asklisapodcast

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).

A teen’s first love can shape what they expect from future romantic relationships. Whether it lasts or not, a kind and gentle first relationship helps teens understand what they can—and should—expect from love.

Teens develop quickly, faster than we sometimes realize. That means when a young person is really struggling, getting them support isn’t just about easing today’s distress. It can change their trajectory.

Do phones cause depression in teens? It depends. The current academic consensus is that what matters is how the teens use their phones - not the phones themselves.

Not all breakups hit teens the same. Many girls grow up practicing emotional closeness in their friendships. Many boys don’t. So when a teen boy loses a girlfriend, he may also lose: -his main confidant -his safe emotional space -his primary support system

Sometimes the wisest move is to say nothing at all, even when we’re tempted to jump in. While we don’t get much credit for what we hold back, biting our tongue can go a long way toward protecting—and even strengthening—our connection with our teen.

A teen who isn’t sleeping enough can look a lot like a teen who is feeling depressed. Sleep deprivation can mimic many of the signs of a mood disorder: low energy, irritability, difficulty concentrating,