Kristen Goodman Coaching

After some time away, I’m back—and what better way to return than with a (much needed) updated family photo.
Fun fact - my youngest is the age that my oldest was when I started this account 🤯

Parenting is a journey of growth no matter what stage of life you are in. The teen and young adult years bring challenges, but they also bring incredible moments of connection, laughter, and learning.

I’ve missed sharing and hearing from all of you, and I’m excited to dive back into this space to share stories, tips, and encouragement for moms navigating this amazing (and often wild) phase of parenting.

Tell me about a fun parenting moment you’ve had lately - Let’s catch up! 💬

Setting limits with your kids is a great way to show them that you care.

The best way to do this is to listen and understand first.

When your child feels understood, they will be better equipped to listen.

I’ll be sharing more in my stories today with real-life examples.

There’s a huge difference between an unmotivated teen and a parent whose trying to control them too much.

Is it time to back off and allow your teen to experience the natural consequences from their lack of effort?

Or it might just be a simple conversation to establish clearer expectations and boundaries.

Either way, a calm conversation is the first place to start.

Have you ever had to back off and then watched as your teen has risen to the occasion?

It’s one of the best gifts in parenting.

There’s a difference in parenting young kids versus parenting teenagers.

It may seem obvious, but how often do you treat your teen as if they aren’t capable of making their own choices.

The hardest stage of parenting is the one where you let your teen start to make their own choices.

You recognize the need for them to figure things out on their own. You feel less needed. Less important in their lives. You feel responsible when things don’t go how you wanted them to. It’s tough!

But it will lead your teen on a path to more trust and confidence in themselves.

It will also lead you on a path to having more influence in your teen’s life.

More influence = More Connection

It’s worth it.

👉Save this post as a reminder to step back and give your teen some space.

👋 Hi there!

I'm Kristen and love to share the joys, challenges and growth that come with each stage of parenting.

There is a poem called “One Last Time” that is quite popular in the parenting space.

I hate it.

Wanna send me into an emotional spiral and watch me sob inconsolably? Make me read that poem.

Maybe I’m too sensitive.
Maybe it’s not that deep.

But parenting is tough. And the moments that turn into memories happen way too fast.

The older my kids get, the more grateful I am for the opportunity to watch them grow up.

I don’t want to waste these years.
I don’t want to chase an outward appearance of perfection.

I’m want to embrace and accept my kids exactly as they are.

Follow me here as I share the parenting and coaching strategies that have worked for me for the past 6 years.

And just for fun, tell me how long you’ve been a mom. I’ll leave my answer in the comments.

It’s totally normal and very common to have social anxiety especially around people you don’t know.

And when your goal is about getting people to like you, you will be all up in your head.

Thoughts like;
➡️ “Everyone is looking at me”
➡️ “I don’t want to look dumb”
➡️ “What if people are judging me”

These thoughts swirl🌪️around in your mind making you feel anxious and wanting to hide.

So how do you break the cycle?

Become interested in those around you.

✅ Come up with questions that you feel comfortable asking.

✅ Compliment someone on their hair or shoes. Ask them where they like to shop.

✅ Find a commonality. Do you like the same sport? Sports team? Play an instrument?

Breaking the ice is the hardest part. But it will get easier and you will keep getting better at it.

Share this post with a favorite teen in your life.

My oldest daughter turned TWENTY on Saturday. On one hand, it’s gone by way too fast! On the other, it’s been such a joy to watch her become an adult.

As I think about the past 20 years, I decided to share twenty lessons I’ve learned along the way.

1. My kids’ accomplishments are theirs to own. I can help support, pay for and encourage - but at the end of the day, they are the ones doing the work.

2. My kids’ mistakes are theirs to own as well. I will show love, empathy and help them when they need it.

3. You’re kids may not act like it, but they care what you think.

4. Hard times will come but they don’t last. Things always get better.

5. My kids might be annoyed or mad at me but they never stop loving me.

6. I might be annoyed and mad at my kids at times but I love them no matter what.

7. Kids like being with their friends and sometimes their friends come first. But eventually they come back around and want to be with family.

8. How I respond to my kids behavior is much more important than what their behavior was.

9. I get to choose how I show up in my role as a mom.

10. I get to love my kids and see their goodness always.

11. Discipline means teaching not punishing.

12. Quality time spent with my kids is never wasted.

13. Be in the moment you’re in. Time goes way too fast to waste it on worry or regret.

14. Kids are doing the best they can with what they have.

15. Not knowing how everything will turn out is okay. It may be even better than you imagined.

16. Losing your cool and freaking out on your kids is normal and doesn’t make you a bad mom.

17. Apologizing isn’t a weakness.

18. Your life as a woman and role as a mother are two separate things.

19. You never have parenting figured out. There are always lessons to be learned.

20. Saying less and asking questions without judgment is the key to getting your kids to talk to you more.

Tell me, what would you add to this list?

We aren’t supposed to be perfect.

How do I know? Because we aren’t.

We weren’t created to be.

So go easy on yourself.

Don’t get caught up in comparing yourself or your family to others.

It’s never useful and will never create the result that you want.

Look for reasons why you love your life and your brain will go on the lookout to find evidence. Try it.

You know the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child”?

Here are my top 5 parenting accounts that are a part of my IG village.

shares her parenting wisdom by writing informative and thought provoking posts all about parenting. She is so good at creating connection and community in her feed. Something all of us parents need, right?

shares helpful advice directed at both parents and teens. Her book, No More Mean Girls, is one of my favorites.

It’s no surprise I love I share her tips for avoiding power struggles a lot here on my stories. Her podcast is definitely worth a listen!

Between setting limits and keeping our cool, parenting can get exhausting. So I love following accounts that make me laugh. is definitely one on my list. Some days all we can do is laugh. Otherwise we might cry 😅

Speaking of laughing post about “throwing yourself a coronation ceremony” when your teen tells you that you are the worst parent ever is one of my very favorites. Definitely helps me not take life too seriously.

What parenting accounts would you add to this list? Tag them in the comments 👇

Let’s have a GIVEAWAY!

My favorite tip from Liz Call from my podcast last week about creating fun family memories, was buying a Disney Gift Card every month and then combining them into one card when you’re ready to take a trip to Disneyland. So genius!

Ready to start your own Disney gift card fund? Like this post and tell us your favorite Disney treat!Follow us

You will also get a cute Disney Tee!

Winner will be announced on Friday 💁🏼‍♀️

Have you ever watched your child sleep and noticed the stress and frustration from your day suddenly melt away?

They can’t talk back, roll their eyes or drive you crazy.

All you see is their divine spirit, given to you by loving Heavenly Parents.

Can you see yourself and your kids through your Heavenly Parents eyes?

I think the closest I have come to that feeling is when I see my sweet babies, turned toddlers and then teens through God’s lens. The lens that sees my kids worth intrinsically.

Their behavior is not attached to my value as a mother. And their behavior is not attached to their divine worth.

Viewing parenting this way will help you connect to your child in a way that’s not fixated on their accomplishments or behavior, but instead, to who they are as a person.