Parenting teens can feel confusing, hurtful, and exhausting — especially when connection starts to slip.
In this Thriving Kids Q&A episode from the Child Mind Institute, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real questions from parents about staying connected to teenagers during adolescence.
He covers:
This episode focuses on relationship-first parenting, clear boundaries, and helping teens feel understood — so they’re more likely to come to you when it really matters.
Further reading
Parenting a teen can feel like walking on eggshells. Conversations turn into conflict. Teens pull away. Parents are left wondering how to stay connected without giving up boundaries.
In this episode of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart to talk about what actually helps build a stronger, healthier relationship with your teen — even during tough moments.
They discuss:
• Why teens push back and pull away during adolescence
• What real connection with teens looks like (and what it doesn’t)
• How to set limits without damaging trust
• Common parenting mistakes that increase power struggles
• How to stay grounded when emotions run high
• Practical ways to rebuild connection after conflict
This conversation focuses on realistic, evidence-based strategies parents can use to improve communication, reduce tension, and strengthen trust — without trying to control or fix their teen.
Hosted by clinicians from the Child Mind Institute, the Thriving Kids Podcast offers expert guidance for parents raising emotionally healthy, resilient kids and teens.
For more parenting tools and mental health resources, visit childmind.org.
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Related Child Mind Institute Articles
Tips for Communicating With Your Teen
https://childmind.org/article/tips-communicating-with-teen
Help! My Teen Stopped Talking to Me
https://childmind.org/article/help-my-teen-stopped-talking-to-me/
How to Help Kids Have Healthy Romantic Relationships
https://childmind.org/article/how-to-help-kids-have-good-romantic-relationships/
How to Help Your Teen Through a Breakup
https://childmind.org/article/how-to-help-your-teen-through-a-breakup/
10 Tips for Parenting Your Pre-Teen
https://childmind.org/article/10-tips-for-parenting-your-pre-teen/
Tweens, Teens, and Young Adults Resources
https://childmind.org/topics/teens-young-adults/
How do you talk to kids about the hard stuff — without making their worries worse?
In this Thriving Kids Podcast Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real questions from parents about how to talk with kids and teens about difficult, emotionally loaded topics in calm, developmentally appropriate ways.
Drawing on clinical experience from his work at the Child Mind Institute, Dr. Anderson walks through what helps — and what often backfires — when kids ask about scary news, big life fears, or sensitive issues at home.
Topics covered in this episode include:
Throughout the episode, Dr. Anderson emphasizes validation, honesty, emotional regulation, and keeping conversations open — even when a parent feels they didn’t handle a moment perfectly the first time.
Related Articles & Resources
Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with science journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer to talk about what kids actually need to cope, connect, and grow up healthy today.
They cover:
This episode is about practical, research-backed parenting — not perfection.
Thriving Kids Podcast Q&A: Handling Big Feelings, Screen Time Battles, and More
Join Dr. Dave Anderson in this special Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, where he addresses a range of parenting questions. From managing a 6-year-old's meltdowns over small issues to navigating screen time battles and teaching empathy between siblings, this episode covers it all. Dr. Anderson provides insightful advice on emotion regulation, developing coping skills, and setting effective boundaries. Learn how to talk to kids about inequality, media literacy, and tackle the common issues of homework difficulties and friendship dramas. Tune in for practical strategies to support your children's emotional and behavioral development.
Dr. Dave Anderson and special guest Dr. Marc Brackett, the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, discuss the importance of understanding and managing emotions, especially in today's world. Dr. Brackett shares insights from his books, 'Permission to Feel' and 'Dealing with Feeling', and highlights practical strategies for emotional regulation. Whether you're a parent, educator, or caregiver, this conversation offers valuable guidance on raising emotionally healthy children and the vital role of emotion regulation in achieving well-being and success.
Further Reading from the Child Mind Institute
And more from Dr. Marc Brackett
In this Q&A follow-up to last week’s Thanksgiving special, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions about emotional self-regulation, holiday expectations, and the stress that comes with getting everyone together under one roof.
