Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens Into Adulthood

Your college kid is back home for the summer... and suddenly you're wondering whether they're still your child, a guest, or a roommate who leaves dishes in the sink. This week, Dr. Ken and Cynthia tackle one of the trickiest parenting transitions: when young adults return home after months of living life on their own. From curfews and chores to tracking apps and family vacations, they discuss why many of the rules that worked in high school don't work anymore.They also dive into the harder stuff—what happens when your child comes home with different beliefs, different priorities, and a strong desire to spend most of their time somewhere other than your living room. If you've ever felt hurt, frustrated, or completely unsure of your role now that your child is growing up, this conversation will help you navigate the tension between holding on and letting go. Turns out, the very independence you've been working toward all these years feels surprisingly personal when it finally arrives.If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" hereYou can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" hereYou can order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on Feeding the Mouth That Bites You, we flip the script.Instead of Cynthia asking the questions, Dr. Ken takes over—and interviews Cynthia on release day of her new book, How’d I Miss That? What follows is equal parts parenting wisdom, real-life chaos, and proof that even competent adults can forget to put the gas pump back.Dr. Ken digs into why modern parents feel so much pressure to get everything right—and why most of what feels urgent probably isn’t. Cynthia shares the heart behind How’d I Miss That?: the small, everyday moments that quietly shape our kids, our faith, and our marriages far more than the big, flashy ones. They talk about comparison, friendship, parenting with the long view in mind, and why love—not perfection—is still the question we’re meant to answer.It’s honest, funny, encouraging, and deeply relatable—especially if you’ve ever thought, Wait…How’d I Miss That?If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" hereYou can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" hereYou can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week’s episode was important enough to re-record: when (and if) you should push your teen to go to therapy. Cynthia and Dr. Ken unpack what therapy actually is, why forcing a resistant teen rarely works, and the surprising ways counseling can sometimes do more harm than good.Dr. Ken explains how to recognize when therapy becomes necessary, why parent coaching often helps more than sending a reluctant teenager, and what to consider when choosing a counselor—including privacy boundaries, insurance realities, and whether your teen truly needs a Christian therapist.They also address one of parents’ biggest fears: what to do when you’re worried about your child’s safety. With a practical, steady framework, Dr. Ken walks through how to assess real risk versus normal emotional overwhelm and how to respond without panic.Today’s show is for anyone wondering whether counseling is the right next step. If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" hereYou can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" hereYou can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! Cynthia and Dr. Ken kick off the year by ditching the pressure of New Year’s resolutions and instead encouraging parents to look at their parenting trajectory—if nothing changes, is that a good thing or not so much? Dr. Ken shares three foundational areas parents should revisit as the year begins—places that often create the most tension at home and the most confusion for parents trying to do the right thing. Along the way, they address control, conflict, and the emotional weight parents carry when things aren’t going smoothly with their teens.Today’s show ends with an important reminder: your child’s choices are not a report card on your worth as a parent. Tune in today for a few thoughts on where to focus as we parent teens in the New Year.If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" hereYou can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" hereYou can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy