EPISODE · Apr 12, 2026 · 7 MIN
Phones: Bedtime Battles for Parents of Teens AMA
from Parenting Teenagers Untangled · host Rachel Richards
Ask Rachel anything When taking phones at night turns into a power struggle One of the hardest things about parenting teenagers is that the battles that matter most often happen at exactly the moment we have the least capacity to deal with them. A mum wrote to me about the nightly struggle over handing in her 13-year-old daughter’s phone. She’s exhausted by bedtime. Her daughter pushes back, calls her dad, and suddenly what should be a simple boundary becomes a negotiation, then a row. We’ve all got to the point where we’re exhausted and can’t keep our calm. It’s an extreme situation, but I think it highlights something many parents will recognise: when we’re depleted, even sensible rules can become very hard to hold. Subscribers to my Substack get access to all of the past bonus episodes Top tips from this episode Rules, consequences and the teen who doesn't seem to care. Reducing friction using the magic of routine Fix your teen's sleep Create rules that work: Checklist Study on sleep Find the top tips here: Support the show 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. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. My email is [email protected] My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me: www.teenagersuntangled.com Find me on Substack: https://teenagersuntangled.substack.com/ Instagram: 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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Ask Rachel anything When taking phones at night turns into a power struggle One of the hardest things about parenting teenagers is that the battles that matter most often happen at exactly the moment we have the least capacity to deal with them. A mum wrote to me about the nightly struggle over handing in her 13-year-old daughter’s phone. She’s exhausted by bedtime. Her daughter pushes back, calls her dad, and suddenly what should be a simple boundary becomes a negotiation, then a row. We’ve ...
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Phones: Bedtime Battles for Parents of Teens AMA
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