Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

Rachel Richards
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Aug 23, 2023 • 33min

53: Christmas and holiday stress with teenagers and tweens.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?A holiday is when someone is free to do what they want, such as travel or relax. That's according to the Cambridge Dictionary. The problem with teenagers, is that what they want to do for several weeks over summer - such as sleep or use their electronic devices all day - may not fit with what we think they should be doing. Also, having them around, doing what they want, may not be very relaxing for others who're also on holiday, or trying to work. So how do we survive the school holidays in a way that leaves us, and our relationships, unscathed?Top tip: lower your expectations of yourself and them for at least the first two weeks, and avoid comparisons with other families.1:26 Review: a safe haven2:25 Review of Bigorexia episode2:51 Hope for parents of kids who fight4:31 Coaching resilience6:43 Holidays with teensRESOURCES USED:  https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/surviving-the-school-holidays.htmhttps://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/opinion-how-to-cope-with-teenagers-during-school-holidays/VMGATMEQ6BK7LSYEPULSDHF464/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/holidays-teenagers-survival-school-summer-24233790https://genmindful.com/blogs/mindful-moments/helping-teens-cope-with-holiday-stresshttps://anteloperecovery.com/how-to-support-your-teen-over-the-holidays/https://www.youngminds.org.uk/professional/resources/self-care-support-over-the-summer-holidays/https://parentandteen.com/connect-holidays/https://www.liahonaacademy.com/how-to-deal-with-negative-teen-behavior-during-the-holidays.htmlhttps://anitacleare.co.uk/tempting-teens-off-tech-school-holidays/https://smudgedpostcard.com/holiday-inspiration-holidays-teenagers/Support the showThank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk
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Aug 16, 2023 • 39min

52: Transitioning to secondary school: What we wish we'd known about preparing our tweens & teens, and ourselves.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?The transition from junior to senior school can be thrilling; the chance to meet a much bigger group of kids, and gain more of the independence that's part of growing up. But change is always stressful, and when you combine a big shake up of friend groups with puberty, having to navigate your way around a larger school campus, and the immense pressure of having to study for endless exams, it's not surprising that the first year can feel very tricky. As one parent said, 'If your kid can get through that first year of senior school without wanting to stay home, or leave the school, then you're winning.' So what can we parents do to really help with the transition?OTHER EPISODES:TALKING WITH YOUR TEEN: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-tips-3-techniques-for-talking-with-your-teenager-and-teenagers-having-sex-in-your-home/SCREEN TIME MANAGEMENT: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-tips-9-how-to-help-your-teens-manage-their-screen-time-and-talking-to-them-about-healthy-eating-without-giving-them-an-eating-disorder/FRIENDSHIP GROUPS: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-tips-10-helping-your-teen-navigate-friendship-groups-particularly-girls-and-how-to-get-your-teen-to-keep-going-instead-of-giving-up-at-the-first-hurdle/ANXIETY: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-tips-14-how-to-help-your-teen-with-anxiety-and-how-to-set-rules-that-your-teens-will-follow/STAYING CALM: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-teenagers-37-our-overreactions-make-us-feel-awful-and-dont-even-achieve-anything-positive-so-what-can-we-do-to-stop-them-from-happening/VAPING TEENS: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-teenagers-35-vaping-teens-the-new-epidemic-and-what-we-can-do-about-it/TALKING ABOUT ALCOHOL: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-tips-2-should-we-be-letting-our-teenagers-drink-alcohol-and-what-should-we-be-telling-them-about-it-also-how-to-stay-connected/RESOURCES USED: https://www.parentkind.org.uk/assets/resources/Be-School-Ready-Secondary-English-July-2023.pdfhttps://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/secondary/learning-school/starting-secondary-schoolhttps://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/school-education/school-choosing-starting-moving/starting-secondary-schoolhttps://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/blog/helping-your-child-manage-the-move-from-primary-to-secondary-school/https://www.madeformums.com/school-and-family/preparing-your-child-and-yourself-for-secondary-school/https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/6-months-send-how-emotionally-financially-prepare-your-child-college-ncna850771https://www.thepersonal.com/blog/-/preparing-your-child-for-college-or-university-8-tips-for-successhttps://educationendowmentfoundation.Support the showThank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk
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Aug 10, 2023 • 32min

51: Memory helps us do far more than pass exams. So why not train it in the same way we work our muscles in the gym?

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?In this interview with Danielle Winton of Memory Strategy we talked about: * Why we should care about memory stategies.* Key things parents can do to support their teens.* How to link a number to music.* Everyone can polish up their memory.* Using your body as a memory palace.* How to help yourself with memorizing names.* Using blurting to check what you remember.* Mind-mapping and memory.* Why to get students to be more creative about learning.For more about parenting teenagers listen to our podcast Teenagers Untangled, or go to the website www.teenagersuntangled.comFor more on improving your memory, and the work of Danielle Winton, go to www.memorystrategy.comSupport the showThank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk
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Jul 24, 2023 • 34min

50: Snapchat addiction; the app that's a fantastic way to connect, or a cynical exploitation of your teenager's time?

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?Snapchat has become a must-have for most teens, because it's now the way they stay in touch with their friends. The filters make it fun, they can see where their friends are on Snapmaps, and the instant photos give them a quick and easy contact point. But one of our listeners has contacted us asking for help with it. She says her teen son was already struggling to control himself when it comes to screens so she's delayed allowing him to have Snapchat, but caved because all of his friends are using it.Now, she says, he is always on a device and easily finds ways around the controls they have been trying to put in place; primarily to access Snapchat.Our previous episode on Screens and Teens covers the ways in which you can tackle it. It's not the amount of screen time we should worry most about, it's what they are doing with their screens.  https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-tips-9-how-to-help-your-teens-manage-their-screen-time-and-talking-to-them-about-healthy-eating-without-giving-them-an-eating-disorder/Rachel’s blog post on handing your teen an device:https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/blog/mobile-phones-social-media-and-online-access-what-i-would-do-if-i-had-my-teens-or-tweens-again/Avoiding Tech Addiction - Tips and Tricks taken from Clicks by Natasha Devon.Remember you don't have to be on every app; pick the ones you find most fun and useful, and least toxic.Disable screen notifications.Decide in advance how much time you want to spend playing a game or browsing an app.Find ways to create 'space' between the urge and action of scrolling/gaming.Set a 'digital sunset' (a time when your phone goes in a drawer/on airplane mode) about an hour before you want to go to sleep.BLOG POSTS: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/blog/talking-about-snapchat-without-snapping/https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/blog/mobile-phones-social-media-and-online-access-what-i-would-do-if-i-had-my-teens-or-tweens-again/BOOKS:Stolen Focus by Johann HariClicks: How to be your best self online by Natasha DevonRESCOURCES USED:Legal filing  IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA https://digitalcommons.law.scu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3760&context=historical https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-18/snap-says-it-s-wrongly-dragged-into-social-media-addictSupport the showThank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk
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Jul 10, 2023 • 33min

48: Bigorexia: Teens eating everything in the house, muscle building, and Bigorexia.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?Boys and men who display a muscular physique that's 'ripped', or 'cut'  get more likes and shares than other accounts on social media, so the algorithms behind the platforms are feeding a strong trend in muscle building amongst teen boys. But who ends up feeding the ravenously hungry, and is it all healthy?  Louise has asked us for help with how to manage feeding her growing lad.  Her son – who’s 17 - goes to the gym to muscle-build five days a week and then expects her to provide him with the foods that go with his lifestyle. With the current financial climate, she says can’t afford to provide him with all the food to match his gym needs.  She expects him to ask if he wants to take food because some of it is earmarked for an evening meal or baking. Sometimes he asks, sometimes he just helps himself. She says they’re continually falling out over this and she'd like some tips on how to deal with it.   The term Bigorexia was raised during my interview with Mike Nicholson from Progressive Masculinity. It's used to describe a particular form of body dysmorphia and controlled eating that's hard to spot, because the people suffering look outwardly super-healthy. It's a growing issue, and little understood, so we decided to use this episode to talk about both problems and give you some ideas for how to tackle them. RESOURCES:  Do you have body dysmorphic disorder? Check here: https://bddfoundation.org/information/do-i-have-bdd-test/  HELP LINES·        https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/·        https://bdd.iocdf.org/·        https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/eating-disorder-helplines·         www.suicidepreventionlifeline.orgRESEARCH USED:·        https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a41133394/bigorexia-muscle-dysmorphia-special-report/·         https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-02-social-media-linked-symptoms-muscle.html‘The day you start lifting is the day you become forever small’: Bodybuilders explain muscle dysmorphia https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13634593221093494More Muscles, More “Likes”: The Rise of Bigorexia and How Social Media is Fueling Unhealthy Body Image Among Young Men in Behavioral Health, Clinical, Mental Health EHR, Outpatient Care by Support the showThank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk
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Jul 3, 2023 • 32min

