Ever feel like loving your teen is like trying to hug a cactus?

Rebecca Greene talks with Dr. Alexandra Rogers, a retired clinical psychologist with decades of experience supporting children and families. They dig into the parenting pain points that show up in real life: separation anxiety, power struggles, depression and anxiety, OCD, autism meltdowns, hyperactivity, and safety conversations. Dr. Rogers shares practical, time tested tools parents can actually use, plus why connection matters most when kids are at their prickliest. 

Key takeaways

→ Power struggles often explode around mornings, homework, and bedtime, and the move is teaching parents how to step back and get around the struggle instead of feeding it 

→ Teens can get prickly, but the goal is making sure they still know you are in their corner when life goes sideways 

→ For school anxiety in younger kids, storytelling can give them the words they cannot find and lowers fear of the unknown 

→ OCD is not quirky habits; it is anxiety plus intrusive thoughts, and the “hiccups” comparison helps families understand how relentless it feels 

→ Autism meltdowns are about overwhelm, not manipulation, and prevention matters more than trying to “stop it fast.” 

→ Safety tip that hits hard: do not force hugs, and take seriously when a child seems uncomfortable around someone 

If this episode helped you, share it with a parent who needs calm, usable tools today. Check out Dr. Rogers’ book Your Journey to Successful Parenting and learn more at https://www.ajrogersbooks.com/.