The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens

Dr. Annalise Caron & Dr. Suzanne Allen
  • 5.0 (45)
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The Parenting Pair Podcast | Expert Guidance for Parents of Teens and Tweens Are you raising a teenager, tween or adolescent — whether that's a middle schooler, college student, or somewhere in between — and looking for real, compassionate guidance from people who actually get it? Welcome to The Parenting Pair Podcast — hosted by Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen, two licensed child and adolescent clinical psychologists and moms of teens and tweens themselves. After years of answering questions in our offices, at the bus stop, and on the sidelines, we created this podcast to bring evidence-based mental health guidance directly to parents of older kids, teenagers and young adults — without the jargon, and without the judgment. Every week we tackle the topics parents of teens and tweens are actually navigating: anxiety, depression, ADHD, motivation, communication, emotional regulation, resilience, self-harm, sports betting, gratitude, and so much more. We also bring in expert guests — specialists, clinicians, and researchers — to go deeper on the topics that matter most to your family. Whether you're dealing with a mental health crisis, trying to figure out how to talk to your middle schooler or high schooler, navigating the college process, or just looking for reassurance that you're not alone — you're in the right place. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe so you never miss one. The Parenting Pair Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical advice.

  1. 4d ago ·  Video

    Puberty to Perimenopause: Early Puberty, Teen Nutrition & HRT | Dr. Sophia Yen

    When does puberty start, and what should parents know about teen weight, sleep, perimenopause, and HRT? Pediatric and adolescent medicine specialist Dr. Sophia Yen answers listener questions from puberty through midlife. Why we're re-releasing this episode: Women's hormonal health is always timely, and many of you have joined us since this conversation first aired. We didn't want it to be missed. "Painful periods, exhausting perimenopause: that's just what you deal with." Is it? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron welcome back Dr. Sophia Yen to talk about hormonal health across the female lifespan. Dr. Yen walks through the typical ages puberty begins for girls and boys, when early or delayed puberty is worth a doctor's visit, and how nutrition, sleep, and screen time relate to weight during the teen years. She also shares practical, shame-free ways families can build healthier habits. The conversation then turns to midlife: the role of the birth control pill or ring during perimenopause, how she frames hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause, and why the Women's Health Initiative study still shapes the HRT debate. Her views are her clinical perspective, and decisions about HRT are individual ones to make with your own doctor. Whether you're parenting a tween who is starting puberty, raising a teen while navigating perimenopause yourself, or both, this episode offers practical, evidence-informed conversation starters. You'll learn: - The typical age range puberty begins for girls and boys, and when to check in with a doctor- How to talk with your teen about weight and food without shame- Simple swaps and habits around drinks, snacks, screens, and sleep- How to evaluate health information from social media, supplements, and self-described "doctors"- What perimenopause and menopause can look like, and how the pill, ring, and HRT fit in- Questions worth bringing to your own doctor Episode highlights: 00:00 – Science and Medicine Can Improve Life for People with a Uterus 02:19 – When Puberty Typically Begins for Girls and Boys 04:54 – Supporting Children Through Early Puberty 06:25 – When to See a Doctor If Puberty Hasn't Started 08:14 – Puberty in the Age of Social Media: What Parents Should Know 12:14 – How to Talk to Kids About Weight Gain During Puberty 15:24 – Is Diet Soda Really a Problem? 18:07 – The Benefits of Sleep & Turning Off Screens After [confirm: 2 hours before bed, or 2pm? original text was ambiguous] 20:32 – Helping Teens Build Healthier Eating Habits Without Shame 23:38 – Hormone Replacement Therapy: Is It Advisable? 26:22 – The Impact of Estrogen Decline on Women's Health 33:21 – Learn More About Pandia Health 34:26 – Birth Control vs. HRT: Perimenopause vs. Menopause If you've ever wondered whether your child's puberty timing is typical, or how to support your own hormonal health through perimenopause, this episode offers practical, evidence-informed insight for every parent — and every woman. Dr. Sophia Yen is co-founder of Pandia Health, an online birth control and menopause care service. The Parenting Pair does not endorse products or services. Resources: Dr. Yen's TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ7-_MOjEeYCompanion episode: our #PeriodsOptional conversation with Dr. Yen: https://drscaronandallen.com/podcast/episode/is-it-safe-to-skip-your-period-birth-control-cancer-risk-dr-sophia-yen/ You can also follow Dr. Yen on Instagram & TikTok at: https://www.instagram.com/drsophiayen https://www.tiktok.com/@drsophiayen 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe for more expert conversations on parenting, health, and raising confident, well-informed teens. 🌐 Visit https://drscaronandallen.com/ to listen and learn more. Dr. Sophia Yen, Parenting Pair Podcast, when does puberty start, early puberty, delayed puberty, puberty, teen weight gain, teen health, perimenopause, perimenopause symptoms, menopause, HRT, hormone replacement therapy, bioidentical hormones, Women's Health Initiative, perimenopause birth control, women's health, hormonal health, parenting teens, teen sleep, screen time and sleep, talking to teens about weight, diet soda teens, tweens, parenting teenagers, podcast, teenage behavior, psychology, adolescent brain development, emotional outbursts, parenting podcast, teen independence, teen relationships, family relationships, parental burnout, teenage mental health, stress, ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD, mood disorders, developmental psychology, tween parenting, teen emotions, adolescent autonomy, teen moodiness, parenting tips, parent anxiety, parenting science, parent well being, parent mental health, raising teens, raising tweens, child psychologist, clinical psychologist, evidence-based parenting, authoritative parenting, The Parenting Pair, Dr. Annalise Caron, Dr. Suzanne Allen DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as a substitute or replacement for professional (psychological or medical) advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your or a family member's well-being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.

