(Disclaimer: Adult language and content.)
The old narrative says that once kids hit their tween and teen years, they pull away — and parents just have to hope they come back around.
But what if that’s not actually true?
In this episode of the Frankie & Jess Podcast, we chat with Susan Caso, a licensed therapist, author, and mom of three with a 14-year age gap between her oldest and youngest. She’s parenting in real time through two completely different eras — and she’s seeing firsthand what’s changed.
Susan is the author of The Parent‑Teen Connection: How to Build Lifelong Family Relationships (SusanCaso.com), a practical guide for building trust, connection, and emotional safety in families navigating the complexities of modern childhood and adolescence — and you can check it out on her site at susancaso.com or grab a copy here: The Parent‑Teen Connection on Amazon. You can also follow her insights on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/susan.caso/ — she’s sharing great resources and moments for parents there.
Why teens still need their parents — maybe more than ever
Why parents don’t need to “back off,” but rather pivot
How one-word answers aren’t rejection — and why we shouldn’t take them personally
Why timing matters (car rides vs. play vs. late-night chats)
Phones, social media, and the pressure kids feel to not be “less than”
Why vulnerability can actually feel risky to kids — and why emotional safety matters more
How fear of disappointing parents can quietly shut kids down
This episode is for parents who care deeply, feel unsure at times, and want to build a foundation their kids will actually come back to.
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