Shows
The Colors of SoundThe Rev. Ann Coleman InterviewIn this conversation, Timothy Coleman interviews his mother, Reverend Ann L Coleman, about her upbringing and early life experiences. They discuss her strong familial influences, growing up in Portsmouth, Ohio, and her close relationship with her Aunt Matt. They also touch on her marriage to Timothy's father, their time in Germany and Vietnam, and settling in Dayton, Ohio. Reverend Ann shares the importance of boundaries and the grace of God in her life. Overall, the conversation highlights the love, support, and blessings she has received throughout her life. In this conversation, Mom shares about her jo...
2025-04-1451 min
Speaking of TeensA Holiday Message From AnnFind our FREE Parenting Guides Here"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. I...
2024-12-2405 minSpeaking of TeensA Brief Message From Ann - Life HappensThe 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50! Check out the podcast on YouTube! Email Ann at acoleman@speakingofteens.com Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving...
2024-03-2206 minSpeaking of Teens#74: What To Do When You Don’t Like Your Teenager’s Boyfriend or GirlfriendIf you need help now, call the National Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 or go to loveisrespect.org to receive immediate confidential assistance.If you've not been in this situation yet, you've been lucky so far. It's a terrible position for the parent of a teenager to find themselves. It's hard to imagine but your teen may just have different tastes in romantic partners than you'd expected (and you may not like this person one bit.) Maybe you can't even put your finger on it...there's just something about them. So, what do...
2023-10-0615 minSpeaking of Teens#73: A Teenager’s Mental Health Journey That Culminated in a Podcast For Other Teens (With Sadie Sutton of She Persisted)Do you have a teenager dealing with a mental health issue? Maybe you have a teen who’s cutting or self-harming in some way or one who’s depressed or anxious or just can’t seem to cope with daily life. Maybe you’re just hoping and praying they hang in there until they reach adulthood. It can be so hard to imagine they’ll ever be okay again when you’re in the middle of this battle. If you’re feeling the weight of your teen’s mental health struggle, Sadie’s story will not only give you hope, but will also...
2023-10-0350 minSpeaking of Teens9-29-23 Bonus: Hey Parent - Prove To Your Teenager That They Can Tell You AnythingEvery Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative. Today's episode is about communicating with your teenager. Parenting a teen is far from easy. But remaining calm when they open up to you about something critical - well, it can be extremely difficult (but so important if you want to remain their primary "influencer.") Related episodes: 8, 26, 57FREE GUIDES for parents of teens and tweens:“Emotional Awareness Strategies” (for parents)“Why Doesn’t My Teen Sleep?” (e-book)“6 Things You Should Understand About Your Teen”“Helping Your Tee...
2023-09-2912 minSpeaking of Teens#72: Emotional Freedom Technique (aka: EFT Tapping) For You And Your Teen (with Lauren Fonvielle)If you've ever been curious about "tapping", now's your chance to learn everything you need to know about this evidence-based, therapeutic self-help technique. The Emotional Freedom Technique, otherwise known as "EFT" or "EFT Tapping" has been scientifically shown to help children, adolescents, and adults with all manner of mental, physical, and emotional pain. Have you ever heard of it or seen anyone practice it? It looks a little bit odd, and I was admittedly skeptical, but the evidence is clear – it works! It helps with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, PTSD, weight issues, physical pain and so much more. So, jo...
2023-09-2641 minSpeaking of Teens9-22-23 Bonus: Rules, Rules, And More RulesEvery Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative. Today's episode is all about rules about rules!Related episodes: 15, 16, and 22 Show NotesFind our FREE Parenting Guides Here"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and...
2023-09-2209 minSpeaking of Teens#71: Teens, Tweens and School Avoidance or School Refusal (With Jayne Demsky of The School Avoidance Alliance) Part 2If you haven’t listened to episode #70, you might want to go back now and listen before returning here. Perhaps you’ve been there; sitting on the edge of your 15-year-old daughter’s bed while she cries and pleads with you not to make her go to school because she “just can’t.” Or maybe you’ve stood outside the bathroom door while your 13-year-old son intermittently throws up and yells that he’s “never going back to that school!” Statistically speaking, you may have had an experience like this or you may just be in the position before...
2023-09-1940 minSpeaking of Teens#70: Teens, Tweens and School Avoidance or School Refusal (With Jayne Demsky of The School Avoidance Alliance)Normally, Friday is a bonus episode, but you've been waiting on this one! Today is the first part of the recent conversation I had with Jayne Demsky of The School Avoidance Alliance and you don't want to miss this or the second part coming Tuesday 9-19. If you've ever dealt with a stressed out, anxious or depressed teen or tween that just couldn't go to school, we've got some great information for you in these two episodes! The following resources are from Jayne:School Avoidance Master Class for Parents (includes Parent Peer to Peer Support Group)Educator P...
2023-09-1514 minSpeaking of Teens#69: Middle School (Tween) Friendships And The Added Stress of Smart Phones (with Jessica Speer)Middle school sucks for most kids. They feel awkward, embarrassed by everything, want more than anything to fit in and be part of the crowd. And navigating friendships can be ridiculously difficult...but when you throw smart phones in the mix, it's next-level. On today’s episode I talk to Jessica Speer, the author of three wonderful books for kids and teens, who has two teenage daughters herself. She has a masters in social sciences, but what really makes her an award-winning author is her knack for writing that connects with her readers. Her books Middle School (Safet...
2023-09-1234 minSpeaking of Teens9-8-23 Bonus: Does Your Teen Know That They Matter Beyond Their Academic Success?Every Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal). Mattering Movement Never Enough, When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-And What We Can Do About It (Jennifer Breheny Wallace) Greater Good Magazine articleFind our FREE Parenting Guides Here"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know th...
2023-09-0810 minSpeaking of Teens#68: Parenting to Avoid Conflict And Behavior Issues With Your TeenagerWhile it's impossible to be a “perfect parent” to your teen or tween, there are certain mistakes we can avoid...and it's crucial to your relationship with them, their overall wellbeing and their eventual success that you learn them now.The parenting mistakes I talk about in this week’s episode lead to lots of unnecessary conflict between you and your teen and can cause or increase a teenager's bad behavior. I’m talking about issues that impact the way we interpret and understand their behavior, the way we handle ourselves during stressful interactions with our teenagers, our mind...
2023-09-0538 minSpeaking of Teens9-1-23 Bonus: Is Your Teen Entitled, Ungrateful, Self-centered, Disrespectful, and Mouthy?Every Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal). Check out these guides to help you go deeper:“The Challenging Adolescent Brain” (e-book)“Communication for Teen Cooperation”“10 Keys to Unlock Your Teen’s Emotional Intelligence” (now called "Emotion Coaching") Show Notes Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and revi...
2023-09-0109 minSpeaking of Teens#67: Would You Know If Your Teenager Was Struggling With Their Sexuality? (With Heather Hester)How well can we really know our teens? Of course, when they’re little we know everything just by default - we know them to their core. But when they become adolescents, our relationship naturally shifts, they want and need more privacy and it becomes much easier for them to hide bits and pieces of themselves from us. Do you think you’d know if they had an enormous secret? One they feel might be just too hard for you to understand and accept (like being gay)? Tune in today for my interview with Heather Hester, another mom who’s real...
2023-08-2944 minSpeaking of Teens8-25-23 Bonus: How To Respond When Your Teen Does Something WrongEvery Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal).See also, episodes 22 and 26Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS...
2023-08-2513 minSpeaking of Teens#66: Teen Anxiety – How to Recognize It, Support Them, And Avoid Pitfalls, (With Lauren Wolfe, LPC)Teenagers are experiencing anxiety today more than ever before. Yet, as a parent, you may have no idea what teen anxiety looks like or how to help your kid if you suspect they may have it. Teen anxiety doesn’t look like adult anxiety, and often teens and tweens don’t have enough self-awareness to even understand that’s what they’re feeling. So, it falls on you to figure it out, give them the support they need and find the right kind of help for them. On the show today is Lauren Wolfe, licensed professional counselor, and host...
2023-08-2245 minSpeaking of Teens8-18-23 Bonus: What Does Chronological Age Have To Do With Being An "Adult"?Every Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal).About the 26th AmendmentAge Requirements HistorySee also, Episode 62 and Episode 63Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens ListenerPlease be sure to share this episode with another mom you think may find it helpful and follow the show right here where you’re listening. New ep...
2023-08-1809 minSpeaking of Teens#65: How To Create A Calmer More Cooperative Relationship With Your Teens (With Hunter Clarke-Fields)Parenting is a stressful journey, and the teen years can be a major challenge when we don’t understand what role our own emotions play in our day-to-day interactions with our kids. On the show today is Hunter Clarke-Fields, the Mindful Mama Mentor and host of the Mindful Mama podcast. Hunter is also the bestselling author of Raising Good Humans and has just released her second book, Raising Good Humans Every Day: 50 ways to press pause, stay present and connect with your kids. She talks about how, as parents, we bring our past into our parenting journey wit...
2023-08-1544 minSpeaking of Teens8-11-23 Bonus: Punishment And "Tough Love" Will Not Make Your Teen “Behave”Every Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal).See also, Episode 1 and Episode 10 Parenting Science: Authoritarian parenting outcomes: What happens to the kids?About Gwen DewarFind our FREE Parenting Guides Here"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show...
2023-08-1112 minSpeaking of Teens#64: What Parents Struggling With Their Teens Need to KnowToday, I'm sharing an episode of The Purposeful Parent podcast. I was interviewed recently by Kristin Joy Davis and Melissa Curtis, both of whom work with parents and children. We talked about my own parenting journey of self-discovery and what parents who struggle to find peace with their teens need to know. Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating...
2023-08-0851 minSpeaking of Teens8-4-23 Bonus: Everyone Vents From Time To Time (But Teens Just "Vent" Differently)Every Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal).Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap...
2023-08-0410 minSpeaking of Teens#63: The Science Behind Why Teenagers Can Often Be Such Major BoneheadsYou know it's true! We should all just have "what the hell were you thinking?" tattooed on our foreheads! We not only have to watch out for their wildly emotional behavior but we have to worry about them doing things they've always promised us they've NEVER do. Afterall, they know better. We know they know better. And if you gave them a true/false test, they'd get it right every time: Drinking is bad - TRUE, Vaping is bad - TRUE, Smoking marijuana is bad - TRUE, Driving 75 mph with a car full of other teens singing a long...
2023-08-0121 minSpeaking of Teens7-28-23 Bonus: A Mom's Desperate Plea For Help Controlling Her Emotions With Her Teen DaughterEvery Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal).Today: How do you manage your own emotions when your teen is testing your patience at every turn?"Emotional Awareness Strategies"Episode 8Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps...
2023-07-2812 minSpeaking of Teens#62 Your Teen’s Brain Is A Long Way From Functioning The Way You Think It ShouldAs parents, we have a lot of expectations of our kids (and we should). The problem is, once they start looking more like an adult, we start expecting them to act like one. The "funny" thing is - that's not the way this works. Just because they have to shave or they're allowed by the state to practice driving doesn't mean they can show empathy for us or can do their homework when they should or can stay calm when something's upset them. We assume they can do things they can't. We assume because they can do one thing...
2023-07-2531 minSpeaking of Teens7-21-23 Bonus: Parenting Teens And Tweens Can Be Really...Uncomfortable!Every Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal).Today: There are so many things about parenting teens and tweens that are uncomfortable. Too many to even begin to list. It's time to get comfortable in your discomfort.FREE GUIDES for parents of teens and tweens:“10 Keys to Unlock Your Teen’s Emotional Intelligence”“The Challenging Adolescent Brain” (e-book)“Emotional Awareness Strategies” (for parents)“Why Doesn’t My Teen Sleep?” (e-book)“Communication for Teen Cooperation”“6 Things You Should Understand About You...
2023-07-2110 minSpeaking of Teens#61: How to Strike A Balance and Make a Plan for Teens, Screens and Social MediaScreens. It’s the absolute bane of every parent’s existence. And it only gets worse when kids get old enough to spell and search! And when puberty kicks in, well it’s a whole other story. I know I’m not the only one who’s silently cursed Steve Jobs every day since my child first laid his hands on an iPhone. Today’s teenagers have never known a world without a smart phone, a computer, or a gaming system. Did our parents say the same thing about us and arcade games, microwaves, and VCRs? Quite possibly (bu...
