens set SMART goals that lead to real academic, emotional, and career success.

You’ll learn:
✅ How SMART goals improve motivation and reduce anxiety
✅ How to support your teen with realistic and effective goal setting
✅ Tips for time management, career planning, and building future readiness
✅ Why just one well-chosen goal can build lifelong confidence

Whether you're a parent, educator, or school counselor, you'll walk away with practical strategies to help teens turn their dreams into action, starting today.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content on supporting teens through anxiety, growth, and success.

🔗 Learn more about Phylicia Littleton and Pearson Virtual Schools:
Pearson Virtual Schools
Contact Phylica on LinkedIn

Instagram


📌 Watch next: https://youtube.com/shorts/o0aUGL5r79k
https://youtu.be/Y-piemhZHiE

"Parents! Don’t miss this — Thursday, July 24th at Noon CST, I’m going live with a workshop that’s changing the game: ‘How to Calm Your Teen’s Anxiety Without Triggering Yours.’ It’s only $19, and you’ll learn my Triangle Formula — real strategies that actually work. Spots are filling — grab yours now, link’s in the show notes!"

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
More information

Send us a text

Is your brain constantly telling you you're not good enough, or that everyone’s judging you? That voice—the inner critic or inner roommate—might sound convincing, but it’s not telling the truth.

In this episode, I break down 7 common thinking traps like mind reading, catastrophizing, and all-or-nothing thinking, and show you how to challenge them using powerful questions.


💬 You’ll learn:
• How to recognize the negative voice inside your head
• Simple ways to change your perception and reduce anxiety
• Practical tools to reframe anxious thoughts with facts and self-compassion

Whether you’re a teen struggling with self-doubt or a parent trying to support your anxious child, this video offers hope, tools, and support.

👇 Links & Resources:
🔗 Test Anxiety Calming Audio

📩 Contact Cynthia for coaching:


📌 Subscribe for weekly tools to help teens and parents navigate anxiety with confidence.

Here is a video about the inner mean person

Here is a video about the dark side of Social Media

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
More information

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Sign up for my July Workshop: How to Calm Your Teen's Anxiety Without Triggering Yours

Could your child’s anxiety or tics be something more? Meet Ethan Pompeo, whose health journey led to answers—and a mission to help others.

Ethan was misdiagnosed with Tourette’s as a teen and put on over 40 medications before discovering the real root of his symptoms: PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus). In this powerful interview, Ethan shares his long road to healing, how CBD became a turning point, and why he now helps families find natural, effective relief through his company, Green Valley Nutrition.

🎧 In this episode, we talk about:

What PANDAS is and why it’s often misdiagnosed

How inflammation and strep infections can impact brain function

Ethan’s experience with conventional and alternative treatments

Why he’s passionate about safe, THC-free CBD products for families

His mission is to educate, advocate, and offer hope through his story

✅ This is a must-listen for parents of kids with anxiety, compulsions, tics, or autoimmune symptoms—or anyone curious about holistic wellness and natural healing.

🔗 Links mentioned in the episode:
Get a free bag of CBD gummies

Learn more about Ethan’s book

Visit Ethan’s website

Follow Ethan on Instagram

Follow on Facebook

Watch more on YouTube

💬 Leave a comment if you’ve experienced a long journey toward a diagnosis—or found healing through unexpected solutions. We’d love to hear from you.

Disclaimer: This video is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your or your child’s healthcare routine.

#PANDAS #TeenAnxiety #CBDforAnxiety #NaturalHealing #ParentingTeens #EthanPompeo #GreenValleyNutrition

"Parents! Don’t miss this — Thursday, July 24th at Noon CST, I’m going live with a workshop that’s changing the game: ‘How to Calm Your Teen’s Anxiety Without Triggering Yours.’ It’s only $19, and you’ll learn my Triangle Formula — real strategies that actually work. Spots are filling — grab yours now, link’s in the show notes!"

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
More information

Send us a text

Parenting differences can create chaos in families, but they don't have to. In this episode, I break down the four main parenting styles—authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved—and explain how understanding these differences can transform your co-parenting relationship.

