Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

By Cathy ChenParenting Kids & Family

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You episodes

April 05, 2023What’s the College Admissions Process Like For a Parent?
College admissions are right around the corner, so today we have invited a special guest (and one of our favorite parents) to talk about her experience of supporting her kids through the process. Margot has a daughter who is happily attending college after much anxiety, and a son who is in the thick of the admissions process. In this episode, she compares her two children’s respective college processes and shares advice for parenting two drastically different individuals. We talk about how one’s college process does not define them and how to gently impart that belief system to high-achieving kids. Margot opens up about how she supports her kids through hardships and disappointments and shares her profound takeaways from her daughter’s admissions process about our societal career trajectory as a whole. Tune in to find out, from a parent’s perspective, how (and why) to demonstrate confidence in your kid, and where the focus should lie ahead of college decisions.
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:00:51] Introducing one of our favorite parents, Margot.
[0:02:27] Today’s topic: the college admissions process from a parent’s perspective.
[0:02:44] The atmosphere at home ahead of the college process.
[0:03:36] Margot compares her two children’s respective college admissions processes.
[0:05:28] Her advice for parents whose kids feel their college process defines them.
[0:07:08] The challenge for high-achieving kids aiming for colleges with a high rejection rate.
[0:09:17] How Margot supports her kids through hardships and disappointments.
[0:14:04] The challenge of raising two very different kids.
[0:16:33] Why it’s important to demonstrate confidence in your teen’s ability.
[0:21:44] Margot’s profound takeaways from her daughter’s college process.
[0:28:00] The options available outside of the traditional education path.
[0:29:32] The important questions to ask kids ahead of college decisions.
[0:33:23] Pressure versus expectation.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram
37 min
March 15, 2023Things That Make Us Go EW
In the world of college admissions, there are countless things that make us go “ew” and today, we want to share them with you! We don’t want your kid to fall prey to same-kid syndrome and have admissions counselors rolling their eyes at their resume. In this episode, we share our views on service trips abroad, expensive leadership programs, internships, research programs, and more. We share examples of true value add experiences and the circumstances that warrant an exception to our stance on the above-mentioned endeavors. Tune in as we unpack our admissions-related aversions, and find out how your kid can make an impression as a happy consequence of pursuing meaningful experiences!
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:01:44] Introducing today’s topic: college admissions “icks”.
[0:03:49] What you’ll learn from this episode.
[0:04:19] Why we don’t endorse service trips abroad.
[0:06:30] The circumstances that warrant an exception to our stance on service trips.
[0:09:05] Our stance on leadership conferences and expensive programs.
[0:11:30] Dos and don’ts when it comes to internships.
[0:17:46] Examples of value add experiences.
[0:20:05] Our view on research programs for high school kids.
[0:24:27] The mental health risk of over-achieving.
[0:26:12] The importance of critical thinking when it comes to college application prep!
[0:27:17] How to avoid the same-kid syndrome.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Race to Nowhere
Excellent Sheep
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram
31 min
March 08, 2023Why is My Teen Mean To Me
The teenage years are a turbulent time defined by a need to test boundaries and establish an identity. And this can get pretty messy at times. Most parents of teenagers will know that they can often become snarky, mean, or even hostile. But sometimes it can be difficult to tell whether their behavior is normal, and when there should be cause for concern. Today on the show, we talk about the many ways that teenagers can be mean, the myriad of reasons behind this behavior, and how to deal with these situations as a parent. We discuss the importance of standing up for yourself, how your actions (and reactions) model behavior for your child, and how to de-escalate a tense situation and return to it when at a more neutral time. Our conversation also covers how you might be hurt by your child’s words and actions, the importance of being vulnerable with adolescents, and how to teach your child that apologizing does not absolve them of consequences. Today’s episode is filled with helpful insights on a complicated subject, and there is no shortage of funny anecdotes and heartfelt reminders that you are not alone in this!
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:01:17] The question we’re exploring today: Why are teenagers mean to their parents?
[0:02:09] How teenagers are wired to test their boundaries and why this can result in mean behavior.
[0:03:49] The trial and error that happens during adolescence.
[0:05:22] Some of the ways that teenagers act out when their basic needs aren’t being met.
[0:06:36] Recognizing when teenagers are mean due to other external factors in their life.
[0:08:43] Why parents can take comfort in the fact that teenagers acting out around them is a sign that they feel safe with you.
