Eye rolls.

If your teen’s “nasty attitude” instantly makes you think disrespect, defiance, or this needs to stop now, this episode will change how you see everything.

In Episode #269 of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I kick off a brand-new series unpacking teen behaviors parents punish — even though they’re often signs of healthy development. And we’re starting with the one that triggers parents the fastest: attitude.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth most parents were never told: What feels like disrespect in the moment is often your teen’s nervous system in overload, paired with a brain that’s wired for emotion but still learning regulation. When we shut it down with consequences or lectures, we don’t teach respect — we teach defense.

And that’s where the power struggles, shutdowns, and distance begin.

In this episode, I don’t just explain why this happens, I walk you through the critical choice every parent faces in those heated moments… and how one response builds walls while the other builds trust.

I also introduce the response framework I teach parents inside my COLLABORATE Method™ Parenting Program — the approach that helps you hold boundaries without escalating, shutting down, or saying something you regret five minutes later.

If you’ve ever wondered:

Why does my teen get snarky over the smallest things?

Am I accidentally making the attitude worse?

How do I stop the tone without starting a war?

This episode is your wake-up call.

Because tonight’s “attitude” isn’t just about tonight.

Why teen “attitude” often usually has nothing to do with disrespect — and everything to do with brain development

The hidden reason even well-intended questions can trigger snark and shutdown

The parenting response that escalates attitude (most parents default to it without realizing)

The moment-by-moment choice that determines whether your teen opens up… or closes off 

Every time your teen gets mouthy, snappy, or sarcastic, one of two things happens. You either:

reinforce fear, control, and emotional shutdown or

teach regulation, communication, and real respect

Most parents were taught the first path.

In this episode, I show you the second and explain why it works even when your teen is not at their best.

This episode gives you the why. The COLLABORATE Method™ Parenting Program gives you the how — across every teen challenge, not just attitude.

Inside the program, parents learn how to:

Stay calm and grounded when emotions run high

Respond instead of react — even in triggering moments

Hold boundaries without power struggles

Build respect that actually lasts

If you’re done guessing what to say and want a clear, repeatable system you can trust in real life, this is where to start.

👉 Learn more here: https://askdrcam.com/collaboratemethod

Next up in this series: Why “Not Doing Chores” Is Rarely About Laziness

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is your go-to podcast for understanding teen behavior and responding in ways that build connection not conflict. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, adolescent psychologist, parenting coach, and “The Teen Translator,” each episode delivers science-backed insight and real-life parenting tools you can actually use. 

Instagram: @drcamcaswell

Website: askdrcam.com

Generative AI like ChatGPT is now woven into nearly every part of teen life, and many parents feel unsettled by how fast it all happened. Are teens using AI tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to learn, to cheat, or something in between? Are they turning to AI for emotional support? And what should parents actually be worried about versus reacting out of fear?

In this episode, Dr. Cam pulls back the curtain on how teens are really using generative AI. You will hear what teens told researchers directly, what surprised even the experts, and why most parents are focusing on the wrong risks.

Dr. Cam is joined by Alanna Powers-O’Brien, Research and Program Specialist at the Family Online Safety Institute and co-author of the national report Generative AI in Uncertain Times: How Teens Are Navigating a New Digital Frontier. Together, they break down what teen AI use looks like in real life, why many teens do not want to cheat, why 42% are using AI to talk through emotions, and what teens wish parents understood before reacting.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

How teens are actually using ChatGPT and generative AI tools for school, learning, and everyday problem-solving

Why many teens feel genuinely confused about what counts as cheating with AI

The real reasons teens turn to AI for emotional support and what it does and does not replace

Teens’ top concern about AI use and why it is not what most parents assume

Want support navigating tech, AI, and tough conversations with your teen?

The Parenting Teens Academy gives you practical scripts, science-backed tools, and clear guidance to help you stay calm, confident, and connected, even when parenting feels overwhelming.

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Generative AI in Uncertain Times: How Teens Are Navigating a New Digital Frontier

Family Online Safety Institute

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Alanna Powers-O’Brien

Organization: Family Online Safety Institute

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

Website: https://www.askdrcam.com

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Teens and Generative AI Explained

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers in today’s world. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, the show delivers real-world strategies, expert insight, and practical tools to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen.

Each episode helps parents respond with confidence, reduce power struggles, and support teens’ emotional growth without shame or fear-based parenting.

👉 Learn more and explore resources at https://www.askdrcam.com/parenting-teens-podcast

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #ChatGPTandTeens #AIParenting #DigitalParenting

Struggling with your teen’s late nights, groggy mornings, and endless battles over bedtime? You’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it. In this powerful episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, certified Ayurvedic practitioner Nidhi Pandya breaks down why traditional sleep rules fail with teenagers and reveals a compassionate, science-backed approach that finally works. She explains how teen circadian rhythms shift during adolescence, why the 11 PM–2 AM “power hours” matter more than total sleep, and how stress—not screens—is the real culprit behind poor sleep. Nidhi shares practical tools rooted in ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and modern neurobiology, giving parents simple ways to reduce resistance, build connection, and help their teens naturally reset their sleep schedule—without nagging, yelling, or forcing bedtime.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?

Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Nidhi Pandya

Website: nidhipandya.com

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

Website: AskDrCam.com

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding Teen Sleep Challenges

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert insights, and real-world tools to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you’re struggling with communication, motivation, behavior, or confidence, each episode is filled with actionable tips to make parenting easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the skills and confidence to thrive during the teen years.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #teensleep #ayurvedaforteens 

Is your teen’s bathroom counter starting to look like a Sephora exploded? You’re not imagining it—the teen skincare craze is real, and TikTok is fueling it. But here’s what most parents don’t realize: all those trendy products, harsh ingredients, and 10-step routines can actually damage teen skin.

Dr. Casey brings the perfect mix of expert science and mom-level realness—giving parents the confidence to guide their teens away from harmful trends and toward lifelong skin health.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Why 6–8 step “SkinTok” routines backfire

The 3 products teens actually need: cleanse, moisturize, protect

How to talk to your teen about toning down the trends (without a power struggle)

My teen is obsessed with Bright Girl Skincare — and she finally stopped raiding my bathroom counter. 

Dr. Casey set up a special discount just for our community so you can grab some for your teen too. They make perfect stocking stuffers.

👉 Discount link: https://brightgirl.com/discount/DRCAM

🌟 Use code: DRCAM

00:00 – Why teen skincare is suddenly out of control

Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need.

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is your go-to guide for raising today’s teens with more connection, confidence, and calm. Every episode brings expert insights and real-world strategies to help families thrive—not just survive—the teen years.

If homework has turned into an exhausting nightly standoff, this episode is for you. Dr. Cam and neurodivergent therapist Holly Blanc Moses reveal why ADHD teens aren’t “stubborn” or “unmotivated”—they’re stuck due to executive functioning challenges like task initiation, time blindness, working memory, and overwhelm.

You’ll learn how shame and the expectation–capacity gap make starting feel impossible, and you’ll get brain-based, neurodiversity-affirming tools to move from standoff to small wins: time timers, body doubling, task analysis, and collaborative problem-solving.

Walk away with practical scripts and strategies that protect your relationship while helping your teen start—and finish—homework with more confidence and less conflict.

Why “stubborn” and "lazy" are the wrong story 

5 neuroscience-backed strategies that end homework battles

The 2-minute trick that finally got my ADHD teen to clean their room

How to tell if you’re accidentally hurting your teen’s mental health (even good parents do this)

If this helped, share it with a friend and leave a rating/review so more parents can find it. Don’t miss an episode—subscribe!

Time Timer

Flown (body doubling platform)

The 135 School Accommodations for Autistic & ADHD Students (50% off)

Website: hollyblancmoses.com/connect

Practice (Raleigh, NC): crossvinecounseling.com

Facebook: @hollyblancmoses

Instagram: @hollyblancmoses

LinkedIn: @holly-blanc-moses-378a78104

YouTube: @autismadhdtvwithholly

FB Group for Parents: WiredDifferentlyGroup

00:00 Why Homework Feels Impossible: Executive Functioning 101

12:29 The Expectation–Capacity Gap (and how to close it)

24:37 Motivation vs. Task Analysis: Mapping the first step

36:05 From Shame to Support: Language that lowers defenses

37:01 Co-Regulation and Trust: Teaching when your teen is stressed

41:42 Tools That Work: Time timers, body doubling, and collaboration

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #ADHD #executivefunction #homework

Struggling to connect with your teenager? You’re not alone. In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart shares transformative, brain-based strategies to help parents rebuild connection with defiant, distant, or disconnected teens.

Learn why the phrase “I love my teen, but I don’t like them right now” resonates so deeply with parents—and how to move from constant conflict to calm, connected communication. Dr. Lockhart explains the neuroscience behind teen behavior, comparing the adolescent brain to the toddler years to help you understand why your teen’s reactions can seem “illogical and irrational.”

Together, Dr. Cam and Dr. Lockhart unpack the emotional toll of disrespect, withdrawal, and conditional love, offering parents science-backed tools to restore trust and strengthen relationships. You’ll walk away with actionable steps to stop the yelling cycle, repair emotional wounds, and reconnect with your teen—without losing your authority or your sanity.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

📘 Love the Teen You Have by Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart (on Sale Now )

📗https://read.macmillan.com/fib/lovetheteenpreorder/ (The Work Book)

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart

🌐 Website: www.anewdaysa.com

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

🌐 Website: AskDrCam.com

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction to Parenting Challenges with Teens

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #parentingteens #parentteenconnection

Ever wonder why your teen’s backtalk or eye roll hits you harder than it should? 🧠 In this powerful episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, adolescent psychologist Dr. Cam Caswell sits down with Shelly Robinson, certified conscious parenting coach and founder of Raising Yourself, to uncover why your child’s behavior often activates your deepest wounds—and how healing your own past can completely transform your relationship.

