#98: Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg on What Tweens and Teens Need Now
Jun 17, 2021
auto_awesome
Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, Child and Teen Resilience Expert, discusses building resilience in tweens and teens, the power of open communication, discovering inner strength and resilience, navigating independence and agency, the gift of self-compassion and forgiveness for parents of teens, and defining a modern dad.
Open communication is essential with teenagers, encouraging parents to listen and ask for their input on parenting.
Creating a safe and peaceful home environment and slowing down to focus on what truly matters are crucial for building resilience in tweens and teens.
Deep dives
Building Resilience in Children and Teens
Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg discusses the importance of building resilience in tweens and teens as we exit the pandemic. Despite the challenges they are facing, Dr. Ginsburg believes this generation could be the best ever. He emphasizes the need for open communication with teenagers, encouraging parents to listen and ask for their input on parenting. He highlights the significance of empathy and understanding as teenagers are naturally social and need opportunities to stretch their independence. Dr. Ginsburg also emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and peaceful home environment, as well as the value of slowing down and focusing on what truly matters.
The Impact of the Pandemic on Tweens
Dr. Ginsburg addresses how tweens (ages 10-13) have experienced the pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of not separating them as a distinct group, but rather understanding their developmental continuum. He highlights that all kids, regardless of age, need parental security and love. He explains that the pandemic has been particularly challenging for tweens as they are forming their sense of self and grappling with their identity. Dr. Ginsburg also emphasizes that tweens are social creatures, making the lack of social interaction during the pandemic especially difficult for them.
Navigating Independence in Teens
Dr. Ginsburg discusses the complexity of navigating independence with teenagers. He acknowledges that teenagers desire more agency and independence and emphasizes the need for parents to provide opportunities for their teens to stretch their wings within safe boundaries. He suggests having open and honest conversations with teenagers to understand their desires and interests, and to set clear limits to ensure their safety. Dr. Ginsburg underscores the importance of active communication and creating a safe space for teens to express their emotions and engage in respectful interaction.
The Gift of Self-Compassion for Parents of Teens
Dr. Ginsburg highlights the importance of self-compassion for parents of teens. He emphasizes the need for parents to forgive themselves and understand that perfection was never an option. He encourages parents to embrace their own humanity and show self-compassion, as this allows them to be authentic role models for their children. Dr. Ginsburg believes that self-compassion is a lifelong gift that parents can give to themselves and their children.
Building Resilience in Children and Teens author and Center for Parent & Teen Communication director Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg joins with a set of virtual hugs to parents of tweens and teens as we discuss what our older kids need as we exit the pandemic. Dr. Ginsburg helps us think about what our kids have gained, lessons to take forward, and how to open the lines of communication.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode