We recently had the chance to connect with Xochitl Rodriguez and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Xochitl, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
A recent moment that made me feel proud is about my 17 year old daughter. My youngest teen daughter does competitive cheerleading and recently the team was asked to talk about who is their inspiration for doing such an intense sport and going for the gold. Most of the team responded with either being their parents or God. Although those are extremely good responses and my daughter is a believer, her response was “My biggest inspiration is me and getting to be the best version of myself. I put in the hours and effort to WIN” I am SO proud for her answering that. To me that reflects the years of small seeds that I planted as a mother for her to know that she’s in charge of her future, that she gets to decide who she wants to be. This moment was a reflection of her confidence and a reflection of the power she knows she has. As a parent, many times you question if you’re doing things right. This moment right here was proof that I had done many things right
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Xochitl Rodriguez, and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor, author, and speaker based in Houston. I’m the founder of The ParenTeen Lab, a bilingual community and coaching platform where I help parents of teenagers rebuild trust, improve communication, and create genuine connection at home.
After more than 15 years working with teens and families in therapy, I noticed the same pattern repeating—parents love their teens deeply but often feel disconnected, frustrated, or unsure of how to reach them. That’s why I created The ParenTeen Lab: to turn those everyday struggles into opportunities for understanding and growth.
What makes my work unique is that it blends professional insight with real-life experience. I’m a mom of two daughters, and I know firsthand that parenting teenagers can be both rewarding and challenging. My programs, courses, and workshops offer parents simple, research-based tools they can use immediately—without guilt, judgment, or overwhelm.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding The ParenTeen Lab into a movement—one that helps busy parents feel seen, supported, and confident as they guide the next generation. My mission is simple: to help families communicate with compassion and lead with love, not control.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
This is such an interesting question. My earliest memory of not necessarily feeling powerful, but feeling purposeful—of being able to make a difference in someone’s life—goes back to when I was about ten years old.
That summer, my mother and I traveled to Monterrey, Mexico, with some of her friends. One of them had a son named Mike, who was about my age and had Down syndrome. I remember that whenever all the kids sat at the table for lunch or dinner, Mike would sit on the floor to eat because he hadn’t yet learned to use utensils, and the adults worried he might make a mess.
Something about that moment stayed with me. The next day, I decided to sit on the floor with him. Slowly, with patience and playfulness, I began showing him how to hold a fork. It wasn’t easy—his motor skills made it challenging—but we kept trying. Over the course of that summer, something beautiful happened: Mike learned to eat at the table with us. It may have seemed like a small thing, but to me, it meant everything.
By the end of the summer, Mike wasn’t just joining us for meals—he was laughing, playing, and fully part of the group. I remember feeling so proud, not of myself, but of him. It showed me how powerful connection, patience, and compassion can be in helping someone grow.
About ten years later, I ran into Mike again by pure coincidence—this time, he was working as a host at a restaurant. He recognized me immediately and gave me the biggest hug. That moment reminded me that what we offer others in kindness and patience always leaves an imprint, even years later.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There has been many times that I felt like giving up. I have been a therapist for over 15 years and I see the need teenagers have to really connect with their parents, whether they want to admit it openly or not. When I first started my online course, I was putting it out there and I felt like no one was interested because no one was buying it. I clearly saw the need in my therapy room, but at some point it felt like parents didn’t care, like they were the ones that were not interested in connecting with their teens. I was confused. I had worked with many families while I was in the education industry and I knew something was certain: Every parent loves their kid and would do anything for their children. So I kept going. I kept telling myself “the right parent is out there” and I knew that if I could help only ONE relationship get better, my job had been done. The ParenTeen Lab is now the third version of the parenting program and I see how it has changed lives and I’m glad I didn’t give up. Now The ParenTeen Lab includes other resources, such as topics on Teen Self-Esteem Accelerator and Teen Motivation Map.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think many well-intentioned people misunderstand the teenage years. Through both observation and professional experience, I’ve learned that parents often see this stage as something to simply get through—a temporary, turbulent phase that will eventually pass. But while the teenage years are indeed temporary, they are also profoundly formative. These are the years when a young person’s brain is wiring itself for emotional regulation, self-worth, communication, and relationships.
Teenagers aren’t difficult—they’re developing. The real challenge is that most parents haven’t been given the right tools or knowledge to navigate this stage with compassion, loving boundaries, and clear communication. Our role as parents isn’t to control or “fix” them, but to guide them toward becoming the best version of themselves—not a copy of us, or the fulfillment of our expectations.
This generation, in particular, faces a unique challenge: they are the first to grow up with a phone in their hand. For many, screens became a way to soothe discomfort instead of learning to sit with and process emotions. Over time, that has shaped their neural pathways—limiting their ability to regulate, reflect, and cope. What we’re seeing now, in rising levels of anxiety and depression, is the long-term effect of emotional avoidance in a digital world.
As parents, the most powerful thing we can do is model emotional awareness ourselves—to show our teens that it’s okay to feel, to struggle, and to grow through it with love and understanding.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as a high-energy, positive, and genuinely loving person. I truly love what I do, and anyone who has ever heard me talk about it can see that passion right away. My work allows me to connect with people on the deepest level—to hear their stories, their struggles, their dreams—and to hold space for them to simply be themselves.
It’s an incredible privilege to witness people’s transformation. Every time I get a message from a parent saying, “I finally have my teen back,” it fills me with so much gratitude. Moments like that remind me why I do what I do.
I’ve been given the gift of seeing life through the lens of love, and that perspective has shaped everything—from the way I teach and parent to the way I help families heal. If there’s one story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone, it’s that I helped others reconnect—with themselves, with their loved ones, and with the kind of love that makes life feel whole again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.xochitlrodriguez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xochitlrodriguezns?igsh=bXFkb3J6bTIyZXJh&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xochitl-rodriguez-lpc-0b3410166
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19C6CSQ1vr/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEyD4-WDqYiH9NbxhOcR7AJtwVjTtflCM&si=btPVy8LXUcpe1V0X