[0:09:55] Standing up for yourself and setting a good example for your child.
[0:13:39] How to recognize when your child may need intervention for their behavior.
[0:15:20] Learning how to de-escalate situations and conversations with your teenager.
[0:18:52] Advice on the steps you should take when you need to intervene with your child’s behavior.
[0:20:55] How to step out from an upsetting conversation and return to it at a neutral time.
[0:22:13] The value of using non-violent communication.
[0:23:09] What it means for adults to be vulnerable with young people.
[0:24:51] Teaching your child that apologizing does not absolve them of consequences.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram
29 min
March 01, 2023College Counseling 201: Stuff Your School Doesn’t Always Tell You
College counseling and the college process can be daunting as a parent to a teenager. So what are the things you need to know as you begin to prepare to send your kid off to college? In this episode, we dive into what you won’t get in your hour-long junior college counseling meeting! Cathy and Meredith take us through the importance of being well-versed in context. How context plays a role in the college selection and admissions process and why you need to take both the volume of applicants and the competitive nature of admissions into account. We drop some truth bombs, talk about different admission software, and take a dip into course selection and extracurricular truths. This episode is jam-packed, so buckle up! It’s also so important to take heart, and recognize that there are thousands of four-year institutions in this country at different levels of selectivity and that you need to fit your kid into where they will be successful — where they feel they can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Don’t forget that there are a lot of really wonderful options out there!
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:01:28] An introduction to our topic for today’s episode.
[0:03:20] Stuff to know about the college process.
[0:03:35] The importance of knowing context.
[0:04:44] The role context plays in your list of schools.
[0:05:20] We talk about the appreciation of the volume of students applying.
[0:06:00] The appreciation of the competitive nature of different schools.
[0:07:45] Meredith drops a grade-related truth bomb.
[0:08:32] Why it can be helpful to ask about grades/GPA/admission history.
[0:09:08] Software parents might not be aware of used by high schools (for context).
[0:10:30] Data is available, publicly, for context.
[0:11:11] Course selection; what’s expected and what’s important.
[0:13:45] Factors that affect your profile as it relates to course selection.
[0:14:30] Why you need four years of everything.
[0:14:53] Pursuing progressively more rigorous curriculum.
[0:16:25] The role of extracurriculars, why it’s important, and how to choose them.
[0:17:23] Why ten activities over the course of four years.
[0:19:07] Why a light extracurricular schedule won’t fly at highly selective admission.
[0:19:48] The importance of finding the right calibration for your child.
[0:20:00] We talk about fit and all the possible options for college.
[0:22:00] Thinking about financial (aid) options as part of the college journey.
[0:22:30] Why it’s important to educate yourself on the scope of options.
[0:23:23] Why you need to go get a FISKE guide.
[0:24:19] Start college visits early.
[0:24:45] Some resources we recommend.
[0:25:00] Take heart and recognize there are thousands of great options out there!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Noviance
Maia Learning
Scoir
Course Selection Episode
Extracurriculars Episode
FISKE Guide 2024
Corsava
Colleges That Change Lives
CTCL College Fairs
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram
27 min
February 22, 2023The Secret to Being an A+ Student
How often do you find yourself thinking of ways to help your teenager get organized, keep their space clean, and have better time management? Cathy Chen and Meredith Herrera are here to offer five key strategies that all teens should use and how you can help them do it. Despite feeling seemingly obvious to adults it is important to emphasize why being organized matters, and Cathy and Meredith give some tips on how to help teens see and understand this. You will hear about all the important times of the day for teens and how to best maximize organization in these times. From using a google calendar, creating a good routine, the importance of consistency, making time real, and buying the real-deal alarm clock, this episode covers it all!
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:01:13] An introduction to the topic; organization and time management.
[0:02:10] Why organization matters.
[0:02:31] Routines; what they are, why they matter, and the dos and don'ts.
[0:03:15] Effective morning, after-school, evening, and bedtime routines.
[0:05:30] Reflecting on a good morning routine.
[0:06:29] How to manage your ‘I just got home from school’ time.
[0:09:40] The importance of keeping track of time and using timers.
[0:12:07] How to define an evening routine and how it links to consistency.
[0:13:25] How to create an effective bedtime (wind down) routine.
[0:16:12] A google calendar; why Cathy and Meredith swear by it.
[0:19:50] Things that belong on a calendar.
[0:21:25] How to time block and efficiently manage time.
[0:23:16] The to-do list and how to tackle it.
[0:28:34] Why you should do the hardest thing first.
[0:30:13] How Cathy and Meredith manage the resistance from teens they coach.
[0:31:20] The importance of the space a teen works in.
[0:33:45] How to manage your own bias with how organization looks.
[0:35:44] Why you need to limit your distractions.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram
40 min
February 08, 2023Is Private School or Public School Better?
Choosing a school for your child can be an incredibly challenging decision to make. One of the top questions we receive is whether or not we would send our own children to the schools we have worked at. We spend today’s episode unpacking the considerations we deem most important when searching for the right fit for your child and how to tackle this weighty decision. We share some of the lessons we’ve learned from our professional experiences, and anchor our conversation in the guiding question of what you value most. Tune in to hear our thoughts on how to get the right support for your child’s development based on who you want to see them become. Thanks for listening!
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:02:12] Today’s topic: the frequently asked question of whether public or private schools are better.
[0:04:28] What the conversation ultimately comes down to: values.
[0:05:59] A developmental perspective on public versus private.
[0:06:59] Questions to ask yourself to determine which option is best for your child’s education.
[0:09:16] Differences between the public and private settings.
[0:10:05] Support and accommodations at public versus private schools.
[0:14:00] Social considerations for public and private education.
[0:14:39] The implications of private school hand-holding in tertiary education.
[0:16:30] A powerful question for any parent to answer.
[0:16:55] Acknowledge that we are using a binary of public and private to talk about the full spectrum of schools.
[0:18:44] Trusting in your child’s resilience.
[0:22:58] Considering the financial aid route in private schooling.
[0:27:20] Meredith answers the question of whether she would consider sending her child to one of the schools she has worked at.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram
31 min
February 01, 2023The Most Common Mistakes Seniors Make on College Apps
Sometimes we have to learn by doing, but a college application certainly isn’t the time for that approach. That’s why today, we are sharing common mistakes we see seniors make on college applications all too often. We know our audience, and the mistakes they are susceptible to making. Press play to hear us highlight what we’ve noticed, what to do instead, and whose guidance to heed along the way. We touch on which schools to apply to, essay tips, and what to make of school rankings before unpacking some essential considerations that will help you to determine which institution is the best fit for your child, and much more today. Thanks for tuning in to another episode!
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:01:25] Today’s topic: the biggest mistakes that we see seniors make on college applications over and over again.
[0:02:28] The mistake many seniors make by following the advice of their peers.
[0:05:59] Why it is a mistake to apply to too many top schools.
[0:10:15] Why a 17-year-old’s definition of a good application essay differs from ours.
[0:14:07] The mistake of never stopping to offer an explanation, and offering a list instead.
[0:18:02] Why it is a mistake to choose a school based only on name and rank.
[0:19:32] How rankings are calculated and why this is often unrelated to the undergraduate experience.
[0:20:42] Considerations that help to determine fit.
[0:21:29] Why, if you are taking your kids to see schools, you should include less selective colleges.
[0:26:41] The number one biggest mistake we have seen kids make in their applications.
[0:28:13] How early to begin completing your application process.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram
30 min
January 25, 2023Our Top Tips For Parenting Teens
We know how difficult it can be to navigate your highly emotional, sometimes nasty, boundary-testing teenagers and today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are unpacking the enigma that is parenting teens. In this episode, you will hear our top tips for parenting teens, ranging from finding the balance between giving them independence and still being the parents they so desperately need, to how to handle alcohol and all things taboo. We delve into the dangers of trying to be your child’s friend, why teenagers need very strong boundaries, how to model behavior for them at all times, and why they need you to help them learn how to emotionally regulate. It is in the nature of teenagers to push boundaries and we discuss how being too permissive is problematic before asking you to fact-check your teens when something sounds strange. Finally, we want to remind you to shower your teens with love! To hear all this and more, tune in now!
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:00:55] The topic of today’s episode: parenting teenagers.
[0:01:16] Why teenagers are just dumb adults and how things are changing for them.
[0:03:12] The importance of remembering that teenagers are still children and do need you.
[0:04:55] Why you need to be involved in your teenager’s life without micromanaging.
[0:06:06] A reminder that you cannot try to be your teenager’s friend.
[0:08:45] Why teenagers need just as many (if not more) boundaries than younger kids.
[0:11:35] How being too permissive is more dangerous than being too strict.
