What if you didn’t have to wait for your teen to change in order to feel close to them again?

In this episode, Emily sits down with pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, author of Love the Teen You Have, to talk about the emotional reality of parenting a neurodivergent teen—especially when the relationship feels strained, distant, or difficult.

They explore a simple but powerful shift: intentionally “hunting” for things to love about your teen. When you begin to look for what’s good, your perspective starts to change—and that shift can transform the connection between you.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level parenting advice. Dr. Ann-Louise shares practical ways to rebuild closeness, even during dysregulation, and explains why connection should always come before correction. They also unpack how to use nostalgia in a way that strengthens your relationship (instead of creating distance), and how understanding your teen’s brain can make their behavior feel more workable.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your teen, overwhelmed by their behavior, or unsure how to reach them, this episode will meet you with compassion, validation, and realistic tools you can start using today.

You don’t have to wait for things to get easier to feel close again.

Connect with Emily Hamblin: https://emily-hamblin.com

Connect with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart: https://drannlouiselockhart.com/