Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

Latest Episodes:

How to Parent a Defiant Teen When Consequences Don't Work Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Are you stuck in constant battles with your teen, no matter how many consequences you hand out? You're not alone.

👉 Tired of battles that consequences don't fix? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to set limits without yelling, stay calm when their teen pushes back, and follow through without power struggles. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and TEDx speaker Dr. Paul Sunseri, author of Gentle Parenting Reimagined. With more than 40 years of experience, Dr. Sunseri shares how to stay calm, set firm boundaries, and change the dynamic with a strong-willed or defiant teen, without yelling or giving in.

Teen defiance is often about the relationship, not just the behavior. When we shift from trying to fix the kid to changing how we respond, things start to move.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

What to do when consequences no longer work with your teen
How to set boundaries without yelling or power struggles
The difference between gentle parenting and permissive parenting
How to tie privileges, like screen time, to daily responsibilities and follow through
Why staying the course through resistance builds resilience in your teen

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding defiance in teens
05:13 How parent and teen behavior affect each other
10:05 Common mistakes parents make
18:10 Handling big emotions
28:03 Managing household responsibilities
30:36 The autonomy dilemma
32:26 How to talk so teens listen
34:20 Flexibility and boundaries
36:12 Motivation and homework
39:00 Why teens resist homework
42:31 Balancing privileges and responsibilities
45:41 Negotiating homework and screen time
48:56 Setting homework expectations
51:17 Building better habits
54:36 Setting realistic parenting goals
57:38 Why limits and expectations matter
01:01:29 Building resilience through challenges
01:05:33 Parenting across generations

RESOURCES MENTIONED

CONNECT WITH DR. PAUL SUNSERI

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.

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How to Help Your Teenager Through Dating and Breakups May 27, 2025

Show notes

When your teen falls in love for the first time, or goes through their first heartbreak, it can be emotional for everyone. You want to protect them and guide them, and maybe even stop them from getting hurt. But if we're not careful, our good intentions can push them away.

👉 Want your teen to come to you about dating instead of hiding it? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn what to say when they're worried about a relationship, how to support their teen through heartbreak, and how to keep the conversation open. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with journalist, professor, and mom Lisa A. Phillips, author of First Love: Guiding Teens Through Relationships and Heartbreak. Lisa shares how to talk to your teen about dating, heartbreak, and red-flag relationships without causing shutdown or secrecy.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why teens hide their relationships, and how to keep the conversation open
How to support your teen through their first heartbreak without minimizing their pain
What to say when you're worried about who your teen is dating
Why asking what "dating" means to your teen matters, since it might just mean texting
How sharing your own relationship experiences can help your teen make better choices

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Teen relationships today
02:57 Parents' biggest fears about teen dating
06:03 Why validating your teen's feelings matters
09:09 Setting boundaries when your teen wants to date
11:55 When a relationship takes over
14:50 Building self-worth beyond romance
17:56 What to do when you don't like who they're dating
24:22 Having hard conversations with your teen
27:33 How parents influence teen relationships
30:19 Handling conflict in teen relationships
33:19 Helping your teen through a breakup
36:59 Reflecting and growing after heartbreak
40:19 How first loves shape future relationships

RESOURCES MENTIONED

First Love: Guiding Teens Through Relationships and Heartbreak by Lisa A. Phillips

CONNECT WITH LISA A. PHILLIPS

Website: LisaAmyPhillips.com
Instagram: @lisaamyphillips18
Facebook: Lisa A. Phillips
LinkedIn: Lisa A. Phillips

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

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How Strict Should You Be With Your Teen? What the Research Says May 20, 2025

Show notes

If setting boundaries with your teen feels like trying to nail Jell-O to a wall, you're not alone. And if you've ever asked yourself, "Am I being too strict? Too lenient?" this episode is your answer.

👉 Not sure if you're too strict or too lenient? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn which rules to hold firm on, which to let go of, and how to keep the relationship strong while doing it. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with social scientist Matilda Gosling, author of Teenagers: The Evidence Base, to talk about what the research says about setting boundaries that work. Matilda brings both the data and the empathy, helping parents understand where to draw the line, when to back off, and how to protect their teen while preparing them for the real world.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why boundaries help teens feel safe, not smothered
How to focus on the rules that matter, like health, safety, and well-being, and let go of the small battles
Why explaining the "why" works better than dictating
Why respecting your teen's privacy builds openness, and snooping leads to secrets
How to set your own boundaries as a parent without feeling guilty

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding boundaries with teens
02:59 Why independence matters
05:48 Boundaries vs. rules
09:04 Negotiating boundaries with your teen
12:02 Common mistakes parents make
15:02 The problem with "safetyism"
18:08 Respecting your teen's privacy
20:56 Which boundaries matter most
23:46 Setting your own boundaries as a parent
27:06 Why modeling matters
29:57 Handling big emotional reactions
32:49 Final thoughts on boundaries

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Matilda Gosling's Substack: sign up for a free PDF Q&A on teen mental health
Teenagers: The Evidence Base by Matilda Gosling
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

CONNECT WITH MATILDA GOSLING

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.

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How to Reconnect With Your Teenager (3 Moms Share What Worked) May 13, 2025

Show notes

If you're feeling frustrated, scared, or unsure how to help your teen without pushing them away, this episode offers real hope from parents who've been there.

👉 Want the kind of support these moms found? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, you'll get a community of parents who get it, guidance from me, and a calmer way to reconnect with your teen. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with three moms, Heather, Lara, and Maria, who open up about raising teens through self-harm, emotional regulation struggles, vaping, and academic burnout. They share what life looked like before they found support, and what changed when they stopped trying to control their teens and started focusing on connection.

If your teen is struggling with self-harm or thoughts of suicide, reach out to a mental health professional right away. In the US, call or text 988 anytime.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

How to reconnect with your teen when communication has broken down
Why letting go of control can strengthen your relationship
How choosing one parenting value helps you respond with more consistency
Why natural consequences and listening without fixing build trust
What a supportive parent community can do for your confidence and peace of mind

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.

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What to Do If You Don't Like Your Teen's Friends May 06, 2025

Show notes

Don't like your teen's friends? You're not alone, and it's not as simple as "good" or "bad" peer pressure. Before you forbid a friendship, here's what the research shows: banning friends often backfires. There's a better way to guide your teen, without pushing them away.

👉 Feel like you're losing your teen to their friends? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to stay close without competing, talk about friends without starting a fight, and stay the voice their teen trusts. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with peer influence expert Dr. Brett Laursen, a psychology professor at Florida Atlantic University whose research has tracked teen friendships across multiple countries for decades. He shares how friendships shape teen behavior, often for the better, and how parents can stay influential without being controlling.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

What to do, and not do, when you don't like your teen's friends
How to help your teen find better friends by building on their interests
Why peer pressure isn't always bad, and can push teens toward good choices
How middle school shifts teens from adults to peers, and how parenting needs to shift too
How online and real-world friendships affect vulnerable teens differently

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 How peer pressure works for teens
03:01 The good and bad sides of peer influence
05:46 When you're worried about your teen's friends
08:53 How middle school shifts teens toward peers
12:12 Why positive friendships matter
15:10 When to step in with friendships
18:12 Helping teens who struggle to make friends
21:08 Online friendships and influence
23:54 Building trust and communication with teens
27:01 Letting your teen see you as a real person
29:55 Final thoughts on peer influence

CONNECT WITH DR. BRETT LAURSEN

Website: Laursen Lab at Florida Atlantic University

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

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Grieving a Child After Suicide: A Mother's Story of Healing and Hope Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

When you lose a child, everything changes. In this episode, Kristen Schindler shares her journey through the loss of her 21-year-old son, Gavin, to suicide, and how she has found her way toward healing, hope, and purpose.

If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. If you've lost someone to suicide, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Compassionate Friends offer support for grieving families.

👉 If you're parenting your other kids through grief or worry, you don't have to do it alone. Parenting Teens Academy offers a judgment-free community of parents and steady support from me. Try it free for 7 days

Kristen opens up about grieving while still parenting her other children, how undiagnosed physical and mental health issues played a hidden role in her son's struggles, and what has helped her heal. Her story is a reminder that love alone can't shield our kids from life's hardest battles, that loss is never a measure of a parent's love, and that healing, while messy, is possible.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why suicide loss is never a measure of how much a parent loved or tried
How undiagnosed physical health issues can affect mental health
Why "grief masking" hurts more than it helps, and how to let yourself grieve
How to support your other children while you're grieving
How new family traditions can honor a loved one and help a family heal

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Kristen's story of loss
03:02 How loss changes a family
06:04 Understanding mental health struggles
08:58 The role of faith in healing
11:59 Why grief and healing are so complex
15:00 Lessons learned from loss
18:14 Why open communication matters
21:04 Finding joy in the middle of grief
23:59 Supporting parents facing loss
32:06 Living with grief
34:55 How addiction affects families
37:04 Finding purpose in pain
39:54 Why community and support matter
43:14 Turning grief into empathy
48:00 Honoring loved ones through kindness
52:39 Lessons for grieving parents

RESOURCES MENTIONED

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: support for loss survivors
The Compassionate Friends: support for bereaved parents
Free Space for Grace Workbook from Kristen Schindler
Gavin's Celebration of Life tribute (on YouTube)

CONNECT WITH KRISTEN SCHINDLER

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

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How to Stop Sibling Fighting (and What Birth Order Has to Do With It) Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

Ever feel like your kids are growing up in totally different households, even though they share the same last name and dinner table? Your oldest follows all the rules, your middle child avoids conflict like it's a full-time job, and your youngest is total chaos with a side of charm.

👉 Tired of refereeing? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to stay out of the middle without ignoring the fights, handle "that's not fair!" with confidence, and build a calmer connection with each child. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kelly Jameson, a therapist, speaker, and expert on birth order psychology and sibling dynamics. We talk about what's behind your kids' clashing personalities, what to do when sibling fights erupt, and what fairness looks like when every child is different. If you've ever second-guessed how you parent each child, you're not imagining things, and this episode will help.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

How birth order shapes your teen's personality and behavior
Why sibling rivalry is often a fight for your attention, not bad behavior
How to handle sibling fights without picking sides
Why fair parenting means meeting each child where they are, not treating them the same
Why older siblings shouldn't be made to parent younger ones
How rituals and one-on-one time ease tension and build sibling bonds

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 How birth order shapes your kids
06:11 Sibling rivalry and the fight for attention
08:47 What fair parenting means
12:38 When to step into sibling fights
18:05 Supporting siblings through hard times
20:39 How sibling relationships change in the teen years
24:49 Handling sibling conflict
29:36 Birth order and personality
32:35 Parenting your oldest, middle, and youngest
39:45 Key takeaways for parents

CONNECT WITH DR. KELLY JAMESON

Website: DrKellyJameson.com
Instagram: @drkellyjameson

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.

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How to Help a Teenager With Phone Addiction (Digital Detox Strategies) Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

Is your teen addicted to their phone? Tired of fighting over screen time? This episode is for you.

👉 Tired of fighting over screens? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to set screen limits without the daily battles, stay calm through the meltdowns, and help their teen find life beyond the phone. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with digital wellness expert Nicole Rawson, founder of Screen Time Clinic, to talk about one of today's biggest parenting challenges: teen screen addiction. Nicole shares why traditional limits often don't work, how to spot the warning signs early, and what a real screen reset looks like. Hint: it's not just unplugging the Wi-Fi.

If you're ready to break the cycle, reconnect with your teen, and bring peace back to your home, don't miss this conversation.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

How heavy screen use affects your teen's brain and behavior
Why some teens are more sensitive to screens than others
The signs that screen use has become addiction, including withdrawal
Why Nicole recommends a full screen break over moderation for addicted teens
How to do a screen reset with your teen instead of against them, with structure and better ways to fill the time

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why parents worry about screen time
03:04 How screen time affects teens
05:53 Why some teens are more sensitive to screens
08:54 How a digital detox works
12:00 Handling your teen's resistance
15:02 Signs of screen addiction
18:12 Healthy ways teens can cope
26:54 How screens affect the whole family
31:10 When screen use becomes addiction
36:49 Building healthy structure for teens
41:54 The parent's role in a screen reset

RESOURCES MENTIONED

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

CONNECT WITH NICOLE RAWSON

Website: ScreenTimeClinic.com
Instagram: @screentimeclinic

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.

🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

How to Help a Teenager With Gaming Addiction Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

Is your teen gaming for hours, melting down when you say "time's up," and turning every limit into a fight? You're not alone.

👉 Tired of gaming meltdowns and screen time standoffs? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to set gaming limits without the battles, stay calm through the meltdowns, and help their teen build a life beyond the screen. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Cam Adair, founder of Game Quitters. As a teen, Cam played video games up to 16 hours a day. Now he helps families around the world find a healthier balance. He shares how to tell when gaming has crossed the line, how to talk with your teen about it, and practical ways to set limits together instead of fighting over them.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

How to tell the difference between healthy gaming and gaming disorder, as defined by the World Health Organization
Why your teen's school, friendships, and family life matter more than hours played
How to talk about gaming without a power struggle, and why it helps to talk away from the screen
Why learning about your teen's games helps you set realistic limits
How giving your teen time to decompress after gaming can prevent meltdowns

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding gaming addiction
03:01 The spectrum of gaming behavior
06:00 Healthy vs. problematic gaming
08:58 Finding balance with gaming
11:59 How to talk to your teen about gaming
15:05 Handling power struggles
18:08 Building family values around gaming
21:09 Setting gaming limits together
24:09 Setting up healthy gaming habits
26:45 Moving from gaming to other activities
30:00 Handling meltdowns over gaming limits
33:03 Encouraging interests beyond gaming
36:00 Modeling healthy tech use
38:51 Resources and final thoughts

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Game Quitters: support for parents and teens dealing with gaming issues
Cam Adair's TEDx Talk

CONNECT WITH CAM ADAIR

Instagram: @GameQuitters
YouTube: Game Quitters
X: @GameQuitters
Facebook: Game Quitters
LinkedIn: Cam Adair

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.

🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Help Your Teen Write a College Essay That Stands Out Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

Think GPA and test scores are the golden ticket to a top college? At the most competitive schools, nearly every applicant has strong grades. What sets a student apart is their story.

👉 Want to support your teen through college season without becoming the hovering parent? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to guide instead of take over, ease the pressure, and stay close through one of the most stressful years. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with college admissions coach Dyllen Nellis, founder of NextGen Admit, who was accepted to every school she applied to, including Stanford. Dyllen explains why authentic storytelling beats a perfect resume, how to help your teen find the core values behind their story, and how to support them without writing it for them.

Admissions officers can spot a forced story fast. The essays that stand out aren't the most impressive. They're the most honest.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN