How to Support a Killer Summer for Your Teens

Life of And

In this episode of Life of And, Tiffany Sauder dives into how she's preparing her home and her teens for a more intentional summer. Tiffany shares real-life parenting strategies that go beyond just surviving the season—and instead foster growth, independence, and joy for older kids and their families.

From co-creating summer plans with her daughters to managing screen time and helping teens build executive function, Tiffany unpacks the developmental truths of adolescence and how parents can structure the summer to support their teens emotionally, socially, and practically. Whether you're raising a soon-to-be driver or a preteen with big feelings, this episode is packed with thoughtful ideas to make this summer more constructive and connected.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to co-create summer plans that include your teen’s priorities and yours
• Why structure and explicit agreements reduce chaos and increase clarity
• Simple ways to build executive function and emotional resilience in teens

🎯 Key Tips Include:

• Use a weekly family meeting to align schedules and reduce “day-of” problem solving
• Co-define screen time limits with your teens for buy-in and accountability
• Post an “If You’re Bored” list and meal menu to support teen independence
• Assign life skills like budgeting, laundry, or grilling as summer learning goals

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(05:53) Key reminders for parenting teenagers

(09:57) Developing independence and social skills

(15:37) Balancing emotions in a task-oriented family

(17:55) Supporting constructive summer activities for teens

(18:02) Outsourcing laundry for more family time

(18:57) Co-creating a summer plan with your teenager

Check out the apps and sponsor of this episode:

• Created in partnership with Share Your Genius
• Have you heard of Poplin? Give yourself the gift of time with your kids this summer by outsourcing your laundry! Use the code TIFFANY15 for $15 off your first order.
• Download the Summer Sanity Toolbox: Start with priorities. Add structure. Make space for joy. Because summer is yours too.
• The #1 way to bring peace to your home with Michelle Gambs: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-1-way-to-bring-peace-to-your-home-with-michelle-gambs/id1555762235?i=1000642077120

Other Episodes in the Summer Sanity Series:

• Summer Survival Systems for the Whole Family: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/summer-survival-systems-for-the-whole-family/id1555762235?i=1000708565509
• 5 Tools & Apps To Keep You Aligned This Summer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-tools-apps-to-keep-you-aligned-this-summer/id1555762235?i=1000706783024
• A Working Parent’s Guide to Navigating Summer: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-working-parents-guide-to-navigating-summer/id1555762235?i=1000705671662