Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

Your kid is technically an adult, but still looking for–or needing–parental guidance. And maybe you still have your own parents weighing in, too. Parenting through this “in-between” stage can be complicated: How much guidance is too much? When do you let go? How do you stay close without taking over?

In this encore episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens and Teens,” psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan welcome Dr. Laurence Steinberg to discuss his book “You and Your Adult Child: How to Grow Together in Challenging Times.” Together they discuss how parents can make sense of the shifting roles that come with launching young adults while also managing relationships with aging parents. It’s a heartfelt, insightful look at what it means to be part of the “sandwich generation” today.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- How to balance support and independence as your child becomes an adult- When (and how) to offer financial help without overstepping- What to do when you’re worried about your adult child’s choices- How to handle generational tensions with your own parents- Strategies for staying grounded while caring for both generations

Originally released in 2023, this encore episode feels more relevant than ever. Learning to stay connected while letting go is a challenge that spans generations.



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: parenting young adults, adult kids boundaries, launching teens, empty nest

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

Are you staring at your tween or teen’s holiday wish list wondering… is it okay to say NO?

When every friend seems to be getting the “cool” brands, the pricey sneakers, or the latest tech, it can feel impossible to balance your family’s values with your child’s need to fit in. This episode helps you navigate that emotional middle ground with clarity, compassion, and practical tools you can actually use.

Psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack why kids get so fixated on certain gifts, what’s really driving the comparisons, and how parents can respond with empathy… without giving in to every request. Drawing on decades of clinical experience and relatable family stories, they offer strategies that help kids feel understood and help parents stay grounded in what matters most.

💡 YOU'LL LEARN:

- How to talk with your tween or teen about brand pressure and fitting in

- Ways to convey your family values without shaming or shutting your child down

- Practical, meaningful ideas for cultivating gratitude without lecturing

- Creative compromises that balance joy, connection, and mindful consumption

This season can stir up big emotions for kids and for parents. If you’re hoping to raise grounded, grateful young people while still keeping the magic of the holidays alive, this episode offers thoughtful guidance you can trust.



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: holiday gifts, teens, tweens, gratitude, parenting, family values, wish list



Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, podcast, 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

Middle school can be rough—emotionally, socially, and developmentally. When teasing crosses the line into cruelty, it usually puts a dent in kids’ confidence and sense of belonging. In this episode, Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack the complicated social dynamics of middle school, explain why meanness can become a source of power, and why empathy can be in short supply.

Drawing from years of clinical experience, Dr. Lisa explains how bullying emerges, why even “good kids” sometimes join in, and what parents can do when their child is being targeted — or doing the targeting.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why middle school social insecurities can bring out the worst in kids

- How and why boys weaponize words like “gay,” even in progressive communities

- When (and how) to approach the school — and why restraint can sometimes help

- How to support your child with empathy and validation, without rushing to “fix” it

This episode will help you navigate one of parenting’s hardest moments–knowing that your child has been hurt by peers–with compassion and clarity.

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: bullying, middle school, social dynamics, teen anxiety, friendship



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

When parents divorce, how much say should a tween or teen have in deciding where they live, and how often they switch homes?

Divorce is hard on everyone, but for kids it often comes with a lot of upheaval. In this episode, Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack what divorced parents can do to minimize the emotional toll on their kids, ease the challenge of moving back-and-forth between homes, and create arrangements that grow with their child’s needs.

Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Lisa helps parents understand the situation from their child’s perspective and offers compassionate, practical strategies to reduce conflict, simplify logistics, and strengthen co-parenting teamwork.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why divorce often leaves kids feeling like “a human ping-pong ball”

- What an ideal post-divorce setup looks like (and why it’s rarely possible)

- How visitation schedules can evolve as tweens mature and seek more independence

- How the mindset shift from “ex” to “co-parent” helps everyone

Whether you’re newly divorced or years into co-parenting, this episode will help you see the challenges through your child’s eyes and remind you that stability, empathy, and teamwork make all the difference.

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: divorce, co-parenting, tween emotions, family transitions, custody tips

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

When your child lies about homework, screen time, or where they’ve been, it can feel like a punch to the gut. But what if lying isn’t a sign of bad character, and instead a normal part of growing up?

In this encore episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens and Teens,” psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan look at lying from a developmental standpoint and help parents understand what’s really going on when kids bend the truth. A request for privacy doesn’t always mean something sneaky, and your response can make all the difference in whether your child learns to be honest.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why kids lie (and what their lies may be trying to protect)

- Ways to make truth-telling feel safe in your home

- How to model integrity and forgiveness when mistakes happen

- What it really means for kids to develop a healthy conscience

Originally released in 2021, this encore episode feels just as timely today for parents navigating honesty, trust, and growing independence.

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 lying, why kids lie, child honesty, parenting trust, tween behavior

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