Speaking of Teens

#249: Teenager Friendship Drama--Help Without Making It Worse

In this episode, I'm breaking down one of the most emotionally charged challenges parents face...teen friendship drama...and sharing exactly what to do (and what not

#248: How To Get Your Teenager To Actually Listen To You

In this episode, I'll completely flip your understanding of teen discipline — because if grounding, taking the phone, punishing, and lecturing haven't worked, i

#247: Getting Your Teen To Stop Or Decrease Their Substance Use

In this episode, I'm sharing some of the most powerful, science-backed strategies you can use to help motivate your teen to change their relationship with substances

#246 Discovered Your Teen Is Using Drugs Or Drinking? What Now?

Today I’ll explain exactly what to do when you discover your teen is drinking, vaping, or using drugs. You’ll learn how to have a calm, connected conversation with your t

#245 – Why Teens Use Substances And How To Help Prevent It

In today's episode I break down the neuroscience behind why teens are so vulnerable to substance use—and explain what you can actually do about it. If you're w

What To Do About Your “Lazy And Unmotivated” Teenager (That Actually Works)

Today I'm going to share why your teenager seems so lazy and unmotivated, and what you can actually do about it that won't backfire.  I'll explain what&ap

#243: Stop Overparenting—You’re Sabotaging Your Teen’s Future

In this episode, I explain how you may be unwittingly overparenting (aka, helicopter parenting) your teen—and why doing too much for or controlling your teenager actually

#242: Why Home Drug Testing Your Teen Is A Losing Proposition

It seems reasonable and logical that drug testing your teenager at home could keep them safe or at least keep them accountable. However, the opposite is actually true.

#241: How To Connect To Your Teen To Improve Their Behavior

Today is the eighth and final episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series. If your teen shuts down around you, keeps things from you, has big emotional

#240 Punishment Creates Teen Rebellion. Do This Instead.

Today is the seventh episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series. If you're dealing with a teenager who seems to push back against everything you s

#239: Want Your Teen To Actually Calm Down? Do This. (Fundamentals of Parenting Teens Series ep. 6)

Today is the sixth episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series. Do you feel helpless in the face of your teen's emotional meltdowns? Today, I&apos

#238: Want to improve your teen’s behavior? Improve yours. (Fundamentals of Parenting Teens Series ep. 5)

Today is the fifth episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series. Want to stop the power struggles with your teen? The secret isn't changing them—it&

#237: Your Teen’s Behavior Isn’t The Problem, It’s Your Approach (Fundamentals of Parenting Teens Series ep. 4)

Today is the fourth episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series. (Previous episodes in the series: 234, 235, and 236) If you're constantly battling

#236: Why Your Smart Teen Does Risky Things, And How To Help (Fundamentals of Parenting Teens Series ep. 3)

Today is the third episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series. (Previous episodes in the series: 234 and 235) Why do teens do such “stupid” things? Why

#235: Why your teen’s so angry, anxious, moody, and “mean” (Fundamentals of Parenting Teens Series ep. 2)

Today is the second episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series. (The first episode in the series: 234) If you're struggling with your teen's

#234: The Thing You Need To Know About Your Teen's Behavior (Fundamentals of Parenting Teens Series ep. 1)

Today is the first episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series. I'm revisiting this series that I first published back in episodes 130 through 137.

#233: 5 Parenting Mistakes That Destroy Connection With Our Teens

I made some critical mistakes with our teenage son when we were struggling with his behavior issues. Some of us are so deeply entrenched in certain parenting strategies t

#232: Difficult Teen? Transform Them With This Parent Skill

Are you struggling with difficult teen behavior, constant conflict, and feeling like nothing you do actually works?  In today's episode I explain that the secret to

#231: Are Smart Phones and Social Media Really Ruining Teens’ Mental Health (Or Have We Been Here Before)?

Are smartphones and social media really destroying teen mental health, or are we panicking as we have many times in the past? From novels, radio, and comic books, to TV

#230: How To Reduce Chaos In Your Home To Improve Teen Mental Health

A calm, structured, predictable home life is as important for teens and tweens as it is for children. Scientific research shows that the opposite will have a negative eff