The 3-Step Pause That Stops Teen Meltdowns—and Parent Burnout

Ever wish you had a pause button—for your teen or yourself? When you’re caught in a meltdown, shutdown, or power struggle, it’s easy to spiral into reactivity and regret. In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam , Jennie Phillips—coach, fitness pro, mom of four, and author of Yellow Light Moments —introduces a science-backed framework that empowers families to slow down and reset before emotions explode. Jennie shares her 3-step “Yellow Light Moment” method (Yield-Listen-Move), giving parents the language, tools, and mindset shifts needed to manage teen stress, model emotional regulation, and create a calmer home. If your family is running on exhaustion and conflict, this episode will help you pump the brakes—with just a few intentional minutes that can shift everything. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE A 3-step process to prevent teen blowups before they start How to create shared emotional language with your teen (like “caterpillar” or “question quota”) Why your teen’s “laziness” might actually be healthy self-regulation How guilt around self-care is secretly sabotaging your parenting 🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! 🙏💫 🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌 RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Yellow Light Moments Book YLM Toolbox for Teens CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Jennie Phillips Website: www.jenniephillipscoaching.com Instagram: @jenniephillipscoaching Facebook: Jennie Phillips Coaching LinkedIn: Jennie Phillips CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell Website: AskDrCam.com Instagram: @DrCamCaswell TikTok: @the.teen.translator YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Facebook: @DrCamCaswell EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Need for a Pause 01:09 Introducing Yellow Light Moments 06:38 Understanding the Concept of Yellow Light Moments 12:27 The Importance of Pausing 20:24 Training Ourselves to Yield 25:44 Benefits of Taking a Pause 29:37 Modeling for Our Teens 33:56 Final Thoughts and Action Items ABOUT THE SHOW The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. #theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #teenmeltdowns #parentburnout