Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

When your hormones are downshifting and your teen’s hormones are surging, it can feel like an emotional collision course. If you’ve ever wondered why your tween or teen seems moody, distant, or irritated (and you’re also running out of patience and estrogen), this episode is for you.

Psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack the double whammy of puberty and menopause under one roof: Why it feels so intense, what’s actually happening biologically, and how families can navigate it with more empathy and less guilt. Lisa also opens up about her personal experience with menopause and how finally seeking treatment changed everything.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why menopause symptoms are real medical symptoms, and what kinds of treatment and support to ask for

- What’s normal about your teen’s mood swings and distance

- How to connect with your teen, even if they don’t want to talk

- How understanding the hormonal and developmental changes in both generations can ease the tension at home

This episode helps parents understand what’s normal for their teens (and what’s happening within themselves) so they can respond with more calm, connection, and compassion.

Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast

And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.

Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/



Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com



Episode keywords: puberty, menopause, perimenopause, parenting teens, hormones, family dynamics



Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

If your tween or teen lies awake with worries spinning in their mind, or if you’ve wondered whether it’s anxiety, hormones, or something more, this episode is for you. Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan break down why anxiety and sleep are so deeply connected, and how parents can help kids find calm at night without turning bedtime into a battleground.

In this compassionate conversation, Dr. Lisa explains what’s normal about changing sleep patterns during puberty, when to worry about anxiety, and how to help your teen create healthy routines that set them up for better rest and less stress.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why teens naturally want to stay up later (and why that’s normal)- How anxiety and sleeplessness feed each other- Practical strategies to help teens wind down before bed- How to talk with your child about what’s really worrying them- Ways to normalize anxiety so kids don’t feel “broken” when they struggle

Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast

And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.

Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/



Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com



Episode keywords: teen sleep, anxiety, bedtime, parenting, mental health, sleep hygiene



Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

How do you tell your teen not to drink or use weed… while also letting them know they can let you know if they’ve made a bad choice? It can feel impossible to balance rules with approachability. In this episode, psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack how to have open, judgment-free conversations about alcohol and marijuana--conversations that keep kids safe and keep communication flowing.

Substance use among teens can feel scary and overwhelming, especially with today’s high-potency marijuana and the social pressure to experiment. Dr. Lisa shares science-based guidance that helps parents know when to start these talks, what messages really matter, and how to model healthy behavior at home.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why it’s best to start the substance conversation early — ideally around 7th grade

- How to frame the discussion around safety instead of punishment or judgment

- What to say about the risks of alcohol and marijuana for the developing brain

- How to respond if your teen says, “But you drink,” or “Everyone does it”

- How to keep communication open so your teen knows they can always call you, no matter what

Warm, practical, and grounded in real science, this episode gives parents a roadmap for navigating one of the hardest (and most important) conversations you’ll ever have.

Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast

And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.

Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/



Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com



Episode keywords: teen substance use, weed, alcohol, parenting advice, teen safety



Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

How do you get your kids to like each other… or at least stop fighting all the time?

If you’re parenting tweens and teens, sibling conflict can feel endless. One moment they’re laughing together, the next they’re at each other’s throats. You want them to grow up valuing each other, but the daily bickering (and your role in it) can leave you wondering: Am I making things WORSE?

In this episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens,” psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan dig into the complex world of sibling relationships. With warmth, humor, and research-backed insight, they unpack why siblings pull away in adolescence, how parents can support their bond without forcing closeness, and what really matters in the long run.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why siblings often distance themselves during the tween and teen years

- How comparisons and “fairness” struggles can fuel conflict

- When parents should step in—and when to step back

- Why forced apologies backfire (and what to do instead)

- Practical ways to build connection through one-on-one time and family experiences

- Why taking the long view helps parents worry less about today’s fights

Sibling relationships are complicated, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Dr. Lisa offers strategies that are both realistic and compassionate, helping you set the stage for healthier family dynamics now and stronger sibling bonds later.

Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast

And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.

Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/



Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com



Episode keywords: sibling rivalry, sibling conflict, teen conflict, family dynamics, parenting tips, sibling relationships



Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

Here’s the good news: today’s tweens and teens talk openly about mental health. Here’s the not-so-good news, sometimes they inaccurately diagnose themselves or organize their emerging identities around a diagnosis. So what happens when your child insists they’re depressed, and you’re not sure whether it’s sadness, distress, or something more serious?

In this episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens,” Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan unpack how to navigate these deeply sensitive conversations with empathy and clarity. You’ll learn how to validate your child’s feelings without reinforcing restrictive labels, and how to guide them toward healthier ways of understanding themselves.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- The key differences between sadness and depression

- How to validate your teen’s experiences while being mindful about diagnostic labels

- Why TikTok and peer culture are shaping the way kids talk about mental health

- How to help your child find belonging and identity beyond mental health labels

- The critical question every parent must ask if a child says they’re depressed

With warmth, expertise, and practical strategies, Lisa and Reena help you approach these moments with confidence and compassion so your teen feels heard, but not boxed in.

Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast

And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.

Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/



Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com



Episode keywords: teen mental health, depression, anxiety, parenting teens, TikTok labels



Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence