Has your child ever made a friend who dominates, bullies, or leads them astray? As a parent, what can you do if your kid’s BFF just isn’t good for them?  Parenting author and host of Parental As Anything, Maggie Dent has some tips for mums and dads about being your child’s ‘friendship coach’. What to do if your child has a frenemy, ways to teach them about healthy friendships and why you SHOULDN’T approach the other child’s parents. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs please consult a professional.Host: Maggie Dent Producer: Josie Sargent Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler Executive Producer: Kim Lester Sound design: Simon Branthwaite 

Help  — My daughter has a toxic friend

Hormones. Anxiety. Angst. Raising teens is tough.

Parental As Anything: Teens gives you practical tips on how to navigate your teen-sized problems, from porn to partying, body issues to bullying.

Rebecca Sparrow, teen educator and author talks to parents and experts to unpack the biggest challenges of parenting teens.

Learn how to support your teenager while staying (mostly) sane.

Kids & Family

Parenting

Your daughter asks you to buy her a vibrator. What should you do?  Bec Sparrow on why sex positivity for our teens is important, why there’s still a taboo around female masturbation and the awkward, but important, conversations to have around pleasure. 

Dear Bec—My teenager wants a vibrator

When they’re little, our kids idolise us. Then, they become teenagers and start to push us away, refusing to chat and rolling their eyes. What can parents do to stay connected, when suddenly you're no longer the Taylor Swift or Drake of your teen's life? And why do they pull away from us in the first place? Dr Justin Coulson joins Bec Sparrow to explain what is going on, and gives tips on how to stay close to your teenager. (PS If you have a trick on how you have managed to stay connected, we’d love to hear them for a special episode we’re working on. Send us a voice note or email us at teens@abc.net.au) The advice in this podcast is general and does not consider your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. Guest: Dr Justin CoulsonProducers: Hannah Reich, Josie Sargent Supervising Producer: Tamar CranswickExecutive Producer: Alex LollbackSound design: Ann-Marie de Bettencor

My teen hates me

Has your tween bugged you to buy them fancy face cream or a Drunk Elephant serum? Younger and younger teenagers are lusting after super expensive — and age-inappropriate — beauty products that they’ve seen on social media. Bec Sparrow is here to help you know what to do if your tween or teen is breaking the bank with creams, make-up and serums.   The advice in this podcast is general and does not consider your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. Producers: Hannah Reich, Josie Sargent Supervising Producer: Tamar CranswickExecutive Producer: Alex LollbackSound design: Ann-Marie de Bettencor

Dear Bec — I have a beauty obsessed tween

What do you do when you don't like your teen's mates? Friends are so important for our teens, so how can you guide them to make good choices when it comes to buddies? Should you try and intervene, or will that only backfire?

My teen's friends are bad news

How do you know when your teen’s gaming habit levels-up from hobby to obsession?  Once teens are on their gaming consoles, it can be really tough to get them to press pause. Even to go to the toilet, eat dinner or go to sleep.  Bec Sparrow uncovers the red flags to look for if your teenager’s gaming is becoming obsessive, and gives you practical tips on how to turbo boost your tech and gaming boundaries. 

Help — My daughter has a toxic friend

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