Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

When your child lies about homework, screen time, or where they’ve been, it can feel like a punch to the gut. But what if lying isn’t a sign of bad character, and instead a normal part of growing up?

In this encore episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens and Teens,” psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan look at lying from a developmental standpoint and help parents understand what’s really going on when kids bend the truth. A request for privacy doesn’t always mean something sneaky, and your response can make all the difference in whether your child learns to be honest.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why kids lie (and what their lies may be trying to protect)

- Ways to make truth-telling feel safe in your home

- How to model integrity and forgiveness when mistakes happen

- What it really means for kids to develop a healthy conscience

Originally released in 2021, this encore episode feels just as timely today for parents navigating honesty, trust, and growing independence.

Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast

And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.

Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/



Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com



Episode keywords: teen lying, why kids lie, child honesty, parenting trust, tween behavior

Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

It’s not always easy to be a seventh grade boy. Their confidence may be fragile, they tend to lag behind girls in terms of pubertal development, and at school-a place that can feel like it's built for girls- boys may start to feel like they’re falling behind. When that happens, they can become vulnerable to harmful influences and start adopting views–even sexist ones–that can worry parents.

In this episode, psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack what’s really going on developmentally for boys in early adolescence, and how parents can respond with empathy and understanding instead of fear or frustration. You’ll learn why boys often struggle more in school at this age, how their neurological growth differs from girls’, and what you can do to protect your son’s confidence and values as he grows into himself.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why seventh-grade boys face unique biological and neurological challenges

- How school environments can unintentionally favor girls’ developmental strengths

- How figures like Andrew Tate prey on boys’ vulnerability, and what parents can do about it

- How to keep communication open and help boys find confidence in healthy ways

This episode is a must-watch for any parent of a tween or teen boy who wants to understand what’s really happening beneath the surface — and how to support his growth with empathy and confidence.

Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast

And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.

Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/



Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com



Episode keywords: boys, puberty, development, self-esteem, sexism, parenting



Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

When your hormones are downshifting and your teen’s hormones are surging, it can feel like an emotional collision course. If you’ve ever wondered why your tween or teen seems moody, distant, or irritated (and you’re also running out of patience and estrogen), this episode is for you.

Psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack the double whammy of puberty and menopause under one roof: Why it feels so intense, what’s actually happening biologically, and how families can navigate it with more empathy and less guilt. Lisa also opens up about her personal experience with menopause and how finally seeking treatment changed everything.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why menopause symptoms are real medical symptoms, and what kinds of treatment and support to ask for

- What’s normal about your teen’s mood swings and distance

- How to connect with your teen, even if they don’t want to talk

- How understanding the hormonal and developmental changes in both generations can ease the tension at home

This episode helps parents understand what’s normal for their teens (and what’s happening within themselves) so they can respond with more calm, connection, and compassion.

Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast

And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.

Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/



Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com



Episode keywords: puberty, menopause, perimenopause, parenting teens, hormones, family dynamics



Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

If your tween or teen lies awake with worries spinning in their mind, or if you’ve wondered whether it’s anxiety, hormones, or something more, this episode is for you. Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan break down why anxiety and sleep are so deeply connected, and how parents can help kids find calm at night without turning bedtime into a battleground.

In this compassionate conversation, Dr. Lisa explains what’s normal about changing sleep patterns during puberty, when to worry about anxiety, and how to help your teen create healthy routines that set them up for better rest and less stress.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why teens naturally want to stay up later (and why that’s normal)- How anxiety and sleeplessness feed each other- Practical strategies to help teens wind down before bed- How to talk with your child about what’s really worrying them- Ways to normalize anxiety so kids don’t feel “broken” when they struggle

Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast

And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.

Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/



Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com



Episode keywords: teen sleep, anxiety, bedtime, parenting, mental health, sleep hygiene



Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

How do you tell your teen not to drink or use weed… while also letting them know they can let you know if they’ve made a bad choice? It can feel impossible to balance rules with approachability. In this episode, psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack how to have open, judgment-free conversations about alcohol and marijuana--conversations that keep kids safe and keep communication flowing.

Substance use among teens can feel scary and overwhelming, especially with today’s high-potency marijuana and the social pressure to experiment. Dr. Lisa shares science-based guidance that helps parents know when to start these talks, what messages really matter, and how to model healthy behavior at home.

💡 YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why it’s best to start the substance conversation early — ideally around 7th grade

- How to frame the discussion around safety instead of punishment or judgment

- What to say about the risks of alcohol and marijuana for the developing brain

- How to respond if your teen says, “But you drink,” or “Everyone does it”

- How to keep communication open so your teen knows they can always call you, no matter what

Warm, practical, and grounded in real science, this episode gives parents a roadmap for navigating one of the hardest (and most important) conversations you’ll ever have.

Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast

And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.

Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/



Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com



Episode keywords: teen substance use, weed, alcohol, parenting advice, teen safety



Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence