PODCAST · kids
The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens
by Dr. Annalise Caron & Dr. Suzanne Allen
The Parenting Pair Podcast | Expert Guidance for Parents of Teens and TweensAre you raising a teenager, tween or adolescent — whether that's a middle schooler, college student, or somewhere in between — and looking for real, compassionate guidance from people who actually get it?Welcome to The Parenting Pair Podcast — hosted by Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen, two licensed child and adolescent clinical psychologists and moms of teens and tweens themselves.After years of answering questions in our offices, at the bus stop, and on the sidelines, we created this podcast to bring evidence-based mental health guidance directly to parents of older kids, teenagers and young adults — without the jargon, and without the judgment.Every week we tackle the topics parents of teens and tweens are actually navigating: anxiety, depression, ADHD, motivation, communication, emotional regulation, resilience, self-harm, sports betting, gratitude, and so much more. We also bring in expert
Episodes
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AI, Teens & Relationships: What Parents Need to Know | Dr. Mitch Prinstein
What happens when kids and teenagers begin turning to AI chatbots for friendship, advice, reassurance, and connection? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen sit down with psychologist and adolescent development expert Dr. Mitch Prinstein to…
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Medical Trauma in Parents: Caring for Yourself So You Can Care for Your Child | Dr. Meghan Marsac
When your child is facing a serious illness, hospitalization, medical procedure, injury, or other frightening medical experience, it can be easy to focus entirely on your child—and forget that the experience affects you, too. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and…
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Back-to-School Parenting: Why Connection Matters More Than Getting Everything Done
Back-to-school season can quickly turn parents into the project managers of the household. School forms, homework, practices, appointments, schedules, emails, deadlines… suddenly, so much of our interaction with our tweens and teens can become solely about getting things done. But what if, in the...
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Medical Anxiety in Kids & Teens: How to Help Them Cope | Pediatric Medical Trauma
Medical challenges can affect far more than your child's physical health. Whether it's a routine shot, bloodwork, a frightening trip to the ER, surgery, an injury, or managing a chronic medical condition, medical experiences can bring fear, anxiety, avoidance, stress, and sometimes even medical...
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How to Raise a Teen Who Makes Good Decisions (Even When You're Not Watching)
Parenting Pair classic: We are bringing this essential conversation back to the top of your feed this week. This is one of our most-watched episodes, and the practical tools inside are too important to miss. Whether you're hearing it for the first time or need a timely refresher, we hope it…
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Sexual Assault Awareness: College Red Zone Conversation Guide for Parents and Teens
Encore episode: It's move-in week — and this episode is a timely one for parents of teens heading to college, a new social scene, or just more unsupervised time with friends. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron have a clear conversation about...
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I Yelled at My Teen. Now What? How to Repair Your Relationship
Encore episode: Every parent loses their temper sometimes—it is a completely normal part of raising teens. But what matters most is what we do after the dust settles. We are re-sharing this essential conversation because learning how to genuinely repair and apologize to your teen is one of the…
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Raising Confident, Independent Kids With Food Allergies | Tamara Hubbard
Food allergies don't just affect what your child or teen eats—they can shape your family's entire experience of school, friendships, and independence. In this episode, therapist and author of May Contain Anxiety Tamara Hubbard joins Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen to talk about food...
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Say Less: The Parenting Strategy That Gets Teens to Listen
Have you ever noticed that the more you remind, explain, lecture, or give advice… the less your teen seems to listen? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen explore one of the simplest—but most powerful—communication strategies for parents of…
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Why Making Friends Is Harder Than It Looks (And How to Help Your Teen) | Deirdre Flores
Is your teen struggling to make friends, maintain friendships, or navigate their social world? Many parents worry when their tween or teen seems lonely, has difficulty connecting with peers, misses social cues, or struggles to maintain friendships. But social communication is a complex set of...
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Stop Spiraling: How to Catch the Thoughts That Stress You Out as a Parent
Encore presentation: We're re-releasing this episode because the topic keeps coming up — over and over again — in our work with parents. How we think matters. It shapes how we feel, how we act, and how we show up in our relationships with our teens. Parenting isn't only about our kids — our own...
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Screens All Summer? How to Avoid Constant Fights With Your Tween or Teen
Summer break is supposed to be relaxing—but for many parents of tweens and teens, it quickly turns into a battle over screens, video games, YouTube, and endless hours indoors. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen tackle a...
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The Real College Conversation: What Every Parent Needs to Know Before (and After) Freshman Year
Starting college is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming for both young people and parents. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen are joined by clinical psychologists and college transition experts, Dr. Liz Seidler and…
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Why Women Struggle With Sleep: From Adolescence to Menopause | Dr. Shelby Harris
Sleep problems are incredibly common among women—but they're often misunderstood. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Annalise Caron and Suzanne Allen sit down with renowned sleep expert and board certified behavior sleep medicine specialist Dr. Shelby Harris to...
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Why Your Teen Is Always Late: Time Blindness, ADHD, and What Helps
Does your teen constantly run late, underestimate how long tasks will take, or seem completely unaware of how much time has passed? It might be time blindness. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen explore time blindness — a...
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Why Teen Breakups Feel So Intense — And How Parents Can Help
Teen breakups can feel overwhelming, heartbreaking, and all-consuming — not only for teens, but for parents watching their child struggle through intense emotions for the first time. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen explore what first...
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How to Support a Grieving Teen or Child | Parenting Through Loss
Grief can look very different in children, tweens, and teens — and many parents are left wondering how to best support their child while navigating their own loss at the same time. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen sit down with grief expert…
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Parenting Through Tattoos, Piercings & Teen Identity Changes
Why do tweens and teens suddenly want tattoos, second piercings, dramatic hair changes, or other appearance changes? And how should parents respond without overreacting, shutting down communication, or creating conflict? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr....
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Why Your Teen Won't Open Up (And What Actually Helps)
What if the key to better communication with your teen… isn’t having the right answers, but asking better questions? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen explore the power of curiosity in parenting—and why becoming genuinely interested in your...
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When Your Teen Becomes Physically Aggressive: What Parents Need to Know and Do
What should parents do when a teen becomes aggressive — or even physically threatening? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen address one of the most difficult and rarely talked-about experiences in parenting: feeling afraid of your own child.…
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Breaking the Cycle of Parenting Anxiety: How to Raise Resilient Kids Without Reinforcing Avoidance
What does it really mean to raise a resilient child in a culture that tells us to protect them from discomfort at all costs? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen are joined by clinical psychologist and author Dr. Meredith Elkins to unpack the...
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What To Do If Your Teen’s Friend Is Self-Harming | A Parent’s Guide
What would you do if your teen came to you and said, “My friend is hurting themselves…”? This is a moment many parents are unprepared for—yet it’s one that requires both sensitivity and clarity. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen walk you…
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Emotional Validation: What It Really Is (And What It Isn’t)
Emotional validation is everywhere right now—especially online. But what does it actually mean to validate your teen? And are we getting the full picture? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen take a closer look at how emotional validation is…
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Trailer — Welcome to The Parenting Pair Podcast
Are you raising a teen or tween and looking for real, compassionate guidance from people who actually get it? Welcome to The Parenting Pair Podcast — hosted by Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen, two licensed child and adolescent clinical psychologists and moms of teens and tweens…
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Cannabis: What Parents Need to Know About Teen Weed Use (Marijuana 2.0)
Cannabis use among teens is becoming more common and more normalized — but today's marijuana is very different from what most parents remember. With dramatically higher THC levels, vaping, edibles, and now lacing with fentanyl, the risks for the developing teenage brain are significant and...
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Is My Teen Ungrateful? How to Teach Gratitude Without Forcing It
Do you ever feel like your teen doesn’t notice – or appreciate – anything you do? Do you wonder if your teen is becoming ungrateful? You're not imagining it. And you're not alone. But clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen say what looks like ingratitude in teenagers is...
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What to Say to Your Teen After a College Rejection
Your teen just found out they didn't get in. You're watching them fall apart — and you're not sure whether to say something, give them space, or quietly panic yourself. This episode is for exactly that moment. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise…
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When There Is No Fix: How to Support Your Child Through Suffering and Life’s Challenges
What do you do as a parent when there is no solution to offer? In this deeply meaningful episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen are joined by special guest Dr. Taryn Allen, a clinical psychologist with extensive experience working with children and…
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Feeling Embarrassed: What an Online Call-Out Taught Us About Teen Avoidance
What happens when we are the ones who feel exposed, judged, or embarrassed? In this deeply relatable episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron shares a personal story about being publicly called out on a Facebook share site — and how that moment triggered embarrassment, fear of...
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You’re Not Failing — You’re Human | Letting Go of Perfection in Parenting
Parenting is hard. Being human is hard. And sometimes the most important reminder is this: we are all just doing the best we can. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen step away from theory and lean into humanity. Through...
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Sleep Struggles in Tweens and Teens: Insomnia, Nightmares and When Parents Should Seek Help
Sleep problems are one of the most common—and most stressful—concerns parents bring up when raising tweens and teens. From bedtime battles and nighttime anxiety to insomnia, nightmares, and middle-of-the-night visits to a parent’s bedroom, sleep challenges can leave families exhausted, worried…
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My Teen Thinks School is Pointless: How Do I Help?
When kids start saying school feels pointless, parents are often left wondering how to respond without lecturing, minimizing, or making things worse. How we respond in those moments can either shut kids down—or help them re-engage with learning and with us. In this episode of The Parenting Pair...
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Opposite Action: A DBT Tool For Big Emotions
Strong emotions can powerfully shape how parents and teens react—but following every emotional urge doesn’t always lead to the outcomes we want. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, we discuss a practical, evidence-based way to respond differently when emotions are steering us toward...
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Before You React: How to Respond When Your Teen Tells You Something Shocking
What should you say when your teen tells you something shocking, upsetting, or hard to hear? For many parents of tweens and teens, these moments trigger fear, anger, or panic—and even well-intended reactions can accidentally shut down communication and damage trust. What you do in the first few...
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Teen Mental Health Crisis: How to Support Families When a Child Is Struggling
When a teen or tween is experiencing a mental health crisis—such as depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts—parents and caregivers often feel scared, exhausted, and increasingly isolated. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne...
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When Motivation Vanishes — How Parents Can Help Without Pushing
Middle school is often the point where parents notice a sudden drop in motivation—and it can be confusing, frustrating, and even worrying to watch a once-engaged child seem checked out or uninterested. Sometimes what looks like “laziness” or a lack of effort is often something very different...
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Making Sense of Our Teens' Mistakes
From the Archives: When our teenagers make mistakes, it is easy to panic and feel like we are failing. We are re-sharing this essential conversation to remind you that slip-ups are a completely normal part of adolescent development. Discover how to reframe these moments as crucial learning...
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How To Stop Caring What Other Parents Think: 5 Mindset Shifts
Encore Presentation: If parental judgment or neighborhood comparison is draining your energy, this episode is a must-listen. We are bringing this favorite back to the top of your feed to share five practical, psychological strategies to help you block out the external noise and protect your own...
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A New Way to Think About ADHD For Parents of Teens and Tweens
The Parenting Pair Classic: Supporting a young person with ADHD requires a delicate balance of practical strategy and intense patience. We are re-sharing this deep dive to give you actionable ways to foster your teen’s resilience while protecting your own mental health from societal judgment and...
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How to Survive Holiday Family Gatherings With a Teen Who Has Anxiety, ADHD, or Depression
The holiday season is meant to be joyful and connecting—but for many families, it can quickly become overwhelming. Between big gatherings, clashing personalities, differing expectations, and the emotional needs of teens and tweens (especially those with ADHD, depression, or other challenges),...
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Stop Relying on Willpower: Tips on Teen Motivation and Behavior Change
Behavior change doesn’t happen just through willpower—as many people actually think. In this episode, we explore how shaping the environments around teens can make healthy habits more likely — and success more achievable. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr....
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Why Teens Lie — And How Parents Can Respond with Connection Instead of Fear
Lying is one of the behaviors parents fear most—but in most cases, it’s far less alarming than it feels in the moment. This episode matters because understanding why kids and teens lie can help parents respond with calm, empathy, and connection instead of panic and shutdown. In this episode of…
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Re-release: How Online Sports Betting Hooks Teens & College Kids: What Parents Can Do about It
Online sports betting has become one of the fastest-growing risks for teens and tweens—often long before parents realize it’s on their child’s radar. This episode matters because parents today are navigating an entirely new digital landscape where gambling is marketed as entertainment, built into...
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Why Teens Don't Sleep (and What Parents Can Do About It)
Why do so many teens and tweens struggle with sleep—and what can parents actually do to help? In this insightful episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen sit down with clinical psychologists, Dr. Allison Shale and Dr. Andrea Roth, to unpack the science and...
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Does My Child Have OCD? What Parents Need to Know While Waiting for Answers
If your child has been showing signs of anxiety, repetitive behaviors, or intrusive thoughts — and you're not sure whether what you're seeing is typical or something more — this episode is for you. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr....
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How Do I Stay Calm When I’m About to Lose It With My Teen or Tween? (DBT Skills for Parents)
Every parent hits that moment—the one where stress takes over, patience runs out, and it feels like you’re about to lose it. What you do in that moment matters, not just for your child, but for you. In this supportive episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron...
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Hormonal Health From Puberty to Perimenopause: What Every Parent and Teen Needs to Know
What do a 13-year-old getting her first period and a 47-year-old navigating perimenopause have in common? More than most people realize — and understanding the connection can change how parents and teens talk about bodies, moods, and health. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, we…
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Should Teens Skip Their Period? What Parents Need to Know About Menstrual Suppression
More and more teens (and parents) are asking: is it safe — or even beneficial — to skip periods altogether? This is one of the most common questions in adolescent health right now, and the answers might surprise you. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr.…
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Why Reassurance Can Make Teen Anxiety Worse — and What to Do Instead
Why does your teen or tween keep asking for reassurance—and why doesn’t it actually help in the long run? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen unpack reassurance seeking as a safety behavior that often signals underlying anxiety. They explore why...
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To Set a Curfew… or Not? Parenting Teens and Boundaries
Should parents set a curfew for their teens—or is it better to allow for more flexibility? And if setting a curfew, what is the “right” time for teens to be home? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron unpack one of the most common questions…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Parenting Pair Podcast | Expert Guidance for Parents of Teens and TweensAre you raising a teenager, tween or adolescent — whether that's a middle schooler, college student, or somewhere in between — and looking for real, compassionate guidance from people who actually get it?Welcome to The Parenting Pair Podcast — hosted by Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen, two licensed child and adolescent clinical psychologists and moms of teens and tweens themselves.After years of answering questions in our offices, at the bus stop, and on the sidelines, we created this podcast to bring evidence-based mental health guidance directly to parents of older kids, teenagers and young adults — without the jargon, and without the judgment.Every week we tackle the topics parents of teens and tweens are actually navigating: anxiety, depression, ADHD, motivation, communication, emotional regulation, resilience, self-harm, sports betting, gratitude, and so much more. We also bring in expert
HOSTED BY
Dr. Annalise Caron & Dr. Suzanne Allen
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens have?
The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens currently has 75 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens about?
The Parenting Pair Podcast | Expert Guidance for Parents of Teens and TweensAre you raising a teenager, tween or adolescent — whether that's a middle schooler, college student, or somewhere in between — and looking for real, compassionate guidance from people who actually get it?Welcome to The...
How often does The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens release new episodes?
The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens has 75 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens?
The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens is created and hosted by Dr. Annalise Caron & Dr. Suzanne Allen.
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