Should I Force my Teen to Attend Holiday Events?

Should you make your teen attend family holiday gatherings and events, even if they don’t want to? In this episode, licensed therapist Roya Dedeaux explores one of the most common parenting struggles during the holiday season: balancing family traditions with a teenager’s growing need for independence.

Roya shares why forcing your teen to participate often backfires, and how to instead focus on building a strong, trusting relationship long before the holidays arrive. You’ll learn how to:

• Understand where your teen is coming from when they resist family events
• Recognize that differentiation (your teen pulling away or wanting space) is a normal and healthy part of development
• Create family traditions that teens actually want to join
• Foster connection and trust so participation feels natural—not forced

Whether you’re navigating Thanksgiving dinner, holiday parties, or family reunions, this episode will help you handle the season with less stress and more connection.

👉 Tune in now to learn how to strengthen your relationship with your teen and create meaningful holiday memories—without power struggles.