asklisapodcast

This week’s special episode of the Ask Lisa podcast features @LDamour joined by @DrBurkeHarris pediatrician and the first Surgeon General of the state of California, at the @CommonSense Summit to answer the questions you submitted about raising teens in the digital age.

When our kids aren’t with us, we can’t fully control what happens, and that’s one of the hardest parts of parenting. If we’re allowing them to be out in the world, we have to work toward trusting that they can keep themselves safe.

Today’s teens have something in their romantic relationships that many adults didn’t have at their age—nearly constant access to one another through phones and technology. Saying “good morning” and “good night” and being in touch throughout the day becomes common practice.

When someone comments on your child’s appearance, especially right in front of them, it can feel harmless. But those moments can add up and affect them. Let your child hear you name what really matters: their kindness, their curiosity, their courage.

In middle school, one of the quickest paths to social power can be a willingness to be mean—because not everyone will do it. In this special “Best of Ask Lisa” compilation, Episode 264, @LDamour and @reenaninan explore the complexities of friendship breakups and conflict.

In Episode 264 a Best of Ask Lisa, we feature selected highlight clips on one of the hardest parts of growing up: friendship breakups and conflict. Many 7th graders are in a unique developmental space. They are “between the shores.” That’s why friendships can feel so intense…

A teen’s self-esteem is sturdiest when it comes from many different sources, not just one, like appearance, which they had little role in shaping in the first place. What are reliable sources of self-esteem? The skills teens build, having a strong character, being a good friend.

Teen mental health trends are tracked nationally. But those numbers don’t always show what’s happening in our own communities. Behind every statistic are real kids, real families, and real schools trying to respond.

Do you track your family members’ locations? For many families, location sharing can bring real peace of mind. But it can also come with some downsides. In Episode 262, @LDamour and @reenaninan explore this complex topic.

Social media has rapidly changed the way boys see and think about their bodies. While this isn’t a new issue, it’s been amplified by the constant opportunities boys now have to compare themselves to others online. In Episode 263 @LDamour and @reenaninan explore this topic.

What helps keep kids safe more than anything else is having at least one solid relationship with a caring adult, someone they can call if things go south. When teens don’t feel they have an adult they can trust, situations that are already risky can become even more dangerous.

Middle school can be a fragile time for boys. Girls often hit puberty earlier and begin pulling ahead academically. Without support, that shift can affect how boys see themselves. One of the most powerful things parents can do is protect boys' sense of competence.

ChatGPT was not designed to provide emotional support. Make sure your kids understand that. It’s a tool—and a powerful one—but it isn’t a human being and can’t offer the kind of care, nuance, or connection that people can provide.

Even our own @LDamour admits she sometimes straddles the line between resisting the urge to track a college-age teen and wanting reassurance that they’re safe. There’s no single right answer when it comes to this new technology and the access it gives us into our kids’ lives.

Teens are tasked with becoming independent young adults—while still living under their parents’ roof. That’s a tough balance. It’s no surprise they look for autonomy where they can. Pushing boundaries is part of preparing to stand on their own.

If you choose to monitor your child’s texts or social media, keep in mind that some of the language they use may not be familiar to you. Platforms like TikTok have strongly influenced the words teens use today, even when they’re not actively on the app.

To take care of your kids, you have to take care of yourself first. We can’t show up in the ways our kids need if we’re not tending to our own wellbeing. @LDamour and @reenaninan discuss this in Episode 253.

Teens: don’t leave your friends in the dust. When teens enter their first romantic relationships, it’s easy for friendships to fall by the wayside. But friends matter, not only during the relationship, but especially if it ends. They are often the support system our teens need.

Phone use has gone down—this must be a positive, right? Not always. If your child may be struggling with depression or at risk of harming themselves, disconnecting from spaces like social media—where their peers are connecting—may not be the hopeful sign it seems.

Don’t hesitate to ask. Many of us hold back because we worry we might make things worse. But if your teen may be at risk of harming themselves, asking directly is an essential step. @LDamour and @reenaninan are joined by @socworkpodcast in this week’s episode (261).