[0:13:25] The importance of having open conversations with your teenagers.
[0:16:04] How modeling respect can help them learn how to have healthy relationships.
[0:16:55] Why you should not believe everything your teenager says.
[0:19:00] The importance of helping your teenagers learn to emotionally regulate.
[0:21:41] Why we must protect them from dangers when they experiment with risky behavior.
[0:26:35] A reminder that supplying teenagers with alcohol is against the law.
[0:29:51] Why talking about serious things makes them less taboo and demystifies them.
[0:30:56] Why we want you to overwhelm teens with love, and physical and emotional affection.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Adolescent Development 101 Episode
Let’s Talk About Sex Babyyyy with Justine Fonte Episode
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram
34 min
January 19, 2023Are Some Extracurriculars “Better” Than Others?
Extracurricular activities are a huge component of healthy development for teens. In this episode, we discuss the vast benefits of extracurriculars and how to approach the topic with your kids. You’ll hear our thoughts on the demands of sports commitments and whether some extracurriculars are better than others. If you’re wondering what colleges are really looking for in terms of extracurriculars and community service, you’ve come to the right place. Tune in to find out everything you need to know about the role of extracurricular activities in your child’s life.
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:01:45] Introducing today’s topic: all things extracurricular activities.
[0:02:26] How you should/shouldn’t approach picking extracurriculars.
[0:03:14] Why extracurricular activities are important.
[0:06:05] Our take on whether some extracurriculars are better than others.
[0:10:23] Why it’s important not to overload your child’s schedule.
[0:11:41] Our thoughts on the demands of sports commitments.
[0:16:16] Why we encourage diversity of exposure when it comes to extracurriculars.
[0:16:48] The benefits of kids getting jobs.
[0:17:16] What colleges are looking for regarding your extracurricular choices.
[0:20:36] How to encourage kids to commit to an extracurricular activity.
[0:23:58] The recommended approach if your kids are into video games.
[0:28:14] Whether or not colleges require candidates to do community service.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram
37 min
January 04, 2023Does My Kid Need a Tutor? Answer That Question and More with Expert Tutor, Maya Varga
Have you thought of hiring a tutor to help your child at school? If you are a parent, this thought has likely crossed your mind. Most students can cope well in a typical classroom situation, but it does not work for everyone, and some students require a more one-on-one approach. Tutoring can help students build essential learning skills, boost confidence, and increase subject comprehension. To help us unpack the benefits of tutoring is the Senior Director at Hayutin Education, Maya Varga. Hayutin Education offers a wide range of professional, research-based, and one-on-one tutoring services to help children reach their full potential. Maya started as a tutor in the entertainment industry and started her own private practice before joining Hayutin Education in 2014. Maya has vast experience in college counseling, homeschool instruction, and executive function skill-building, and specializes in non-traditional education pathways. In this episode, Maya answers all our questions about tutoring. We learn how to assess a student’s inventory of skills, key indicators your child would benefit from tutoring support, tailoring the approach to each student, and the value of building learning capacity. We also discuss what aspects to consider when looking for a tutor, how to tell whether tutoring is working, the value of building momentum, why tutoring does not get results overnight, and the importance of a support network. We also uncover why tutoring is not the silver bullet parents think it is, the benefits of independent learning, why the physical and mental health of a student is vital, and much more! Tune in to discover the power of tutoring with education expert Maya Varga!
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:00:45] Introduction and background about today’s guest, Maya Varga.
[0:03:34] How Maya helps parents determine if their child could benefit from a tutor.
[0:05:58] She unpacks what she means by good skills and routines.
[0:08:28] Maya shares advice for finding the right tutor for your child.
[0:10:56] What parents are committing to when they hire a tutor.
[0:12:07] The role of a tutor and why tutors are not “homework nannies”.
[0:13:22] What indicates that a student does not need further tutoring support.
[0:15:08] Ways to motivate students to complete homework and tasks.
[0:17:59] Discover what parents can do to help their child be successful.
[0:20:39] Her approach to parents who are skeptical of the tutoring process.
[0:25:18] Find out when homeschooling is appropriate for a child.
[0:28:55] Maya shares some best practices for students and parents.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Maya Varga on LinkedIn
Hayutin Education
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You
Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram
34 min

About Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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Shit Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You brings you candid conversations with experts in psychology, education, and college admissions — so you can better understand your teen and help them…