Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

Rachel Richards

1 Creator

Parenting teens and tweens? Welcome to your multi-award winning weekly audio hug where no question is a bad question, and curiosity beats judgment—every time.

Join us and find the stability, calm and humour we all need as parents. Most of all, we help you connect with your teen so you can genuinely enjoy parenting them.

Each week, I take a topic and find you the best answers. Whether interviewing experts, chatting with my friend Susie, or getting the lowdown from my own teenagers.

Susie - friend, mindfulness guru, and fellow parent in the trenches - brings her wisdom and personal stories to help us contemplate a different perspective.

No one has this parenting thing mastered—even parents or experts who seem like they do. Making mistakes isn’t failing, it’s learning. And good parenting? It’s a lifelong journey.

At the heart of it all, our kids just want to be loved for who they are, not just what they do so ditch perfection and choose connection.

💌 Do you have a question, a story, or just need to vent? Drop me a line at [email protected] (total privacy, no judgment, promise).

What the Independent Podcasting Awards Said:

🗣️ “The advice in this podcast is universally helpful—not just for parents of teenagers.”

🎙️ “A great mix of personal stories and professional insight—refreshing, informative, and packed with extra resources.”

😂 “The chemistry between Rachel and Susie is fantastic. It’s like sitting down with smart, funny friends who actually get it.”

Join the conversation! Find me on Facebook & Instagram.
Want more from Susie? Check out her courses at www.amindful-life.co.uk

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Top 10 Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens. Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens. episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens. for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens. episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

5: Motivation: How to motivate your teenager when they’re not enjoying school, also what to do when your teenager wants to quit their instrument.

Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

01/29/22 • 31 min

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?

We'd all love our children to breeze through school, enjoying a satisfying academic life, having lots of friends, and coming out at the end feeling a success. But what if you have a child that doesn't thrive in an academic environment? What if they can't or won't do the work? How do you deal with it and what techniques can you use to motivate them?
And our listener’s question comes from Emma:
'‘My fourteen year old is very musical, but wants to stop playing the piano now she’s grade four. I’m so upset about it, because whenever she seems to be good at something she goes so far then just gives up and wants to hang out with her friends. What should I do?"
TED Talks: Sir Ken Robinson Do schools kill creativity?
https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity?language=en
Books referenced:
The Self-Driven Child by William Stixrud and Ned Johnson
The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey
Thrivers by Michele Borba

Support the show

Thank you so much for your support.

Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message.
I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping.
My email is [email protected]
My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact us:
www.teenagersuntangled.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/
Susie is available for a free 15 minute consultation, and has a great blog:
www.amindful-life.co.uk

87: Where’s my village? The stress of parenting in the ‘sandwich generation’.

Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

04/24/24 • 34 min

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?

My aunt and uncle provide a huge amount of free childcare so that their son and daughter-in-law can work, but many say that's not been their experience. The Boomers have become notorious as a generation who are known to have reaped the rewards of the post-war boom but who appear to be more interested in travelling and enjoying themselves than supporting the next generation in their child-rearing struggles.
Having a living parent who's 65 or older whilst raising a child under 18 is Pew Research's definition of someone in the Sandwich Generation. Being a Sandwich Generation parent in an ailing economy, means being pulled in many directions at the same time.
Pew says 'not only do many provide care and financial support to their parents and their children, but nearly four-in-ten (38%) say both their grown children and their parents rely on them for emotional support.'

In this episode we talk about the trials of the Sandwich Generation, and it's rather more nuanced than the headlines make it sound. We discuss how important it is for us all to build community, to have open discussions about our needs and expectations, and to live in the season of our life.

GENERATION: PEW RESEARCH DEFINITION

Gen Z – 1997 – 2012
Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996
Gen X were born between 1965 and 1980
Boomers can be broken into two segments (Beresford research) – the first is 1946 and 1954 and the second is 1955-1964
And the Silent Generation who were born between 1928 and 1945

RESOURCES USED:
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2013/01/30/the-sandwich-generation/#:~:text=A%20Profile%20of%20the%20Sandwich,are%20pulled%20in%20many%20directions.
https://www.newsweek.com/who-are-sandwich-generation-children-caring-parents-1778400
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sandwichgeneration.asp#:~:text=The%20sandwich%20generation%2C%20in%20the,%2C%20adult%20children%2C%20and%20grandchildren.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandwich_generation#Development_of_the_concept_and_definition
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210128-why-the-sandwich-generation-is-so-stressed-out

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Thank you so much for your support.