2023-07-1831 minSpeaking of Teens7-14-23 Bonus: Hip Hop, Sextortion, and Bold GlamourEvery Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal).Today, we address the following questions:1. Can you discuss Hip Hop’s origins with your teen?2. What are the chances your son or daughter has been approached by a sextortionist online? 3. Have you seen or experienced TikTok’s Bold Glamour filter?Sources and Resources for today's episode:NPR on Hip HopWeProtect Global Alliance on sextortionBold Glamour
2023-07-1412 minSpeaking of Teens#60: Is Your Teen Using Substances? How Can You Know and What Should You Do?Today’s episode is our 60th and we zeroed in on this topic because recently, I’ve been seeing more questions about teen drug and alcohol issues in online groups and forums. These questions cover everything from punishments to at-home drug tests. Learn the answers in this episode featuring Richard Capriola, author of The Addicted Child, A Parents Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse (or available on Amazon) Show Notes and TranscriptFind our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm...
2023-07-1137 minSpeaking of Teens7-7-23 Bonus: ADHD Meds, Your Voice, And An Eating Disorder You Might MissEvery Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal).Today, we address the following questions:Is your teen more or less likely to develop a substance use disorder if they take stimulant medication for their ADHD?What is it about your voice and the way your teen reacts?Is your teen such a picky eater that you’re really concerned about them?Sources and Resources for today's episode:About ADHD Stimulant MedicationStudy on ADHD Medication and Substance UseMom's Vo...
2023-07-0713 minSpeaking of Teens#59: Helping Your Teenager Discover Their Potential Future Career“What do you want to do when you grow up?” It’s the question kids become accustomed to from the time they can talk. They’ll give answers like astronaut, doctor, teacher, veterinarian or maybe artist, dancer, singer. But as they move through middle school, they begin to understand a little more about the “practicalities” of some of those careers as the adults in their life begin to wield more influence. And the closer they get to graduating from high school, it can seem that’s all anyone around them is talking about. That “little kid question” has now become much more o...
2023-07-0432 minSpeaking of Teens6-30-23 Bonus: A Mom's Question About A Teenage Son's Out-of-Control EmotionsEvery Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal).Today, a Question from a Facebook Group.Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down...
2023-06-3013 minSpeaking of Teens#58: Why Teens Are Sleep Deprived, The Ramifications And How To HelpGuess what? Your teen’s not staying up late because they make poor choices. They’re not fighting to stay asleep in the morning because they’re lazy. It’s not their fault - it’s not a conscious decision. Just like other fallout from adolescent brain changes (you know, the ones that make them more prone to unpleasant emotions, more likely to do risky things like party and have unprotected sex, move away from you and towards their friends, etc.), their sleep patterns take a hit as well.And teens are chronically sleep deprived because of...
2023-06-2740 minSpeaking of Teens6-23-23 Bonus: Volunteers, Distractions, And An OptionEvery Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal).Today, we're asking the questions: Can helping someone else improve your teen’s mental health? What kind of driving are you modeling for your kids and teens? Is Junior college a good option for your kid? Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If yo...
2023-06-2313 minSpeaking of Teens#57: Biggest Parenting Mistakes That Lead To Conflict And Behavior IssuesWe just don’t know how much we don’t know when we’re trying to be the best parents we can be. So many of us learn later that we should have done things differently. That’s me. I should have done so many things differently. And that’s what drives me to help you learn now so you don’t have to correct course later.The mistakes I talk about in this week’s episode are those that lead to lots of unnecessary conflict and drama between you and your teen and exacerbate a teen or tween’s poo...
2023-06-2036 minSpeaking of Teens6-16-23 Bonus: Loneliness, Lack Of Independence, And The PillEvery Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal).Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens!Show Notes Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the sh...
2023-06-1611 minSpeaking of Teens#56: This Story Has Two “Morals”; Teens Don’t Always Turn Out The Way We Think They Might And Our Emotions Can Make An Enormous Impact on Our BodyPlease note – although this episode is not about suicide, Our discussion does contain references to a relative’s suicide. Listen with care.This week’s episode is an interview with someone who has a very interesting story to tell and I’m honored she decided to tell it to me. If you’ve ever worried that your teen’s heading down the wrong path, hanging out with the wrong people, or making the wrong choices, this episode is going to give you such hope. And if you’ve never contemplated the mind-body connection or even if you doubt t...
2023-06-131h 07Speaking of Teens6-9-23 Bonus: A New App, Climate Change Anxiety, The BORG, And A Florida ManEvery Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal). Show Notes Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS t...
2023-06-0917 minSpeaking of Teens#55: How To Protect Your Teen’s Mental Health From Social MediaThis week’s episode is a continuation from last week, episode 54: “Big Social Media”, The Surgeon General And Teen Mental Health. You may want to go back and have a listen to that episode first.We know that social media’s not all bad for our teens but it’s certainly easy to blame these platforms for the adolescent mental health crisis. Afterall, continuous scroll, targeted algorithms and the like make it all too easy for teens to mindlessly stare at their phones for hours on end. And so many teens’ body image and self-worth is based on their com...
2023-06-0639 minSpeaking of Teens6-2-23 Bonus: Chroming, A Super Drug, and Outlaw VapesEvery Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (maybe a little less formal).Chroming and DeathOzempic and addictionOzempic and teensVape and Australia Vape and house fireShow Notes Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the...
2023-06-0212 minSpeaking of Teens#54: “Big Social Media”, The Surgeon General And Teen Mental HealthThis past week the Surgeon General’s Advisory about Social Media and Youth Mental Health has been all over the news. Mostly, people have hit the highlights and chimed in with their own opinion. But let’s dig a little deeper. Why are so many of our kids in a position of having to choose between their mental health and their social connection with peers? The Surgeon General’s Advisory highlights the most important science to date but still leaves parents without a lot of assistance or direction. Can the government step in and resolve any of t...
2023-05-3041 minSpeaking of Teens5-26-23 Bonus: Misinformation, Shark Attacks, Uber, and Killer SupplementsEvery Friday we're dropping a BONUS episode. Shorter but no less informative (but a little less formal). Snopes.comPolitiFact.comThe Clintons didn't kill KennyEpisode 40 - Andrew Tate. The Cult-Leader-Type Influencer Radicalizing TeensMediaWise Teen Fact Checking Network13-year-old Attacked by SharkUber for TeensMedpage Today - Profiteering off the Body Insecurity of TeensFDA - Tainted Body Building ProductsProhibited Stimulants in Weight Loss SupplementsFDA Warns of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) Among Teens, Young AdultsShow Notes Find our...