Drawing from my own experience navigating conflicting parenting styles in her first marriage, Cynthia shares honest insights about how our backgrounds, personalities, and experiences shape the way we parent. She explores why couples inevitably clash over parenting approaches and offers practical solutions for finding common ground.

You'll discover:

• The four primary parenting styles and their impact on children
• Why we parent the way we do (and why our partners parent differently)
• How conflicting styles confuse kids and create family tension
• Three powerful strategies for creating a united front in parenting

Key Takeaways:

1. Shared Family Values - How to identify 3-5 core values you both want to instill
2. Must Agree On vs. Okay to Differ - Distinguishing between non-negotiable safety issues and acceptable differences
3. The Pause and Plan Phrase - A code word system to avoid undermining each other in front of the kids

Whether you're married, divorced, or co-parenting in any capacity, this episode provides actionable tools to reduce conflict, support your partner, and create the consistency your children need to thrive.

Perfect for parents who want to stop fighting about parenting styles and start working together as a team.

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
More information

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What if everything you thought you knew about human trafficking was wrong?

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Erin Williamson, a national expert in child trafficking prevention and survivor care, to reveal the truth about how trafficking really happens — and what parents, educators, and caregivers must know to protect the children in their lives.

You’ll learn:

How traffickers use grooming and manipulation — not abduction

Why many victims still attend school and appear "normal"

The critical role of technology and online platforms

Warning signs adults often miss

What to say to your child so they see you as a safe person

How to create tech boundaries that actually work

Erin also shares real-life stories and practical tips from her work at Love146.org, an organization dedicated to ending child trafficking and supporting survivors.

🎧 Listen, learn, and share this episode to help protect more kids.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

Love 146: https://www.love146.org

Caregiver resources & email series: https://www.love146.org/caregivers

Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org

Wait Until 8th: https://www.waituntil8th.org

📢 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that help you support kids through anxiety, safety concerns, and the challenges of growing up in today’s world.

#ChildTrafficking #OnlineSafety #ParentingTips #TeenSafety #ErinWilliamson #Love146 #DigitalParenting #HumanTraffickingAwareness

"Parents! Don’t miss this — Thursday, July 24th at Noon CST, I’m going live with a workshop that’s changing the game: ‘How to Calm Your Teen’s Anxiety Without Triggering Yours.’ It’s only $19, and you’ll learn my Triangle Formula — real strategies that actually work. Spots are filling — grab yours now, link’s in the show notes!"

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
More information

Send us a text

Exhausted parent, this one's for you. After a day of endless decisions, mental checklists, and carrying the invisible load of family life, your mind deserves to rest. This sleep meditation is specifically designed for parents who struggle to "turn off" at bedtime.

What you'll find in this meditation:
✨ Recognition of the unique mental load parents carry
✨ Permission to stop being "on" and just BE
✨ Gentle body relaxation to release physical tension
✨ Mindful techniques to quiet your planning mind
✨ Loving reminders of your worth beyond parenting
✨ Peaceful imagery to guide you into restorative sleep

Perfect for when you're:

Mentally reviewing tomorrow's schedule at bedtime
Carrying worry about your children
Feeling overwhelmed by the invisible labor of parenting
Struggling to transition from "parent mode" to sleep
Exhausted but your mind won't stop racing
Feeling like you're never doing enough

This meditation honors the reality of modern parenting - the beautiful chaos, the constant giving, and the deep love that sometimes keeps us awake with worry. Tonight, give yourself permission to rest knowing you've done enough today.

Tips for best results:

Use headphones for a more immersive experience
Listen after your bedtime routine is complete
Keep your phone on Do Not Disturb
Allow yourself to drift off during the meditation

You are enough. You have given your family what they needed today. Now it's time to give yourself the gift of peaceful sleep. 💙

Subscribe for more parenting teens content.

#SleepMeditation #ParentAnxiety #MomLife #DadLife #ParentWellness #AnxietyRelief #SleepStories #MentalHealth #Mindfulness #ParentSelfCare #RestfulSleep #ParentingStress

Remember: This meditation is for relaxation and doesn't replace professional mental health care. If you're struggling with persistent anxiety or parental burnout, please consider speaking with a healthcare provider.

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
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