Parenting Teenagers Untangled

By Rachel Richards

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Category: Parenting

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Subscribers: 26
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 218

Description

If you've found yourself wondering why is my teenager suddenly so angry? How much screen time is too much? Should I take their phone away at night? Why have they lost all motivation? What do I do about vaping, friendship problems, anxiety, parties, dating, exams… or a teenager who simply won’t talk to me? You're in the right place.


This podcast helps you become a Fearless Parent: One who fears less and wonders more. Whatever the problem, message us and we'll either discuss it on the podcast or let you know which episode is best for you because there’s a very good chance we’ve already talked about it on this podcast.


Teenagers Untangled has a huge and growing library of episodes covering the questions, worries and challenges that come with raising tweens and teenagers. Rather than scrolling through hundreds of episodes trying to find the right one, use the search bar to search for what’s happening in your family right now.


How to search:

Simply type a keyword or short phrase into the search box.


Try things like:

anger • anxiety • phones • motivation • sleep • ADHD • vaping • alcohol • friendship • school • exams • lying • boundaries • consequences • social media • first love • university • leaving home


You can also try different words if your first search doesn’t bring up exactly what you need. For example, if you’re worried about your teenager being rude, you might also search respect, anger, conflict or communication.


The search will bring up relevant Teenagers Untangled episodes so you can go straight to the conversations that are most useful to you.


Think of it as a parenting database, So don't feel you need to start with our newest episode — start with your question.


And if I haven't covered your question yet, tell me. Some of my best episodes begin with a question from a parent just like you.


Whatever stage you're at, you don't have to figure it all out from scratch. Chances are, we've already started untangling it.


For those of you who want to read my thoughts beyond the podcast, or who just want to help me feel like the pebbles I have dropped in the ocean of life are making a difference, why not join my community on Substack? 


You’ll get one-to-one support and printable PDF’s that give you the top tips from each podcast episode so you have your own little, bespoke manual.


COMMUNITY: I’ll be offering regular extras, including tips and thoughts, that help you tune into what matters.


NOTES: So many listeners say they have rewound the episodes to write down notes, well now there’s no need. Paid subscribers will have a weekly, downloadable, summary of the top tips from each episode, so you don’t have to take notes.


Please let me know if there are any old episodes for which you’d like the notes. I’m very happy to supply them.


Episode Date
Are We Parents Trying Too Hard? What’s Best For Teens?
Sep 16, 2026
A Better Way for Parents to talk to Teens About Screen Time: Fear Less & Wonder More
Sep 13, 2026
Banning Social Media Won't Work: How Parents Can Actually Help Teens
Sep 09, 2026
Nagging Your Teenager? We Parents Talk Family Routines, in the Wonder Room
Sep 06, 2026
Teen Girls Mental Health, Intense Pressure, and How Parents Can Help
Sep 02, 2026
Curiosity: What’s wrong with my teen? At the Big Hug Community Cafe
Aug 31, 2026
Starting Secondary School: How to Help Your Child With Friends, Homework & the Big Transition
Aug 26, 2026
Teenagers, AI & Friendship: Is ChatGPT Changing How Our Kids Connect? Parenting Unpacked in the Wonder Room
Aug 23, 2026
Teen Friendship Problems: How to Help Your Teen Make and Keep Friends
Aug 19, 2026
Empty Nest Syndrome: How to Cope When Your Child Leaves Home Vintage
Aug 12, 2026
Exam Results: What if my teen doesn't get the grades they want? Vintage
Aug 11, 2026
Is Your Teen Ready for University? What Parents Need to Know INTERVIEW WITH MY TEEN
Aug 05, 2026
How to Stop Yelling at Your Teen: Stay Calm, Set Boundaries & End Power Struggles
Jul 29, 2026
Step-Parenting Teens: Why Connection Matters More Than Discipline
Jul 22, 2026
Parenting Guilt: Bad Parenting Science, The Motherhood Myth & What Actually Matters
Jul 15, 2026
The vital parenting shift: becoming a mentor to your teen
Jul 08, 2026
Reading Festival Advice From Teens: Vintage INTERVIEW WITH MY TEENS
Jul 01, 2026
Teaching Teens About Money: Investing, Gambling & the Money Lessons Schools Miss
Jun 24, 2026
Teen Exam Stress: How to Help Without Nagging, Pressuring or Taking Over
Jun 17, 2026
How to Raise a Good Citizen: Teaching Teens Critical Thinking, Politics & Civic Responsibility
Jun 10, 2026
What's a Good Parent? A Bonus Episode in Which I Ask My Own Teenager
Jun 08, 2026
Why Teenage Boys Pull Away: The Crisis of Connection With Dr Niobe Way
Jun 03, 2026
Teen Gambling Is Surging: How Gaming & Loot Boxes Are Hooking Our Kids
Jun 01, 2026
Teen Brain Health: Screens, Dopamine, Junk Food & How to Raise a Thriving Teen
May 20, 2026
Teenagers and Grief: How to Support Your Teen Through Death or Serious Illness: Vintage
May 13, 2026
Is Your Teen Being Manipulated Online? Teaching Critical Thinking in the Age of AI
May 06, 2026
Parenting Teens With an Angry or Critical Partner: How to Handle Conflict at Home
Apr 29, 2026
Is the Manosphere Teaching Your Son to Hate Women? How Parents Can Respond
Apr 22, 2026
Teen Exam Stress & Motivation: What Actually Helps (and What Makes It Worse) INTERVIEW WITH MY TEEN
Apr 15, 2026
How to Connect With Your Teen: Stop Trying to Be the Perfect Parent
Apr 08, 2026
Teen Dating, First Love & Heartbreak: What Parents Need to Know
Apr 01, 2026
When Your Teen’s Dream Falls Apart: Helping Them Cope With Failure & Rejection
Mar 25, 2026
Andrew Tate, the Manosphere & Teen Boys: What Parents Need to Know - Vintage
Mar 18, 2026
Think You’re Failing as a Parent? You’re Probably Doing Better Than You Imagine
Mar 11, 2026
Sextortion & AI Fake Nudes: What Every Parent of a Teen Needs to Know”
Mar 04, 2026
Teen Anxiety & Achievement Pressure: How to Raise Successful Kids Who Know They Matter
Feb 25, 2026
Estranged Adult Children: Why They Cut Parents Off & What We Can Do Now
Feb 18, 2026
Teen Body Image & Social Media: How to Protect Their Self-Esteem. Vintage
Feb 11, 2026
Teen Friendship Problems: How to Help When Your Child Is Struggling Socially
Feb 04, 2026
Help Your Teen Thrive: Science-Based Hacks for Focus, Anxiety, ADHD & Big Emotions
Jan 28, 2026
Is Your Child Being Groomed? 4 Warning Signs That Could Protect Your Child
Jan 21, 2026
How parents of teens can raise happy, successful adults
Jan 14, 2026
The One Thing Your Teen Really Needs From a Parent: Emotional Regulation
Jan 07, 2026
How to Be a Better Dad: Connection, Presence and Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids
Dec 31, 2025
Anxious Teens: The vital role we parents can play. Vintage
Dec 24, 2025
Parenting Teens Without Overreacting: How to handle emotions calmly - Vintage
Dec 17, 2025
Do Fathers Really Matter? Why Dads Are More Important Than We Think
Dec 10, 2025
Teen Friendship Problems: How to Help Without Making Things Worse INTERVIEW WITH MY GIRLS
Dec 03, 2025
Christmas and other family gatherings with teens. Magic or misery? Vintage
Dec 02, 2025
Motivational feedback, a happiness hack, and letting your teen sleepover after a party
Dec 02, 2025
