Episode 55: Grandma‘s and Parent’s Guide to Building Strong Connections with Teen Grandchildren

In this episode of The Grand Balance, Angela and Sharon take a closer look at the often-complicated relationship between grandparents and teenagers. Inspired by the book Feeding the Mouth That Bites You by Dr. Kenneth Wilgus, they explore the concept of Planned Emancipation—a parenting approach that encourages gradually giving teens more independence as they prepare for adulthood. Along the way, Angela and Sharon share their own experiences raising teenagers, including the challenges of letting go, allowing natural consequences, resisting the urge to rescue, and navigating the inevitable power struggles that come with the teen years. They also discuss what grandparents can do to stay connected as grandchildren become more independent, including becoming trusted listeners, supporting parents, avoiding “secret keeping,” and creating meaningful one-on-one relationships. Filled with practical insights, personal stories, and a few laughs about lessons learned the hard way, this episode offers encouragement for parents and grandparents who want to build strong, healthy relationships with the teens in their lives while helping them grow into confident, capable adults.