    Puberty to Perimenopause: Early Puberty, Teen Nutrition & HRT | Dr. Sophia Yen

  2. Sep 23 ·  Video

    Is It Safe to Skip Your Period? Birth Control & Cancer Risk | Dr. Sophia Yen

    Is it safe to skip your period? Dr. Sophia Yen makes the case that for many teens and women it is, and that the long-term benefits may include a significantly lower risk of ovarian cancer. In honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we're re-sharing one of our most-talked about episodes. Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron talk with Dr. Sophia Yen, a board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist, about menstrual suppression, the medical option to reduce or eliminate periods with hormonal birth control, and her "Periods Optional" approach. Dr. Yen frames menstrual suppression as a risk-benefit decision and explains why she believes the benefits outweigh the risks for many women. She discusses her perspective that fewer lifetime menstrual cycles may reduce the risk of ovarian, endometrial, and colorectal cancers, noting that five years of pill, patch, or ring use can lower ovarian cancer risk by roughly half. She also addresses the small increase in breast cancer risk associated with hormonal contraception. The conversation extends beyond cancer risk to the day-to-day impact of menstruation, including heavy bleeding, missed school, anemia, and the stress of unpredictable cycles. Dr. Yen explains how stable hormone levels may benefit acne and other health conditions, and she addresses common myths, including whether hormonal birth control affects future fertility. For parents, this is a clear, evidence-informed starting point for a conversation with your daughter and her doctor. You'll learn: - What menstrual suppression is and why Dr. Yen calls periods "optional" - How periods relate to anemia, and what Dr. Yen says about cancer risk - Whether birth control affects fertility later - Who should not use estrogen-containing birth control, including those with a blood clot history or migraine with aura - Why estrogen dose matters for teen bone health - When starting may make sense, and why timing depends on how heavy periods are and how much growing a teen has left Episode highlights: 00:00 – The Real Reason Women Have Monthly Periods 02:32 – What If Periods Could Be Optional? 04:10 – To Bleed or Not to Bleed: Understanding the Risk–Benefit Balance 05:03 – Periods and Cancer Risk: Ovarian, Endometrial & Colorectal 07:32 – Menstruation and Anemia: A Common Connection 11:04 – Does Birth Control Make It Harder to Get Pregnant Later? 14:02 – How Birth Control Pills Can Support Fertility and Hormonal Health 15:07 – When Birth Control Pills Aren't Recommended 17:50 – The Unexpected Benefits of Making Periods Optional 20:00 – Dr. Yen's Algorithm for Choosing the Right Birth Control Pill 22:53 – Why Estrogen Plays a Key Role in Bone Health 26:49 – When to Consider Birth Control as a Health Tool For more on #PeriodsOptional, watch Dr. Yen's TEDx Talk, "Making Periods Optional": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ7-_MOjEeY You can also follow Dr. Yen on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, or connect with her company Pandia Health (where you can access the birth control algorithm): https://www.pandiahealth.com/about/ https://www.instagram.com/pandiahealth/ https://www.tiktok.com/@drsophiayen https://www.facebook.com/pandiahealth/ https://twitter.com/pandiahealth 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe for more expert conversations on parenting, health, and raising confident, well-informed teens. 🌐 Visit https://drscaronandallen.com/ to listen and learn more. DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as a substitute or replacement for professional (psychological or medical) advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your or a family member's well-being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician. skipping periods, skip your period, is it safe to skip your period, periods optional, birth control and ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer risk, ovarian cancer awareness month, menstrual suppression, birth control for teens, continuous birth control pills, Dr. Sophia Yen, Pandia Health, does birth control cause infertility, birth control and bone health, heavy periods teenager, adolescent medicine, talking to your daughter about birth control, The Parenting Pair Podcast teens, tweens, parenting teenagers, podcast, teenage behavior, psychology, adolescent brain development, emotional outbursts, parenting podcast, teen independence, teen relationships, family relationships, parental burnout, teenage mental health, stress, ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD, mood disorders, developmental psychology, tween parenting, teen emotions, adolescent autonomy, teen moodiness, parenting tips, parent anxiety, parenting science, parent well being, parent mental health, raising teens, raising tweens, child psychologist, clinical psychologist, evidence-based parenting, authoritative parenting, The Parenting Pair, Dr. Annalise Caron, Dr. Suzanne Allen