47: Anger issues: tips for dealing with an explosive and angry teen.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?We all loose our cool sometimes. but teenagers can find it particularly challenging to stay calm or calm down when enraged. It takes self-awareness and skill, and a level of brain development that just isn't there for some of them. One listener contacted us for help  with her son who is being goaded by friends at school and getting into trouble for losing his temper. We talk about the brain development stage that makes this so prevalent in teens, and discuss top tips for how she can support him in managing his emotions. www.teenagersuntangled.com EXCELLENT WORKSHEET:https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/coping-skills-angerRESOURCES USED:Yale Medicine. (n.d.). Anger, Irritability and Aggression in Kids. [online] Available at: https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/anger-issues-in-children-and-teens#:~:text=For%20children%2C%20anger%20issues%20often.Myler, C. (2020). Understanding teen boys’ anger. [online] Maggie Dent. Available at: https://www.maggiedent.com/blog/understanding-teen-boys-anger/.‌Russell, D.L. (2023). Anger Management Techniques for Teenagers: A Parent Guide. [online] They Are The Future. Available at: https://www.theyarethefuture.co.uk/anger-management-techniques-for-teenagers/ [Accessed 12 Jun. 2023]‌Support the showThank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk
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Jun 26, 2023 • 32min

46:Masculinity, and positive ways of supporting our teenage boys: An interview with Mike Nicholson from Progressive Masculinity

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?The term toxic masculinity has been gaining traction, and is often used to talk about the type of masculinity where men use dominance, violence and control to gain power and superiority over others.  There's also been an increase in efforts to educate boys in how to talk more about their feelings. But with the rise of Incels, Andrew Tate, free porn, and pick up artists, you could be forgiven for wondering whether we're really making progress at all. So I contacted Mike Nicholson, Director of a programme called Progressive Masculinity. He goes into schools to talk to boys about masculinity. My key aim was to ask him more about how we as parents can better support our boys to develop a healthy style of masculinity. Mike Nicholson: www.progressivemasculinity.co.ukOther useful episodes on this topic:Andrew Tate and the mansophere: 33Pornography: 13Teen male friendships and the 'man box': 16Great role model: LeBron James - American basketball player, father and philanthropist. Mark Lewis: https://www.marklewis.co.uk/Novak Djokovic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=867mtHTsaDoRole models suggested by Mike:https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/blog/progressive-masculinity-and-great-models-for-our-boys/Boys in education:https://www.ted.com/talks/richard_reeves_how_to_solve_the_education_crisis_for_boys_and_men/c?user_email_address=261da4b3403e372197fe941147a78e48Support the showThank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk
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Jun 19, 2023 • 34min

45: New relationships: Introducing your new partner to your teen.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?What's better than falling in love again, particularly after a divorce or breakdown of a previous relationship? If you've managed to find someone special in the messy tangle of life as a parent it can feel like a miracle, but your teen may not be anywhere near as enthusiastic about you moving on. When Jamie asked us for help with how she can introduce her new partner to her teen we knew it was a great one for us to discuss. In this episode we talk about when to do it, how, and suggest ways to ensure your teenager sees it as a positive, rather than something that might ruin their life. Support the showThank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk
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Jun 12, 2023 • 35min

44: Risk-taking teens; the good news about bad behaviour.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?We all know that teenagers need their friends, and spending time with others protects against anxiety and all sorts of other mental health problems. At the same time, groups of teens are far more likely to take risks and behave in a delinquent manner, which is what one of our listeners has discovered. Aged 13, her son has already started doing things with his friends that have got him into trouble with the police, so she's come to us for help.In this episode we talk about long-term trends in teenage delinquency, what we know about the teenage brain, and the one key thing she can do to keep him from messing up badly whilst he's at this vulnerable age.BEHAVIOUR CONTRACT:https://www.theyarethefuture.co.uk/teenage-behaviour-contracts/RESEARCH STUDIES:The great decline in adolescent risk behaviours: Unitary trend, separate trends, or cascade https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953622009224#bib80  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2396566/#:~:text=Changes%20in%20Neural%20Oxytocin%20at,takes%20place%20early%20in%20adolescence. https://www.theyarethefuture.co.uk/troubled-teen-boy/ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.744794/full https://www.understandingboys.com.au/how-to-handle-your-sons-unhealthy-risk-taking/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/talking-apes/202003/why-do-young-men-engage-in-risky-behaviors#:~:text=Risk%2Dtaking%20in%20males%20is,genes%20into%20the%20next%20generation. https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/is-your-child-engaging-in-delinquent-behavior-4-ways-to-ma [Accessed 30 May 2023]. Support the showThank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk
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Jun 7, 2023 • 1min

Teenagers Untangled: Who we are and how you can use the podcast.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?Support the showThank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk

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