Didn’t think the terrible twos were that terrible? Well, buckle up because the toddler years are going to seem like a walk in the park compared to the teen years. If you have kids, you’ve probably heard the saying “little kids, little problems, big kids, big problems.” It usually comes from parents of teens or grown children giving parents of younger kids an ominous warning wrapped up in a saying meant to provide sage advice. Perhaps ominous is too strong of a word unless, of course, your children have already hit the teen years. In which case, grab a stress ball and take up running or yoga because you’re going to need it. Remember those terrible twos or threes? You will definitely think back fondly on those times during the dreaded teen years.
Having a sense of humor as a parent of teens is actually important, since adolescence is a tough road to navigate. Teens are going through physical, emotional, cognitive, and social changes during this confusing time. Saying it isn’t easy is an understatement, especially since parents often take the brunt of teen mood swings. It isn’t all doom and gloom, though, because there are ways for parents of teens to learn how to travel the bumpy road of adolescence too.
Help for parenting teens
For parents in the midst of the teen years, it’s easy to feel as if you’re lost in a desert. Remember, you aren’t alone. While you may feel embarrassed to discuss teen parenting issues with friends, they’re most likely dealing with many of the same issues. It’s natural to not want to share the crazy things happening at home, which is OK. There are other options available.
Your pediatrician can be a helpful source of information about some teen challenges, like acne and weight problems. Parenting books aren’t just for the younger years. Take a look at teen parenting books online to see if the titles touch on the problems you are experiencing with your teen. Another option is to talk to a therapist. Online therapy can be a way for you and your teen to work through the tough times.
You can also try exploring parenting teen podcasts. Listening to a podcast discussing teen parenting issues is a great way to see you’re not alone in that desert of teen angst. Parenting teen podcasts provide helpful suggestions while making the teen years less scary. Don’t worry if you’re not a podcast fan. We’ve got the top parenting teen podcasts to listen to on the way to work after an excruciating morning with your teen.
Parenting teen podcasts you need to listen to today
Podcasts are fun to listen to for enjoyment, but there are quite a few informative ones tackling all sorts of subjects, including parenting teen. These parenting teen podcasts will make you laugh, cry, and offer information you can really use, like understanding what’s really behind all those eye rolls. Check out these parenting teen podcasts the next time you need some insight, advice, or just the knowledge that you’re not the only one struggling to parent your teen.
Talking to Teens
Let’s face it — talking to your teen about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, as well as the dreaded sex talk is no fun. Those topics don’t scratch the surface of what’s going on in their lives either. Andy Earle is a writer and researcher, and his podcast Talking to Teens touches on a lot of pertinent subjects like what’s going on in the brain during adolescence. Earle’s podcast episodes often feature special guests and experts, and most episodes are around 30 minutes which is doable to listen to during a workout or even while driving in the car.
Mighty Parenting
Parenting teens today is quite different from when we were teens. Social media magnifies the issues teens deal with, but also exposes them to a whole world of other topics. Mighty Parenting is hosted by Sandy Fowler, who gets real about today’s topics impacting teens and their parents. Recent podcasts discuss the prevalence of teen suicides, the legalization of marijuana, eating disorders, and anxiety.
The Parenting Great Kids Podcast
What do parents want most for their children? The simple answer is for them to be healthy and happy. The Parenting Great Kids Podcast is hosted by pediatrician, author, and mom, Dr. Meg Meeker. This podcast isn’t just for parents of teens. Episodes deal with a wide range of issues impacting parents and their children, like teen suicide, building trust, and understanding transgender.
Your Teen with Sue and Steph
Susan Borison and Stephanie Silverman are the voices behind this must-listen podcast for parents of tweens and teens. Frank talks about a whole host of parenting issues, insightful interviews with parenting experts and authors, as well as real-life stories, make Your Teen with Sue and Steph entertaining and informative.
Mom and Dad are Fighting
If you are dealing with multiple ages in your home, give this podcast from Slate Magazine a go. Jamilah Lemieux, Dan Kois, Elizabeth Newcamp, and a slew of other hosts hit on topics like getting teens out the door on time for school, screen time, and what to do if your teen suddenly decides to be vegan. Many episodes of Mom and Dad are Fighting deal with a parent calling in to talk about an issue impacting their home.
Digital Parent
Tweens and teens open themselves up to a whole lot of precarious situations through the wonders of those smartphones they carry with them 24/7. Digital Parent is hosted by writer Sed Lewis. Lewis’ podcasts help parents to keep their adolescents safe while navigating the often-treacherous waters of life online.
Power your Parenting: Moms with Teens
We’ve all heard about the volatile relationships between moms and daughters during the teen years. There’s often quite a bit of drama surrounding the relationship between teens and parents, in general. Colleen O’Grady is an award-winning and best-selling author who uses her experience as a marriage and family therapist to talk parents of teens through issues like addiction, acne, and more on her Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens podcast.
Being a parent actually is the toughest and most rewarding job you’ll ever have and that isn’t a cliche. While each stage of parenting has its ups and downs, the teen years often come with more stress and anxiety as adolescents work their way toward adulthood. Ultimately, as parents, we want our children to grow up to be healthy and happy. In order to help them get there, parents need to be that guiding role model, which is easier said than done. Inspiration, information, and guidance can be found in parenting teen podcasts. Podcasts are a helpful option in making sense of the complexities of teenagers.