    Is It Safe to Skip Your Period? Birth Control & Cancer Risk | Dr. Sophia Yen

  3. Sep 16 ·  Video

    Is 13 Too Young for Social Media? What Parents Need to Know About the Teen Brain | Dr. Eva Telzer

    Is 13 really the right age for a teen or tween to start using social media? What does social media have to do with the developing adolescent brain—and should parents limit, delay, or ban it altogether? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen talk with Dr. Eva Telzer, psychologist, neuroscientist, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill, and co-director of the Winston Center for Technology and the Developing Mind. Dr. Telzer explains why adolescence is a particularly important period of brain development, when teens become more sensitive to rewards and social experiences while executive functioning continues to develop. Today's digital environment can amplify these developmental changes by providing highly personalized social feedback, algorithms, short-form content, and other powerful sources of engagement. But this isn't a conversation about why social media is all bad. Adolescence is also a time of tremendous growth, connection, creativity, independence, and social awareness—and social media can help teens connect, organize, advocate, and create positive change. So what can parents actually do? Dr. Telzer discusses when kids should get social media, whether parents should delay, limit, or ban social media, how parents can better understand what their teens are actually seeing online, and why working together with other parents may reduce the social pressure around smartphones. She also highlights the importance of protecting teen sleep by keeping phones and devices out of the bedroom at night. If you're parenting a tween or teenager and wondering about social media, smartphones, adolescent brain development, screen time, algorithms, or healthy boundaries, this episode offers a research-informed and hopeful perspective on helping teens navigate the digital world. In This Episode, We Discuss: Why Adolescence is a remarkable period of brain development and growthThe three major changes happening in the adolescent brainWhy teens are especially sensitive to rewards and social experiencesHow social media and today's digital environment interact with adolescent developmentHow likes, streaks, algorithms, and short-form videos keep teens engagedWhy your teen's social media feed may look completely different from yoursWhat parents should know about the age of first social media exposureWhy turning 13 doesn't mean a child is suddenly developmentally ready for social mediaWhether parents should delay, limit, or ban social mediaHow parents can better understand their teen's online worldWhy protecting sleep and keeping phones out of the bedroom mattersThe potential benefits of social media for teens, including connection, activism, and social changeWhy digital media literacy mattersHow parents can help teens learn to navigate—not simply fear—the digital worldQuestions Parents May be Aasking:What is the right age for social media?There is no magic age when every child suddenly becomes developmentally ready. Dr. Telzer explains why the timing of social media exposure matters and why age 13 may actually be a particularly concerning time to introduce social media. Should I ban social media?An outright ban can sometimes lead teens to seek access secretly and without parental guidance. Dr. Telzer discusses the benefits of clear and thoughtful boundaries and open conversations between parents and teens. How can I know what my teenager is actually seeing online?Algorithms personalize social media feeds, so parents and teens can have very different experiences on the same platform. Curiosity about your teen's actual digital world is an important place to start. What can I do right now?Protect sleep. Keeping phones and social media out of the bedroom at night is one of the clearest boundaries parents can set and can support adolescent mental health, attention, school functioning, and overall well-being. If you're parenting a tween or teenager, listen to this episode for a research-informed look at teen social media use, smartphones, adolescent brain development, and what parents can actually do to help. 00:00 Is 13 Really the Right Age for Social Media?00:44 Why Social Relationships Matter So Much During Adolescence03:46 The Positive Side of the Teenage Years05:43 3 Major Changes in the Adolescent Brain08:12 Why Social Media Can Be So Compelling to Teens11:33 Adolescence, Brain Development & the Digital World14:28 What Can Parents Do About Teen Social Media Use?16:37 What Actually Counts as Social Media?19:48 Likes, Streaks & Other Features That Keep Teens Engaged23:24 How Algorithms Shape Your Teen's Social Media Feed26:31 What Age Should Kids Get Social Media?27:59 Should Parents Ban, Limit or Delay Social Media?31:16 The Positive Side of Social Media for Teens33:08 Should Schools Teach Digital Media Literacy?35:51 Helping Teens Navigate the Digital World 🎧 Listen to the full episode and share it with another parent who could use this perspective. And if this episode helped you think differently about your teen’s relationship with technology, subscribe to The Parenting Pair Podcast for more conversations about parenting, adolescent development, mental health, and family relationships. Resources / Links Winston Center for Technology and the Developing Mind — UNC Chapel HillThe episode identifies Dr. Eva Telzer as co-director of the center.Winston Center for Technology and the Developing Mind Eva Telzer research on social media and adolescent brain developmentA particularly relevant study discussed in the context of her research examines habitual social-media checking and longitudinal changes in adolescent brain development.Research study: Association of Habitual Checking Behaviors on Social Media With Longitudinal Functional Brain Development Wait Until 8thThis is the movement referenced when the hosts and Dr. Telzer discuss parents banding together to delay smartphones and reduce the social pressure children feel to have them.Wait Until 8th Signup for The Parenting Pair Newsletter and other announcements straight to your inbox: https://drscaronandallen.com/ (at the bottom of the webpage). 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    Is 13 Too Young for Social Media? What Parents Need to Know About the Teen Brain | Dr. Eva Telzer