Shelly shares her personal journey from reactive parenting and yelling matches to fostering calm, emotionally intelligent conversations with her now-15-year-old son. You’ll discover the link between your inner teen and your actual teen, learn to identify emotional triggers before they explode, and walk away with tools to break generational cycles of shame, guilt, and control.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why do I lose it over something so small?”, this episode will help you find compassion for yourself—and create a more peaceful, connected home. 💛

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Shelly Robinson

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding Parental Triggers

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #consciousparenting #parentingteens

When parenting teenagers becomes a battleground between parents, everyone suffers—including your teen. Dr. Cam and couples therapist Dr. Tracy Dalgleish tackle the common problem of parental division, where one parent becomes the “tough one” while the other takes on the “soft” role, creating conflict that teens often exploit.

This episode reveals why parents frequently end up on opposite sides of the parenting spectrum, especially during the teenage years when stakes feel higher and emotions run deeper. The experts explain how family triangulation occurs—when relationship tension between parents gets redirected toward the teenager, creating dysfunction for everyone involved.

Key insights include understanding that both parents typically share the same core values and goals for their children, even when their approaches differ dramatically. The solution isn’t forcing identical parenting styles, but rather establishing shared values while allowing different expressions of those values.

Dr. Tracy emphasizes the critical importance of relationship repair—acknowledging mistakes and their impact—as a foundational skill for both marriage and parenting. Parents learn practical strategies for supporting each other even during disagreements, including validation techniques and behind-the-scenes communication that maintain unity.

The discussion addresses common challenges like shame spirals, resentment over unequal parenting burdens, and interference from extended family members. Most importantly, parents discover that focusing on their own relationship with their teen—rather than trying to control their partner’s approach—creates more positive outcomes for everyone involved.

Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫

Website: drtracyd.com

Website: AskDrCam.com

00:00 Understanding Parenting Divides

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #ParentingTeens #CoParenting #FamilyDynamics

Is your teenager melting down after school, snapping at you, or shutting down completely? You’re not alone—and it’s not “bad behavior.” In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, adolescent psychologist Dr. Cam Caswell sits down with Dr. Jim Costello, creator of the Costello Method, to reveal why teen emotional explosions are actually neurological responses to overload—not disrespect. You’ll discover why “sit still and listen” makes things worse, how parents can become a safe haven instead of a trigger, and five body-based tactics you can use immediately to calm your teen, rebuild connection, and reduce household stress.

Why your teen’s after-school meltdown is a sign of nervous system overload—not bad manners

How movement and co-regulation unlock calmer communication and emotional safety at home

Simple joint-pressure and grounding techniques parents can use to defuse high-stress moments

How to spot “neurological soft signs” like fidgeting or posture changes before a blow-up happens

Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family. 🙏💫

Dr. Jim Costello’s Website

The Brain Follows by Dr. Jim Costello

The Costello Method – focus on developmental plasticity & primitive reflex integration

Website: DrJimCostello.com

Website: askdrcam.com

00:00 Introduction to Teen Emotional Challenges

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #teenemotionalregulation #CostelloMethod

If your teen feels distant, defiant, or shuts you out, you’re not alone — and there’s hope. In this powerful episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, foster and adoptive dad Peter Mutabazi shares life-changing strategies for reconnecting with even the most resistant teenagers.

A survivor of childhood abuse and homelessness who’s since fostered 47 children, Peter explains why teens are actually “easier” to parent than younger kids and how shifting from an authoritarian approach to a mentorship mindset transforms relationships.

You’ll discover practical, trauma-informed parenting tools that help you lower conflict, rebuild trust, and guide your teen without power struggles. Whether you’re overwhelmed by defiance, craving deeper connection, or simply want to better understand your teen, this episode gives you the roadmap to start fresh and help your teen thrive.

How a foster dad successfully parents 47 teenagers using mentorship instead of control.

Why your teen’s “acting out” isn’t about you — and how understanding hormones, trauma, and development changes your response.

Simple daily habits that build trust and confidence in defiant or withdrawn teens.

The “three-person approach” to teen behavior that makes even tough parenting moments feel manageable.

Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫

@fosterdadflipps

Facebook: Foster Dad Flipper

TikTok: Now I Am Known

Website: askdrcam.com

Instagram: @DrCamCaswell

TikTok: @the.teen.translator

YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

00:00 Introduction to Parenting Challenges with Teens

Start Fresh Daily – Treat each incident as new and avoid bringing up past mistakes.

Celebrate Small Wins – Notice and praise even minor positive behaviors to build momentum.

Schedule Individual Connection Time – One-on-one outings strengthen trust without distractions.

Apply the Three-Person Approach – View your teen as a mix of hormones, trauma, and typical development to respond with empathy.

Shift from Parent to Mentor – Guide rather than control, meeting your teen where they are emotionally and developmentally.

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #traumainformedparenting #teenmentorship