2023-05-2615 minSpeaking of Teens#53: How To Best Support Your Teen or Tween Through Their DepressionEven if your teen has never suffered in the past and isn’t currently suffering from depression, you need to educate yourself on this very serious topic. Because the risk is so great and the statistics for teen depression and associated harms are currently so high, you simply can’t take a chance. Depression in teens can escalate way too fast and when we’re desperate, we tend to not make great decisions. We simply don’t have the luxury these days of assuming our kids are going to be okay. The risks associated with teen...
2023-05-2337 minSpeaking of Teens5-19-23 Bonus: Fentanyl, Sex, and MenopauseToday, I have a "bonus episode" for you. Honestly, I'd rather it just be a surprise, but I think you can tell by the title what I'm talking about (and those are 3 separate topics, btw!)AP article about teensVeozah information Show Notes Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! T...
2023-05-1909 minSpeaking of Teens#52: How To Reduce Conflict With Your Teen While Strengthening Your RelationshipOn this one-year anniversary episode of Speaking of Teens, I’ll share with you what it has taken me the better part of the last 4 years to extrapolate from the science: A 4-part framework that will help you avoid conflict with your teen, build a stronger relationship with them and positively influence their behavior.Back in 2017 and 2018 our family was struggling. Our son was experiencing horrible anxiety and major depression on top of ADHD and other learning issues. These issues then morphed into substance use, trouble at school, and trouble with the law. My husband and I di...
2023-05-1637 minSpeaking of Teens#51: The Adolescent Depression Crisis – Myths, Truths, Signs, and SymptomsThis episode discusses depression and suicide – listen with care. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.Teens’ mental health has been in decline for years. The pandemic was then responsible for pushing the statistics into oblivion. The fact that teens and tweens in the US are experiencing records rates of depression and suicidality should put all of us on alert. This isn’t just a crisis for the teens themselves – it’s a famili...
2023-05-0949 minSpeaking of Teens#50: Your Teen Has A Creepy New Friend On Snapchat: My AISome people think Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the best thing ever. It scares other people to death. Then there’s the rest of us who’ve been happily unaware of why we should feel either way.Well, join me this week for a foray into a topic that used to be reserved for dystopian and sci-fi movies: AI. After listening, you may have a little better idea of where you stand on the subject.If you haven’t played around yet with ChatGPT, it’s absolutely incredible. Equally incredible is that AI software is extremel...
2023-05-0329 minSpeaking of Teens#49: The Truth About TikTok; Teenagers, Data Privacy and National SecurityNOTE: I failed to mention in this episode that I have all sources detailed in the show notes (see link below)It seems everywhere you look lately, TikTok is in the news; exposés on the algorithm and sneaky search terms, the story of another teenager dying because of a TikTok challenge, investigative reports on data privacy, and the alleged threat to national security.TikTok’s CEO has made the rounds to defend the company; in front of Congress in March, at the TED2023 conference in Vancouver last week. Many in the federal government want to...
2023-04-2535 minSpeaking of Teens#48: The Healing Power of Emotional Awareness with Vincent VanOhmIt’s hard to overemphasize the importance of emotion in our lives. Our emotions give us direction, they tell us what’s important to us – they can even change our physiology and make us sick, not to mention to huge impact they have on our relationships, including those with our teenagers.Some of us are more aware of our emotions as we’re experiencing them, than others. But there’s a big difference in being aware of our emotions in the moment and understanding why that emotion cropped up to begin with. Emotionally charged situations and traumatic events fro...
2023-04-1842 minSpeaking of Teens#47: The Sexualization of Teen and Tween Girls. What Parents Of Both Girls and Boys Can DoExperts agree that social media is to blame for the huge increase in the decline of teen girls’ mental health over the past few years. While boy’s mental health has also suffered, especially due to COVID, it’s the girls’ which has taken a nosedive. Cyberbullying, competition between peers and the constant barrage of unrealistic and sexualized images of influencers to compare themselves to. Sexualization of young girls and adolescents is a huge problem in our society and has been for decades. But social media has made it much more prevalent and pervasive.The never-end...
2023-04-1137 minSpeaking of Teens#46: Using Motivational Interviewing For A Better Relationship With Your Teen, With Dr. Emily KlineTherapists and other professionals often use a style of communication with their patients, called motivational interviewing. The method uses open-ended questions and reflective listening to help people find their inner motivation for change. It was originally developed back in the 1980s to help patients who were ambivalent about addressing their substance use disorders. Since then, it has been used in many different professional settings. Dr. Emily Kline, a professor at Boston University School of Medicine felt motivational interviewing could be used in the family setting and through her research with hundreds of parents has shown that indeed i...
2023-04-0457 minSpeaking of Teens#45: Your Teenager and Gaming; Is There A Problem? And What If There Is?Does your teenager dream of making millions by playing video games? Streaming to millions of adoring fans and landing huge sponsorship deals? Do they play on an e-sports team or dream of going to a top e-sports college? No doubt our job as moms got a little harder when gaming became a “sport” or something you could make millions of dollars doing. The argument that they’re “practicing” or “working” when asked to shut down the game and go to bed has become all too common. And even if they don’t have those lofty aspirations, gaming can still become all-consu...
2023-03-2846 minSpeaking of Teens#44: Teenagers and Homework Overload. Is All The Stress Really Necessary? A Conversation with Christine KaplanHow does your teen or tween feel about the amount of homework they have? Are they staying up late to get it done and constantly playing catch up on the weekends and complaining because it takes time away from other activities or socializing? And how much time do you spend thinking about and talking to them about homework? For many families it's a major source of conflict, drama, and stress.This week, I’m talking to Christine Kaplan, LCSW, ADHD life coach, about the endless mountain of homework under which so many of our teenagers seem to fin...
2023-03-2139 minSpeaking of Teens#43: What To Do When We Discover Our Teen’s Using Addictive Substances, With Kriya LendzionThis week’s episode is the second part of the conversation we began last week in episode #42 with my guest, Kriya Lendzion, an addiction and prevention specialist and adolescent clinician.Last week we discussed how today’s substances are vastly different from those of our youth, why our kids try them to begin with (despite all our warnings), how easily they can become addicted and how we should try to keep them from using any addictive substance for as long as we can.In this week’s episode Kriya helps us understand boundaries around...
