Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 Your Weekly Hug

• Mental health problems in teenagers. We can't just blame phones.

  What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?Why is it that so many teenagers today seem to be struggling with mental health?In this conversation, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matt Richtel reveals the surprising science behind adolescent development, explaining why teens aren't 'difficult' they're doing an important job and how there's a fundamental mismatch between biological adolescent development and the world in which we now life. One of the key problems nowadays is that kids are going into puberty earlier, while the information age is bombarding them with vast amounts of new data and ways of comparing themselves before they're developmentally ready.In response, instead of going out to conquer the world, they're now conquering on the inside, which is why he's called them Generation Rumination. What explains adolescent behaviors, risk-taking, reward-seeking, and the ongoing mental health crisis? How does adolescence shape the future of the species? What is the nature of adolescence itself?In this episode, Matt explains why the neurological mismatch between an ultra-potent environment and a still-maturing brain can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. More importantly, he gives us solid, science-backed techniques, to help our kids navigate a difficult new world.Matt Richtel: https://www.mattrichtel.com/For a PDF printout of the advice given by Matt in this episode go to Rachel's Substack: teenagersuntangled.substack.comSupport the showPlease 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. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is [email protected] And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.com Find me on Substack Teenagersuntangled.substack.comInstagram: 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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• Motivational feedback, a happiness hack, and letting your teen sleepover after a party

  What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?The happiess hack article by Dana Millbank:https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/10/24/happiness-purpose-community-contribution/Checkout my Substack:teenagersuntangled.substack.comSupport the showPlease 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. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is [email protected] And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.com Find me on Substack Teenagersuntangled.substack.comInstagram: 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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• Drugs: Half of 15 year olds have been exposed. How to talk with your kids about drugs now.

  What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?To lose a child is one of the worst things any of us an imagine. To lose him at 16 to a recreational drug is an unbearable pain. That's what happened to Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, but she has turned her pain into an incredible quest to turn her 'I wish I'd known', suffering into a book, a drugs education foundation, and support for all of us parents so we never have to go through the pain she has suffered. In this incredible conversation, Fiona discusses the importance of drug education, the prevalence of drug use among youth, and the need for better parental awareness and conversations. She emphasizes the significance of understanding drug effects, the rise of synthetic drugs like spice and THC vapes, and the impact of drug use on mental health and addiction. Fiona also highlights the role of peer influence and the importance of providing youth with positive alternatives to drug use, such as sports and community activities.Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE: www.dsmfoundation.org.ukIf you would like more detail, including a printable PDF covering the important lessons of this episode, join The Big Hug community at: teenagersuntangled.substack.comHere are just 10 of the things we discuss in this episode:Most teenagers will face a drug-related decision by age 15, even if they don't use drugs themselvesThe adolescent brain is more vulnerable to drug harm and addiction because it's arleady undergoing to rigorous rewiringModern drugs are significantly stronger and more dangerous than in previous generationsPeer pressure can be positive - teens can help each other make safer choicesHaving pre-planned "escape strategies" and reasons to say no can help teenagers avoid risky situationsConnection and positive activities (sports, music, volunteering) are powerful alternatives to drug useParents should have frequent, short conversations about drugs rather than one big intimidating talkSynthetic drugs like spice can be extremely dangerous, with one in six school vapes potentially containing harmful substancesUnderstanding how drugs actually work in the brain helps teenagers make more informed decisionsThe most effective approach is being a supportive, non-judgmental parent who provides reliable information and creates a safe space for honest conversationsSupport the showPlease 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. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is [email protected] And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.com Find me on Substack Teenagersuntangled.substack.comInstagram: 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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• Grief, university, rules and consequences, raising boys, chores and phones. Community Catch Up

  What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?For this Sunday catch up I was joined by Susie Asli to discuss the challenges of parenting during times of personal loss, such as the death of a pet or a parent. We share our experiences of our children’s different reactions to grief and the importance of allowing them to grieve in their own ways. We also talk about the transition to university, the generational differences in parenting, and the importance of respecting teenagers’ independence.I introduced a new app called Foqos, which helps manage device usage, and emphasised the need for parents to model good behavior and maintain open communication with their children.Full episode links, and other details, will be available to Substack subscribersteenagersuntangled.substack.comSupport the showPlease 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. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is [email protected] And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.com Find me on Substack Teenagersuntangled.substack.comInstagram: 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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• Most teenagers aren't getting enough sleep. Here's how to fix it.

  What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?Sleep's a FREE performance-enhancer, so why are so many teens not getting enough?For us parents, sleep is the thing we all obsess about when we first bring our babies home, but if you're anything like me by the time they hit teens we've become pretty lax around that solid bedtime routine. In fact, research shows that around 2/3rds of teenagers aren't getting adequate sleep.Why does this happen? In my case, I was exhausted from years of implementing a solid routine and they had become more interesting, so I wanted to spend more time with my kids in the evening. They were also busy doing other things; sports, socialising, homework.Mostly, I think it's not a goal we target or brag about, so it becomes the silent victim of our busy lives.That's why I decided it was time to talk to an expert (and parent who's navigated this) on sleep.In this conversation Jessica Bryant of the Better Sleep Council helps us parents really think about our family attitude to sleep, how to support our teens in getting the amount they need, and to problem-solve your struggles.Thanks to all of you lovely listeners who sent in your questions.Jessica Bryant Sleep Happy Consultinghttps://www.sleephappyconsulting.com/The original sleep episode:https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/sleep-the-free-fix-for-our-teens-with-no-side-effects/RESEARCH: Showed insufficient sleep on an average school night was reported by 68.9% of students. It was associated with higher odds of current use of cigarettes, marijuana, current sexual activity, seriously considered attempting suicide, feeling sad or hopeless, physical fighting, not being physically active:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21843548/Cross-national variations in adolescent sleep patters:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375375396_Cross-National_Variations_in_Adolescent_Sleep_Patterns_A_Time-Use_Study?utm_source=chatgpt.comSupport the showPlease 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. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is [email protected] And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.com Find me on Substack Teenagersuntangled.substack.comInstagram: 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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