Homework and Motivation for the ADHD Child: How to Help Your Teen Get Things Done
Nov 26, 2025
Why Teens Are Afraid to Speak Their Minds — and What Parents Can Do
Nov 19, 2025
How to Get Your Teenage Boy to Talk: Sex, Screens, Anger, Drugs & More
Nov 12, 2025
Is AI Making Our Kids Worse at Learning? What Parents Need to Know
Nov 05, 2025
The Science Behind the Teen Mental Health Crisis: It's Not Just Phones
Oct 29, 2025
Teens and Drugs: What Every Parent Needs to Know — Before It’s Too Late
Oct 22, 2025
Grief, university, rules and consequences, raising boys, chores and phones. Community Catch Up
Oct 19, 2025
Teen Sleep: Why Your Teen Isn’t Getting Enough — and How to Fix It
Oct 15, 2025
Teen Eating Disorders: How to Help Your Child Have a Healthy Relationship With Food
Oct 08, 2025
The parenting science of success, resilience, and reduced stress for teens.
Oct 01, 2025
Things Every Teen Needs to Thrive: Belonging, Purpose & Connection
Sep 24, 2025
Conflict resolution skills for parents of teens. Vintage.
Sep 17, 2025
Social Media Through Teen Eyes: What Parents Don’t See INTERVIEW WITH MY GIRLS
Sep 10, 2025
How to Complain to Your Child’s School Without Making Things Worse
Sep 03, 2025
Teen Mental Health: Is It Anxiety or Normal Teenage Struggle? | Dr Lucy Foulkes
Aug 27, 2025
Adult kids who go no contact: Lessons in parenting
Aug 20, 2025
Teens, screens and mobiles: The online safety expert's view of bans and boundaries.
Aug 13, 2025
Why Parents Judge Each Other — And How to Stop.
Aug 06, 2025
Why Mothers Aren't Happy: Burnout, Mental Load and the Second Shift.
Jul 30, 2025
Angry teenagers: Parenting teens and tweens through their anger - Vintage.
Jul 23, 2025
Boundaries when parenting teens Vintage.
Jul 16, 2025
Motivation: The parent's guide to motivating a teen or tween: Vintage.
Jul 09, 2025
Alcohol. A Smart Parents' Guide to Helping Teens Take a Healthy Approach.
Jul 02, 2025
Talk: How to talk so your teenager will listen, and teens wanting to sleep together.
Jun 25, 2025
Toxic Friendships, Puberty & ‘Pick Me Girls’: What Teen Girls Want Parents to Know INTERVIEW WITH MY TEENS
Jun 18, 2025
Starting University and College: Parental support that makes all the difference.
Jun 11, 2025
How to Build Your Teenager’s Confidence, Self-Esteem and Resilience — Dr Greg Walton
Jun 04, 2025
Teenage First Love: How to Help Your Teen Through Love, Breakups & Heartbreak INTERVIEW WITH MY TEEN
May 28, 2025
Parenting teens around sex, loneliness, puberty and finding hobbies.
May 21, 2025
Why school exam systems need to change and how to support our own kids now.
May 14, 2025
Success: Are siblings and community more important than parents?
May 06, 2025
Respect, artifical intelligence and toxic femininity - the teenage view.
Apr 30, 2025
Why Is My Teen Rude to Me? Teens Answer Your Parenting Questions INTERVIEW WITH MY TEENS
Apr 23, 2025
Teen Always in Their Bedroom? Why They Pull Away & How Parents Can Reconnect
Apr 16, 2025
Identity formation - the main job of a teenager?
Apr 09, 2025
Inheritocracy: Are education and hard work less important now than parents?
Apr 02, 2025
Adolescence: Help for parents with the core themes.
Apr 01, 2025
Empty nest? Plan ahead for an life that's full of possibility.
Mar 11, 2025
Work: Helping our Teens Avoid the NEET trap
Mar 05, 2025
When Culture and Parenting Collide: Breaking Generational Cycles and Staying Close to Your Child
Feb 26, 2025
Skin care obsession: The social media 'Sephora' kid craze from a teen perspective.
Feb 19, 2025
Parenting stages: Coaching and mentoring teens and young adults.
Feb 12, 2025
Life skills: How to supercharge them with a working holiday.
Feb 05, 2025
Using facts to be a good parent to teenagers: The evidence.
Jan 29, 2025
Stop Nagging About Chores: How to Teach Teens to Take Responsibility
Jan 22, 2025
The teen who's checked out: why parents are the missing piece of the puzzle.
Jan 15, 2025
Enduring sibling relationships: Why some last and others fall apart.
Jan 08, 2025
New Year 2025: resolutions, stress, being more fun and the most interesting books.
Jan 01, 2025
Family gatherings without the fireworks, and staying connected with your young teen.
Dec 23, 2024
Suicide: How to talk about it with teens, and offer proper support.
Dec 18, 2024
Support: It takes a village to raise a child... as long they do it my way.
Dec 11, 2024
Girls: Sexism, beauty standards, entitlement and misogyny.
Dec 04, 2024
Cancel Culture and Teens: When Calling Out Goes Too Far
Nov 27, 2024