2023-03-1443 minSpeaking of Teens#42: The True Risks Of Teen Substance Use And How You Should Approach It, with Kriya LendzionOne of the most significant and potentially troublesome issues we face as the parent of an adolescent is their potential use of substances (alcohol, nicotine, weed, party drugs, etc.)Depending on our background, our upbringing, our experiences with those substances, we can develop vastly different perspectives and attitudes about our kid’s potential use. Some parents see drinking or smoking weed as a harmless rite of passage. However, according to science, there’s nothing harmless about it and the risks are far too great to adopt that attitude.In this week’s episode my gue...
2023-03-0739 minSpeaking of Teens#41: Parenting Teens With ADHD (and without) Through A Different Lens with Dr. Mark BertinParenting the neurotypical teenager is not a job for the faint at heart, but when your teen has an ADHD diagnosis, it can feel downright daunting. In this week’s episode, although my guest, Dr. Mark Bertin, (a board certified developmental behavioral pediatrician, on the board of directors for the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders) specifically addresses parents of teens with ADHD, much of his wisdom applies to most parents of teens and tweens. As the parent of an adolescent, it can be so frustrating to deal with the daily homework battles, checking behind the...
2023-02-2848 minSpeaking of Teens#40: Andrew Tate. The Cult-Leader-Type Influencer Radicalizing TeensThis episode is marked explicit because of language contained in soundbites and quotes from Andrew Tate. I believe it’s absolutely necessary to hear the exact language to understand the totality of his dangerous message. Andrew Tate - or “Top-G” as his legions of fans call him - has also been called the "King of Toxic Masculinity” by those who are not as easily duped. Teachers know about him and his message because they deal with it daily from “radicalized” middle and high school boys. And many teen girls and grown women know him as the guy who tells the...
2023-02-211h 00Speaking of Teens#39: Why Teens Lie, What Helps, And How To Talk To Them About ItLying. It’s always up there with “Cheating and Stealing”. And none of it sounds too good when we’re talking about our own teenager. No one wants to believe their kid could lie to them. And once it happens, it’s terribly hard to for us to trust them again. They may directly lie to us, conveniently leave out specific information, or even avoid our questions entirely by steering the conversation.Why is it that teenagers seem to lie so frequently and about so many different things? Is it rebellion? Is it a character...
2023-02-1435 minSpeaking of Teens#38: Teaching Teens To Respect Authority Is DangerousThere’s never a shortage of news stories about someone in a position of power or authority who has physically, emotionally, or sexually abused a child or an adolescent in their care. We’ve seen it in schools, churches, sports organizations - anywhere adults are in charge of young people. And for all the high-profile cases, there are thousands more that perhaps involve fewer kids or a not-so-famous organization and still more than go unreported. When one of these stories come to light, our questions are always the same. How did this happen? Why di...
2023-02-0742 minSpeaking of Teens#37: Teenagers and Eating Disorders; What Are Parents To Do?For many people food is a non-issue. They eat regular meals, snack when they feel the need, indulge now and then but don’t beat themselves up about it. But some people develop a strange relationship with food – often one that started in adolescence. It may start innocently enough – a fad diet, a decision to go “gluten free” or become a vegan. But, as we learn in our discussion with Dr. Marcia Herrin in today’s episode, for kids with a genetic predisposition for eating disorders, it doesn’t take much to set the wheels in motion. She gives us advice on w...
2023-01-3154 minSpeaking of Teens#36: Teen Violence; Why It Happens And What We Can DoThe broad range of violence that teenagers inflict on one another is staggering. Dating violence, sexual violence, bullying, cyberbullying, physical assaults, gun violence, suicide, verbal violence, hate speech and emotional abuse. Of course, the physical violence is most terrifying for parents. Middle schoolers carrying guns and knives. Fights breaking out at ballgames, parties and in the halls at school. What’s going on here? How is it that someone so young is capable of inflicting such harm on another person? What causes this seemingly callus behavior? What can we do to protect our kids from becoming involved or...
2023-01-2440 minSpeaking of Teens#35: The Incredible Power of Self-Compassion in Teens and Tweens with Dr. Karen BluthSelf-compassion may not yet be a household term, but it turns out there’s some very persuasive research regarding the positive impact of this fairly simple practice. It appears to be a powerful way to combat “self-negativity”. And who among us tends to be the most self-critical, filled with self-doubt, and internalized negativity? That’s right, adolescents. Their brain is changing in such a way that makes them super self-conscious and prone to negative emotions. They also face enormous stress, which often leads to anxiety and depression. But perhaps worst of all, they think they’re the only one wh...
2023-01-1650 minSpeaking of Teens#34: Parenting To Combat Teen and Tween CyberbullyingIf you’ve never been bullied, you’ve at least known a bully or seen one in action. And a teenage bully with the internet and a cell phone at their disposal is about as bad as it gets. Teens and tweens are still gradually learning to have empathy for others – it’s not an innate ability. That’s one of the reasons we see kids treat each other so badly, so often. And, again, the internet just makes it that much easier to be a bully. The statistics are pretty grim. At least somewhere close to half of all...
2023-01-1043 minSpeaking of Teens#33: Teen Sexting "The Talk" and Potential Legal Implications.Be sure to first listen to episode 32, Teens, Sexting, Revenge Porn, and Sextortion (Yikes), before coming back here to episode 33. Last week we learned about teens, sexting, revenge porn, and sextortion. And in the first part of today’s episode, we’ll discuss how to talk to them about these issues (see download below). In the second part of the episode, we’ll talk about the potential legal ramifications for teens who choose to sext, including the very real possibility of being charged with possession or distribution of child pornography.Grab the Episode 33 Free bonus downlo...
2023-01-0346 minSpeaking of Teens#32: Teens, Sexting, Revenge Porn, and Sextortion (Yikes)It appears that at least 15% of teens have sent a "sext" and at least 27% have received (at least) one. And 90% of teens and tweens believe that most everyone else is sexting. The scientific data on this issue is still in its infancy (as is the phenomenon itself) but from all appearances, many teens accept this new form of communication as part of their sexual exploration.It also appears our teens are fully aware of the risks but continue to do it anyway (like many other risky activities). Revenge porn and sextortion are a couple of significant consequences...
2022-12-2740 minSpeaking of Teens#31: “Minisode” - Cheating Your Way To Being The Parent You Want To BeBecoming the parent we want to be can seem daunting when we’re learning a new way of thinking or feeling or acting (or all three). Learning to parent without fear, remembering to acknowledge their feelings, to listen to their opinions, to negotiate, to hold back on our advice and our instinct to jump in and fix things for them…it can be extremely difficult for some of us. Just remembering what to do or say in the moment can be confusing and cause us just to give up and default to our “old ways”. Download my Free "Pa...
2022-12-2013 minSpeaking of Teens#30: How Your Thoughts Have A Huge Impact On Your Teen’s BehaviorOur various mindsets, the lens’ through which we interpret our world, not only influence our parenting but greatly impact the relationship with our teens and tweens and the way they think and behave. There’s a lot of talk about how important a “growth mindset” is for our kids and teenagers. But what about our mindsets? A parent’s mindsets are critical to their kids’ overall wellbeing. We’ll talk about the specific mindsets we should adopt, and many we need to ditch to parent adolescents successfully.Beyond mindsets, we’ll discuss how our mental shortcuts often...
2022-12-1344 minSpeaking of TeensA Brief Holiday Reminder About Your TeenSpeaking of Teens is sponsored by https://neurogility.com, an organization I founded after our family went through a couple of difficult years with our teenage son who struggled with ADHD, learning issues, horrible anxiety, major depression and all the associated academic, social, self-medication, legal and behavior issues. When we finally got on the right track, I decided to learn everything I could about the science of parenting adolescents so I could help you avoid the common parenting mistakes I’d made. Show Notes Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just...
2022-12-0606 minSpeaking of Teens#29: 5 Ways To Assure The Most Accurate Mental Health Diagnosis For Your TeenHow much faith should you have in your teen’s mental health diagnosis? Exactly how does someone diagnose a mental health disorder like generalized anxiety, major depression, or bipolar disorder in a tween or teen? Who can make these diagnoses and upon what basis do they make these weighty decisions? When we ask a professional to assess or evaluate our teen or tween for a possible mental health issue, we simply trust that they’ll give us the correct diagnosis – that they have the training, the experience and the knowledge necessary to consider (whatever it is they’re suppos...
2022-11-2949 minSpeaking of TeensA “Thanksgiving” MessageI’m recording episodes every other week between now and the end of the year, but I wanted to tell you what’s been on my mind this week. I’ll be back next Tuesday the 29th with another full episode. If you’re in the US, have a Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for listening!Show Notes Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you fee...
2022-11-2205 minSpeaking of Teens#28: Things Your Teenager Really Wished You UnderstoodHave you ever wanted to peer into your teen’s brain and see exactly what they were thinking? While they can be pretty darn “vocal” when they’re upset, they’re most often unable to fully articulate what they really want you to understand. Often, however, they’re able to write about it later or talk to another adult about it…and that’s what I’ve got for you today - the skinny on what our teens and tweens really want us to get through our thick skulls! I scoured the blogosphere and read posts writt...
2022-11-1532 minSpeaking of Teens#27: Helping Your Teen Overcome Negative ThinkingTeens, tweens and “young adults” (all adolescents) are some of the most emotional creatures on earth! Not only is their brain wired for automatic negative emotions (with no thinking required) but they are also very prone to automatic negative thoughts, which also lead to negative emotions. And negative emotions lead to negative behaviors like the typical sulking, yelling, door-slamming (and worse) we see quite often.These negative thoughts can be totally irrational and just plain wrong and are referred to as “cognitive distortions”. Join me today as we discuss negative thinking and how we can help our kids ove...
2022-11-0844 minSpeaking of TeensA Brief Message From My "Sick Bed"I was going to try and push through my flu to record an episode for today but I just couldn't do it. Instead, I have a quick personal message. Thank you for your patience and I'll be back next week (fingers crossed). Speaking of Teens is sponsored by https://neurogility.com, an organization I founded after our family went through a couple of difficult years with our teenage son who struggled with ADHD, learning issues, horrible anxiety, major depression and all the associated academic, social, self-medication, legal and behavior issues. When we finally got on the right t...
2022-11-0105 minSpeaking of Teens#26: Maintaining a Deep Emotional Connection with Your TeenagerMaintaining a deep emotional connection with our child is not just important for our relationship, it’s critical in keeping them mentally healthy and physically safe. Our influence with them now depends on that connection. We no longer have as much control over their life. All of our influence in the way they think, feel, and behave lies in our connection with them. Today we’ll talk about some of the most import ways to maintain your emotional connection with your child throughout adolescence. Show Notes and TranscriptFind our FREE Parent...
2022-10-2539 minSpeaking of Teens#25: Part 2 of 2 - Teenagers, “Rape Culture”, Sexual Assault, and ConsentNOTE: If you haven’t listened to Part 1 - Episode 24, I recommend that you stop here and go back and listen and then come back and listen to this Episode 25.Last week in Part 1, we examined the backdrop of societal and cultural issues, social norms, gender stereotypes and the justice system that combine to make sexual harassment and sexual violence the norm among our teenagers.Today we’ll dig deeper into the level of sexual harassment in our schools, the discussions we’ve overlooked having with our kids, federal and state law and how this all pl...
2022-10-1846 minSpeaking of Teens#24: Part 1 of 2 - Teenagers, “Rape Culture”, Sexual Assault, and ConsentThe topic of consent is so multifaceted and complex, one episode just won’t do it justice. Before we can talk to our teenagers about consent, what it means, how you get it and how you give it, we really need to understand the bigger issues at play and what we’re up against. We must examine the backdrop of societal and cultural issues, social norms, gender stereotypes and the justice system that combine to make sexual harassment and sexual violence the norm.Our teens not only operate within this culture, but their biases and t...
2022-10-1143 minSpeaking of Teens#23: Popularity, Friend Groups, and “Mean Girl Behavior” #23: Popularity, Friend Groups, and “Mean Girl Behavior”For adolescents, especially younger adolescents (tweens, middle schoolers, and even younger) being accepted into “the group” is THE most important thing on their radar. Their brains are wired to seek acceptance from their peers, and it literally feels like a life and death situation. These social issues are extremely complicated for teens and tweens. From individual manipulation, social maneuvering, and constant stress – they deal with it daily. Decades of scientific research reveals the teenage struggle for “popularity” causes aggressive behavior, which manifests differently between the sexes. Girls tend to us...
2022-10-0443 minSpeaking of Teens#22: “Disciplining” Teens Without Rebellion (How To Handle Consequences)“Discipline” is actually not what most of us think. It’s not about control, obedience, punishment or focused on consequences. Discipline is actually about teaching – teaching our kids the skills they lack and those they’ll need to be independent, mentally stable, and “successful” adults. It’s about setting high expectations, clear and consistent limits and boundaries, in a respectful and loving way, being empathetic, listening to them, acknowledging their feelings, and connecting emotionally before correcting their behavior.As parents of teenagers, we must reframe the meaning of discipline, learn the difference between consequences and punishment, t...
2022-09-2731 minSpeaking of Teens#21: What You Need To Know To Talk To Your Teen About FentanylRisky behavior is inherent in teens and tweens. Risk taking is a necessary part of growing up and learning to be independent. But many of these risks could literally cost them their life. Using drugs is one of those life endangering activities, especially with more and more illicit fentanyl being introduced into the drug supply by Mexican drug cartels. According to the DEA, these cartels illicitly manufacture the extremely potent, and potentially deadly synthetic opioid in clandestine “laboratories” and smuggle it into the US in the form of powder (for “cutting” into heroin and cocaine) and counterfeit pills. Th...
2022-09-2052 minSpeaking of Teens#20: Teens, Tweens and Allowance: Not What You ThinkNot exactly a deep topic but anxiety-provoking, nonetheless. Of course, teens need money, but should we just hand it out on an “as needed” basis or actually give them a certain amount each week or month (an “allowance”)?If we give them an allowance, how much do we give? Should the allowance be tied to performance (chores, grades, behavior) or paid completely independently? How often should allowance be paid? How should it be paid? Do we tell them how to spend it? What if they run out? What if they have a job?I answer t...
2022-09-1322 minSpeaking of Teens#19: Your Teen and Anxiety: How to Spot it and How to HelpThere’s just no other way to look at it. It’s a horrible, potentially debilitating monster that grabs hold of someone and hangs on for dear life. And if that someone is your child…it can completely turn your world upside down. If you or one of your kids has suffered from it, you know what I mean. If not, then you’re still wise to listen to this episode because the likelihood you’ll have a brush with this disorder at some point is pretty high.Today, we’re going to talk about wh...
2022-09-0654 minSpeaking of Teens#18: Your Teen’s “Bill of Rights”: What They Want You To KnowLast week I decided I wanted to draft a “Bill of Rights” for adolescents – a set of overarching guiding principles for parenting them effectively (with less drama, fewer power struggles, more autonomy, independence, and emotional intelligence). As I searched the topic, I found a New York Times article from 1945 that was amazingly on point (and very entertaining!) With just a few minor updates, I’ve managed to bring expert guidance from over a three-quarters of a century ago, into the 21st century. Join me in this episode as give you a present-day “Teenagers’ Bill of Rights”. You’l...
2022-08-3039 minSpeaking of Teens#17: Teen Dating And Emotional Abuse: How To Recognize And Discuss ItNational Dating Abuse Helpline 1-866-331-9474It’s far too likely that your son or daughter will, at some point in their teens, be in a relationship with someone who abuses them emotionally, or in which they abuse their partner emotionally.We often think of abuse as only physical or sexual - but it’s the emotional abuse that is the most common and works behind the scenes to keep the victim under the perpetrator’s control.And although this type of abuse is extremely harmful to a teen’s mental health and erode...
2022-08-2329 minSpeaking of Teens#16: Settling Conflict While Supporting Your Teen’s AutonomyIn last week’s episode we discussed the inevitable conflict with your teen or tween is as they push for more autonomy while you try to maintain the correct amount of parental control. And we discovered the element of relatedness is the key to finding balance. If you’ll recall, relatedness simply means (in a nutshell) that your teen feels free to give their honest opinions and share information with you and that you will listen, empathize, and consider what they have to say without freaking out or getting mad, etc.This week’s episode...
2022-08-1637 minSpeaking of Teens#15: Control, Conflict, And Your Teen’s Autonomy: Balancing Their Push For Autonomy With Your Need For Parental Control, Without All The ConflictOne of the primary indicators that your child has become an adolescent is the increase in the amount of conflict you begin to have with them. Some conflict is inevitable as they begin pushing for more and more autonomy while you try to maintain a certain level of control. It can be a real challenge to balance your desire to keep them safe and help them be successful with their ever-growing need to have a say in their own life. They key is the way you handle the conflict. In this episode I’ll explain how to not...
2022-08-0926 minSpeaking of Teens#14: Good Intentions with Poor Outcomes: Overparenting Your TeenOverparenting (aka “helicopter parenting”) might not be exactly what you think. It’s much more common now, in our high-pressure society, than ever before. You may be doing it and not even realize. Afterall, you’re an involved and supportive parent, what’s wrong with that?Join me as I tell you:· how science draws the line between supportive parent and helicopter parent,· why we “hover” over our teens, · what effect it has on our teens as they move into adulthood, · how to stop, and· what to do insteadDownload my Free Guide...
2022-08-0227 minSpeaking of Teens#13: Yes, Your ADHD Teen’s Emotions are “EXTRA”: You Can HelpAm I the only mom who didn’t realize many of my son’s emotional outbursts were symptoms of his ADHD? The doctors and psychiatrists don’t talk about it and “emotional dysregulation” isn’t even listed as a symptom of ADHD in the DSM-5. We focus so much on the way ADHD impacts their academic performance, but emotional dysregulation takes an enormous toll on every facet of their life. So, it’s crucial that we address this issue and help them learn how to become more aware of and how to regulate these overwhelming emotions.In this...
2022-07-2635 minSpeaking of Teens#12: HOUSE PARTY!!! Parents, Teens, Alcohol, Parties and the LawNOTE: If you haven’t listened to episode #11, it’s not completely necessary but does provide an excellent foundation for today’s episode.Many parents struggle with how to best handle alcohol use in their teenagers. It’s hard not to feel that drinking alcohol is simply inevitable at their age. This mindset leads some parents to attempt to teach their kids “responsible drinking” at home (See episode #11). In fact, a large number of parents decide to turn a blind eye when alcohol is present at their teens’ parties on their property. Some are happy to provide the...
2022-07-1821 minSpeaking of Teens#11: Ever Let Your Teen or Tween Drink Alcohol? Let’s Talk.In Western societies it seems teenagers are almost expected to drink at some point. While most parents don’t approve, some do feel it’s best if they’re the one to introduce alcohol to their kid rather than leaving it to someone else. What do you think? Don’t jump to any conclusions. Join me as I review the science and then you can decide for yourself.Show Notes and TranscriptFind our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so ha...
2022-07-1226 minSpeaking of Teens#10: Our Family’s Story of Discovery and HopeOur son struggled with anxiety and major depression during his teen years and began self-medicating and acting out in ways that literally put his life in danger. His behavior completely baffled us. We just couldn’t understand what was happening or how to help him change course.Whether you have a child who’s exploding with negative emotion, having a difficult time with their mental health, misusing drugs, or alcohol, or is simply difficult to communicate with, this episode’s for you. When we were in the middle of trying to figure out how to help o...
2022-07-0540 minSpeaking of Teens#9: Is Your Teen’s School Helping or Hurting Their Mental Health?Adolescent mental health has been in steady decline for years and we all know the pandemic was the cherry on top. Schools are in a prime position to help improve our teens’ mental health by integrating the right programs and services and eliminating harmful policies. Schools need more mental health professionals on staffGaps should be filled by teachers educated in mental health issues and techniques to improve emotional regulation in their studentsStudents should receive social and emotional training in addition to mental health educationSchools should consider mental health days off for students that need it“Zero tolerance policies” and exc...
2022-06-2836 minSpeaking of Teens#8: Your Emotional Skills Directly Affect Your Teen’s Mental Health and Wellbeing: Let’s Talk Emotional Awareness and RegulationStudies show that our level of emotional intelligence (“EQ”) directly affects our parenting skills and our relationship with our children and teenagers. The greater our EQ, the better our relationship is with them, the better adapted they are and the better their emotional development, mental health, and wellbeing. And foundational to EQ is emotional awareness and emotional regulation. Listen as I explain:· emotional intelligence· emotional awareness and regulation· EQ’s connection to parenting teens· the emotional experience · factors that determine our emotions and our responses· a few “awareness-raising” facts about...
2022-06-1437 minSpeaking of Teens#7: Beyond Weekly Therapy: Options for a Teenager in CrisisWhether you’re currently in panic mode about your teen or tween who’s spiraling out of control or just seeing the first glimpses that they may require more than weekly counseling, this episode is for you. Understanding the different levels of mental health and/or substance abuse care for your child and how to navigate that world is not something you want to learn on the fly. Just becoming familiar with the options and the terms can give you a potentially life-changing advantage.Listen in as I explainFactors involved in the decision to seek a hi...
2022-06-0738 minSpeaking of Teens#6: Teaching Teens to Tame Their EmotionsWe know that because of their changing brain, teens and tweens are much more likely than adults or children to succumb to their unpleasant (“negative”) emotions like frustration, anger, nervousness, and gloominess. For the same reason, they’re much more likely to engage in risky behaviors like substance use, reckless driving, posting inappropriately online and sex. The part of the brain that helps make good decisions and use self-control is much weaker than those emotional and risk-taking parts! So, how can we help? We can help them strengthen this weaker part of the brain by...
2022-05-3139 minSpeaking of Teens#5: After the Divorce: Minimizing the Impact on Your TeenUnfortunately, when you have kids (especially teens or tweens), getting through the divorce is merely the beginning. Studies show that what happens after the divorce can have a more negative impact on your kids than any conflict they witnessed during the marriage. Learn how to manage life after divorce keeping your teen's best interest in mind. I’ll discuss 6 specific areas where many parents miss the mark and how you can make sure your kid doesn’t suffer needlessly:1. The details shared with your teen about the divorce 2. How you discuss the other parent with...
2022-05-2434 minSpeaking of Teens#4: Why Your Teen Does Stupid Stuff (Even When They Know Better)Our kids not only become more emotional during adolescence, but they may also begin doing things we never thought they would. Vaping, drinking, smoking weed, having sex…these are all very risky behaviors that they may be all too willing to try. Why does a kid who grew up saying they’d “never do XYZ” suddenly do XYZ?! Understanding what’s going on in our teen’s brain that causes them to do the things they do, allows us to shift our mindset so we can parent them more appropriately. Join me as I explain ho...
2022-04-0720 minSpeaking of Teens#3: You Can Blame Your Teen’s Irrational Behavior on Their Changing BrainAdolescence descends on us so fast! Not only do tweens get bigger and more stinky - they get ruder, moodier, grumpier and more emotional. You can blame most of this on the changes taking place in their brain. These neurobiological changes impact their thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They’re learning to navigate life at the mercy of a brain in flux…and it’s not easy for them. So, we must adjust our mindset regarding our child, who’s no longer a child…but not yet an adult. Just listen! Download my free e-book, "The Challenging Adolescent...
2022-04-0630 minSpeaking of Teens#2: Is Your Teenager Under Too Much Pressure to Succeed?WARNING: Although this episode is not about suicide, I do read a portion of a teenager’s suicide letter at the beginning of the show. If you’d rather, you can skip ahead approximately 1 minute.You’re likely well aware that overall teen mental wellbeing has been in decline for years, and the pandemic has made it that much worse. But even before the pandemic one area of research has, over a period of several years, uncovered a surprising trend. More and more teens feel tremendous pressure to not only succeed academically but to excel in as many w...
2022-04-0536 minSpeaking of Teens#1: Why Trying to Control Your Teen Will BackfireThe scariest thing we will ever do, is to be a mom. As our kids get older, the fear seems to intensify. We’re afraid of doing everything wrong, messing them up, making them hate us, being too strict, being too lenient. And as they move into adolescence, our fear can truly steer us wrong. When they start making more serious mistakes, we begin pushing for more control, demanding obedience, using restrictions and “consequences” or punishments. Unfortunately, more often than not, our attempt to make sure they don’t make more (or worse) mistakes, is counterpro...
2022-04-0431 minSpeaking of TeensThis is Speaking of Teens. You're in the right place.Being the parent of a teen or tween can be complicated, confusing…even scary. We’re no longer the center of their universe (friends slide into that position) and we have to learn a new role - one as trusted guide. And, as you know, Guiding is not easy.Their behavior, their choices now have more serious implications…and so do OURS.Welcome to Speaking of Teens, the podcast that teaches you the science of parenting adolescents so you can be less stressed and more excited about having a teenager. I’m Ann Coleman, I’m an attorn...
2022-04-0302 min