Kristi| Teen Connection Coach
@kristilouise.bsky.social
Building inclusive family futures
LGBTQ+ affirming 🏳️🌈
Mom of 4 teens
Blue dot in FL 💙
LGBTQ+ affirming 🏳️🌈
Mom of 4 teens
Blue dot in FL 💙
I drew this one originally thinking about our teens and kids. Anger is a protective emotion. It’s often a mask for the more tender ways we feel. Now, I think about the red hat crew and wonder how much of their anger is just sadness, loneliness, and fear.
February 14, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I drew this one originally thinking about our teens and kids. Anger is a protective emotion. It’s often a mask for the more tender ways we feel. Now, I think about the red hat crew and wonder how much of their anger is just sadness, loneliness, and fear.
Action can help you feel more empowered. Can you check on a neighbor? Support a locally owned bookstore? Start a windowsill herb garden? One small thing can help pave the way for more. 2/2
February 13, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Action can help you feel more empowered. Can you check on a neighbor? Support a locally owned bookstore? Start a windowsill herb garden? One small thing can help pave the way for more. 2/2
If your kids woke up asking why they have go to school during a coup or why everyone is acting like things are normal, resist the urge to try and reassure which can sound disingenuous. Take a deep breath and just hold space for everyone’s big feelings. Try to think of one thing you can do today. 1/2
February 13, 2025 at 12:29 PM
If your kids woke up asking why they have go to school during a coup or why everyone is acting like things are normal, resist the urge to try and reassure which can sound disingenuous. Take a deep breath and just hold space for everyone’s big feelings. Try to think of one thing you can do today. 1/2
Sunday morning sunshine. This is one of our rescue pups, Lapis. She was pretty much skeletal when she came into rescue and now she’s a healthy, gorgeous girl. She also had possession of the coveted squeaky ball seen next to her. Not pictured is her sister who was busy begging me to take the ball.
February 9, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Sunday morning sunshine. This is one of our rescue pups, Lapis. She was pretty much skeletal when she came into rescue and now she’s a healthy, gorgeous girl. She also had possession of the coveted squeaky ball seen next to her. Not pictured is her sister who was busy begging me to take the ball.
We took a little time today to walk around and get some ice cream and hit the used bookstore. I think it did us all some good to put phones mostly down for awhile and just enjoy time together. Don’t forget to find these moments too. You can’t start a revolution if you’re stuck in overwhelm and worry
February 2, 2025 at 11:47 PM
We took a little time today to walk around and get some ice cream and hit the used bookstore. I think it did us all some good to put phones mostly down for awhile and just enjoy time together. Don’t forget to find these moments too. You can’t start a revolution if you’re stuck in overwhelm and worry
Here’s an easy way to write to your elected officials using resistbot. You can sign on to the one I wrote or write your own. I’m not sure what else to do at this moment except flood them with calls and emails. Taking action can help lower anxiety and give you some clarity too.
February 2, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Here’s an easy way to write to your elected officials using resistbot. You can sign on to the one I wrote or write your own. I’m not sure what else to do at this moment except flood them with calls and emails. Taking action can help lower anxiety and give you some clarity too.
Do you find yourself anxious and filled with worry? That’s the point of the “flooding the zone with sh*t” strategy being employed against us right now. When we feel helpless & overwhelmed, we can’t take action. Take time today to shut off your phone and do something you enjoy.
February 2, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Do you find yourself anxious and filled with worry? That’s the point of the “flooding the zone with sh*t” strategy being employed against us right now. When we feel helpless & overwhelmed, we can’t take action. Take time today to shut off your phone and do something you enjoy.
Things are moving quickly and many of us are feeling helpless and overwhelmed or angry and overwhelmed. Our nervous systems are in chaos and it will take a toll on your health and relationships. Here’s your reminder to stop and breathe. Do it now. Do it often. Do it every time you think of it.
