As parents, we all want our kids to have good friends. We believe that friendships will help them feel happy, confident, and secure. But just like with horses, if we don’t understand the right way to encourage connection, we might unintentionally create problems instead of solutions.

Breakups are tough, especially for teens. Their first heartbreak can feel overwhelming, but as parents, you can guide them toward understanding, healing, and growth. Below are 16 ways to help your teen experience loss while maintaining their self-respect and grace.

Discipline doesn’t have to mean conflict or distance between you and your kids. When handled with clarity, love, and consistency, it becomes a powerful tool to build trust, respect, and deeper relationships. The Ask, Tell, Promise, Enforce System isn’t just another parenting strategy—it’s a proven framework that transforms families. Developed through the wisdom of Rick Steed’s horse training expertise and adapted to parenting in my coaching work, this system goes beyond superficial fixes to create real, lasting change. If you’ve struggled to discipline your kids in a way that strengthens your bond rather than damages it, you’re not alone. This approach is for parents who want accountability and respect without sacrificing love and connection.

In the horse world, people talk about the "finished" horse—one that’s fully trained and capable. But the truth is, no horse is ever truly finished. A horse that stops learning, growing, or being worked with doesn’t stay the same; it begins to regress. The same is true for humans. The idea of being “finished” can limit progress, whether it’s a horse or a teenager. Embracing a growth mindset is essential to continual development.

Do you feel like accepting yourself means giving up on your goals? It’s a common misconception that self-acceptance and self-improvement can’t coexist. But here’s the truth: accepting yourself as you are right now is the foundation for becoming the person you want to be. For years, I believed self-acceptance meant settling for less. I thought it was an excuse for failure or a way to justify not trying harder. But I’ve learned that it’s actually the opposite. Self-acceptance unlocks the door to growth, progress, and success.

Have you ever been to a barn in the middle of feeding time? It can either be a picture of peaceful organization—or total chaos. At our stable, we’ve experienced both, and the difference always comes down to one thing: unity. For horses, food is central to the herd’s hierarchy. The more dominant horses control the food supply, eating first and determining who gets to eat and when. Left unmanaged, this natural hierarchy can lead to fights and confusion, especially when humans enter the mix. But when we feed our horses, we manage the process with care to ensure everyone stays safe and the environment remainscalm. Sounds simple, right? It wasn’t always this way.