Ep 65 They’re Not Leaving You - They’re Just Doing a Lap with Michelle Mitchell

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi is joined by Michelle Mitchell, parenting expert, author, and educator, for a practical, encouraging conversation about connection, boundaries, and raising resilient teenagers.

With decades of experience equipping families to stay connected through the messy emotional years, Michelle brings grounded insights that help parents move beyond fear and frustration and into thoughtful, values-based parenting.

This is not a perfection-based conversation.

It’s a connection-based one.

Kristi and Michelle explore why control isn’t the goal, why “parenting is just hard” is a myth, and how building trust with teenagers requires intentional, age-appropriate guidance. They discuss:

Why connection matters more than control

Teaching principles instead of just rules

Using friendships as the practice ground for adult relationships

How to stay consistent and present, even when your child pushes away

Why saying “no” is sometimes the most loving thing you can do

Navigating independence while maintaining safety

The roundabout metaphor for the normal ups and downs of growing up