Leashes, Lessons

And Love

AND L heart VE

What Dogs Teach Us About Raising Our Kids and Ourselves

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“A delightful and practical collection of stories, offering gems of wisdom to help parents navigate the teen years with patience, humor and connection."

—Cristina Modak, Phd

Author of The Sleep Key

“These stories make serious topics fun and memorable. The glossary is brilliant - clear, simple definitions to help you understand and connect."

—Gloria M. Larson,

Conflict Resolution Coach

“Heartwarming and clever, this book delivers powerful parenting lessons, with a reminder that parenting (kids and dogs) can be messy, magical and deeply rewarding.”

—Tara Smith

Teen Mindset Coach

A Way to Parent

(That Actually Works)

Five transformations emerge after reading this book...

1.

You are more confident in your parenting, and in your child.

You meet challenges without overthinking and second-guessing yourself. Instead of guarding against the worst happening, you focus on bringing out the best in your child and that carries over into how you parent every day. Parenting feels more hopeful, because you begin to see their strengths shining through.

2.

You feel closer and more connected.

The constant push-and-pull has eased. You hand off responsibility in ways that help your child step up, and they surprise you with how capable they really are. Conversations feel easier and lighter, and your home feels more like a team than a battleground.

3.

You see everyday challenges as opportunities.

Instead of feeling drained by resistance or mistakes, you recognize them as teaching moments. You use them to build character, responsibility, and resilience — and you see your child growing into someone who can handle more than you once believed. The stress eases, and pride takes its place.

4.

You have patience and perspective.

You’ve let go of the pressure for quick fixes. You understand that practice and consistency are what really bring results, and you notice progress in the small steps forward. Parenting feels steadier and more grounded, and you give yourself credit for showing up day after day.

5.

You lead with love.

Love and connection guide everything you do. Boundaries feel natural because they come from care, not control, and your child feels safe, respected, and deeply loved. You feel proud knowing you’re raising not just a capable teen, but a kind and confident human being.

About the Book

Watch This Video Interview With the Author

Why I'm Giving the Book Away at Cost...

(And no, it's not a gimmick.)

Moms and Dads, I'm making Leashes, Lessons and Love available to you below my cost of printing, fulfillment, and shipping.

Why am I doing this? There are two reasons:

First, I want to help you bring out the best in your children and your relationship, and to give you a few smiles along the way. This parenting gig can get intense, and this book will lighten your mood.

Through my parenting journey and coaching parents, I've done the hard work for you: learning what really matters, and transforming myself and my family.

I don't want you to waste years trying to figure it out. You can begin the transformation now.

Therefore, my goal is to get this book into as many hands as possible.

The second reason I'm selling this book below cost is because by transforming your life and your parenting, you may become interested in other things I share that can help you create the kind of family life you dream about.

That's it.

I know this book can gently guide your parenting journey, and I can't wait for you to read it!

Frequently Asked Questions

Your most asked questions...

How long will it take for the book to arrive?

Your book will be packaged and sent from Taylor, Michigan, USA.

For U.S. customers, you can expect the book to arrive in 7-15 business days (could be a lot sooner).

For international orders, you can expect the book to arrive in 10-22 business days (it could be sooner)..

You will receive a tracking number via email immediately after your order.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact support (listed at the footer of this page).

Do you offer refunds?

Yes. We believe in this book so much that if you're unsatisfied, you can send the book back within 60 days and get a 100% refund. No questions asked. Just contact me via the support details at the footer of this page and I will personally see to it that you are refunded.

About the Author

Meet The Person Creating a Parenting Movement...

Fern Weis

I have a story, just like you.

Becoming a coach for parents of teens didn’t happen by accident. Our family went through some very difficult times during our kids’ teen years.  

With life revolving around a child who was underachieving and making poor choices, we had no choice but to take an intervention for him and a good, hard look at ourselves and how our family was operating.

After a month at a wilderness program, we sent him to Hyde School, a college-prep boarding school of family-based character education and leadership development. And it was the parent program that sealed the deal for us.

We knew that our child couldn’t come back to the same home, same parents.  Whatever he learned, whatever progress he would make, it had to be reinforced at home.  We needed to learn a new language and a new way of doing things.  (The happy ending?  He graduated Hyde and college, and is working in his chosen profession.  Our daughter has found her own unique way as well.  We are thrilled with the loving, dedicated, persistent and resilient adults our children have become.)

I came to understand that my children’s behavior was just as much about me as it was about them. The big ‘aha’ was that not only were caring and good intentions not enough, they were part of the problem!  After sitting with that for a while, I got down to work. Nothing was going to change until I did. So I changed, my parenting changed, and my life changed for the better.


After teaching middle school for 13 years, I trained as a life coach and founded my business, Your Family Matters, in 2008. Since then, I've been teaching and supporting parents on the parent-teen relationship, improving communication skills, setting healthy boundaries, helping their children become problem-solvers... in other words, helping them raise their teens to confident, self-sufficient adulthood, while preserving their sanity along the way.

Although our stories may be different, you and I share the same hopes, dreams and fears for our children. My goal is for you to become a strong, confident parent who launches independent, resilient young adults into the world.

Certified in:
Empowerment Coaching
Social-Emotional Intelligence Coaching
Family Recovery Coaching
NJ State Teacher, K-12, French

Fern's Bold Guarantee

I am so confident my book will make you a more confident, effective parent who brings out the best in your children that⸺ if you're unsatisfied (for whatever reason)⸺you can send the book back within 60 days and receive a 100% refund.

No questions asked.

Just contact me via the support details at the bottom of this page. You will be given a return address to send the book back to.

I will personally see to it that you are refunded every penny⸺both the cost of the book and the shipping cost.