February 1, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Things are moving quickly and many of us are feeling helpless and overwhelmed or angry and overwhelmed. Our nervous systems are in chaos and it will take a toll on your health and relationships. Here’s your reminder to stop and breathe. Do it now. Do it often. Do it every time you think of it.
I had a great morning doing a workshop for educators on supporting neurodivergent kids. It was amazing to be in a room full of people dedicated to helping kids.
February 1, 2025 at 1:31 AM
I had a great morning doing a workshop for educators on supporting neurodivergent kids. It was amazing to be in a room full of people dedicated to helping kids.
Sometimes you’re the parent providing care and sometimes you’re the one who needs care. I wrote about how my teens are using something I taught them to remind me to stay out of the doom cycle these days. Check out my Substack to read more
January 30, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Sometimes you’re the parent providing care and sometimes you’re the one who needs care. I wrote about how my teens are using something I taught them to remind me to stay out of the doom cycle these days. Check out my Substack to read more
I’m sure I’m not alone in balancing my own feelings today with how to explain what’s happening in the world to my kids and hold space for their feelings. How are you holding up?
January 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
I’m sure I’m not alone in balancing my own feelings today with how to explain what’s happening in the world to my kids and hold space for their feelings. How are you holding up?
Beach walk this afternoon. Nothing makes me feel more at peace than the sounds and smells of the ocean and the sand between my toes.
January 12, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Beach walk this afternoon. Nothing makes me feel more at peace than the sounds and smells of the ocean and the sand between my toes.
Teens have to navigate the digital world. It’s our job to be their guide and help them recognize when they are falling into the outrage machine.
January 10, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Teens have to navigate the digital world. It’s our job to be their guide and help them recognize when they are falling into the outrage machine.
When algorithms promote misinformation to enrage us, how can we judge high school students using AI to write a paper? I’ve talked to many who say the same thing, “nothing is real anymore, so, why should my essay have to be?” It’s easy to judge. It’s harder to be curious and listen openly.
January 10, 2025 at 8:48 PM
When algorithms promote misinformation to enrage us, how can we judge high school students using AI to write a paper? I’ve talked to many who say the same thing, “nothing is real anymore, so, why should my essay have to be?” It’s easy to judge. It’s harder to be curious and listen openly.
Connection isn't found in:
• Forced family time
• Constant monitoring
• Perfect responses
• Control
It's built through:
• Genuine interest
• Respected boundaries
• Repair after rupture
• Consistent presence
• Forced family time
• Constant monitoring
• Perfect responses
• Control
It's built through:
• Genuine interest
• Respected boundaries
• Repair after rupture
• Consistent presence
December 2, 2024 at 8:08 PM
Connection isn't found in:
• Forced family time
• Constant monitoring
• Perfect responses
• Control
It's built through:
• Genuine interest
• Respected boundaries
• Repair after rupture
• Consistent presence
• Forced family time
• Constant monitoring
• Perfect responses
• Control
It's built through:
• Genuine interest
• Respected boundaries
• Repair after rupture
• Consistent presence
I’m so relieved that the President pardoned Hunter. To me, it upholds the rule of law by protecting a private citizen from politically motivated prosecution. This case was handled differently due to his last name. I wrote a letter to thank the President. I made it easy for anyone to sign on too.
December 2, 2024 at 8:05 PM
I’m so relieved that the President pardoned Hunter. To me, it upholds the rule of law by protecting a private citizen from politically motivated prosecution. This case was handled differently due to his last name. I wrote a letter to thank the President. I made it easy for anyone to sign on too.
When your young adult kids still want to hang out with you and have great taste in music too.
December 1, 2024 at 5:21 AM
When your young adult kids still want to hang out with you and have great taste in music too.
Trying to find beauty every day. Connecting to nature keeps me grounded.
November 30, 2024 at 8:17 PM
Trying to find beauty every day. Connecting to nature keeps me grounded.
Building family resilience means:
• Celebrating small wins
• Normalizing hard days
• Making space for all feelings
• Starting fresh after mistakes
Strong families bend.