  4. Sep 9 ·  Video

    AI, Teens & Relationships: What Parents Need to Know | Dr. Mitch Prinstein

    What happens when kids and teenagers begin turning to AI chatbots for friendship, advice, reassurance, and connection? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen sit down with psychologist and adolescent development expert Dr. Mitch Prinstein to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way teens and young people experience relationships. AI chatbots can be useful tools—but some are also designed to feel remarkably human. They remember what users have said, respond instantly, appear endlessly available, and may reinforce what a young person is already thinking or feeling. For tweens and teens navigating an especially important period of social and emotional development, that raises important questions about what happens when technology begins to replace some of the friction, vulnerability, and learning that come from real human relationships. In this conversation, we explore: Why adolescence is such an important period for learning how to build relationshipsHow teens are using AI chatbots for information, advice, companionship, and connectionWhy humans naturally form attachments to things that aren't humanWhy an AI chatbot can feel like a friend—even when we know it's a machineWhat happens when teens begin preferring chatbots over human peersHow AI can remove the "friction" that is actually important for social and emotional developmentThe potential connection between chatbot use, loneliness, and reduced interaction with human peersWhat teens may miss when AI replaces opportunities to navigate conflict, rejection, vulnerability, and repairWhy real human connection matters so much during adolescenceHow parents can approach AI use without immediately turning the conversation into a battleWhy curiosity and open-ended questions may be more effective than judgmentHow parents can model critical thinking about AI and help teens think about whether technology aligns with their valuesWhy AI-enabled toys and chatbots may raise different concerns for younger childrenWhy parents should think about AI use differently depending on their child's developmental stageWhat we still don't know about the long-term effects of AI on adolescent developmentOne of the central ideas in this conversation is simple but important: relationships aren't just something teenagers have—they are something teenagers learn through real life experience. The disagreements, awkward conversations, misunderstandings, breakups, rejection, vulnerability, and repair that happen in real relationships can be difficult to watch as a parent. But they can also become important "learning moments" that help young people develop empathy, perspective-taking, communication skills, and the ability to navigate relationships throughout adulthood. And as AI becomes increasingly sophisticated, parents may need to think not only about what their teens are doing with technology, but also about what opportunities they might be missing because of it. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Why We As Humans Can Feel Attachment to a Chatbot 00:48 Today’s Topic: Teens, Technology & AI 00:59 Meet Dr. Mitch Prinstein 02:23 Why Adolescence Matters So Much 06:26 How Teens Are Using AI Chatbots 10:03 Why We Form Attachments to AI 11:41 When Kids Prefer Chatbots Over People 13:55 Why AI Chatbots Are So Compelling 15:13 The Mental Health & Developmental Risks 17:16 The Mental Health Implications 19:24 What Teens Lose When AI Replaces Relationships 23:01 Why Human Connection Can’t Be Replaced 25:55 Should AI Chatbots Be Regulated? 27:48 What Parents Need to Know 29:49 AI Guidance for Different Ages 32:35 How Parents Can Model Healthy AI Use 34:54 Curiosity Over Judgment 37:09 Growing Up in the AI Experiment 38:31 Final Thoughts ABOUT DR. MITCH PRINSTEIN Dr. Mitch Prinstein is the John Van Seters Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and co-director of the Winston Center for Technology and the Developing Mind. His research focuses on interpersonal relationships, adolescent development, mental health, and the ways technology and digital platforms influence young people. He is also the author of Popular: The Power of Likability in a Status-Obsessed World, which examines the role of popularity, likability, relationships, and social status across development. 🔗 Learn more about Dr. Mitch Prinstein:Mitch Prinstein's official website 🔗 Learn more about the Winston Center for Technology and the Developing Mind:UNC Winston Center 🔗 That Popular Podcast — Mitch Prinstein and Aaron Keck’s podcast exploring psychology, relationships, human behavior, and the social dynamics we experience every day.Listen to That Popular Podcast on Apple Podcasts 🔗 Learn more about Dr. Prinstein's book, Popular:Popular: The Power of Likability in a Status-Obsessed World A NOTE FOR PARENTS You don't have to become an AI expert overnight to have meaningful conversations with your teenager about technology. Start with curiosity. Ask what they're using, what they like about it, what they find helpful, what concerns them, and what they think AI can—and cannot—provide that a real person can. The goal isn't simply to control technology. It's to help young people develop the judgment and relationship skills they will need to navigate a world in which AI is becoming part of everyday life. 💬 We want to hear from you: How is your teen or young adult using AI? Are they using it for school, advice, entertainment, companionship—or something else? And if you're concerned about their AI use, what questions are you finding hardest to navigate as a parent? Share your experience below. 👇 And if this conversation gave you something to think about, please subscribe to The Parenting Pair Podcast and share this episode with another parent. 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    AI, Teens & Relationships: What Parents Need to Know | Dr. Mitch Prinstein

  5. Sep 2 ·  Video

    Medical Trauma in Parents: Caring for Yourself So You Can Care for Your Child | Dr. Meghan Marsac

    When your child is facing a serious illness, hospitalization, medical procedure, injury, or other frightening medical experience, it can be easy to focus entirely on your child—and forget that the experience affects you, too.  In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen welcome back Dr. Meghan Marsac, a pediatric psychologist and expert in pediatric medical traumatic stress, to talk about what happens to parents when their child is facing a medical challenge. Medical trauma doesn't only affect children. Parents may experience intrusive thoughts or memories, avoidance, sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, increased anxiety, changes in mood, and other symptoms of traumatic stress. Dr. Marsac explains why recognizing these reactions matters—and why supporting yourself isn't an indulgence or an additional item on an already overwhelming to-do list. Taking care of yourself can actually help you remain present and effective as your child's advocate and caregiver. Together, they discuss: What medical trauma can look like in parentsHow traumatic stress can show up after a child's diagnosis, hospitalization, accident, or medical procedureWhy parents may minimize or overlook their own distressWhy even teenagers can sense when a parent is strugglingHow a parent's emotional health can affect their childThe COACH model for supporting children through medical challengesWhy parents may have difficulty using the COACH approach when they are overwhelmed themselvesHow to accept help—and why asking for help isn't a sign of weaknessWays to find support during hospitalizations and ongoing medical careChild life specialists, social workers, psychologists, chaplains, and other hospital resourcesHow parents can take small, realistic steps to care for themselvesResources for families dealing with pediatric medical trauma and chronic illnessHere are the highlights from the episode: 00:00 Don't Oversay "I Got This" 00:27 Medical Trauma Doesn’t Only Affect Kids 02:34 How Medical Trauma Shows Up in Parents 05:24 Why Parents Need Support Too 07:46 How a Parent’s Stress Affects Their Child 09:53 The COACH Model 11:22 Practical Ways Parents Can Get Support 12:48 Stop Turning Down Help 14:01 Who Are Your People? 16:24 Support Available Inside the Hospital 19:08 Resources for Parents and Families 21:11 Final Thoughts One of the most important reminders from this conversation: you don't have to do this alone. Sometimes the first step isn't finding more time for yourself—it's saying yes when someone offers to help. 👩‍⚕️ Meet Dr. Meghan Marsac Dr. Meghan Marsac is a pediatric psychologist and Division Chief of Psychology at the University of Kentucky. She has published extensively on pediatric medical trauma and co-authored Afraid of the Doctor: Every Parent's Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma with Melissa Hogan.Her work focuses on helping children and families navigate the psychological impact of medical experiences. 📚 Resources Mentioned in This Episode 📖 Afraid of the Doctor: Every Parent's Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma By Meghan L. Marsac, Melissa J. Hogan, with a foreword by John F. Crowley. The book provides practical strategies for parents navigating medical procedures, medical trauma, chronic conditions, and difficult healthcare experiences. Learn more about *Afraid of the Doctor* 🧰 Healthcare Toolbox — Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress A free resource with information, handouts, and workbooks for children, teens, parents, and caregivers coping with injury, illness, hospitalization, and medical treatment. Dr. Marsac is co-director of this organization. Healthcare Toolbox 🧠 National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) The NCTSN provides information and resources about child traumatic stress, including resources specifically related to medical trauma and healthcare experiences. National Child Traumatic Stress Network — Medical Trauma Resources 🤝 Alongside Network A community and resource network supporting families caring for children who have experienced a life-threatening illness or injury. Alongside offers parent/caregiver communities, support, resources, and connections with others who understand these experiences. Alongside Network 💬 If This Episode Resonated With You If your child or teenager has experienced a frightening medical event, chronic illness, hospitalization, injury, or difficult medical treatment, we hope this conversation reminds you that your experience matters, too. And if someone in your life is navigating a medical challenge with their child, share this episode with them. Sometimes hearing that your reactions are understandable—and that you don't have to carry everything alone—can make a meaningful difference.  