Parenting teen & tween girls: Friendships, frenemies and banter.
Nov 20, 2024
The damage of an emotionally immature parent.
Nov 13, 2024
Masculinity and image: the Looksmaxxing hashtag that boys follow but parents don't see.
Nov 06, 2024
Boundaries: How to set them and why they’re so important.
Oct 30, 2024
Motivation: How to motivate your teenager. With eminent Psychologist David Yeager.
Oct 23, 2024
Stress - the major health issue for parents in our 'culture of comparison'.
Oct 16, 2024
Parent complex teens and tweens with ADHD or other differences.
Oct 09, 2024
The hardest part of parenting a teen? We discuss the 18-22 year stage.
Oct 02, 2024
Therapy. Should all teens get it? Also, do boys actually need male role models?
Sep 25, 2024
How grades harm kids and what we parents can do about it.
Sep 18, 2024
Teen Puberty & Body Image: How Parents Can Support Their Changing Teen INTERVIEW WITH MY TEEN
Sep 11, 2024
Reading Festival tips - straight from the mouths of teenagers.
Sep 04, 2024
Exams and Grades. Parenting teens in a world obsessed with them.
Aug 28, 2024
Driving lessons - Top tips for a smooth road ahead.
Aug 21, 2024
Rachel's top ten lessons to celebrate 100 episodes!
Aug 14, 2024
Boys who're failing exams and seem apathetic.
Aug 07, 2024
Teen boys: Emotions, masculinity vaccinations, and online influencers.
Jul 31, 2024
Shyness: How to support a teen who lacks self-belief and confidence.
Jul 24, 2024
Sleeping in until late during the holidays.
Jul 17, 2024
Public displays of affection and sex in your home.
Jul 10, 2024
Switching parental gears for their new school year.
Jul 03, 2024
Screen time advice for parenting teens & tweens: What works and what doesn't.
Jun 26, 2024
Summer flip or summer flop? What will your teen be doing with their summer?
Jun 19, 2024
Is your teen being lazy, or could they be lacking a key executive skill?
Jun 12, 2024
Values, and how being strong about our own can help teens navigate a society of desires.
Jun 05, 2024
Exams, depression, work, national service, Sigma and Bigorexia,
May 29, 2024
Failure to Launch: How to Help an Adult Child Move Forward
May 22, 2024
Missing out: The pain of FOMO. Why it’s particularly bad for teens.
May 15, 2024
Nagging: Using routine to reduce the friction of parenting teens.
May 08, 2024
School: Angry kids, bad behaviour, and school avoidance.
May 01, 2024
Where’s my village? The stress of parenting in the ‘sandwich generation’.
Apr 24, 2024
Perfectionism: Overcoming a parent and teen's need to be perfect.
Apr 17, 2024
Should You Give Your Teen Pocket Money? How to Raise Money-Smart Teenagers INTERVIEW WITH MY TEEN
Apr 10, 2024
Fun: Having fun with our teens, and the bonding power of laughter.
Apr 03, 2024
Parenting teens to develop GRIT: Growing Resilience In Teens
Mar 27, 2024
Concentration, and the troubling effect of too many choices.
Mar 20, 2024
Eldest daughter syndrome and the trouble with parentification.
Mar 13, 2024
Taking things personally, coping with adversity, teen love and changing our minds when we get new information.
Mar 06, 2024
Manners: Parenting to help teens succeed in life by teaching the importance of good manners.
Feb 28, 2024
Admitting our mistakes - talking to our kids about our own teen years.
Feb 21, 2024
Standards: Parenting teens setting high expectations without too much pressure.
Feb 14, 2024
Girls Online: What to say about Biikini photos. Help!
Feb 07, 2024
Diet: Does my teen need to lose weight? Diet culture.
Jan 31, 2024
Regrets? Things we parents would do differently.
Jan 24, 2024
Coping with an Inconsistent or Alcoholic Parent: Guidance for the Parent Who’s There
Jan 17, 2024
Back to school, third places, manners and our favourite podcasts, shows, books and apps.
Jan 10, 2024
New year's resolutions. Making them work for us.
Jan 01, 2024
Presents: Why is my teen so ungrateful?
Dec 27, 2023
Favourite lessons: Online, education, anxiety, consequences, and the pressures of parenting.
Dec 13, 2023
Online grooming and sextortion: protecting our teens and tweens.
Dec 06, 2023
Eating disorders: An interview with Beat representative Umairah Malik.
Nov 29, 2023
Parenting styles that enable teens to grow into capable adults.
Nov 22, 2023
How to Talk to Your Teen About Porn Without Shame or Panic.
Nov 15, 2023
Should Adult Children Pay Parents Rent? The Pros, Cons and What Really Matters
Nov 08, 2023
Exercise: are teens doing enough?
Nov 01, 2023
‘Trans’ and gender confusion: what to say to teens when we’re often more confused than they are.