They don't break.
• Celebrating small wins
• Normalizing hard days
• Making space for all feelings
• Starting fresh after mistakes
Strong families bend.
They don't break.
November 30, 2024 at 8:04 PM
Building family resilience means:
• Celebrating small wins
• Normalizing hard days
• Making space for all feelings
• Starting fresh after mistakes
Strong families bend.
They don't break.
• Celebrating small wins
• Normalizing hard days
• Making space for all feelings
• Starting fresh after mistakes
Strong families bend.
They don't break.
Young people aren’t ending relationships over 'political disagreements.' They're ending relationships with people who voted against their human rights. Big difference.
November 27, 2024 at 7:29 PM
Young people aren’t ending relationships over 'political disagreements.' They're ending relationships with people who voted against their human rights. Big difference.
The secret to staying connected with your teen isn't about controlling their independence – it's about transforming how you relate to it.
When you learn to listen with curiosity and honor their growing autonomy, something magical happens: your relationship deepens instead of dissolves.
When you learn to listen with curiosity and honor their growing autonomy, something magical happens: your relationship deepens instead of dissolves.
November 26, 2024 at 2:58 PM
The secret to staying connected with your teen isn't about controlling their independence – it's about transforming how you relate to it.
When you learn to listen with curiosity and honor their growing autonomy, something magical happens: your relationship deepens instead of dissolves.
When you learn to listen with curiosity and honor their growing autonomy, something magical happens: your relationship deepens instead of dissolves.
Sometimes anger is just protecting hurt feelings.
When teens get heated during holidays, remember:
- Under anger: sadness
- Under pushback: fear
- Under withdrawal: overwhelm
Our job isn't to fight the dragon.
It's to see the mouse inside.
When teens get heated during holidays, remember:
- Under anger: sadness
- Under pushback: fear
- Under withdrawal: overwhelm
Our job isn't to fight the dragon.
It's to see the mouse inside.
November 25, 2024 at 6:26 PM
Sometimes anger is just protecting hurt feelings.
When teens get heated during holidays, remember:
- Under anger: sadness
- Under pushback: fear
- Under withdrawal: overwhelm
Our job isn't to fight the dragon.
It's to see the mouse inside.
When teens get heated during holidays, remember:
- Under anger: sadness
- Under pushback: fear
- Under withdrawal: overwhelm
Our job isn't to fight the dragon.
It's to see the mouse inside.
Here are my 3 very spoiled rescue pups. My little one eyed guy was used as a bait dog and confiscated in an animal cruelty case. He has every reason to hate everyone but he’s incredibly sweet and really coming out of his shell. We don’t deserve dogs. May we all learn from them.
November 24, 2024 at 3:35 PM
Here are my 3 very spoiled rescue pups. My little one eyed guy was used as a bait dog and confiscated in an animal cruelty case. He has every reason to hate everyone but he’s incredibly sweet and really coming out of his shell. We don’t deserve dogs. May we all learn from them.
Holiday prep status:
✓ Meal planned
✓ Shopping done
✓ Boundaries set
✓ Zero tolerance for hate
✓ Teen safety plan ready
✓ Exit strategy clear
Putting teens' wellbeing first.
✓ Meal planned
✓ Shopping done
✓ Boundaries set
✓ Zero tolerance for hate
✓ Teen safety plan ready
✓ Exit strategy clear
Putting teens' wellbeing first.
November 24, 2024 at 3:31 PM
Holiday prep status:
✓ Meal planned
✓ Shopping done
✓ Boundaries set
✓ Zero tolerance for hate
✓ Teen safety plan ready
✓ Exit strategy clear
Putting teens' wellbeing first.
✓ Meal planned
✓ Shopping done
✓ Boundaries set
✓ Zero tolerance for hate
✓ Teen safety plan ready
✓ Exit strategy clear
Putting teens' wellbeing first.