Less Nagging, More Connection: Insights and Resources from "Love The Tween/Teen You Have"
Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart joined the Spark Kindness community to help parents and caregivers navigate the tween and teen years with confidence and heart.
By Spark Kindness Team
The Spark Kindness team is incredibly grateful for the strong turnout at “Love the Tween/Teen You Have” event with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart that took place in April 2026. We invite our community to explore follow-up resources including key takeaways from the live program below.
A special thank you to everyone who joined our Live Watch Party at Kennedy Middle School - it was a great opportunity to connect, and it inspired us to find more moments like this to build community. Huge thanks to the Kennedy Middle School PTO for hosting!
Thank you for being part of the Spark Kindness community. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected network of support for every family.
Important Takeaways:
- Your pause is your power - reacting escalates, responding regulates.
- Name what's underneath the behavior.
- Catch one thing going right every day.
- Create micro-moments of connection.
- Make a mistake? That's okay and it's normal - focus on repair.
- Lower the pressure, not the expectations.
- Ask yourself - "what temperature do I want my house to be and feel like?"
Check Out Dr. Lockhart's Short Videos (7 Minutes or Less)
- Tired of Arguing with Your Teen? Shift This First (It’s Not What You Think)
- The Pressure To Get It Right: Perfection Isn't The Goal
- The #1 Reason Teens Shut Down—and How You Can Reopen the Door
Parenting teens is a practice of patience. It’s learning to create the room for their big emotions without losing your own footing. You’re telling them their feelings aren’t too much for you. The work isn’t about getting them to talk to you; it’s about helping them feel safe with you.
— Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart
Additional Resources:
- Purchase the book: Love the Teen You Have
- Podcast episode: Transforming Conflict Into Connection With Our Teens with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart and Debbie Reber of Full-Tilt Parenting (past Spark presenter!)
- Podcast episode: Understanding Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and ADHD with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart and Shining With ADHD from The Childhood Collective
- Article: Parenting Children With Executive Functioning Challenges by Dr. Lockhart for the Gottman Institute
- Article: When Your Teen Stops Talking - guest essay by Dr. Lockhart for Raising Good Humans substack
Connect with Dr. Lockhart:
- Follow on Instagram: @dr.annlouise.lockhart
- Facebook: Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart
- LinkedIn: Dr. Ann-Louise T. Lockhart
- YouTube @dr.annlouiselockhart
- Learn more about Dr. Lockhart on her website.