There's something about this time of year that seems to make parenting, teaching, just 'peopling' in general more difficult.    The shine of the new school year has worn off. Kids who haven't adapted so well to the transition are really struggling. Holidays are on the horizon, which can cause extra stress and anxiety at home. The days are getting shorter. The time change is coming. Colder weather is on its way... Anything I missed from that list?   When people feel stressed, they instinctively look for ways to feel more in control of their environment. As parents and teachers, we often turn this need for control into attempts to control the kids in our lives.    For some kids, this can be accomplished fairly easily. Some kids want to be compliant and please the adults in their lives. And then there's the kids like me who will fight back any time they feel like there is an attempt to control them. In this week's podcast/YouTube episode, I'm talking with Ann Coleman, a parenting coach who focuses on challenging teens. We talk about some of the factors contributing to the mindset of our teens, as well as how we can parent them with less conflict.  I grew up with a lot of household conflict in my teen years, and I feel like this conversation is incredibly important for anyone looking to have a more supportive, less challenging relationship with their teen. Where to find Ann: Podcast: Speaking of Teens www.speakingofteens.com