🔔 New episodes every Wednesday. ✉️ Newsletter: https://drscaronandallen.com   📱 Instagram: @theparentingpair  💬 Questions you want answered on future episodes or topic suggestions: hello@theparentingpair.com DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.

    Medical Trauma in Parents: Caring for Yourself So You Can Care for Your Child | Dr. Meghan Marsac

  6. Aug 26 ·  Video

    Back-to-School Parenting: Why Connection Matters More Than Getting Everything Done

    Back-to-school season can quickly turn parents into the project managers of the household.  School forms, homework, practices, appointments, schedules, emails, deadlines… suddenly, so much of our interaction with our tweens and teens can become solely about getting things done. But what if, in the middle of all that busyness, we're missing something that matters much more in the long run? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen talk about how to navigate the pressure of back-to-school season while protecting the relationships that matter most. They explore why the quality of our relationships is so important to well-being—and why a missed deadline, imperfect grade, or forgotten task is unlikely to matter as much years from now as the relationship we build with our children. You'll hear practical strategies for: Staying connected when most conversations seem to be about what needs to get doneUnderstanding your teen's growing need for independenceNot taking adolescent distance or irritability personallyListening to what your teen is interested in instead of immediately redirecting them to the next taskRespecting reasonable differences in opinions and choicesAsking your teen what they think before immediately giving your own adviceRecognizing the importance of friendships, mentors, coaches, teachers, and other adults in your child's lifeBalancing the inevitable "management mode" with moments of genuine connectionRemembering that parenting is about the long haul—not getting every moment rightThese are the highlights of the episode: 00:00 Why Relationships Matter Way More Than Management 00:46 Today's Topic: Back-to-School Parenting Pressure 02:24 Relationship Over Management 04:37 Parenting Through Growing Independence 07:05 Why Teens Pull Away 09:11 Why Peer Relationships Matter 10:16 You Don’t Have to Be Everything 11:41 How to Build Connection in Busy Moments 13:13 Show Interest in What Matters to Them 15:50 Respecting Their Independence 16:29 Ask Before Giving Advice 17:34 Don’t React to Every Eye Roll 18:00 What Now? Parenting Is About the Long Haul The goal isn't to stop managing altogether. There will always be homework, schedules, forms, deadlines, and mornings when you're running late. The goal is to make sure that those things don't become the only focus of your relationship with your child or teenager. As Annalise and Suzanne discuss, parenting gives us thousands of moments with our kids. If one doesn't go well, there's always another opportunity to reconnect. ❤️ 💬 What tends to take over in your household when back-to-school gets busy: connection or task management? Let us know in the comments. Research Mentioned The episode references Stanford research on how the adolescent brain responds differently to a mother's voice compared with unfamiliar voices. The study found a developmental shift toward greater responsiveness to unfamiliar voices during adolescence, consistent with the growing importance of social connections outside the family. Stanford Medicine — The Teen Brain Tunes in Less to Mom’s Voice The Journal of Neuroscience — A Neurodevelopmental Shift in Reward Circuitry From Mother’s to Nonfamilial Voices in Adolescence 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday. ✉️ Newsletter: https://drscaronandallen.com   📱 Instagram: @theparentingpair  💬 Questions you want answered on future episodes or topic suggestions: hello@theparentingpair.com DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.

