"I can't clean up my toys right now! You're not listening to me!" Those were the fiery words of my 4-year-old after I had insistently asked her to tidy up her toys. Frustration got the best of me, and I responded with a firm, "I'm the parent, YOU listen to ME!" The result? A full-scale meltdown, with flailing arms and sobs. That's when it struck me - my approach wasn't effective at all.

Many Moms find themselves feeling a bit distanced from their daughters as they enter the teenage years, and creating and nurturing emotional closeness is a challenge. The days of bonding while playing Barbies and healing a scraped knee with a kiss are long gone. You might now be greeted with slamming doors or the disappointment of her skipping your cherished pizza movie night for a hangout with friends.

So, why does this emotional gap tend to widen during the teen years?