Oct 25, 2023
Triggers and emotional spirals, mobile phone bans and do schools know what to teach kids anymore?
Oct 18, 2023
Navigating divorce while raising teens.
Oct 11, 2023
Teen dating. Talking about relationships or 'help, my son's come home with a hickey!'
Oct 04, 2023
How to Build Emotional Intelligence in Teenagers: Empathy, Self-Awareness & Self-Regulation
Sep 27, 2023
Gap years: What is a gap year and should our teens take one?
Sep 20, 2023
Grief: Supporting our kids through the worst.
Sep 13, 2023
Anxiety: How to help your teen with anxiety.
Aug 30, 2023
Christmas and holiday stress with teenagers and tweens.
Aug 23, 2023
Transitioning to secondary school: What we wish we'd known.
Aug 16, 2023
Memory: The critical tool that helps us do far more than pass exams.
Aug 10, 2023
Parenting teens with a Snapchat addiction; why tweens and teens want it so much
Jul 24, 2023
Bigorexia: Teens eating everything in the house, muscle building, and Bigorexia.
Jul 10, 2023
Anger issues: Parenting tips for dealing with an explosive, angry teen.
Jul 03, 2023
Masculinity, and positive ways of supporting our teenage boys
Jun 26, 2023
New relationships: Introducing your new partner to your teen
Jun 19, 2023
Risk-taking teens; the good news about bad behaviour.
Jun 12, 2023
Teenagers Untangled: Who we are and how you can use the podcast.
Jun 07, 2023
Social media: help your teens be their best selves online.
Jun 05, 2023
Sleep: Your teen's free performance enhancer with no side effects.
Jun 01, 2023
Parenting teens using conflict resolution skills
May 10, 2023
Exam revision - Parenting through the pressure.
Apr 28, 2023
Relationships and sex: how young is too young?
Apr 18, 2023
Why should we parents talk to our teenager's teachers.
Mar 27, 2023
Emotional issues for parents. How to not overreact.
Mar 17, 2023
Stress: Techniques for dealing with the pressures of parenting. 36
Mar 03, 2023
Vaping teens. How parents can educate and discourage them.
Feb 23, 2023
School avoidance: Parenting teens and tweens when your teen is missing school.
Feb 08, 2023
Masculine role models: Andrew Tate, misogyny, and the manosphere.
Feb 03, 2023
Parents creating rules and consequences, and the teen who doesn't seem to care.
Jan 26, 2023
Make habit changes that actually work.
Jan 19, 2023
Step-parent of tweens and tweens. Coping, and thriving, with a blended family.
Dec 12, 2022
Parties for teens and tweens. Invitations, gatecrashers and alcohol.
Dec 07, 2022
Giving presents: Is your teen ungrateful?
Nov 28, 2022
Friendships: How to support teens to build their social skills.
Nov 11, 2022
Parenting difficult teens: How do I stop my teenager from being entitled?
Nov 09, 2022
Why is teen identity such an issue? Also, smelly teens.
Oct 14, 2022
Why Does My Teenager Have No Manners? Teach Respect Without Nagging
Oct 02, 2022
Parents’ Guide to Teen Girls’ Clothing Choices, Plus How to Handle Changing Finances
Sep 22, 2022
Disagreements over parenting styles, and future careers.
Sep 09, 2022
Drugs: How to talk to my teenager, and divorce and kids staying over.
Aug 27, 2022
Mom guilt, and parenting teens & tweens when you don't like their friends
Jul 25, 2022
Why Teenagers Lie: What Parents Should Do When Their Teen Won’t Tell the Truth
Jul 06, 2022
Favourite parent; and teenagers trying to ‘express’ themselves?
Jun 23, 2022
Boy friendships. Also what the %#*!😳 we should do about swearing?
Jun 16, 2022
Teen Self-Harm: Why Teenagers Do It and What Parents Can Do
Jun 06, 2022
The Advice No One Tells Parents About Teens and Anxiety.
May 20, 2022
Pornography:What you need to know before having THAT talk.
May 09, 2022
Bullying teens, and the best way to tackle it. Also, dealing with teen backchat.
Apr 26, 2022
Lone parenting and Understanding Teen Mood Swings.
Mar 28, 2022
Friendship: Girls and toxic groups, also building resilience
Mar 16, 2022
Screens and teens and healthy eating.
Mar 05, 2022
Parenting teen and tween sibling rivalry, also the vaping teenager.
Feb 24, 2022
Covid's impact on our teens, also the teenage sleep conundrum.
Feb 13, 2022
Body image and getting teens to do chores.
Feb 05, 2022
Motivation and giving up: When do we let them quit?
Jan 29, 2022
Mobile phone photos/sexting, and money management using an allowance.
Jan 21, 2022
Talk so your teenager will listen, and dealing with teen sex in your home.
Jan 14, 2022
Discussing alcohol, and how to stay connected
Jan 07, 2022
Your parenting toolbox and teenagers tidying their rooms
Dec 16, 2021