Is your son glued to his screen and telling you, “you just don’t get it”? But as a parent nowadays, you are navigating a world that looks very different from the one you grew up in. Video games double as social spaces. Screens shape friendships and status. And many teen boys are quietly struggling with anxiety, uncertainty about the future, and pressure they don’t always know how to talk about.

So how do you stay connected to your son when it feels like you’re speaking completely different languages?

In this episode, I sit down with licensed professional counselor Jarrod Hoffman, who specializes in working with teen boys. Jarrod shares what he sees every day in his counseling practice, from the hidden pressures boys face online to the misunderstandings that often happen between parents and sons.

Together, we explore why many boys say their parents “just don’t get it,” how video games and online spaces shape teen friendships today, and why anxiety is showing up so frequently in the lives of young men. Most importantly, we talk about how you can support your sons without rescuing them, but instead help them build the competence and confidence they need to become independent adults.

Jarrod also shares a simple but powerful communication tool parents can start using immediately to open up better conversations with their teen.

If you're raising a teenage boy and wondering how to stay connected while still helping him grow into his own independence, tune in. It’s a good one!

In this episode on parenting teen boys, we discuss:

• Why many (teenage) boys feel misunderstood by their parents;
• How video games and online spaces have become a central part of teen boys’ social lives;
• The rising levels of anxiety many boys are experiencing today;
• Why confidence grows through competence, failure, and real-life challenges;
• The difference between keeping kids safe and helping them become capable;
• How parents can avoid rescuing and instead support healthy independence in their sons;
• A powerful listening technique that helps teens think for themselves;
• How reflective listening can strengthen communication and trust with your teenage boy.

More about Jarrod Hoffman

Jarrod is a licensed professional counselor. He believes that teens are resilient and that parents are valuable. He was a teenage boy himself from 2004-2011. He loves reading books and is still on the fence about Messi or Ronaldo. He's experienced many life-changes, like his parent’s divorce when he was 10 and his dad's death when he was 28. He strives to help others find healing from wounds and triumph through suffering.

Looking for support?

🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

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And remember parents, the change begins with us.