Advertise on podcast: Growing Together- Navigating the Rollercoaster of Adolescence Together with Dr. Kimberley Palmiotto

Middle school can feel like everything is falling apart, but what if it’s not a breakdown at all? In this episode, Dr. Kim reframes middle school, and puberty a renegotiation in the parent–child relationship. As your daughter’s brain undergoes major developmental changes, she’s wired to seek autonomy, peer belonging, and independence, often before she has the ability to use consistent emotional regulation. At the same time, this stage can activate our own unfinished business from adolescence, making the transition feel deeply personal and emotionally intense. Drawing on neuroscience, and research this episode explores: * What’s actually happening in the middle school brain * Why your nervous system gets activated right alongside your daughter’s * How autonomy, competence, and connection can coexist * Why control increases conflict—and connection supports regulation * How emotionally attuned parenting, curiosity, and repair build long-term trust You’ll leave understanding that this stage invites you to shift from control to presence and become her home base. Reflective, validating, and deeply supportive, this episode is for any parent who feels shaken by the middle school years and wants to stay connected without losing themselves in the process. Middle school is hard, but you’re not alone. www.NurturingGirls.com/RootandRise

The holidays are supposed to feel magical , but for many of us, they also bring overwhelm, moodiness, and emotional meltdowns with our teen girls. In this episode, we unpack why girls often struggle more during the holiday season and why what looks like attitude or ungratefulness is usually a nervous system that’s reached its limit. Between overstimulation, disrupted routines, social pressure, and emotional expectations, girls’ developing brains are pushed hard this time of year. And when their emotional bandwidth runs out, it often shows up as irritability, withdrawal, or sudden reactivity. You’ll learn: * How to recognize the difference between disrespect and dysregulation * What research says about emotional overload, routines, and regulation in girls * Practical, gentle ways moms can support their daughters without escalating conflict * Simple tools to help both you and your daughter feel calmer, more grounded, and more connected during the holidays This episode is a reminder that nothing is wrong with your daughter (or with you). She doesn’t need a perfect holiday, just understanding, predictability, and a safe place to land. If you’re parenting a tween or teen girl and the holidays feel emotionally intense, this episode will help you reframe what you’re seeing and respond with confidence, compassion, and connection.

In this episode, I sit down with Coach Sheri, from Teen-Wise, to unpack one of the most misunderstood challenges girls face today: relational aggression, the subtle but painful world of exclusion, friendship breakups, drama cycles, and the unspoken pressure girls feel to fit in. Sheri explains how relational aggression actually begins long before middle school, and then intensifies as girls become more emotionally invested in friendships. We explore why middle school becomes the “practice arena” for conflict, why even college-aged girls still struggle with mean girl dynamics, and how “mama drama” often reflects unresolved patterns from our own teen years . You’ll hear us break down: * Why exclusion hurts so deeply and what’s really happening when girls are ghosted or left out * Friendship breakups in middle school, why they happen, why they feel shocking, and how girls often use meanness to avoid difficult conversations *What moms should do first when their daughter is hurting (hint: support before solutions) * The loneliness spiral — and how to help girls avoid letting loneliness become their identity * ADHD as a friendship superpower and how girls with ADHD can harness their natural loyalty, enthusiasm, and connection skills without overwhelming peers It is a jam packed, but quick listen so, If you’re navigating girl drama, friendship changes, or emotional ups and downs in your home, this conversation will give you some clarity and compassion to understand and start helping your daughter.

Middle school is a season of deep change, not just for your daughter, but for you, as her mom. In the final episode of this 4-part series, Dr. Kimberly Palmiotto shifts the spotlight back to the heart of it all: Us as Moms. While your daughter is growing into herself, you may find yourself triggered, exhausted, or wondering where you went in the process. In this episode, we explore: * Why middle school can reactivate your own adolescent wounds * The emotional labor of mothering a tween girl (and why you feel so tired) * How to avoid self-abandonment while still showing up for her * The difference between modeling self-sacrifice and modeling self-respect * Three practical tools for grounding, boundary-setting, and emotional self-check-ins You'll also be invited into a powerful reflection practice to connect with your future self, the one who’s on the other side of this chapter and grateful for how you stayed grounded in your own growth, too. Because you’re not the same mom you were when she was little, and that’s a good thing! You're growing, too. And she needs to see that.

She pulls away. ..You try harder. She slams the door... You wonder if you're losing her. In Part 3 of this 4-part series on navigating middle school, Dr. Kimberley Palmiotto explores one of the hardest parts of parenting a tween girl: how to stay connected when she seems to want nothing to do with you. You’ll learn: *Why the push-pull dynamic is wired into her brain and not your fault *How to shift from control to connection, without losing boundaries *Tools to build emotional safety, even when your daughter is shut down *How to model repair after conflict and open the door to communication *The 3 C’s that transform your relationship: Calm, Curiosity, and Compassion Whether you’re dealing with eye rolls, slammed doors, or emotional shutdowns, this episode gives you language, mindset shifts, and repair tools to help you be the safe base she still needs, even when she acts like she doesn’t.

Middle school friendships aren’t just complicated, they feel critical to your daughter’s sense of identity, safety, and self-worth. In Part 2 of this 4-part series, Dr. Kim dives deep into what’s happening in your daughter’s outside world. She explores things like friendships, peer pressure, social status, and the rising tide of relational aggression. In this episode, you’ll learn: *Why belonging feels like survival to the tween brain *What “mean girl” behavior really signals and how to respond *How to support your daughter whether she’s being excluded or doing the excluding *The difference between popularity and true friendship (and how to help her know it too) *Tools to help her build empathy, boundaries, and confidence without losing herself This one is for every mom who has watched her daughter walk into changing middle school friendships and wondered, “What do I say? What do I do?” You’ll leave this episode with tools, reflection prompts, and connection strategies that help you be the safe, steady voice in her social world, even when things get messy.

Middle school is more than a milestone, it’s a deep, messy, and transformational chapter for your daughter… and for you. This first episode of Season 2 rolls out part 1 of a 4 part series on navigating Middle School for Moms of Girls. In this episode, Dr. Kimberley Palmiotto helps you understand what’s really going on inside your tween’s changing brain, body, and emotional world. From hypersensitive feelings to identity experimentation and peer comparison, this season can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to walk it alone. You’ll learn: * Why your daughter can’t always explain how she feels (and what to say instead) * How her brain development impacts emotional regulation and behavior * What it looks like to offer safety without shame * The 3 things she needs most from you in this phase (even if she can’t say them) Whether your daughter is moody, melting down, or changing before your eyes, this episode will help you respond with presence, compassion, and confidence.

In this episode, we talk about a parenting tool that is underestimated: tone of voice. As moms of tween and teen girls, how we say things often matters more than what we say. During adolescence, a girl’s brain is rewiring and more reactive to emotional cues—especially tone. Your voice becomes her inner voice, shaping how she sees herself and how she handles relationships in the future. Dr. Kim breaks down the science behind this sensitivity, shares practical tools to shift your tone toward calm and connection, and reveals how everyday moments of communication leave lasting emotional imprints. You’ll learn how to avoid the “tone traps” of sarcasm, correction, and dismissive language—and replace them with language that nurtures confidence, emotional safety, and resilience. If you’ve ever wondered why your daughter reacts so strongly even when you're not “yelling,” this episode is for you. Tune in to learn how to use your voice not as a weapon or a wedge—but as a bridge.

“I’m her mom, not her friend.” It’s a phrase many moms wear like armor—especially when emotions run high or boundaries are being tested. But what if there is more and this mindset isn't working as well as we think it is? In this episode, Dr. Palmiotto unpacks one of the most common parenting myths and offers a clear, compassionate look at the three foundational parenting styles: authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative. You’ll learn: ✨ Why your parenting style matters more than you think ✨ The emotional impact of each approach—especially on girls ✨ How the “mom vs. friend” belief can create disconnection (and what to do instead) ✨ What daughters actually need from us to grow into confident, emotionally grounded women Dr. Kim shares research-backed insights, relatable examples, and a refreshing perspective on how to be the kind of mother your daughter listens to, learns from, and leans on—even when things get hard. Whether you’ve been feeling unsure, stretched thin, or stuck in old patterns, this episode is your invitation to parent with more clarity, connection, and confidence. Find the printable resource "The Parenting Styles Cheat Sheet" at https://www.nurturinggirls.com/PodcastResources