    Back-to-School Parenting: Why Connection Matters More Than Getting Everything Done

  7. Aug 19 ·  Video

    Medical Anxiety in Kids & Teens: How to Help Them Cope | Pediatric Medical Trauma

    Medical challenges can affect far more than your child's physical health. Whether it's a routine shot, bloodwork, a frightening trip to the ER, surgery, an injury, or managing a chronic medical condition, medical experiences can bring fear, anxiety, avoidance, stress, and sometimes even medical trauma. And for parents, these situations can be overwhelming too. Suddenly you're managing appointments, medications, insurance, specialists, school, siblings, and your child's emotional needs—all while trying to figure out how to help your child cope. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen sit down with Dr. Meghan Marsac, a pediatric psychologist and Division Chief of Psychology at the University of Kentucky Pediatrics Department, to talk about how parents can support children and teens through medical challenges. Dr. Marsac brings extensive expertise in pediatric medical trauma and shares practical, evidence-based strategies for helping families navigate difficult medical experiences while protecting connection, autonomy, and the rest of a young person's life. In This Episode, We Discuss: How medical challenges can affect children's mental and emotional health — and why physical and mental health shouldn't be treated as completely separate.Medical anxiety and medical trauma — from everyday procedures like shots and bloodwork to more significant medical events and chronic illness.Why validation matters — and how acknowledging that something is difficult for your child can strengthen connection rather than making the fear worse.Parent vs. caregiver — how chronic illness or injury can shift parents into a caregiving role and unintentionally change the parent-child relationship.Protecting your teen's independence during medical challenges — including finding ways to preserve friendships, activities, school, and the other parts of life that matter to them.Supporting siblings when one child's medical needs require more attention from the family.How parents can advocate within complex medical systems — including asking questions, gathering information, communicating between providers, and making sure important information doesn't get lost.Helping teens become more involved in their own medical care — gradually giving them opportunities to ask questions, advocate for themselves, and take more leadership.The COACH approach — a framework Dr. Marsac and her coauthor developed to help parents break down challenging medical situations and choose strategies that fit their child.Planning ahead for medical appointments and procedures — including determining how much information your child wants and when they want to receive it.Why your child's medical condition shouldn't become their entire identity — and how families can continue to make room for the many other parts of who they are. Chapters: 00:00 | Medical Challenges: Why Planning Ahead Works00:29 | Today’s Topic: Medical Challenges With Teens and Tweens01:17 | Meet Meghan Marsac, Pediatric Psychologist02:48 | Why Meghan Marsac Wrote Afraid of the Doctor05:20 | The Connection Between Medical Trauma and Emotional & Behavioral Struggles08:44 | Considering Medical Challenges in the Context of a Child’s Whole Life13:43 | Why Validation Is So Important14:50 | The Role of a Parent vs. a Caregiver18:20 | How to Address a New Medical Reality With Siblings21:13 | When the Parent Becomes the Leader of the Medical Team24:20 | The COACH Approach: What It Means29:20 | How Parents Can Cope Ahead With Medical Anxiety32:59 | Recommendations for Parents Facing Medical Challenges Important Takeaways One of the most powerful ideas in this conversation is that a child is more than their medical condition. As Dr. Marsac explains, families can become understandably focused on appointments, medications, treatments, and medical care—particularly when a child has a chronic condition. But it's also important to keep seeing the whole person: their friendships, activities, interests, school, family relationships, independence, and the things that bring them joy. Medical care matters. So does the rest of their life. The conversation also emphasizes that parents don't have to navigate complex medical systems perfectly. Asking questions, requesting clarification, writing things down, and advocating for your child are all legitimate parts of supporting them. And if a particular strategy doesn't work for your child, that doesn't mean you've failed. Dr. Marsac emphasizes that different strategies work for different children—and parents know their own children better than any professional does. If you're parenting a child or teen through a medical challenge, we hope this conversation helps you feel more informed, more confident, and a little less alone. 💬 What part of your child's medical journey has been hardest to navigate as a parent? 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday. ✉️ Newsletter: https://drscaronandallen.com   📱 Instagram: @theparentingpair  💬 Questions you want answered on future episodes or topic suggestions: hello@theparentingpair.com Resources Mentioned In This Episode Afraid of the Doctor: Every Parent's Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma By Dr. Meghan Marsac and Melissa Hogan. https://www.afraidofthedoctor.com/ The Cellie Coping kit https://www.celliecopingkit.org/About Dr. Meghan Marsac Dr. Meghan Marsac is a pediatric psychologist and Division Chief of Psychology at the University of Kentucky Pediatrics Department. She is a tenured professor at the University of Kentucky's College of Medicine, an Affiliate Research Scientist at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), an Affiliate at the Center for Violence Prevention at CHOP, and Division Chief of Psychology in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Kentucky. DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.