97: Switching parental gears for their new school year.

Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

07/03/24 • 32 min

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?

The holidays are a great time to begin preparing our kids for the next year, but there's so much we could be doing it's hard to know where to start. I've turned to and someone who specialises in helping parents with tweens to give us some great, actionable tips.
JoAnn Schauf, who founded Your Tween and You, and is the author of Loving the Alien: How to Parent Your Tween, emphasizes the importance of focusing on fostering autonomy and confidence in children.

In this episode we talked about:

Goal-setting and allowing them to use their voice to set their goals.
The way our role changes and being clear about the new relationship.
The confusing changes that happen in our tween's brain.
The benefit of an accountability partner.
Using an accomplishment journal.
Noticing when the good things they do.
Focusing only on effort.
Allowing our kids to set their own goals.
Discussing homework building blocks.
Discussing screen time and empowering them to manage it.

CONTACT JOANN SHAUF:
https://www.yourtweenandyou.com/

Support the show

Thank you so much for your support.

145: Spot 'magic' moments that can set up a lifetime of success, with advice from 'one of psychology's greatest', Dr Greg Walton

Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

06/04/25 • 50 min

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?

Wouldn't it be great if we knew when and how we parents and teachers can make a massive long-term difference by doing something relatively small? What if we could catch those moments that might set off either an upward or downward spiral, and help our kids find the best path?

Well, that's what this episode is all about. Dr Gregory Walton has been described as 'one of psychology's greatest architects of how to change behaviour for good', and 'one of the most important psychologists in a generation'.

He is co-director of Harvard's Dweck-Walton lab and coined the term 'Wise interventions'; things we can do or say that hit the spot just at the point when another person is asking one of life's fundamental questions.

His new book is called, Ordinary Magic. It's all about the science of how we can achieve big change with small acts. These are things that go much further than the small nudges that help people to make better choices. This is the sort of deep magic that can last a lifetime.

Contact Dr Greg Walton:

https://www.gregorywalton.com/

CORE QUESTIONS:

Can I do it?
Do I belong?
Am I enough?
Who am I?
Do you love me?
Can I trust you?

KEY POINTS AT WHICH CORE QUESTIONS TEND TO CROP UP: TIF's

Transitions
Identity
Challenges

THE PRINCIPLES FOR THINKING THROUGH 'BAD' EVENTS:

Avoid negative labels (I'm not bad)
You're not the only one; you're never the only one. (It's normal)
Recognise causes that don't malign you or others (I/you face real obstacles)
Forecast improvement (It can get better)
Recognise opportunities (Silver lining)

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Thank you so much for your support.

30: Christmas and other family gatherings with teens. Magic or misery?

Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

12/15/22 • 23 min

Send us a text

We all have traditional times when our extended families come together to celebrate, give thanks, and share the warmth of mutual love. In the UK, December is a non-stop reel of songs about 'Simply having a wonderful Christmas time', and Instagram is awash with pictures of happy celebrations.
Being with our family can give us a welcome chance to relax and be accepted for who we are but - let's be honest - it can also bring out the worst in us. The break in routine - where everyone is forced together - can be a difficult adjustment. The expense can be crippling. Travelling to see family can be stressful, and then the raised expectations can set up the entire event for failure.

We've all been there, so here are our tips on how to make the most of those gatherings when you have teenagers in the house.

https://www.family-action.org.uk/our-voices/2021/11/12/connecting-with-teenagers-at-christmas/
https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/2021/16-december-coping-with-family-pressures-and-expectations-in-the-run-up-to-christmas/
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2021/december/avoiding-stressful-christmas.html
https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/wellbeing/a29321/how-to-deal-with-family-fallout-at-christmas/
https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/best-advice-family-christmas/605760

Support the show

Thank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message.
I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping.
Rachel’s email is [email protected] The website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact us:
www.teenagersuntangled.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/
Susie is available for a free 15 minute consultation, and has a great blog:
www.amindful-life.co.uk

60: Triggers and emotional spirals, also mobile phone bans and do schools know what to teach kids anymore?

Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

10/18/23 • 36 min

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?

In most episodes Rachel uses her journalistic background to trawl through studies and find out what a range of experts think about a topic. Susie brings her wealth of knowledge and experience of mindfulness and parenting to the microphone. Together, the two of us talk about the reality of parenting.
We're going to continue with that, but thought it might be nice to broaden the format to talk about current affairs topics, and how they affect us and our listeners.
In this episode we chat about the latest in teen slang; which can be hilarious. We also discuss the banning of mobile phones in schools, why it's happening, why it hasn't happened before, and what the benefits and issues are that surround it.
Also, we talk about exams. With the shift towards AI, is our education system really offering our teens what they need to equip themselves for being an adult? Are the subjects we study, and the way in which they are studied, still fit for purpose? Given that we can't get rid of AI, should we be incorporating it into the school curriculum?
We don't promise answers, but we're very keen to think about it, because these issues directly affect our teens.
We really enjoyed making this episode. What do you think? Shall we do it more regularly, or do prefer the research episodes? Would you like to hear more interviews? We're here for you (and to learn for our own sakes.)
CHAPTERS:
2:01 Teen lingo
7:10 Reviews
9:07 The things that trigger us are an opportunity to know ourselves better.
12:32 Getting stuck in an emotional spiral.
15:57 Mobile phone ban in schools

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Thank you so much for your support.

89: Nagging: Reducing the friction using the magic of routine.

Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

05/08/24 • 33 min

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?

Is it a constant battle to get your teens to do the right thing? Getting them to bed on time, eating healthily, keeping their screen time to an acceptable level are all problems that come up regularly. So when a listener asked for a script to use to get her teens into bed I decided that it was worth delving into what other parents are doing right and how we can adapt their behaviour to our own households.
The research has made me rethink my own life structure and the importance of routine in decluttering my life.
KEY REFERENCES:
Atomic Habits - James Clear
Podcast with Angela Duckworth - No Stupid Questions - 186 Do You Need a Routine?
App I've started using: Streaks
RESOURCES USED:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/your-stories/the-importance-of-routine/
https://zapier.com/blog/daily-routines/
https://journals.lww.com/iycjournal/fulltext/2007/10000/Family_Routines_and_Rituals__A_Context_for.2.aspx
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6378489/
SOME LISTENER RESPONSES:
Melissa: I don't think I said much. Other than you sleep better if you don't do tech just before bed. I think intially the cut off was an hour before bedtime. Which gave flexibility to give them a ten minute warning etc. Son mostly now stops tech before without prompting.
Grant: As part of screen time, there is an option to set down time on each of their devices. It works well for us.
Natalie: No phones, laptops or TVs in their rooms after 9.30pm but equally we, as parents, have to do the same. Read before bed, everyone asleep by 10.30pm latest on a school night. Not had to resort to plan B yet (WiFi turned off) as they do it. Lead by example. Also no phones or TV at dinner and we all eat together every night. I'm a big believer in systems and routines. Less arguments as no suprises.
Ashleigh We try and stick to 8pm cut off. And it helps when they have sports training they need to sleep for
Holly
We have a 9pm cutoff. Phone gets plugged in in the hallway outside the room
Sarah I have a cut off too. I started this when they were younger and then each year gradually increased the cut off, but they had to prove to me that they could come off their devices at the allotted time and get up for school the next day without any arguments. If they didn’t come off at the agreed time or were difficult the next morning, the agreement was that they would lose some screen time the next night by coming off earlier.

I work on a “prove you can be trusted” basis with both my teens for almost everything. I rarely have trouble with them as they can see the benefits of trust e.g. they get to do more! it’s worked wonders for my 17 ye

Support the show

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142: Why school exam systems need to change and how to support our own kids now

Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

05/14/25 • 34 min

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?

The intense, content-heavy exam system in the UK kicks off at this time of year with GCSEs and A levels; high-stakes exams that can feel like a make-or-break moment for teenagers.

I've already discussed with Susie how we can support our teens through the stress, which you can download here:

https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/exam-revision-parenting-through-the-pressure/

This time I'm joined by journalist Jenny Anderson who writes extensively about education, the attention economy, learning, science and technology. She's co-author of that amazing book, The Disengaged Teen, which I featured in episode 125,

https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/122-how-to-get-our-teens-to-love-learning-and-why-parents-are-the-missing-piece-of-the-puzzle/

Jenny has a child who's currently sitting GCSEs so we thought it would be a great time unpack why our current exam system might be doing more harm than good.

We explore the incredible stress these exams create by making kids work to a rigid marking scheme causing both boredom and stress, why intense memorization isn't learning and the widening gulf between our current education system and what's going on in the world of work.

We discuss why exams shouldn't define our children's worth, how to help them manage stress, and why experiences outside the classroom are just as crucial as academic achievements.

Whether your child is currently studying for GCSEs or you're looking ahead, this episode will give you practical strategies to help your teenager navigate this intense period while keeping their confidence and love of learning intact.

CONTACT: Jenny Anderson

https://www.jennywestanderson.org/
Instagram @jennyandersonwrites

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Thank you so much for your support.

Community catch up. The award, thank you's, coming up, and a trip to the big Apple

Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

10/28/24 • 10 min

Send us a text

A quick catch-up with news of what's been going on, what's coming up, thank you's and my trip to Apple HQ in London.
Wednesday's episode: Setting boundaries
Email me: [email protected]
Where Apple is based: www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk
This year's Independent Podcast Award winners:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/multi-room/6680200242
Reviews: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/reviews/

email: [email protected]

Support the show

Thank you so much for your support. Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message.
I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping.
My email is [email protected] The website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact us:
www.teenagersuntangled.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/
Susie is available for a free 15 minute consultation, and has a great blog:
www.amindful-life.co.uk

1: What's in your parenting toolbox, and how do you get your teenager to tidy their room?

Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

12/16/21 • 24 min

Just when you thought that you’d got the hang of parenting, your child changes again, and this time it’s a teenager.
In this episode, we have a rummage in your parenting toolbox to work out what’s in there, and how useful it actually is.
And in Tangling with your Teenager, we gather all of your suggestions to answer Natalie’s question. ‘How do I get my son to do what I say, and tidy his room?’
Answers range from taking the door off to pretending there are mice in the room.
In the next epsisode we’ll wade into the deep end and discuss the issue of teenagers and alcohol.
And discuss Alex’s question ‘How I stay connected to my teen when they pull away, and argue with me?’
Do you have any tips or answers? Or any great stories that will teach us what not to do?
We'd love to hear from you, including any questions you'd like answered?
Email us now: [email protected]
Or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Experts mentioned in the podcast:
👉🏻Www.aricsigman.com
👉🏻Jesper Juul: Your Competent Child

Thanks for listening. Creating this podcast has been transformative for our family lives; we hope it does the same for yours.
Please subscribe if you like our podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit.
You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message.
Our website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact us:
www.teenagersuntangled.com
Susie is available for a free 15 minute consultation, and has a great blog:
www.amindful-life.co.uk

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Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens. currently has 154 episodes available.

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The podcast is about Stress, Society & Culture, Parenting, Parent, Sex, Kids & Family, Anxiety, Father, Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Education, Mother, Support, Relationships, Advice, Tips and Drugs.

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The episode title '29: Step-children. Coping, and thriving, with a blended family.' is the most popular.

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The average episode length on Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens. is 36 minutes.

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Episodes of Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens. are typically released every 7 days.

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The first episode of Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens. was released on Dec 16, 2021.

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Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

Rachel Richards

Top 10 Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens. Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens. have?

What topics does Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens. cover?

What is the most popular episode on Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.?

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How often are episodes of Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens. released?

When was the first episode of Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.?

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