Whitney sits down with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, a pediatric psychologist and author of the new book "Love the Teen You Have," to discuss practical strategies for parenting teens and pre-teens. They explore why the teenage years can be so challenging for parents, how to navigate individuation and identity development, and actionable tools for transforming conflict into connection—including how to handle difficult conversations about topics like sex, social media, and diverging values.

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Whitney Goodman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the founder of Calling Home, a membership community that helps people navigate complex family dynamics and break harmful cycles.

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This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart and "Love the Teen You Have"

03:23 Why it's hard to parent the kid in front of you

05:40 Understanding individuation and teen identity development

12:09 Why connection matters more than control

20:38 Handling difficult conversations with your teen

36:20 Conversations about sex, drugs, social media, and other uncomfortable topics

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