They say teens pulling away is just normal. But… what if it’s not?

In this powerful episode, Christy-Faith unpacks a cultural shift that’s quietly unraveling the parent-child bond: peer orientation.

Drawing from the parenting classic Hold On to Your Kids by Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Gordon Neufeld, she explains how teens today are being emotionally pulled away from their parents and reattached to… other teens. The result? Disconnection, confusion, and a generation struggling to find real belonging.

This episode isn’t about blaming your kid. It’s about understanding what’s happening—and what you can do to restore the relationship.

Because your teen isn’t rebellious. They’re lost.

 And yes—you can bring them back.

The Christy-Faith Show | Ep. 76

🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES

Free Homeschooling Resources
Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey:
👉 https://christy-faith.com/links

Thrive Homeschool Community
Join Christy-Faith’s online community for mentorship, encouragement, and real friendships that last:
👉 https://christy-faith.com/thrive

Christy-Faith’s List
A curated directory of homeschool-friendly service providers, businesses, and colleges:
👉 https://christy-faiths-list.com

Christy-Faith’s Book: Homeschool Rising
📖 Encouragement + strategy for starting strong or starting over:
👉 https://christy-faith.com/book-homeschool-rising

References Mentioned in Episode 🔗

• CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey

• University of Virginia Study
   
• Hold Onto Your Kids Book
   
• Dealing with Family Criticism Episode

• Parenting Fails Episode

• The Relation of Attachment Security to Adolescents’ Paternal and Peer Relationships, Depression, and Externalizing Behavior
   

🎙️ SHOW SPONSORS

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible structure, biblical worldview
✔ Built-in critical thinking and hands-on learning
👉 https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/christy

CTC Math
✔ Online, self-paced K–12 math curriculum
✔ 50% off + free trial for Christy-Faith listeners
👉 https://ctcmath.com/how-it-works/home-school?tr_id=CF

LearningRx
✔ Cognitive skills training for kids with ADHD, dyslexia & more
✔ $50 off assessment with code HOME50
👉 https://LearningRx.com or call 866-272-4601

🎧 SHOW RECAP

Teen disconnection isn’t just a phase. It’s a symptom.

Christy-Faith breaks down the concept of peer orientation and reveals how today’s school culture fosters disconnection—and how homeschooling creates space for healing and reconnection.

✅ What “peer orientation” is and why it’s so dangerous
✅ Why your teen isn’t defiant—they’re emotionally displaced
✅ How culture redefines detachment as “independence” (and why that’s a lie)
✅ How homeschooling reorders social attachment and strengthens the parent-child bond
✅ Why homeschooled teens often thrive emotionally and relationally
✅ Practical encouragement if you’re just starting to ask, Could homeschooling help us?

Whether you’re feeling disconnected from your teen or trying to prevent that heartbreak before it begins, this episode offers a lifeline—and a reminder: you are the anchor your child still needs.

📌 Like, subscribe, and share this with a parent who’s struggling to connect with their teen.

💬 Have you seen peer orientation in your own child’s life? Let’s talk about it in the comments.