Before kids, most of us were sure we'd get it right and fix everything our own parents missed. Then real life (and real children) arrived. Dr. Mark McConville joins Dr. Lisa Damour on Episode 290 to talk about letting go of parenting perfectionism.
Girls often develop fine motor skills earlier—think handwriting and speech—while boys tend to develop gross motor skills sooner. When school places more value on writing and talking than moving and building, those developmental differences can matter.
Your teen may think they're just playing a game. But some in-game features work a lot like gambling.
Loot boxes, mystery rewards, and other chance-based purchases ask kids to spend real money without knowing what they'll get in return.
By around 13, many teens often feel suddenly - and completely - embarrassed by their parents.
It's not personal. As teens begin figuring out who they are, creating a little distance from their folks is often part of the process.
@LDamour shares in Episode 245.
If your teen seems completely unwilling to see another side of the situation, you're not imagining it. Adolescents are still developing the ability to consider multiple perspectives, and that skill often strengthens with age.
Every parent wants to believe they're making the choice that will keep their teen safest. We may take different approaches, but the goal is usually the same.
@LDamour and @reenaninan unpack this in Episode 271.
One of the most powerful things we can do as parents is acknowledge directly to our teenagers what we can and can't control — and substance use is a perfect example.
@LDamour and @reenaninan unpack this in Episode 243: How Do I Talk With My Teen About Alcohol and Weed?
It’s not uncommon for students who have always done well in school to suddenly struggle when they transition to high school, especially when it comes to test-taking.
High school often demands new study skills and a different level of thinking than students have needed before.
Confidence, self-esteem, and self-compassion are all critical aspects of adolescent development.
This week’s episode of the Ask Lisa podcast compiles some of Lisa’s best insights on these topics and covers how parents can support teens as they grow.
Tune in to Episode 273.
Your teen may be studying in ways that feel productive, but aren’t especially effective when it comes to preparing for tests.
Rereading passages, highlighting, and reviewing notes can create the feeling of studying without actually strengthening recall.
One of the most important digital literacy skills we can teach teens is this:
If you’re not paying for the product… you may be the product.
Helping kids understand the hidden tradeoffs behind “free” platforms is no longer optional. It’s essential.
Help your teen level-set.
This time of year is full of highly hyped events like prom, and teens can feel conflicted or disappointed if they think they’re missing out. It can help to remind them that while these events may be very fun, they are not make-or-break moments.
Puberty doesn’t just change teens physically, it affects them neurologically as well.
Because girls, on average, enter puberty earlier than boys, we often see differences emerge in how students manage the increasing academic demands during adolescence.
Is your teen frustrated that their test results in high school don’t seem to match how well they used to do in school?
They’re not alone. Doing well in class and doing well on tests can become very different challenges as students move through high school.
Your kid might not be “just gaming.”
They might be gambling.
Loot boxes. Mystery skins. Surprise rewards.
Spend money… for a chance to win.
Sound familiar?
For kids and teens, this isn’t harmless,
it’s training the brain to chase the next hit.
You can’t be afraid of your teen getting upset with you.
It’s an inevitable part of parenting, and avoiding necessary limits or conversations can come at a real cost to teens.
@LDamour and @reenaninan discuss this in this week’s new episode, Episode 271.
The spending doesn’t feel real—and that’s often by design.
Turning dollars into “tokens” or “gems” can make it easy to lose sight of the fact that real money is being spent.
@LDamour and @reenaninan take a closer look at this in Episode 270.
Body image concerns aren't just a girls' issue — boys are vulnerable too, and social media has made that significantly worse. The idealized bodies they see online can create real pressure to go to extremes.
@LDamour and @reenaninan discuss this in Episode 268.
Many in-app purchases cost real money — and the charges go directly to whatever payment method is linked to your account. What looks like a fun, low-stakes part of the game can quietly add up to a surprisingly large bill.