S1:E12 – LORRAINE CONNELL "Raising Resilient Kids Through Divorce"

Raising resilient kids through divorce, co-parenting tips, and how to help children cope when everything changes — teen leadership expert and educator Lorraine Connell joins Becky Sampson on the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast with a practical framework every divorcing parent needs to hear. Your kids are watching how you handle this. And the good news? Divorce doesn't have to break them — it can be the moment they learn to lead their own lives. Lorraine Connell, M.Ed, MS, spent over 20 years in the classroom before founding Peers Not Fears, a leadership development program that helps teens build confidence, resilience, and real-world skills — without fear or comparison. Her message to parents navigating divorce: stop rescuing and start coaching. If you're worried your kids are falling apart, terrified you're damaging them, or struggling to co-parent through the chaos — this conversation will shift your entire mindset. 🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why resilience is built in the "challenge zone" — not the comfort zone or the panic zone — and how to guide your kids there The #1 mistake divorcing parents make: over-protecting kids from failure and discomfort How to let your children fail safely — and why it's the most loving thing you can do Why asking for help is a leadership skill, not a weakness (and how to model it during divorce) How high-conflict divorce and co-parenting stress affect teens — and what actually helps The alarm clock test: a simple parenting story that reveals whether you're rescuing or coaching How to talk to your kids about divorce without projecting your own fear onto them Why college pressure, social comparison, and perfectionism are crushing today's teens — and what parents can do differently Lorraine's "every kid is already a leader" philosophy and how it applies to children of divorce Practical strategies to build your child's confidence and self-worth when their world feels unstable 💡 This Episode Is For You If: You're going through a divorce and worried about the impact on your kids Your children seem anxious, withdrawn, or acting out since the separation You feel guilty about "breaking up the family" and want to know how to rebuild their sense of security You're co-parenting with a difficult ex and need strategies to keep your kids emotionally safe You want to raise kids who are strong, adaptable, and confident — not just "okay" 🎙️ About Our Guest: Lorraine Connell, M.Ed, MS, is the founder of Peers Not Fears, a leadership development program for teens. A former chemistry teacher with 20+ years in education, Lorraine is a certified coach, author, speaker, and podcast host on a mission to help every student feel seen, heard, and capable. She works with schools, families, and organizations across the country. Learn more at PeersNotFears.com 🎧 About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast:  Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. 🏷️ Keywords: raising resilient kids, parenting through divorce, kids and divorce, co-parenting tips, helping children cope with divorce, teen leadership, teen mental health, children of divorce, building resilience in children, parenting after divorce, divorce and children, comfort zone challenge zone, how to help kids through divorce, blended families after divorce, raising strong kids, high conflict divorce, co-parenting, Divorcing Strong, Lorraine Connell, Peers Not Fears Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong