Talking To Teens: Expert Tips for Parenting Teenagers
Kids & Family
John Coleman, author of The Psychology of the Teenage Brain, joins us to explain why the biology of the adolescent brain leads to risk taking and emotional ups and downs, and how parents can provide support during this temporary period of development.
Bonfire Digital Wellness has a diverse team of seasoned, compassionate school counselors, ready to coach your teen. Check it out today and take advantage of a 1-month FREE trial: BonfireDW.org/talkingtoteens
Full Show Notes
The teenage years can feel like an emotional rollercoaster for parents and kids alike. Why does your once sweet child suddenly start acting out and making baffling decisions? What drives them to take risks, rebel against authority figures, and make choices that seem completely irrational?
In this week’s episode of Talking to Teens, we’re getting to the root of teenage psychology and behavior with an expert guide. We’re joined by Dr. John Coleman, a clinical psychologist who has spent decades researching adolescent development. He’s the founder of a research center focused on teens and their families, and is the author of the book The Psychology of the Teenage Brain.
John explains that the ups and downs of the adolescent years can be explained by major changes happening in the biology of the teenage brain. As Dr. Coleman tells us, the teenage brain actually undergoes its biggest developmental shift since infancy, which shapes teen behavior in profound ways parents often don’t realize.
The Teenage Brain: Pruning, Hormones and Development
As John explains, there are two major biological processes unfolding in the adolescent brain: pruning and hormonal changes.
First, he describes the proliferation of gray matter that happens in late childhood. Gray matter contains neuron cells, creating lots of connections in the brain. But in the teen years, the brain eliminates unused neural connections through a process called pruning. This effectively “shrinks” the brain, reorganizing it to become more efficient. However, this leads teens to feel uncertain and confused.
At the same time, John explains that hormone levels are fluctuating more intensely during adolescence than any other life stage. The hormones affecting mood, stress responses, impulsiveness and more vary greatly throughout the day, leaving teens emotionally unstable. This is why an event can make them despair one moment and elated the next.
Understanding the changes happening biologically helps parents empathize with teens during this rocky transition, says John. Even though the period is temporary, it shapes how teens think, process information and regulate emotions in the moment.
Why Teens Act Without Thinking
In our interview, John provides a scientific explanation for why teenagers engage in baffling, risky behavior without considering consequences. As he explains, the brain networks connecting the emotional centers to the prefrontal cortex (the area controlling planning and decision making) are still immature in adolescents. So when intense impulses arise, the thinking part of teens’ brains can’t overcome these urges, leading them to act out without foresight about the outcomes.
Helping Teens Develop Healthy Brains
The good news is there are things we can do to help teens through this period, says John. Having routines, boundaries and open conversations about emotions helps them regulate their moods and behavior. We discuss how parents can model healthy emotional responses for kids, so they can build skills managing feelings that will serve them in adulthood.
John also emphasizes that despite teens’ outward rejection of parents, they still heavily rely on parental support during this challenging developmental window. So staying patiently engaged as a caring guide remains important, even when kids are pulling away to assert their independence.
Ep 131: Emotionally Resilient Boys
Ep 130: Creating Confident Kids
Ep 129: Struggling Teen? Learning Music Might Be The Answer...
Ep 128: Persuade Your Teen With Story
Ep 127: How to Heal a Broken Bond
Ep 126: Making Awkward Conversations Easier
Ep 125: What To Do With a Negative Teen
Ep 124: The Upside of Rude Teens
Ep 123: Colleges, Universities, and What You're Really Paying For
Ep 122: Why Teens Rage and What To Do About It
Ep 121: How to Transform Troublesome Boys
Ep 120: The #1 Reason Teens Turn to Tech...
Ep 119: Fresh Advice from Dad
Ep 118: Lying, Stealing, and Power Struggles
Ep 117: The Warrior Challenge For Kinder, More Courageous Teens
Ep 116: Time Management for More Focused Teens
Ep 115: Beating Substance Abuse and Addiction
Ep 114: What Teens Can Do Now To Prepare For College
Ep 113: What Top Athletes Can Teach Us About Teen Success
Ep 112: Consequences of Your Teen’s Digital Footprint
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
History Storytime - For Kids
Privacy Boys
Nonsensical Show
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Anne of Green Gables
Dr. Laura Call of the Day
Focus on the Family Broadcast