How to stop your teen from "Should-ing" on themselves

Let's Talk Teens · Jan 29, 2026 · 11m

🎙️ Let’s Talk Teens: How to Stop Your Teen from “Should-ing” on Themselves

Welcome to another episode of "Let’s Talk Teens!" with certified life coaches, Abbi Winslow and Cheree Murdock — where we help parents support their teens’ mental and emotional health.

In this episode, we’re addressing a sneaky confidence-killer: “should-ing” on themselves. When teens constantly say “I should be better,” “I should have known,” or “I should be more like them,” it fuels shame, pressure, and burnout — not growth.

We’ll break down where these “shoulds” come from, how they impact your teen’s self-worth, and…