You’ll hear quick, practical guidance on:
If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, we hope your day feels manageable. If you’re outside the U.S., these questions apply to any big family gathering — December holidays, birthdays, and every festival that brings people together.
The holidays can feel like a marathon for parents — full of expectations, logistics, and emotions. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with clinical psychologist (and new parent) Dr. Kimberly Alexander about what she calls “running the gauntlet” of the holiday season.
They unpack how to manage your own expectations, keep kids regulated, and handle tricky family moments — without losing your sense of humor or sanity.
You’ll learn:
Dr. Alexander also shares what she calls “the Kim package” — her practical approach to balancing family needs, setting limits with grace, and remembering that every year looks different.
Chapters (adjust as needed):
00:00 – Welcome to Thriving Kids
01:00 – Why the holidays can feel so intense for parents
05:00 – The “perfect family” myth and social media pressure
07:00 – “Know thy child”: tailoring expectations
10:00 – Setting structure and boundaries that work
13:00 – Handling relatives who push back
17:00 – Teen dynamics and validation
20:00 – Teaching gratitude (and managing disappointment)
29:00 – Giving yourself grace
Related resources:
Parents sent in smart, honest questions about how to keep conversations about sex, consent, and safety going at home. In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson from the Child Mind Institute answers questions about when to start, what’s age-appropriate, and how to talk about everything from consent to porn — without losing your kid’s trust.
You’ll learn how to:
• Start early with body boundaries and accurate language
• Talk about consent in everyday life
• Handle porn exposure and online curiosity
• Balance privacy, safety, and your family’s values
• Keep the door open even when teens roll their eyes
Key topics
• What age to start talking about sex and consent
• How to explain the biology of reproduction without euphemisms
• Setting boundaries and modeling consent in daily life
• Talking about porn and online exposure without shame
• Balancing privacy and safety with teens in relationships
• How to share family values without sounding preachy
• What to do if your teen is already sexually active
• Keeping awkward conversations open and honest
Resources mentioned
Books
• What Makes a Baby, Sex Is a Funny Word, You Know, Sex – Cory Silverberg
• Being You and Yes! No! – Megan Madison
Organizations & platforms
• Selfsea – digital platform by Peer Health Exchange with stories and tools created with and for young people
• Planned Parenthood – resources and education for sexual and reproductive health
Further reading
• How to Talk to Kids About Sex and Boundaries – Child Mind Institute
• How to Talk to Your Kids About Porn – TIME, by Dr. Dave Anderson
• Talk to Your Kids About Sex and Healthy Relationships – health.gov
• The Best Sex Education Books for Kids of All Ages (And Their Parents!) – Parents / AAP
Talking to kids about sex, consent, and safety can feel intimidating — or like something you’d rather put off. But kids are already getting information from somewhere, and it’s not always accurate or safe. In this episode of Thriving Kids, clinical psychologist and host Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Angela Glymph, CEO of Peer Health Exchange, about how to have honest, age-appropriate conversations that protect kids, affirm who they are, and strengthen your relationship with them.
They break down what “comprehensive sex education” really means, how to start early with body autonomy and consent, and how to keep the conversation going through elementary school, middle school, and the teen years — without needing to be a “perfect” expert.
Guest
Dr. Angela Glymph is the CEO of Peer Health Exchange, a national youth nonprofit dedicated to helping young people stay safe, healthy, and affirmed — no matter who they are or where they live. Her work centers adolescent health equity, social-emotional learning, and youth-led, inclusive health education. She’s also a parent, navigating these conversations at home herself.
In this episode, we discuss:
Age-by-age: Laying the groundwork
Key takeaways for parents
Resources mentioned in the episode
Books for kids & families
Organizations & platforms
Further reading
About Thriving Kids
Thriving Kids is a podcast from the Child Mind Institute that helps you raise emotionally healthy children with practical, expert-backed advice.
In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson takes on parents’ top questions about raising teenagers. Building on last week’s conversation with Dr. Lisa Damour, he shares research-backed guidance for navigating everything from therapy resistance and social media boundaries to privacy battles, motivation slumps, and shifting moods — all while keeping connection and communication strong at home.
Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.org
What you’ll learn
• How to approach therapy when your teen refuses to go
• The best way to address vaping or substance use without pushing your teen away
• What to do when school motivation swings from “I love it” to “I don’t care”
• How to set limits around social media that actually stick
• Ways to balance trust, privacy, and safety at home
• How to support anxious teens without reinforcing avoidance
• Signs that moodiness is typical vs. when it’s time to seek help
• Why staying connected — even through protest — protects teen mental health
Find related resources at childmind.org.
Adolescence can feel intense, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming for families. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist and best-selling author, to share compassionate, practical guidance on what most powerfully supports teen mental health. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Damour explains why strong, caring relationships with adults are the single biggest factor in teen well-being, and why social media is only one small part of a much bigger picture.
Key topics include:
• The number one protector of teen mental health: consistent, caring relationships with adults
• How to put social media in perspective and keep connection at the center
• What healthy coping looks like for teens and four red flags to watch for (substances, avoidance, taking distress out on others, taking distress out on themselves)
• How to connect with teens through respect, transparency, and curiosity
• What to do when your teen’s behavior pushes your buttons
• The major developmental tasks of adolescence and how parents can support them
• Practical ways to respond when emotions or situations get heated
• How to keep showing up and maintain the bond that matters most
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Child Mind Institute resources on adolescent mental health
More from Dr. Lisa Damour, including her books, podcast, and newsletter
Rosalie, Dr. Damour’s AI librarian for guidance on raising teens
In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson takes on parents’ top questions about kids and sleep. From breaking the habit of co-sleeping to tackling bedtime fears, setting routines that stick, and knowing when to drop naps, he offers practical strategies to make nights calmer for the whole family.
Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.org
What you’ll learn:
• Step-by-step ways to help kids learn to fall asleep independently
• How to create a bedroom environment that promotes restful sleep
• When a soothing bedtime routine turns into stalling—and how to handle it
• Signs that nighttime fears are typical vs. when they signal anxiety
• Why removing screens at night matters (and how to offer alternatives)
• Clues your child may be ready to shorten or give up daytime naps
• Tips for managing siblings with different sleep needs and schedules
• How to respond when kids keep getting out of bed after lights out
• The truth about weekend late nights and sleep-ins
Building healthy sleep habits is one of the most important and sometimes most challenging parts of parenting. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Shelby Harris, a clinical psychologist and board-certified sleep specialist, to share compassionate, practical guidance for families looking to improve their child’s sleep. Drawing on years of experience helping kids and parents, Dr. Harris explains why sleep matters for mental health, learning, and behavior, and how small changes can make a big difference.
Key topics include:
• Why sleep is essential for children’s growth, mood, and focus
• How to create a sleep-friendly environment (and why “quiet, dark, cool, and comfortable” works)
• The most common sleep challenges at every age and what really helps
• How screens, routines, and even grandparents can impact your child’s sleep
• What to do when your child wakes up too early, can’t fall asleep, or keeps leaving their room
• When to worry about issues like snoring, night terrors, or persistent sleepwalking
• Tips for modeling healthy sleep habits as a family
• How to know when it’s time to seek help from a specialist
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Child Mind Institute’s Sleep Resources
More from Dr. Shelby Harris
Positive Parenting: Building Healthy Routines
How do you support your child through grief when you’re grieving too?
In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson answers your top questions about helping kids navigate death, loss, and big emotions. He covers how to support neurodivergent kids when grief shows up as anger or outbursts, whether it’s okay to talk about death directly, how to explain loss to young children, what to do when waves of sadness hit out of nowhere, how much to show your own emotions, when grief becomes something more serious, and even the surprising role imaginary friends can play in healing.
Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.org
What you’ll learn
• “All feelings are welcome, all behaviors are not” — validating emotion while holding boundaries
• How grief can look different in kids with ADHD or ODD — and how to respond
• The clearest language to use when telling a child someone has died
• What not to say when trying to soften the news
• How to talk to a 5-year-old about loss in three simple steps
• Why grief comes in unpredictable waves — and how to help kids ride them
• How to model healthy coping when your child sees you cry
• Signs that suggest it may be time to seek additional support
• How pretend play and imaginary friends can actually aid the healing process
How do I talk to my child about death and grief—without making things worse or shutting down their feelings? In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Katie Peinovich, LCSW, to share compassionate, practical guidance for supporting kids through loss. Drawing on years of experience working with children in New York City schools who’ve faced trauma, Katie explains why it’s important to be direct, validate emotions, and model coping—even when you’re grieving too.
Key topics include:
• Why kids need clear, honest language (and why euphemisms don’t help)
• What grief looks like in children—and why it often comes in waves
• How to sit with a child’s feelings without trying to “fix” them
• When to worry that grief may be interfering with daily life
• Scripts for answering tough questions like “What is death?”
• Whether children should attend funerals or memorial services—and how to prepare them
• Creative ways kids can remember loved ones, from memory boxes to rituals
• Why it’s okay for kids to see parents grieve, as long as they feel safe and loved
Resources mentioned in this episode:
How do you help your child do well in school—without constant stress or conflict?
In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson answers your top questions about supporting kids’ academic success. He covers how to support teens when peers aren’t motivated, what to do when school doesn’t fit your child’s learning style, setting boundaries that stick for disruptive behavior, handling drop-off anxiety, balancing activities without burnout, keeping kids focused when they’re not interested, building organizational skills, what to do when kids say they “hate school,” and how to talk about grades without piling on pressure.
Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.org
What you’ll learn
• Using motivational interviewing to help teens set their own academic goals
• How to collaborate with teachers on realistic supports for neurodivergent learners
• Daily report card systems that improve classroom behavior
• Drop-off rituals and coping strategies for separation anxiety
• A developmental checklist for balancing school, activities, and downtime
• Practical focus hacks: participation checklists and active note-taking
• Visual cues and positive reinforcement to build independence in organization
• When to narrow school complaints and focus on “islands” of support
• Shifting the conversation from grades to effort and process
How can I help my child do better in school—without pushing too hard or taking over? In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Adam Zamora, a clinical neuropsychologist at the Child Mind Institute, to talk about how to build the habits, mindset, and support systems that help kids thrive academically. From kindergarten through college, they cover everything from procrastination and motivation to homework battles, parent-teacher communication, and how to know when it’s time to get extra support.
Key topics include:
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Teens can be a rollercoaster - mood swings, pushback, and “leave me alone”… until they need a ride. In this Q&A, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ real questions about staying connected when teens shut you out, handling blow-ups, setting boundaries that actually stick, supporting motivation for school, navigating dating and consent, spotting the line between “typical teen” and depression, coping with rejection, and social media comparison.
Have a question for a future episode? Email podcast@childmind.org.
In this special episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with NYU social psychologist Jonathan Haidt for a live conversation on how smartphones and social media are transforming childhood — and what parents, schools, and policymakers can do in response.
Recorded at Guild Hall in East Hampton, this discussion dives into the big questions raised in Haidt’s new book The Anxious Generation — and the points where he and Dr. Anderson see things differently.
They talk candidly about screen time, youth anxiety, social media “addiction,” digital literacy, tech regulation, and why we’re seeing such sharp mental health shifts in teens and tweens.
Whether you’re alarmed by what you see on your kid’s phone or just looking for practical next steps, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and room for multiple perspectives.
Topics include:
– The “post-play childhood” and decline in free time
– When (and if) kids should be using social media
– Why phones in schools are so hard to manage
– Where tech harms hit boys vs. girls differently
– What parents can do now — even if the genie’s already out of the bottle
Resources
– Learn more about The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt: jonathanhaidt.com
– Explore the Child Mind Institute’s Screen Time & Technology resources: childmind.org/topics/screen-time-technology
Learn how to help kids use screens in a healthy way.
Special thanks to Guild Hall and the Hamptons Institute for hosting this event, and to journalist and filmmaker Perri Peltz for moderating with insight and care.