    Medical Anxiety in Kids & Teens: How to Help Them Cope | Pediatric Medical Trauma

  8. Aug 12 ·  Video

    How to Raise a Teen Who Makes Good Decisions (Even When You're Not Watching)

    Parenting Pair classic: We are bringing this essential conversation back to the top of your feed this week. This is one of our most-watched episodes, and the practical tools inside are too important to miss. Whether you're hearing it for the first time or need a timely refresher, we hope it brings you some compassionate guidance today. How do you raise a teen who makes good decisions on their own — even when you're not there to guide them? In this episode, child and adolescent psychologists Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron tackle a question every parent of a tween or teen asks at some point: my child wants more freedom, but can they actually handle it? They break down exactly how to raise responsible, independent teens without swinging to either extreme — permissive parenting on one end, helicopter parenting on the other. Using real examples and a simple framework parents can start using today, they explain the three types of independence every teen needs to develop: the ability to make their own choices, the ability to think through problems on their own, and the ability to trust their own feelings and judgment. You'll learn: How to raise a teen who can think for themselves and problem-solve without youThe difference between authoritative parenting and authoritarian parenting — and why it matters for raising a responsible teenA real-life role-play example (a teen who got a D on a test) showing exactly what to say — and what not to say — to help your teen make good decisionsWhy asking "what do you think?" before offering advice builds better decision-makersThe "get out of their way" coaching lesson that applies directly to parenting tweens and teensWhat decades of research from Dr. Joseph Allen's lab at the University of Virginia reveals about how this kind of parenting shapes teens' decision-making, relationships, and choices well into adulthoodPlus, book recommendations for parents who want to go deeper: The Self-Driven Child by William Stixrud PhD and Ned Johnson, How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims, and Age of Opportunity by Laurence Steinberg. If you're raising a teen who wants more freedom, a tween pushing back on rules, or you're simply wondering how to raise a responsible teen who makes good choices — this episode gives you a practical, research-backed place to start. 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday. ✉️ Newsletter: https://drscaronandallen.com   📱 Instagram: @theparentingpair  💬 Questions you want answered on future episodes or topic suggestions: hello@theparentingpair.com DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.

    How to Raise a Teen Who Makes Good Decisions (Even When You're Not Watching)
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About

The Parenting Pair Podcast | Expert Guidance for Parents of Teens and Tweens Are you raising a teenager, tween or adolescent — whether that's a middle schooler, college student, or somewhere in between — and looking for real, compassionate guidance from people who actually get it? Welcome to The Parenting Pair Podcast — hosted by Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen, two licensed child and adolescent clinical psychologists and moms of teens and tweens themselves. After years of answering questions in our offices, at the bus stop, and on the sidelines, we created this podcast to bring evidence-based mental health guidance directly to parents of older kids, teenagers and young adults — without the jargon, and without the judgment. Every week we tackle the topics parents of teens and tweens are actually navigating: anxiety, depression, ADHD, motivation, communication, emotional regulation, resilience, self-harm, sports betting, gratitude, and so much more. We also bring in expert guests — specialists, clinicians, and researchers — to go deeper on the topics that matter most to your family. Whether you're dealing with a mental health crisis, trying to figure out how to talk to your middle schooler or high schooler, navigating the college process, or just looking for reassurance that you're not alone — you're in the right place. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe so you never miss one. The Parenting Pair Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical advice.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Annalise Caron & Dr. Suzanne Allen
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr. Annalise Caron & Dr. Suzanne Allen
  • Show Website
    The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens

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