Relationships are Messy

Whether they’re with your partner, child, friend or family member.  

Not too long ago, I got into a very hurtful conversation with my 15-year-old daughter. Y’all. Parenting teenagers is tough. The next morning, I was trying to hide my puffy eyes as I drove my 13-year-old son to school. But, tears were streaming down my face. He looked at me and said, “Are you crying about Caroline?”. 

Ugh. More tears. Ugly tears, in fact. 

Relationships are messy. Connecting with our friends and loved ones can be difficult. 

I’ll admit, I turn to Google for the answers, on occasion. And, this particular time, it didn’t lead me astray.

I was looking for something…anyyyyything…on how to better connect with my teenagers. And, I found an article that had the BEST advice, which has literally helped all my relationships. The advice was this — ask your loved one this question:  

“HOW CAN I BEST SUPPORT YOU RIGHT NOW?”

What’s so great about this question is that they’ll tell you exactly what they need from you. It might be time away from you 🤣 or more support. I even tried this question on my husband, who recently had a bunch of friends in town for a golf tournament. He said, “You can support me by not giving me a hard time about being with my buddies this week.” LOL. 

I ask this question to my loved ones all the time, now. And, I encourage you to do the same! If you’re stuck and don’t know what to say, or how to connect… simply respond, “How can I best support you right now?”

Not my finest moment...

Every newsletter, I'll be sharing funny stories that humanize us and keep it real. 

Aka, not my finest moment. #NotMyFinestMoment

Two steps forward, three steps back… what’s your vice? I feel so seen by this! 🤣

Have a submission for #NotMyFinestMoment? DM me. 

FARIS FAVORITES

1. Buffalo Chicken Wraps

Want an easy summer meal? My friend Terri hooked me up with buffalo strip wraps and I’m passing it along. You need Chicken Strips, Tortillas, Buffalo Sauce and a bag of Caesar salad (which you’ll need to mix). Cook the chicken strips, then toss in buffalo sauce. Lay 1-2 on each tortilla and top with the Caesar salad. It’s quick, easy and yum!

2. iPhone Hack You Need to Know

When you have to email the school or doctor’s office your documents, but don’t have a scanner… or, if you just want to take photos of your receipts and get rid of all your paper clutter… USE YOUR PHONE! I literally just discovered this feature on my iPhone. In your notes, create a new note, then click on the camera icon at the bottom of your screen. Several options will pop up (photo or video/scan documents/take photo or video/scan text). Click on SCAN DOCUMENT. Then, you take a photo of your receipt/paper and it saves it as a document, allowing you to email it as a document! Click below for an easy tutorial I shot on my phone. 

3. Thank You!!

You are my favorites because I want to thank you for supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of America by pre-ordering my kid's book, which comes out in September. You were the first I told about “Who Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up” and you propelled the book THAT DAY to the #1 new release! All my proceeds are going to the BGCA and I’m so grateful that you’re loving the message about how we can guide kids to know what matters most: character.

Here's what you missed this week in The CARRY™ ALL, the weekly newsletter BY working moms, for working moms (and the Media company birthed out of my own Called Out story!)1. Free (or cheap) things to do this summer 🌞⛱☀️2. A Mom's not so sweet summer perspective3. A letter to new mamas in the thick of newborn life