If your go-to parenting tools are falling flat and your connection feels like it’s slipping through your fingers, this episode is here to meet you right in that tension. We’ll unpack why the old scripts—rewards, punishments, even heartfelt reasoning—stop working in the tween and teen years (hint: it’s not because you’re doing it wrong). You’ll learn what’s happening in her brain when she seems impossible to reach, how emotional safety shifts everything, and what to say in moments that usually spiral.

You’re trying to hold it together—but your daughter is spiraling, and honestly… so are you. In this episode, we’re getting real about what it means to hold space when your teen is overwhelmed—and your own emotions are bubbling just beneath the surface. We’ll talk about why these moments feel so hard (hint: your nervous system is doing exactly what it was designed to do), and how to bring calm, connection, and clarity back into the room—without needing the perfect words. I’ll walk you through the T.A.P. Method—a simple, grounding tool you can use to reconnect in those emotionally charged moments. Plus, I’ll share a powerful real-life example, and a free printable “fridge card” from my Connection Kit so you can practice this at home. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be present. Let’s take this one breath at a time.

Why do so many confident girls begin to shrink during adolescence? In this episode we dive into the emotional and developmental forces behind self-doubt and comparison — and how moms can help their daughters rebuild self-worth from the inside out. We’ll explore how it is related to the adolescent brain, the impact of social media and peer dynamics, and the quiet ways perfectionism creeps in. You’ll learn practical, research-backed strategies to interrupt the cycle of negative self-talk and nurture lasting confidence — without needing to “fix” your daughter. This episode is packed with insight, validation, and tools you can use today — including a free download, Say This, Not That: Reframing Self-Talk, designed to help moms and daughters shift harmful inner narratives into empowering ones. If your daughter is struggling to believe in herself — or if you’re wondering how to show up with more compassion and less pressure — this one’s for you.

In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful but often overlooked skills for tween and teen girls: Empathy. How do we help our daughters navigate friendships, conflicts, and social pressures with emotional intelligence rather than just reacting? In today’s fast-paced digital world, where snarky comebacks and digital communication dominates, it’s more important than ever to teach our girls how to balance kindness with confidence. We break down what the research says about empathy’s long-term benefits, from stronger friendships to future career success. Plus, you'll hear some practical tools for moms to help their daughters build emotional intelligence, navigate conflicts, and develop true connection with others. Whether your daughter struggles to see different perspectives or needs help handling mean girl drama, this episode is packed with insightful advice and actionable steps. Make sure to check out the free handout "7 ways to model empathy for your daughter" at https://www.nurturinggirls.com/PodcastResources (Episode 11)

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Gina Calderone, a physical therapist specializing in the mind-body connection, to explore how emotional stress manifests in our bodies—and how it’s unconsciously passed down through generations. We discuss the hidden impact of unspoken emotions, the weight of self-sacrifice, and why so many mothers hold stress in their shoulders while their daughters feel it in their gut. Dr. Calderone shares insights on how we can break these cycles, teach our daughters (and ourselves) to release stored tension, and embrace a new way of healing that acknowledges the deep connections between emotional and physical well-being. If you’ve ever wondered why your daughter’s anxiety or stomach pain seems so familiar—or why you feel burdened in ways you can’t explain—this episode will change the way you think about stress, health, and generational healing. Find the Resources or thie episode here: https://www.nurturinggirls.com/PodcastResources

As girls transition from elementary to middle school, their confidence often takes a hit and many times this is directly related to negative self-talk that starts to creep into their daily thoughts. In this episode, we dive into the science behind negative self-talk, why the teenage brain is wired to overanalyze, and how social pressures amplify self-criticism. Join us as we explore practical strategies to help teen girls recognize and reframe negative thoughts, develop self-compassion, and build resilience. For show notes and resources please visit: https://www.NurturingGirls.com/PodcastResources